Rancho Shocks
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
?? Not sure what you are asking - boots are included with the Bilstein shocks. On the HD's, the shock body is yellow and the boots are blue. Kind of noticable under our trucks, but I don't mind. Love the ride they provide.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I replaced my stabilizer damper and it did not come with a boot. 4 Wheel Parts wanted $6 for a boot if I bought one. They had a red one lying around (which is what I wanted) so they just gave it to me since they were going to throw it away.
As for a stabilizer, I don't think brand is going to be too much of a concern with a stock suspension setup. If you go over 35" you might want to look into a dual setup, but a stocker is just fine with one. I bought what the shop had in stock (Pro Comp). I've been happy with it and it was a huge improvement over the "branded" stabilizer the truck came with (the dents didn't help much either from the previous owner). I wouldn't worry so much about the brand as I would the purpose. Make sure that it's designed to be a stabilizer, not just a shock. A shock is designed to operate vertically, but a stabilzer (while also a shock) is designed to operate horizontally.
As for a stabilizer, I don't think brand is going to be too much of a concern with a stock suspension setup. If you go over 35" you might want to look into a dual setup, but a stocker is just fine with one. I bought what the shop had in stock (Pro Comp). I've been happy with it and it was a huge improvement over the "branded" stabilizer the truck came with (the dents didn't help much either from the previous owner). I wouldn't worry so much about the brand as I would the purpose. Make sure that it's designed to be a stabilizer, not just a shock. A shock is designed to operate vertically, but a stabilzer (while also a shock) is designed to operate horizontally.
Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast of Florida
For the $3 per shock difference I got the Bilstein 5100s. They are for "lifted" trucks but will work just fine on a stock height truck. My rear is stock with the front leveled. In the end, it's cheaper:
New black boots = $6 each
Cost difference = $3 each (and no spray painting needed)
HERE is the thread from my install just this past weekend
New black boots = $6 each
Cost difference = $3 each (and no spray painting needed)
HERE is the thread from my install just this past weekend
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
I am, however, unhappy with the RS9000x's I put on my '01 - albeit it's been 7 years since I did it. THe finish rotted off from the salt on the roads, and one of them in the front has leaked. The other, like someone else warned, the adjuster has frozen up.
I'm still going to go with Ranch replacements though, because I can't live without being able to adjust them. There's no way.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 0
From: MACON, GA
ART:
You speak from two sides of horizontal opening in head!
First, you say, "the adjuster has frozen up".
Second, you say, "I can't live without being able to adjust them..."
BITE LIP, buy a set of Billsteins and enjoy the ride. It will seem like a new truck.
Oh, and answer to your question, YES, I replaced the OEM stocks, aka, RANCHO, but to the best of my knowledge, they are knock off "MONROES", NOT Motorcraft. About 1000 miles later I got what I thought was an unbelievable deal on a 2008 and I traded, with the new BILLSTEINS.
You speak from two sides of horizontal opening in head!
First, you say, "the adjuster has frozen up".
Second, you say, "I can't live without being able to adjust them..."
BITE LIP, buy a set of Billsteins and enjoy the ride. It will seem like a new truck.
Oh, and answer to your question, YES, I replaced the OEM stocks, aka, RANCHO, but to the best of my knowledge, they are knock off "MONROES", NOT Motorcraft. About 1000 miles later I got what I thought was an unbelievable deal on a 2008 and I traded, with the new BILLSTEINS.
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville, Iowa
I have a 99 F-250 SD CC LWB V-10. After 173,000 miles on the stock shocks I think its time to replace them. My truck is stock, no lift. Will the Bilstein 5100's work well on my truck. I use it to push snow, hunt, and fish plus its my wife daily driver in crappy Iowa weather. Good weather she drives topless. (she drives a convertible by the way).
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 11
From: Shiner, TX
Just a note about the adjustable damping Ranchos: Even though there is a little oring on the adjuster housing, salt and moisture can creep past the threads on the adjuster ****. This rusts the valve solid in the shock body and the adjustment is kaput. My advise is to carefully remove the adjuster housing and pack the end with grease.
This is true!
My Rancho 9000x shocks froze like that. I tried freeing up the valve, but it was too late.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
I have a 99 F-250 SD CC LWB V-10. After 173,000 miles on the stock shocks I think its time to replace them. My truck is stock, no lift. Will the Bilstein 5100's work well on my truck. I use it to push snow, hunt, and fish plus its my wife daily driver in crappy Iowa weather. Good weather she drives topless. (she drives a convertible by the way).
I was planning on getting the Bilstein Heavy Duty's. But if the 5100's are a better shock and aren't that much more expensive I'd be interested in those instead. But I really want to know for sure that putting 5100's on a stock truck, no lifts, no leveling, nada, will work. And it's not about how they look. While yellow and blue don't really do anything for me, it's a truck, it's purpose is to work, not look purty.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
Actually, it's not so much the "Rancho is made by Monroe" but that both brands of shocks are manufactured by the same company.
Tenneco to be exact: Tenneco | Brands
Tenneco to be exact: Tenneco | Brands
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Ranchos never seem to last in my experince.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Ames, Iowa
Here's a couple questions that I havn't seen asked yet...
1. How do you know your shocks are shot, without taking them off.
2. What differences (if any) will I notice if I upgrade from stock to Bilsteins 5100's?
My truck is an 2002 F-250 5.4, has 107,000 and still has stock shocks and suspension, regular stock shocks not FX4.
1. How do you know your shocks are shot, without taking them off.
2. What differences (if any) will I notice if I upgrade from stock to Bilsteins 5100's?
My truck is an 2002 F-250 5.4, has 107,000 and still has stock shocks and suspension, regular stock shocks not FX4.
