Truck Shock Picks - Bilstein vs Rancho vs ProComp vs.............

Truck Shock Picks - Bilstein vs Rancho vs ProComp vs.............

Time to replace my truck shocks. What is your vote and why? 99 GMC Z71 Ext Cab. Used for towing, hauling, light off roading, 285K.

No experience with them except for every watching every build/project where people seem to use nothing but Bilsteins. Sure seems to be the choice among those in the know.

Pro-Comp in second place and Rancho a semi-distant third though I've liked them and I've never used the adjustable 9000's. People Seem to hate Rancho for whatever reason.

I ran a set of Pro-Comp MX6s on the Jeep at one point. They flat out sucked. Too much compression damping so they were harsh and the rebound valving was almost too soft for stock springs (and got too soft if you turned the adjusters down to try to fix the compression damping, as they seem to adjust both). With any stiffer springs, they were just bouncy and couldn't keep up.

I swapped to Bilstein 7100s after that (7100s mostly because I could choose valving to match my springs). Even with much stiffer springs, it rides far better than the MX6s and stock springs ever did.

Basically any higher-end shock (Bilstein, Fox, King, Radflo, etc.) will work well if the valving is decently matched to the springs. I've heard good things about F-O-A shocks as well, although some say they don't last as long as they should (but they're cheaper than a lot of the other comparable shocks).

Some people find the other options like the Rancho 9000s to be good enough, some don't. Probably depends on the vehicle and on driver preference.

In for the answer... My 2k Silverado needs new shocks, and the rancho's are on the radar. (mainly because they come with the rough country leveling kit)

I went the Bilstein route for hte 06 CC. Great choice. Ride is much improved over the stock Delco's that I had on it before. I'd recommend that route for any GMT800 truck unless you're lifted.

A few months ago I replaced the stockers on my 2004 2500HD. I used Bilstein 5100 on the front, and Rancho 9000 adjustable on the back.

I'm extremely pleased with the choice. The Bilsteins up front are very nice, and I'm running 285/70-17 tires, so there's a fair bit more unsprung weight. They handle it well.

I played with the clickers on the Ranchos a bit when I first got them, and each position makes a noticeable difference.

This weekend I towed my 5th wheel camper for the first time since I put on the new shocks, and I turned the adjusters 2 clicks stiffer - Freaking amazing. Seriously. I've never felt such good trailer bounce control. My trailer is not huge, GVW is around 8000 lbs but I've never towed so comfortably. None of the porpoising I'm used to with this trailer, and very stable and smooth over road imperfections. Both sharp edged like pavement breaks and "rollers" in the highway that used to get my truck slamming off the bump stops. I'm very impressed.

I'm running Biltstein 5100's on my FJ. They work like a coilover (adjustable, kind of) in the front so they level out the stance also. I bit firmer than stock. I would rate them okay.

I have never used Bilsteins on a truck but have always liked how they performed on everything else. I tried Rancho's once on a Ford Ranger PU. I removed them two days later and threw them away. The worst shock I have ever put on a vehicle! For a serious off road truck they may be good but on a street only vehicle I'd stay away.

I have a "new to me" 2013 F-150 that I plan on installing Bilstein in the rear on. Not sure in the front yet as I want to lower it 2 inches all around and Bilstein's don't offer that option. Belltech does! The front is a coil over strut so the strut/shock spring perch determines the ride height.

jimbbski wrote: I have a "new to me" 2013 F-150 that I plan on installing Bilstein in the rear on. Not sure in the front yet as I want to lower it 2 inches all around and Bilstein's don't offer that option. Belltech does! The front is a coil over strut so the strut/shock spring perch determines the ride height.

It it a 2wd or 4wd truck? If it's 4wd, what about using 2wd parts to lower it? They sit a good bit lower stock.

I'd stick with Bilstein myself. Rancho and the like get pretty poor reviews from the off-road places I hang out.

Fox is great too but I'm not sure what they offer as a stock replacement.

