Best shock absorber??
12-16-2006, 11:25 AM
#5
DTR's 'Wrench thrower...' And he aims for the gusto...
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Bilsteins on the front because they ride well, keep the tires on the ground and are velocity sensitive. Rancho 9000s on the rear because you can stiffen them up to way hard for towing and lighten them to soft when the bed is empty. They also keep the tires in contact far better than the stock shocks.
There are two kinds of hits the truck sees as you drive. One is a pot hole or rut or a pavement problem. It's a sudden shock to the truck. The Bilstein handles these well and keeps the wheels from jumpimg and bouncing on the pavement. The second kind is a slower oscilation up and down of the truck body as you drive through dips or big humps in the road. This second kind causes a slow extention and compression of the shock and wallowing of the truck. That is why Ranchos are so good for heavy loads or towing, they can be set stiff for this second kind of slower movement. Stiff to prevent the wallowing or bottoming, then softer for empty ride quality. The Bilsteins are velocity sensitive. In other words they are very soft when the wheel is moving up and down slowly (parking lots, driveways, etc.) but stiffen up when moving rapidly like over high speed ruts. And since the front of the truck doesn't carry the load as much as the rear, and has softer springs, progressive shocks work well. Plus the Ranchos are hard to adjust on the front. I found, with Ranchos on the front, I never really found a setting I liked for all occasions. But the Bilsteins work well enough up there.
I would like a set of stiffer springs up front though. Stiffer springs can give a better ride too because they are not as harsh as bottoming with a softer spring.
Wetspirit
There are two kinds of hits the truck sees as you drive. One is a pot hole or rut or a pavement problem. It's a sudden shock to the truck. The Bilstein handles these well and keeps the wheels from jumpimg and bouncing on the pavement. The second kind is a slower oscilation up and down of the truck body as you drive through dips or big humps in the road. This second kind causes a slow extention and compression of the shock and wallowing of the truck. That is why Ranchos are so good for heavy loads or towing, they can be set stiff for this second kind of slower movement. Stiff to prevent the wallowing or bottoming, then softer for empty ride quality. The Bilsteins are velocity sensitive. In other words they are very soft when the wheel is moving up and down slowly (parking lots, driveways, etc.) but stiffen up when moving rapidly like over high speed ruts. And since the front of the truck doesn't carry the load as much as the rear, and has softer springs, progressive shocks work well. Plus the Ranchos are hard to adjust on the front. I found, with Ranchos on the front, I never really found a setting I liked for all occasions. But the Bilsteins work well enough up there.
I would like a set of stiffer springs up front though. Stiffer springs can give a better ride too because they are not as harsh as bottoming with a softer spring.
Wetspirit
12-16-2006, 12:01 PM
#6
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^^^^^ Good write up Wetspirit. My only rebuttal or next plug on the Rancho 9000's is that I have them on the front too. I keep them set on 7 all the time since the front of my truck weighs so much (over 5000lbs on the front axle). The rears I usually run on 3 empty and up it when pulling heavy.
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12-17-2006, 05:32 PM
#9
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You'll go through several Rancho 9000's before you ever replace a Bilstien. Adjustable or not, rusting shock bodies, frozen adjuster *****, bad bushings, and blown seals are all pretty common with the Ranchos.
On top of that, they don't work near as well as the Bilstiens do, no matter where you adjust them.
On top of that, they don't work near as well as the Bilstiens do, no matter where you adjust them.
12-18-2006, 04:12 PM
#10
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Bilstein 5100 series say they are for trucks with 2" lift/leveled suspension in the front. Can I run these with no lift up front? I had the 5150 series on a tocama project and they worked great, would like the 5100's at all coners!!
12-18-2006, 04:47 PM
#11
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Like Cowhand said, the Bilstein are a much better shock in terms on design and construction than Rancho, Monroe, Pro Comp, etc.
