Ranchos or Bilstiens
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: New York
Those POS FX4 Ranchos are nothing more then white OEM Motorcraft shocks with Rancho stickers. I dare you to crawl underneath and check it out for yourself, Motorcraft stamp and part number at the bottom of each shock. they may be a somewhat higher grade, but none the less, still not real Ranchos. Just put my Bilsteins on, definately ride better. sorry to burst your bubble
-Bigdawg
-Bigdawg
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear, CA
Not bursting my bubble..I've had bilsteins on a 97 sonoma, 2000 blazer and 99 tacoma...all three would jar your teeth out on a washboard road. I had rancho 9000's on my 94 wrangler with a 4 inch lift and it road like a dream...no doubt in my mind which shock I would spend my money on.
As far as the FX4 goes, I don't care. My truck rides really nice, if there were bilsteins on there I would still say it rides nice. I don't have any stock in any of these companies, I just know from MY experience.
As far as the FX4 goes, I don't care. My truck rides really nice, if there were bilsteins on there I would still say it rides nice. I don't have any stock in any of these companies, I just know from MY experience.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: southern cal
well if your vehicle is light try the twin tube shocks they are softer, bilstein, edelbrock are monotube stiffer on the road but great on off road, twin tube shocks are less stiff , if your truck is heavy and stiff i would try twintube if not monotube, i had rancho before they cant really handle the heavy weight on offroad they tend to fade specially if they are freon type nitrogen is better for heavy vehicles
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
Likes: 6
I think ranchos are a good shock for the $$$$$. The ride a little stiff on road, a little mushy when going fast off road, but the 5000s are only about $35. I am the type that will tolerate a little less performance for a lot less money. 
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: macomb, mi
i was just thinking about getting the Rancho RSX's.
should i not. i read in 4WOR, in a shock comparison, that they were 2nd only to Bilsteins on heavy trucks. my truck is heavy and i was looking to get RSX's on their recommendation.
should i not. i read in 4WOR, in a shock comparison, that they were 2nd only to Bilsteins on heavy trucks. my truck is heavy and i was looking to get RSX's on their recommendation.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
The Ranchos have a 1,000,000 mile warranty--if you're the one that bought'em. I have had RS5000's on the last three trucks. [Chevy Z-71's.] The stock Bilstein shocks didn't last 10,000 miles of my driving, and all were broken and leaking on all 3 trucks. Average mileage put on each truck of 200,000 miles. Same set of Rancho shocks and they were still good. I left'em on the last truck I sold, cause I went with the Bronco. I would have put Rancho's on that, but couldnt' find any for a 6" lift. I have been using RS5000's on my rides since 1985, and never broke one. I don't think the GM Z-71 Bilstein's are the same as the 5100 series...
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