2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission rear shock question

[n4hwl]

I recently changed from rancho 9000 shocks all around to bilstein. Im pleased with the bilstein on the front but on the rear when I hit a small bump in the road there seems to be a bobble in the rear after each bump. Ive talked to Bilstein about it and they werent able to help me. I know this truck won 't ride like a car but I sure would like to smooth things out. Any help would be appreciated.



Ken Tenpenny

 

[InThinAir]

When you say a 'Bobble' what do you mean? Please bear in mind that the rancho's are adjustable and if you rode around with the rears set to 1 or 2, then the Bilsteins would be like riding around set on 4 or 5 on a 5 scale. So if you ever rode around empty with the rancho's cranked up, how does the bilsteins compare to that?



---Doug

 

[Bob Wagner]

whats your rear tire pressure?

 

[RustyJC]

Hmmm... with the rear Rancho 9000's (old 5-position model) set on "2", ours rides great empty, and setting the rears on "5" stops the stock shocks' constant bobbing and bouncing when towing our 13,500 lb 5th wheel. I don't think you're going to get the Bilsteins to ride softer than the Rancho 9000's on their lower settings.



Rusty

 

[jwoelfle]

I just had a thought about shocks for our trucks. Seems that the Ranchos have hte smooth ride and Bilsteins have the control. What about running Bilsteins on the front and Rancho 9000's set to 1 or 2 on the rear. Would there be any danger in it... I don't see any. Anybody try that yet?



Jim

 

[y-knot]

What danger! The shock police? I did run the Rancho's all around, and had the fronts start leaking after 6000 miles. So I pulled them (yes I know they have a waranty, but I still through them away) and instaled the OEM bilstein's. They did last, and yes they were rougher, but they had better control. And the rear Rancho's did just fine, they stayed on for another two years till I re-did the truck.

 

[n4hwl]

By bobble I mean that the rear(I think its the rear) seems to bounce a bit after each bump like there is not enough dampening

 

[n4hwl]

I keep about 40-45 psi in the rear when I am not hauling anything ant 65psi in the front. I have 10 ply(80 psi max) michilin ltx tires.

 

[AHughes]

SHOCKS ON 3/4 TON 98.5

CHANGED SHOCKS 4 TIMES ON MY 98. 5 24 VALVE. ENDED UP BEST RIDE WERE BILSTEINS ALL THE WAY AROUND AND REMOVING THE OVERLOAD SPRINGS ON THE REAR AND INSTALLING "ROADMASTER" SUSPENSION. JUST LOVE THE WAY THE TRUCK HANDLES NOW NO BANGING AND CLANGING FROM THE REAR AND TRUCK STAYS STABLE IN CORNERS. NO EFFECT ON TOWING CAPACITY OR LOADING. BEST $225 I'VE SPENT ON THE TRUCK:Oo.