bilstein vs. rancho

NastyNate71 · 09-18-2009, 12:55 PM

im helping my friend put together a chevy 1500 with just a 2.5 lift and he was wondering if he should go for bilstein 5100 or rancho rs5000 shocks i personally would pick the 5100's but im wanting to know what others would suggest..........he's wanting to just use it for going fast in snow and mud nothing major though

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AxleIke · 09-18-2009, 01:29 PM

I've only ever had the cheapy ranchos, but I've had the 5100 series bilstein. I didn't like either one. I've heard that going up in quality on the bilsteins will net you a better ride, but my Bilsteins rode better after I blew one out completely from an over extension.

Elton · 09-18-2009, 01:32 PM

im gonna try out the skyjacker 8000 series there cheap and seem to be good

wolfrunner · 09-18-2009, 04:24 PM

i have been running the bilstiens for a year now and love them. i run the 5150's. and it might be a mixture of the suspension and the shocks but my runner rides like a cadillac. not joking

**waskillywabbit** · 09-18-2009, 04:34 PM

If you want a crappy ride, buy cheap shocks. If you want a good ride, good shocks help and they aren't the "cheap" ones.

AxleIke · 09-18-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waskillywabbit

If you want a crappy ride, buy cheap shocks. If you want a good ride, good shocks help and they aren't the "cheap" ones.

Very well said.

Problem is, what are the good ones? I went with non cheap "good ones", and they sucked. I'm half convinced I will need to go to remote res shocks to get a decent ride out of them.

BigBluePile · 09-19-2009, 08:21 AM

I've had Rancho 9000's and am running 9000x's and their adjustability from in the cab is pretty handy. I think they ride very well and perform well offroad and on highway. I'd really like to have the 9000XL Pro Series with the digital controller!!!

muddpigg · 09-19-2009, 09:27 AM

Subscribed

TrikeKid · 09-25-2009, 01:03 AM

I've only had the bilstiens on my truck but I've known guys with Rancho's on similar setups and they always complained that they had a lot of body roll and a poor ride quality, things I never had an issue with. My truck works great off road and I can still beat it through a twisty road better than my car.

jheyne · 09-25-2009, 02:23 PM

i got the bilstein 5125s on the rear of my truck with chebbies and i llove the ride

aa1911 · 09-25-2009, 06:26 PM

Bilstein 5150 on my tacoma, not overwhelmed but noticable improvement and totally worth the money. I would go with Bilstein over Rancheros based on reputation alone...

snow n' mud · 10-08-2009, 09:03 PM

Im currently running 9000's in the rear and rsx's in the front of my runner and i have a lot of dirt back roads and i am able to take the corners overs the hills great! and they perform really well offroad as well. I personally herd bad things about rancho shocks befor i got them but i work at napa so i got a discount and if somthing went wrong i wouldnt have a problem bringing them back haha but so far so good!

aa1911 · 10-08-2009, 09:51 PM

yeah, bilsteins are the first upgrade I've done for suspension and I like them; Rancheros are probably a big upgrade from factory and I also have the pickup with no weight in the back end which makes things a bit different. My 4Runner with stock shocks runs about as good as my pickup with good shocks so go figure...

I'm getting some new shocks for the 4Runner soon, will let you know what I wind up with and how they work!

happy trailing...

JamesD · 10-08-2009, 10:17 PM

Rancho shocks are made by Tenneco the same people who make Monro shocks. Bilstein is a better shock due to the valving in them compared to the Rancho's. The RS5000 are a good shock but too stiff. If you decide to get the Rancho's get the adjustable RS9000.

James

snow n' mud · 10-08-2009, 10:25 PM

yea thats common for the pickup to ride sloppy i mean with no weight and all. thats one reason i love my runner is the weight cause i can pull more people out than my bud with a pickup haha but like i said awesome luck "knock of wood" with the ranchos

hross14 · 10-09-2009, 02:36 PM

Edlbrock IAS--they are a great shock--

pruney81 · 10-09-2009, 03:42 PM

bilsteins

suncomb1 · 10-10-2009, 05:00 AM

I have used many brands of shocks over the years both on my street cars and race cars. Look at the construction, valving, adjustability, etc. of the shock and know how you want to use your vehicle. I currently run Rancho 9000's on my Toyota truck (2 shocks per wheel) and I have a great ride. When you get older you really need that!

