Bilstiens or Rancho

[SPound]

I'am planning on replacing my shocks on my 06 dually and trying to decide which shocks are best for confort ride. The truck is stock hieght and is used 95% of the time for hauling 11k gooseneck. Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[Slow Six]

Bilsteins were not available when I did mine so I went with the Monroe Reflex and so far they are okay. There was a lot of discussion about a year ago on this topic. A search might find you a lot of info.

 

[BigFun]

I ran Rancho RS9000 on all four. I like the adjustability. When I installed the KORE HD Leveling, I installed the Bilsteins as they were longer for the lift in front vice spending more money for longer Ranchos. The 9000s are still in the rear and are adjusted for the load when I carry the camper. Was a little skeptical with the fronts after the leveling, but pretty pleased with the ride up front. Very satisfied with both. The 9000s will give you some adjustability between loaded and unloaded. Something else to play with!
BF

 

[Cowpunk]

The way it tends to boil down is that bilstiens are better on road and ranchos are better off road. Not to say one is better than the other cause the both rock!

 

[TAbbott]

I'am planning on replacing my shocks on my 06 dually and trying to decide which shocks are best for confort ride. The truck is stock hieght and is used 95% of the time for hauling 11k gooseneck. Any thoughts or opinions?

I went with the Bilstein 5100's and am happy with them.

 

[SPound]

Genos has the Bilstien's, are they comparable to 5100's? I believe the #'s are 66-- series, any info appreciated. I dont off road much so maybe the Bilstiens will be more my style.

 

[JayWm]

I tried the Rancho 9000's on my 05 2wd dually. They were worse than the stock shocks. Truck has 28,000 miles. I was looking for something that was stiffer on the front than stock. Too much oscillation on the front for my liking whether its empty or loaded. I ended up putting the stock shocks back on for now. By the way when I installed them I set the rs9000's at stiff as possible and still found them weaker than the stock shocks.

 

[TAbbott]

I tried the Rancho 9000's on my 05 2wd dually. They were worse than the stock shocks. Truck has 28,000 miles. I was looking for something that was stiffer on the front than stock. Too much oscillation on the front for my liking whether its empty or loaded. I ended up putting the stock shocks back on for now. By the way when I installed them I set the rs9000's at stiff as possible and still found them weaker than the stock shocks.

Try the Bilsteins. They are way, way better than the stock shocks. You still hit the bumps, but you only hit 'em once.

 

[TowPro]

Try the Bilsteins. They are way, way better than the stock shocks. You still hit the bumps, but you only hit 'em once.

but are the Bilsteins available for the 06 3500's 2wd's yet? At 8000 miles I am ready to replace all 4. In fact the backs squeak, but only when loaded with my 5er.



I called Bilstein and they said no. Something about she was not allowed to tell me that another part number would work because it was not Designed for the application or something.

 

[jeepit]

Get the adjustable Rancho's and don't look back. I really like mine and the ability to adjust to different loads is an advantage especially if carrying loads (Lance slide in) or towing a trailer... .

 

[TAbbott]

but are the Bilsteins available for the 06 3500's 2wd's yet? At 8000 miles I am ready to replace all 4. In fact the backs squeak, but only when loaded with my 5er.



I called Bilstein and they said no. Something about she was not allowed to tell me that another part number would work because it was not Designed for the application or something.

My truck is an '06. I put the 5100 Bilsteins on it and they work great.

 

[WUnderwood]

I vote for Bilstein 5100s, personally

 

[Signal73]

I had rancho rot/rust out on me in under a year, they were the 5000 sieres garbage. the bilstiens I replaced them with looked great 2 years later.



$0. 02

 

[Big P]

I had rancho rot/rust out on me in under a year, they were the 5000 sieres garbage. the bilstiens I replaced them with looked great 2 years later.



$0. 02

That's strange, my Bilsteins have been on a year, and now they are rusted and look like hell.

 

[TAbbott]

That's strange, my Bilsteins have been on a year, and now they are rusted and look like hell.

Were youre Bilsteins the shiny zinc coated ones (the 5100's) or were they the yellow and blue models?

 

[Big P]

They "were" the shiney 5100 series. :-laf

 

[TowPro]

My truck is an '06. I put the 5100 Bilsteins on it and they work great.

Is this truck 2WD?

 

[TAbbott]

No. Mine's a 4x4 QC long bed. Do you think they have different shock mounts?

 

[TowPro]

No. Mine's a 4x4 QC long bed. Do you think they have different shock mounts?

According to the books they are different. In fact they make shocks for the 4x4 but not for the 2wd. Someone else ordered something for his 3G 2wd from off road warehouse, but I don't think they ever shipped them to him.

 

[THUREN]

Bilstein all the way... Actually, any high pressure gas shock is the point I'm trying to make. .



I would suggest staying away from any NON monotube shock... These trucks are just way too heavy to use anything else. .



If you decide to get anything but a high pressure monotube, just get the cheap off the shelf "rancho-monroe-gabriel" etc... They are all pretty much the same. .



A high pressure mono-tube gas shock would be considered and upgrade, anything else is no better than stock...



-Don