Monroe vs Bilstein

[WaynesWorld]

Has anyone had any Monroes on thier truck? I know a lot of people have had the Bilsteins. They are priced the same and I can get them with buy three get 1 free deal. How can I pass that up?

What would be the difference between the $60 shocks & the $24 Gabriels. Sometimes its only $$$$$$?

Can anyone tell me?



WAYNES WORLD

 

[Bova]

I had Monroes they were junk after 10,000 miles! I called Monroe up and all they could tell me was on 4wd vehicles there is no warranty because you could have been off roading with them.





Go Bilstiens, if you have big money go T-REX thats a suspension!

 

[WaynesWorld]

Jarhead,

I don't do any off roading. My truck is mainly used for commuting & weekend JOYRIDING.

Would this make a difference in my choice of replacement shock?



WAYNES WORLD

 

[y-knot]

I'd have to say, that as bad as the stock shocks were, they were still better then the monroes. If the few extra bucks make the difference, leave the old ones on. If you would like a deal, they have RANCHO RS5000's and RS9000's on sale buy 3 get one free. They are a nice shock. Like anything you will get what you pay for, so don't throw your money away.

 

[bmoeller]

Bilstein

I just put on new Bilstein shocks last night. So far, for the little that I have driven the truck, they are great. It rides like a new Dodge '02 half-ton. Nice and firm. Drove on some very rough road tonight, and they handled it beautifully.



My OEMs had just under 170k on them. They were shot. LF in particular. It couldn't even hold its own weight. The Bilsteins are very strong. They are much better than the Gabriel shocks I put on my old gas F-250 truck I used to have.

 

[JohnE]

In the past 20 years, I've ran a variety of shocks in previous vehicles and all pretty much were junk. Monroe, Gabriel, or store brand it didn't make much difference and these were all labeled "premium" quality.



My suggested product isn't part of your original question, but your statement "My truck is mainly used for commuting & weekend JOYRIDING. " caught my eye.

I've had great luck with KYB on my last three vehicles ranging from compact car to mini-van to RAM and all used for commuting.

Bilsteins were my only other choice, but due to past good experience, I went with KYB Gas-a-Just on the RAM.



Now, my 97 is a 2wd and if you have a 4wd then the KYB Mono-Max truck series or Bilsteins may be a better choice than Gas-a-Just. A friend with a 92 Ford diesel 2wd didn't like the KYB Gas-a-Just. The Ford suspension has too much inertia for most any single shock.

 

[RonaldLarson]

Bilstein

I just mounted two on the rear of my truck. The difference is unreal. The rear axle stays on the road now, and even on chatter bumps, no bouncing from left to right, out of control. I have had virtualy all the shocks ever made by man, and these Bilsteins deliver eqaul to their reputation, so far.

Stay as far away from Gabriel's as you can get.

Ron

 

[WaynesWorld]

shocks

Needless to say the SHOCKING NEWS amazed me!:--)

Thank You,

y-not

b moeller

john e

o l run



The survey said_________



GO WITH THE BILSTEINS



Now where do I get those 3 for 4 bargains?



I, also will be very careful with the installation, bushings.

Or, should I go with the better bushings?



Thank You,

Everyone!!!!!!!



WAYNES WORLD

 

[Dane]

I've had both in my 01. The Monroes were shot after 1 Baja trip. Bilsteins worked better from the start and are holding up well.

 

[WaynesWorld]

shocks

Thank You Dane,



It looks like everyone likes the Bilsteins. I'm waiting for a reply from the whs. .

I am looking for the place that has them on sale, 4 for the price 3, then out comes the plastic.



WAYNES WORLD

 

[RobG]

I've used both Bilsteins and Ranchos. Here are my observations...



Put Bilsteins on my '96 RAM 3500 CC 4x2 because of their reputation. Enormous improvement.



About a year later, I switched to Rancho RS9000s because of a special group price we got from 4WheelParts. I found that, at least in the rear, the Ranchos did a better job of controlling camper sway, since I carry a large Lance camper. The fronts, however, were fairly stiff.



When I traded and got my '01, the rears moved to the new truck, and I put new RS9000s up front. I found that 3 was good unloaded and 4 was for when the camper was on the truck. For the rear, I ran 2 unloaded and 5 loaded. These were the five-position shocks.



Then I got my '03 a month ago. I had recently put new RS9000X shocks on the rear of the '01, and I took them off and put the old worn out RS9000s on before I traded it. The RS9000X shocks fit the new truck just fine.



Then I decided to try something different. I put Bilsteins up front this time. They did cost a bit more, but I wanted to give 'em a shot. I had been complaining for a long time that my '01 rode very harshly and I suspected it was a combination of the Ranchos and my 19. 5" wheels and tires.



Well, lo and behold, the truck now rides really nicely. The fronts could be a little stiffer for camper hauling, but they're very liveable, and the ride quality improvement, especially offroad, makes it well worth it.



I will continue to run the RS9000X in back since I can tighten 'em up (I run them on 9 with the camper, 1 without) as needed.



I suspect that Bilsteins in the rear would be ideal if you aren't hauling something top-heavy like a camper. I would definitely recommend them.



Rob

 

[Dr.Kayak]

Last night I replaced my 2 year old Rancho 9000s with Bilsteins. I was happy with the Ranchos when I first got them. Lately, I think they have worn out after only 25k miles.



The new Bilsteins are slightly smaller diameter and lighter weight than the Ranchos.



I had bad freeway expansion join bounce with the Ranchos. On the drive to work today I am sad to say the new Bilsteins rode no better.

 

[redram]

I have a set of Monroes that have less than 10K on them - been sitting in the garage for 6+ years since I've put the bilsteins on.

Give me $20. 00 for all four plus shipping and you can have them.



Otherwise, i'll hang on to them if I ever have to exchange the Bilstein's in their life time warranty. Although 115,000+ on them I'd say I got my money's worth out of them.

 

[WaynesWorld]

shocks

Rob G,

Dr. Kayak,

redram,



Thanks to all!!!!



Everyone seems to agree about the Bilsteins.

The only thing is WHERE to get them near Chicago?

Can anybody suggest a place?

Should I just special order them a the local parts store?





WAYNES WORLD

 

[Bob Wagner]

Wayne order from off road warehouse and get your TDR discounted price



toll free 1 800 341 7757



enjoy the ride

 

[WaynesWorld]

shocks

Bob Wagner,



Thanks for the phone #.

I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Could I be that lucky to hit the sale item of the month?



WAYNES WORLD