1stgen4gunner · 10-10-2009, 09:41 AM

Go with the quality of the bilsteins. They ride really smooth on a new road, but they are very stiff shocks and handle well but you will feel every little pebble coming your way.

94sasyota · 10-12-2009, 10:41 AM

bilsteins havent had a problem yet

prmartin · 11-05-2009, 02:32 PM

I'm running the rs9000's front and rear on my truck and they are great in the bush and on the road and you can fiddle with them quite a bit to make them ride nice. my buddy has bilstien remote resoviors in the front and they also work good but you need space for the resoviors cause they are pretty big

4rnr · 11-06-2009, 08:09 AM

bilstein vs Rancho??? Thought Id never see the day.

Bilstein 5125 or better, hands down IMO.

09-18-2009, 01:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
AxleIke Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 4,887	I've only ever had the cheapy ranchos, but I've had the 5100 series bilstein. I didn't like either one. I've heard that going up in quality on the bilsteins will net you a better ride, but my Bilsteins rode better after I blew one out completely from an over extension. __________________ 1987 Mutant 4runner\|Slightly Modified\|Lacking general build direction -Lifts and Tires look cool at the Mall, Lockers and Gears look cool on the trail. -Internet Nice Guy

09-18-2009, 01:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,644	im gonna try out the skyjacker 8000 series there cheap and seem to be good __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

09-18-2009, 04:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
wolfrunner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 93	i have been running the bilstiens for a year now and love them. i run the 5150's. and it might be a mixture of the suspension and the shocks but my runner rides like a cadillac. not joking __________________ GET IN THE CHOPPER IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!!!!!!!!! 1993 runner bought stock 3.0 auto / as if 2-21-09 sas started / rear chev 63" leaf springs / TG rock sliders / bilstein 5150 14" shocks all around / 5.29's / 37x14.50x15 toyo m/t on 15x10 ultra 164 wheels / longfield super axles / trailgear rear bumper 1991 runner auto 3.0 blown head gaskets / as of 2-19-09 hg repaired / runner up for sale. $2500.00 obo swapping to a 3.4 ....priceless, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! COSTS A TON!!!!

09-18-2009, 04:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,546	If you want a crappy ride, buy cheap shocks. If you want a good ride, good shocks help and they aren't the "cheap" ones. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

09-19-2009, 09:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
muddpigg Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: injured and stateside :( Posts: 1,388	Subscribed __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqtr_RvR3sY Balljoints for sale. Open to trades and offers. http://www.yotatech.com/f11/ball-joi.../#post51278784

09-25-2009, 01:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
TrikeKid Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Roy, WA Posts: 325	I've only had the bilstiens on my truck but I've known guys with Rancho's on similar setups and they always complained that they had a lot of body roll and a poor ride quality, things I never had an issue with. My truck works great off road and I can still beat it through a twisty road better than my car. __________________ '85 Xtra Cab Knobbly tires and such things.

09-25-2009, 02:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
jheyne Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 88	i got the bilstein 5125s on the rear of my truck with chebbies and i llove the ride

09-25-2009, 06:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
aa1911 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: yelm, wa Posts: 9	Bilstein 5150 on my tacoma, not overwhelmed but noticable improvement and totally worth the money. I would go with Bilstein over Rancheros based on reputation alone...

10-08-2009, 09:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
snow n' mud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 2	Im currently running 9000's in the rear and rsx's in the front of my runner and i have a lot of dirt back roads and i am able to take the corners overs the hills great! and they perform really well offroad as well. I personally herd bad things about rancho shocks befor i got them but i work at napa so i got a discount and if somthing went wrong i wouldnt have a problem bringing them back haha but so far so good!

10-08-2009, 09:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
aa1911 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: yelm, wa Posts: 9	yeah, bilsteins are the first upgrade I've done for suspension and I like them; Rancheros are probably a big upgrade from factory and I also have the pickup with no weight in the back end which makes things a bit different. My 4Runner with stock shocks runs about as good as my pickup with good shocks so go figure... I'm getting some new shocks for the 4Runner soon, will let you know what I wind up with and how they work! happy trailing...

