Shocks: Rancho RS9000's vs Bilstein 5100's

[JasonCzerak]

Ready, Set... DEBATE!

Thus far most of you folks like the bilsteins 5100's

I like the rancho's for being adjustable. ($99/each)

I like the Bilstein's as they are not-adjustable and cheaper! ($75/each-ish) and the majority of you folks like them.

My Habbits:

99% unloaded, City driven, racing here and there. It's rare that I do go off road with this truck, if It do, it's a rolling grassy fields on a farm or something.

Nitto's 285 tires. 60PSI up front, 45 in back (unloaded). When I do load up, I jack up the PSI to about 60-ish (64-is the tires are warm already)

Original shocks are still installed. Either I'm just used to the rough ride or they are still "good".

However, some roads it just beats the crap outa ya and I"m looking for some better traction when you get on the go peddle as she gets a little "hoppy" at times when on less then perfect roads.

My question is, Can the Rancho's on level "1" get to a softer ride then the bilstein's? And naturally when turned up get to a harder ride?

I'm leaning toward the bilstein's only cuz I've spent enough money on this truck this month and I still have to do a diff/motor/transfrer case fluid change prior to my long road trip at the end of next month.

And the incab adjustable rancho. I have and air tank already, can they be configured to use that air system?

 

[Rhondasway]

I liked my Ranchos just fine, but with about 90K on them, it just seemed like the right time to replace. :-laf After doing some searching on this very site, I opted for the Bilsteins, which I installed today. Even though my Ranchos were adjustable, I turned them all the way up on installation and never turned them down so I figured I didn't need that option.

The Bilsteins ride very firm but not nasty, and of course all the front end shake I had with my toasted Ranchos is gone. The truck feels like a truck, which I like (not too soft). Hopefully they'll hold up well.

Good luck!

 

[JVolpe]

Well I have Rancho 9000Xs on mine for 70,000 plus miles. I have not tried the Bilsteins on a Dodge Cummins, but I ran them on my 3/4 ton chevy 4x4s and they were great.



The Ranchos seem to perform well, but with oversized tires I would not try to set the front any lower than 5, I run mine on 7. With leveling kit and 315s any softer just increases DW possibilities. I replaced my Ranchos that I had with the leveling kit and 315s with new ones when I went back to stock height and 285s at about 52,000 miles.



Like I said I can't speak for the Bilsteins on the Cummins, but I am satisfied with the Rancho 9000Xs. I think I paid $83 dollars for mine.