Woke up about 5:00 19° went back to sleep (why not snow day) 15° at 7:20 and about 1.5" snow.

Pitchers and catchers report in four weeks.

 

Still waiting for some actual sow, supposed to be here by Friday AM. Had ~ 6" off and on since Christmas by this time last year.

 

Four weeks away, and yet so many top name free agents are still unsigned.

SMH

Stewart

 

Figured since it warmed up to 31* today I'd toss on the new shocks that have been sitting pretty in the corner for a few weeks. I sprayed the new shocks with a few layers of clear paint so they won't look like the originals in 18 years and soaked the nuts with penetrating oil. Came back and the water bottle I left was frozen solid.

It's safe to say this old front shock is worthless. Stayed compressed for a few hours, probably still is. The new Rancho 9000xl is massive in comparison

After replacing the fronts, the rears went on. I should have removed the spare tire for extra room, but the creaper made it bearable.

The difference in piston size on the rears is also insane

After cleanup I set all the shocks to the firmest setting and went for a quick test ride. Not surprising, the new shocks are an amazing upgrade. Tomorrow when it warms up a few more degrees I'll dial in the shocks settings. Figure I'm still a semi-young buck, and crawling under the truck every time I tow the 5th wheel to dial in the settings when I hook up isn't that big of a deal. Maybe in a few years that will change and I'll go with the crowd to the Blistin 4600s, but for now I like the adjustability of the Ranchos

 

See, there's the difference between you and me. I would've stopped right there!

 

I had the same thoughts about the Bilsteins I installed that you do about your Ranchos. The ride difference was dramatically different.



The weather is supposed to be in the 50's today and 60's this weekend, it is about time!

 

Can you guys tell me how the ride changed? I have Bilsteins going on the truck this weekend, but it doesn't seem shocks would make that big of a difference. Just curious.

 

I didn't tell my wife I changed the shocks, I just took her for a drive. After a few miles I asked something like "does the truck seem to ride differently to you for some reason?" She said something along the lines of "I think it is smoother and not as bouncy".

I then went on to tell her that I had changed the shocks.

The ones I took off were OEM on the rear and replacements on the front. All 4 of them were trash, not even worth their weight in dirt. The new ones did just what they are designed to do. They made the road surface less noticeable and more comfortable to drive over. I do run my tires at max pressure though, so it still rides like a truck. I use my truck for heavy towing and hauling, so adjusting the pressure in the tires is not what I want to do. I check the pressure, but inflate them up when needed.

I would not say the truck rides like a Cadillac or anything, but the ride quality was dramatically improved.

 

Mine were the original so they were worse than I thought they'd be when I took them off. The new ones didn't let the front or rear dip at all on acceleration or stops or on the curves. Felt flat and rock solid, could feel the road a little, very little. But nothing like before when it rode like a, well a big heavy truck with stiff leaf springs.

 

so.... the question is.... Bilsteins vs Rancho


it's about time to change the shocks on old green again

 

I had my heart set on Bilstein for a long time then changed my mind in the 11th hour to Rancho RS9000XL based on some things I had read (plus Rancho was offering a rebate). I'm very happy with my choice and like the adjustability.

 

I'm digging these rancho 5k, over the previous bilstein 4600's

 

I like to dial down the Rancho's & lower the tire pressure for a cushy ride until Fall camper hauling season.

 

Ahh 45* today Perfect weather to crawl around in the attic wiring up the new security cameras. Here's a related result

 

43 and sunny here, the trip out to get the newspaper was awesome.