10-08-2009, 10:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
JamesD Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,829	Rancho shocks are made by Tenneco the same people who make Monro shocks. Bilstein is a better shock due to the valving in them compared to the Rancho's. The RS5000 are a good shock but too stiff. If you decide to get the Rancho's get the adjustable RS9000. James __________________ New Tacome V6 transfer case http://www.yotatech.com/f107/sale-br.../#post50755569 Various Toyota truck/4Runner switches for sale http://www.yotatech.com/f109/various...trucks-148139/

10-08-2009, 10:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
snow n' mud Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 2	yea thats common for the pickup to ride sloppy i mean with no weight and all. thats one reason i love my runner is the weight cause i can pull more people out than my bud with a pickup haha but like i said awesome luck "knock of wood" with the ranchos

10-09-2009, 02:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
hross14 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,169	Edlbrock IAS--they are a great shock-- __________________ Yes, I said "country." America really is a nation, but you couldn't convince those who lead the Democratic and Republican Parties of that. Both parties now see America as nothing more than an economy, a marketplace, and not a sovereign nation. They don't see you and me as citizens of this great nation; they see us as units of labor, consumers and taxpayers. Yes, I am here to collect my 238$ worth of stock from AIG. "What do you mean a free market economy doesnt apply to the rich?"

10-09-2009, 03:42 PM	#17 (permalink)
pruney81 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 798	bilsteins __________________ 90 22RE 4WD stick 97K miles stock, except for Bilsteins

10-10-2009, 05:00 AM	#18 (permalink)
suncomb1 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 90	I have used many brands of shocks over the years both on my street cars and race cars. Look at the construction, valving, adjustability, etc. of the shock and know how you want to use your vehicle. I currently run Rancho 9000's on my Toyota truck (2 shocks per wheel) and I have a great ride. When you get older you really need that!

11-06-2009, 08:09 AM	#22 (permalink)
4rnr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 1,469	bilstein vs Rancho??? Thought Id never see the day. Bilstein 5125 or better, hands down IMO. __________________ poop 1988 stock 4runner, v6, 5spd, soft top. 1990 fj62 stock and mint! 1992 4runner, 3.4, auto, SAS'ed, Marlin USA springs (4"/5"), 37" PBR's, 30 spline Longfields, Hydro assist, dual inchworms (5:1, twin stick, 23 spline, chromo output, 10* clock) 5.29's, lockrite's, custom exo, High angle drivelines drive shafts, 108" wheelbase, Warn hs9500i, Mcintosh/Dynaudio a/v system. The build up...http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=74915

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10-10-2009, 09:41 AM	#19 (permalink)
1stgen4gunner Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 625	Go with the quality of the bilsteins. They ride really smooth on a new road, but they are very stiff shocks and handle well but you will feel every little pebble coming your way. __________________ -Dave "It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated." Sorry Guys but I am trying chevy for a while, Current Rig- 2000 Chevy S10 ZR2, but I am sure I'll be back! 1990 Deluxe Extended Cab 22RE 5spd, Roll Bar, KC Lites, Flowmaster 50 series- SOLD 1988 4Runner SR5 3.0 3VZE Auto, 31" BFG A/T KO, Bushwhackers, 205,000 miles- SOLD and was driven 4500 miles to Anchorage AK 2003 KTM SX125

10-12-2009, 10:41 AM	#20 (permalink)
94sasyota Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: denver NC Posts: 80	bilsteins havent had a problem yet __________________ 85 4runner tan, spooled rear 35's KM2 s chevy 63" TG skid plate,3in trailgear springs,12in 5125's,high steer,v6 brake upgrade and 1in master.TG high steer

11-05-2009, 02:32 PM	#21 (permalink)
prmartin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Powell River, Canada Posts: 8	I'm running the rs9000's front and rear on my truck and they are great in the bush and on the road and you can fiddle with them quite a bit to make them ride nice. my buddy has bilstien remote resoviors in the front and they also work good but you need space for the resoviors cause they are pretty big __________________ 89 pick-up with SAS and three link rear,lockers,5.29's,35" bias claws,hand throttle,stretched front end,rear end/box shrotened 24 inches,Hi-steer and rotated knuckles