If Its on a project truck and I want an upgrade, bilsteins.

If its a beater and I want something decent I can pick up at the parts store, Monroe Reflexs

I put 5100's on the back of my heavy assed F450, much improved (well over the stock toasted shocks anyway)

Running Bilstein 6112 front and 5160 rear on my 08 Tundra. Great ride and performance for the dollar.

rslifkin wrote:

jimbbski wrote: I have a "new to me" 2013 F-150 that I plan on installing Bilstein in the rear on. Not sure in the front yet as I want to lower it 2 inches all around and Bilstein's don't offer that option. Belltech does! The front is a coil over strut so the strut/shock spring perch determines the ride height.

It it a 2wd or 4wd truck? If it's 4wd, what about using 2wd parts to lower it? They sit a good bit lower stock.

Doesn't work that way on Fords. It's a 4X2/2wd. Bilstein makes a front strut that will retain stock ride height or up to 2 inch higher. The strut body has groves cut into it that determine the spring perch position on the strut which is adjustable in 1/2 inch increments and I.E. the ride height but only higher, not lower. Belltech does the same but they have the option of a 1 inch rise or up to 2 inch drop. The rear only requires longer spring shackles.

Too bad you can't get an OME (Old Man Emu) setup for a chevy... seem to be what everyone likes over Bilstein for a close to stock minimal lift highway/offroad daily driver.

I've had really good experience with the bilstein 5100 as a mild performance replacement shock on my trucks in the past. Without going big money race shocks, these do a good job a handling damping duties for a truck that sees the dirt from time to time.

I have 5100's on the back of my truck (Camburg stuff on the front) and have been impressed enough that I'm considering swapping the Camburg stuff with 5100's in front to see how I like it. I think they're a hell of a value.

I ran Bilstein 5100s in my Xterra for 50k+ miles.

Got me from PA to AK then to CA and back. No issues and solid ride.

The bilsteins certainly hold up. My '98 silverado has the stock bilsteins on it with 175k miles, and while the low speed damping is getting noticeably soft, they still feel better than the budget shocks I've used on other vehicles. Even towing 6000 lbs with these shocks felt controlled with no porpoising, just uses a little more travel than it should over rolling road undulations. I'll be buying a new set for it sometime this year.

No opinion on the Ranchos other than that they seem to be overly stiff in every application that friends have bought them for.

Ran bilstein 5100 on my 06 f250. They were great. Best $360 I've ever spent.

Bumping this up top to get another take on it.

I'm going to be doing a front end refresh and the shocks/struts on my GMT800, standard cab, regular bed, Z71 package. Everything is worn out. The main off-roading I do is beach driving in North Carolina. Ruts and endless whoops that have your suspension bouncing up and down from full compression to full extension like Sasquach is jumping on your roof. 

I think time may have added a few more contenders to this old debate in the Koni STR.T, KYB Monomax and Eibach units. I've been leaning towards just doing Bilstein 4600s, but the 5100s are just a few dollars more. Everything I've read seems to indicate that they've got a firmer ride, but the valving might help on the sand driving I mentioned up above.

What's the latest thoughts?

Fox Racing :) It's what I've got on my Ram. But you won't get them for $360. 
 

 I've never been a fan of the ride of aftermarket Bilsteins. Too much jiggle. I actually pulled them off my Vanagon and Janel wants Foxes to replace the Billies on her WJ after experiencing my XJ. 

I'm looking at getting Koni Orange shocks from Tire Rack. $71 each for my '16 Silverado.  Hope they good.  

I had Rancho RS5000s put on my '97 Ram after the stockers wore out around 80K and they definitely did not help the ride any.

In reply to TIGMOTORSPORTS :

My Bilsteins were still good at 371,000 miles and 20 years of being heavily overloaded with building material for most of its life. 
     Not only that but I live in Minnesota the pot hole capitol of the world. Between frost heaves in the spring and piled up snow in the winter, they've served me well.