Shock recommendations
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 185
Likes: 47
From: fulltime rvers
Shock recommendations
Hi need new shocks.
we tow a 16k 5th wheel and then it's our daily driver. Don't go off road.
I usually just go with what is original to the vehicle which are Rancho shocks.
Not sure if there is a better shock for a smoother (lol) ride and can handle the 5th wheel.
Thanks
we tow a 16k 5th wheel and then it's our daily driver. Don't go off road.
I usually just go with what is original to the vehicle which are Rancho shocks.
Not sure if there is a better shock for a smoother (lol) ride and can handle the 5th wheel.
Thanks
4wd High
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
From: Salvisa ky
Opinions on this subject are numerous. I just did my shocks on F-350. Went with Rancho 5000 on front and Nappa on rear. Much to be said about KYB’s have those on my off road van, Bilstein are loved by those who own them. ( to pricy for me ) best wishes.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 530
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
Fox or Bilstein would be my choice, not a fan of rancho...I will say any shock is better than a bad shock though. Depends on if you are looking for something specific in performance. I've run gabriel in the past and they were a good softer ride with good control, but this allows for more body roll even with the anti sway bars. If a person wants cheap shocks, you typically get what you pay for and while they might be okay, they typically don't last from my experience.
If you were happy with the original shocks, stick with rancho. At least you will know what you are getting and it won't be a gamble.
If you were happy with the original shocks, stick with rancho. At least you will know what you are getting and it won't be a gamble.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
I've had everything from $10 parts store specials to $300+ bypass shocks over the years over many different vehicle and the truth is, generally, the more you spend on shocks, the better ride quality, handling and life you're gonna get out of them. And once you start getting into the higher end aftermarket shocks, even though they are usually much more expensive up front, they can be tuned for your specific vehicle/use and rebuilt for a fraction of the cost in the future.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 43
From: Land of Taxes
Rancho 9000 adjustable. Worth every penny.
Truck rides like a different truck, like a 150.
Theauditability adaptability is nice to dial in the ride. I have mine set on 2-3 out of 10 for daily. If I'm hunting/towing I bump them up to 5. 4 wheeling 1.
If you go with these pull the adjusting ***** off and pack the cavity with high end synthetic grease. If you don't they will seize up if you live in the rust belt or regularly wheel through water.
Truck rides like a different truck, like a 150.
The
If you go with these pull the adjusting ***** off and pack the cavity with high end synthetic grease. If you don't they will seize up if you live in the rust belt or regularly wheel through water.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 648
From: McKinney, TX
Rancho 9000 adjustable. Worth every penny.
Truck rides like a different truck, like a 150.
The auditability is nice to dial in the ride. I have mine set on 2-3 out of 10 for daily. If I'm hunting/towing I bump them up to 5. 4 wheeling 1.
If you go with these pull the adjusting ***** off and pack the cavity with high end synthetic grease. If you don't they will seize up if you live in the rust belt or regularly wheel through water.
Truck rides like a different truck, like a 150.
The auditability is nice to dial in the ride. I have mine set on 2-3 out of 10 for daily. If I'm hunting/towing I bump them up to 5. 4 wheeling 1.
If you go with these pull the adjusting ***** off and pack the cavity with high end synthetic grease. If you don't they will seize up if you live in the rust belt or regularly wheel through water.
I put Bilstein 4600's on my 2009 F-250, but they didn't help the underlying issue of a too-soft suspension, otherwise, I think they are good shocks. I plan on putting Bilstein 5100's on my 2023 (4x4) and very likely another set of 4600's on my soon-to-be-built 2025 (4x2.)
I kind of got away from Rancho because of the poor build quality, however. The past few sets were pretty sloppily built, and one of the RS5000's I put on my 2017 2500HD was undervalved from the factory.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 172
From: Central Texas
I have 9000's on my '12 KR and never again. Helped a little towing, but too little rebound damping, could never get great results. PITA to adjust too.
Bilstein 5100 or Fox 2.0.
Put 5100's (variable lift frt) on the daughter's '07 F150CC and am blown away. When I can scrape together $800, I'll get Fox for my truck.
Bilstein 5100 or Fox 2.0.
Put 5100's (variable lift frt) on the daughter's '07 F150CC and am blown away. When I can scrape together $800, I'll get Fox for my truck.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 530
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
haha...they still make the rancho adjustable shocks. I ran those 25 yrs ago or so. thought they were cool; nice idea, but they didn't last and performance was meh...maybe they've made improvements since then.
It may have been mentioned but most shocks are just a generic shock and not properly valved for our trucks...just saying. You don't run the original canned tunes do you
whatever floats your boat(no pun intended).
i have Fox remote res shocks up front that are supposed to be valved for my truck and same series non res fox in the rear. But most don't want to spend that extra money as has been mentioned. My shocks will hold up better and can be rebuilt.
my buddy loves rough country 2.0's but he's always replacing them
It may have been mentioned but most shocks are just a generic shock and not properly valved for our trucks...just saying. You don't run the original canned tunes do you
whatever floats your boat(no pun intended).
i have Fox remote res shocks up front that are supposed to be valved for my truck and same series non res fox in the rear. But most don't want to spend that extra money as has been mentioned. My shocks will hold up better and can be rebuilt.
my buddy loves rough country 2.0's but he's always replacing them
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 89
From: TN
I have had Bilsteins on every truck I have had for 25+ years. I currently have 5100's on my SD. Never had any issues or problems with them at all. 4600's if you mostly use your truck on weekends, 5100's if you tow or work the truck. 4600's give a softer ride, 5100's are more stiff with good rebound dampening. JMHO.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 185
Likes: 47
From: fulltime rvers
Finally got time to replace the shocks.... I went with 4600's per Bilsteins recommendation, as mentioned above the 5100 are for lifted trucks.
The Ranchos were bad, what a difference
thanks for the info
The Ranchos were bad, what a difference
thanks for the info
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