Shocks are likely original in my truck, and about half past useless. And I've told my wife I'm done remodeling the house until the truck is up to snuff. So I'll be dismantling the wood shop in my garage to make space for the truck. I'm hoping to be done with all the little things before I need a snow suit and hot cocoa to work on it. (I've had a whole warm summer and done nothing for the truck)

First up shocks.
1. This might sound stupid but, I have no idea if the truck is lifted or not. If it is I think it's just a leveling kit, maybe. I didn't think it was. But a few friends of mine keep telling me it's pretty tall. So how do I determine whether it is or isn't?

2. Does it matter if it's lifted, leveled or stuff? I imagine it does, but I've never done anything to a suspension before.

3. Once I get one and two sorted out I'd like to tackle the fun part. Do I make it rain at Rancho? Bilstein? Will I get more bang for the buck buying whatever the Irish parts store is Hawking to the masses? Does Napa really put their sticker over better parts? I'm hoping this isn't opening a monster can of worms.

Thanks FTE!

 

make sure you get a good warranty on the shocks


Brands are a preference to some


mine came with Bilstein which work fine and I have liked Rancho in the past


how far is bumpers off the ground?

 

If you have more than 2 leafs in the front you have a leveling kit there.
If the shocks are stock you probably do not have a lift.
I have Bilsteins and like them. Good warranty. Ranchos are popular too. go with the best warranty.

 

If we are in the running. Keep in my mind Shockotober is underway right now, our Fall rebate.

Promotions

If you buy online, save all boxes before mailing in the rebate form.
Make a copy of all for your records.

And our warranty, always save that receipt.

Limited Lifetime Warranty / 90-Day Risk-Free Ride Offer


Good luck in your choice. I run the adjustable RS9000XL as I like the adjustability when I tow.

 

I will add my 2 cents if that is ok and I will only give you my experience......others may be different. I will start by saying that my suspension was (and actually still is to a degree) in desperate need of attention when I bought my truck. Not sure of the lift on the truck spring-wise but the shocks were Rancho 5000 (and they were SHOT!!!!). This spring I went ahead and bought both new springs (from ATS) and shocks (Bilstein) based off of what I read on here. I know that the springs are X/C code and I believe that the shocks are the 5100 series. Well the repair/replacement plan did not go as planned and I was only able to get the shocks in before the Ex was needed again for use. From a complete "feel" perspective, the truck rides so much better from just the new Bilsteins (I can't wait to do the springs too and then feel the ride difference ).


Now new Ranchos may have accomplished the same feel but there is also something else that I noticed different between the 2 shocks that made me happy that I went with Bilstein (although Rancho may have changed their design since the ones that I had on the truck were built so this may be a mute point). What I noticed different between the 2 was that the small metal bushing in the rubber isolator on the mounts on the bilsteins appeared to be one piece (i.e. no seam) whereas on the old Ranchos this bushing was basically a rolled piece of metal (i.e. seam). What difference does this make? Again this is just my opinion but I do remember before replacement I would hear and get a lot of "metal on metal" noises/popping/hitting whenever I hit bump in the road or something significant. Well when I looked at the bushings in the old shocks, they were deformed and sometimes "bent open" at the seam (I do have pics on my phone but I recently ran it over after performing some maintenance so they will have to wait). I don't know what forces were needed to cause this but to me that does not matter.......the seam is a weak point and will open. My isolators were worn where the bushing opened thus allowing space and I assume, the ability for the shock to move on the bolt creating the noises that I used to hear (I no longer hear these noises). New Ranchos may have helped my ride feel better like the Bilsteins do but if they are still making that bushing the same way, it would only be a matter of time before it opened again and created the same issue.


Like I said, this is just my experience. I guarantee that somebody else has a good experience with Rancho and negative with bilstein. Just thought that I would give you mine since you asked for opinion. If I can get the pics off of my phone I will upload on here so you can make your own decision. Good luck.

 

Ranchos or Bilsteins, they are both top notch......

 

I have Bilstein 5100's. Stiffer ride unloaded, but when I have my 4 horse gooseneck hooked up it's better.

My dad just put the Rancho adjustables on his Toyota, ride is very smooth on washboard dirt roads.

Don't think you can go wrong either way, just depends on where you want to place your dollars.