Has anyone tried both the Bilstein 5100's and Rancho 9000's? I tried a search on this subject and turned up nothing, so here goes...

I've read a lot of great things about the Bilstein's on our HDs. I would certainly like to improve my board stiff ride. I had a set of 9000's on my '96 Dodge 1500 4wd. The adjustiblity was nice. I usually had the rears on #2 and the fronts on #3. They worked pretty good. The RS5000's I tried before the 9000's where way too stiff.

Does anyone know which is the best choice for ride comfort, excellent handling and control (without being boardie stiff)?

 

Never used Bilstein, but can't say enough for the 9000's. I vary loads from empty to 5000 lb trailer to 8000 lb boat to 4000 lb camper and any combination of the forementioned. I have a shock setting for every situation.

 

I've got the Bilstein 5100's on the front with the Skyjacker D25 coils and Rancho RS9000's on the rears. That way when I have a load, I can adjust the rears depending on the amount of weight I'm carrying. The Bilsteins up front are firmer and handle so much better than stock. That's probably the combination of the D25's and the Bilsteins though.

 

This is my current dilema

 

I've had both.........and no comparison!
The Ranchos rusted and died at 40,000 miles.
Adjustability was somewhat useful but I believe I get a better ride with Bilsteins.
Ranchos are a cut above others but not anywhere near the quality of the Bilsteins.
JMO

RJ

 

+1 for Bilstein's. I have had great luck with them. Will buy them again when needed.
Jay

 

I had the same result on my 1996 V10 2500...great ride and loved the adjustability but they rusted out.

 

Which Bilsteins 5100 or 5150?

 

The newer Rancho 9000xl shocks are now gas adjusts, much better than the older ones

 

5100's.
Jay

 

Make sure you read up on the 5100s from the Bilstein site. 5100s are specifically designed for off-road use on lifted trucks (3" lift). They are excellent shocks, but pretty expensive if you're not going to use them for their designed purpose.

 

I had Bilsteins on my '98.5. Unladen,they worked well. Put a 2000# camper on there and they were overwhelmed. 9000's great for handling the sway,but delivered a awful ride on the freeway expansion joints here. Solution was a Kore Chase system,but revalved by Sean Lorenz.

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BSN-F4BE5C604H0/

$69.95 each at Summit...that's a good price isn't it?

 

Yeah. Those aren't the 5100s, but the HD Bilsteins (those in the ad) are what I'm going with when I change mine out here pretty quick. I've had good luck with Bils on a couple of vehicles.

 

As mentioned, those are not the 5100's. you want the nickle plated shocks, not the blue/yellow.

RJ