2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission RS9000 or Bilstein Shocks?

[JSchooley]

I was ready to order the Rancho shocks and the sales guy gave me a real hard pitch for the Bilsteins. Says they are a better shock at a lower price.

I will be running solo much of the time and taking long trips with a 12,000# 5th wheel. This 5th wheel bounces a lot harsher than my last and I'm looking for a better ride.

I considered air bags but time and cash flow made me decide to try the shocks first.

What say you guys?

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John S. '01 Silver QC LST 2500 6sp 3. 54. BD E-Brake. 50 Gal Aux fuel/tool box.

 

[LSMITH]

John, there is only about $5 difference between the two for price. I posted a question last week for where to get Rancho's and one of the reply's was a place that has them for just a hair over $60 each including shipping. I put them on the back and they made a huge difference, I have not had time to get them put on up front yet. I am extremely happy with the ones on the back and I expect the same from the front. The Bilstiens are not adjustable, and are known to be rather firm, so I bought the Rancho's. If they are a little too soft or firm you can adjust them.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[John_P]

LSMITH:

Like John, I am also in need of new shocks.
Your report was good and I appreciate your
input.

My question on the "Rancho" 9000 shocks
is: do you have to use the red "boots"
with them? Do they cover a chrome piston
or are they like the stock shock design?
I do not like the way that red "boot"
looks, especially with a "zip tie"
holding them up.

Thanks for your help!

---------
John_P

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit,Psychotty Air Filter, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[GKR]

I've used the 9000's on my past three trucks including my current one. Being able to fine tune the ride according to what you are hauling is a nice feature. I had gas shocks (Tuff Country nitros) on before and noticed a smoother ride with the 9000's. I don't use the boots, they just trap water/crud and keep it near the seal and I've yet to damage the chrome shaft.

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98. 5 Q-Cab/SB/4X4,Auto,4. 10,4. 5"lift,36/14. 50/16,VA,Stans 4" exh. ,RE0880,Ring AWOL,VDO boost/pyro/trans. temp. DTT VB/TC PS boost mod. /elbow/HD pulley

 

[SMorneau]

Put RS9000s on my truck 96 2500 4x4 at about 40K. At 185K they still work excellent. I actually purchased the shocks shortly after my first and only "death wobble" experience. I do 6 months worth of corrosion testing each year. After 4 winters they still look pretty good.

When I am not empty, I run a Pickup camper that weighs about 2800# and pull a small 5000# enclosed trailer. Make on mistake, the adjustments work! With my Firestone airbags and the 9Ks the rig handles nicely.

I don't see how you could regret the purchase of the Ranchos.

 

[LSMITH]

John, you can order boots in just about any color you want if the red is not for you, or you can just not put them on. I think the boots are under $4 each. The zip-tie is actually pretty secure and is color matched to whatever boots you order. Either way, up to you. I used the boots because I like the way they look personally, and the shocks have a lifetime warranty so if the boots cause them to fail you will get new ones.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

['956Wheel]

I just put Bilsteins on my '95 2WD 3500 and they are real nice. Lifetime guarentee too, I don't know if the Ranchos are. The truck feels real "connected" to the road.

------------------
9535hundred

 

[Hammer]

You might want to look at the Edelbrock Performer IAS shock,,They are a little more than the Rancho's,but,man what a ride. .

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98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have had Bilstiens on every vehicle i have owned, i love them, they will be going in my Ram soon. Ranchos are a decent ride, but personally, i would go with Bilstien. They are proably the best performance shock on the market. I do all on road driving, so i cant speak for whats better off road.

 

[Archive]

I ran Skyjackers gas shocks on my '95 with there springs, at 75000 miles the truck still had a smooth ride. I just purchased my 2001. 5 and have installed a complete Skyjacker 2. 5" lift w/dual gas front shocks. I would run this set up again and again. The price of these shocks are about $35 each. No you dont have to run the boots.

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2001 RAM H. O. 6Sp 2500 SLT 4x4 Quad Cab, 4Wheel Disc, 4. 10 Limited Slip, Fog Lights, Muffler removed, Silence Ring Gone, Autometer Pro Comp 60# Boost & Pyro, Banks High Ram (Red), Cummins Red Valve Cover, K&N RE-0880, Skyjacker 2. 5 lift Class 2, 7218 Dual steering stabilizers, Custom Pro Fab Trackbar (sweet), EGR Flares (nice fit), Centerline Comet III 16x9. 5 with 305/70R16, Smittybuilt stainless nurf bars, ExTang BlackMax tonno, THIS IS NOT A HOBBY, THIS IS AN ADDICTION !!! MAINLINING DIESEL !!!

 

[24V-DSL]

Ditto to what EMDDIESEL says.....

I also have a set of Edelbrock IAS on my 97 Dakota 4x4... . 4400lb. truck. They are good shocks, but I like the Bilsteins a lot better.

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White 2001. 5 2500 ST, SWB, 4X4,QC, AUTO, 4. 10's, LSD, 285/75/16 On Weld Outbacks, PIAA 510's, Line-x, Tinted glass, Redline 85+, Blow-by-bye, RE-0880 & 25-0880,muffler fell off,level truck with 2" tuff country kit, Bilsteins at the corners, Di Pricol egt and boost, Mag-hytec "original flavor" transmission pan and Dana 70 diff. cover, Westin Step Bars, Custom Plate 24V-DSL

 

[John_P]

LSMITH and All Who Replied:

Thanks to all of you for the answers to
my questions about the Rancho 9000 shocks.

---------
John_P

 

[JSchooley]

Many thanks from me too of course. It sounds like all of the aftermarket shocks are good. I didn't see any negative feedback on any of them.

I went to have Ranchos put on and got an earfull from the dealer about how great Bilstiens are. I presumed he makes more money on them, but I decided to go his way.

Again thanks for all your inputs.

John S.

 

[LSMITH]

I got the fronts put on tonite and I am very impressed with the Rancho's. The suspension actually works now! I am really glad I got the Rancho shocks. I put them on and felt I needed a little more shock, so I turned them up two notches. That was a little much so I turned them down one notch, just right! That cannot be done with any of the other shocks that were discussed. I made the right decision for me and my truck. Good luck to you guys with your choices, I hope that you are as happy as I am with whatever shock you choose.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[tjm]

I have rancho 9k's on the wheels and the 5k on the steering stabilizer. Havent had any problems. 5k (sterring stabilizer) blew out on a highway pot hole. Brought it back to the auto store for a free exchange. Buy once and forget about it