Bilstein or Rancho
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento CA
Rancho 9000s is what I'll be installing! Bilsteins CS sucks! I called looking for some Bilesteins for my truck an was told they couldn't help me because "the guy that handles there lifted truck dept was on vacation till next week!" 
If I have a problem with something I don't want to have to wait a week to get a problem or question solved, especially from a company as big as Bilstein.
If I have a problem with something I don't want to have to wait a week to get a problem or question solved, especially from a company as big as Bilstein.You never picked Bilstein 5100's or Rancho 9000's up for $195.00, full set!! Just not gonna happen!!!
I would have purchased the Bilsteins if they were in stock without the 3 week waiting list but Bilstein never responded to me whatsoever, (3 calls, 2 emails)
Apparently they were not interested in helping a potential customer.
I purchased my Rancho's from Central 4 wheel drive and they will back the lifetime warranty to the hilt. Previous experience
Rick
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 219
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From: 33815
cowhand
i want to get the 5100 nickel and black bilsteins for my truck, its stock up front and lowered 3" in the back which would suit my application?
i cant bring myself to put a yellow and blue shock on my truck...
i want to get the 5100 nickel and black bilsteins for my truck, its stock up front and lowered 3" in the back which would suit my application?
i cant bring myself to put a yellow and blue shock on my truck...
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2
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From: JUPITER, FL.
I had the oem shocks on my truck w/ 120k on the odo, installed Ranchos at the recomendation of my local NAPA dealer (he used to work for Rancho), they were worse than the old shocks! Traded for NAPA's best motorhome shocks, marginally better, then I bought Bilsteins, WOW! feels like a new truck. '99 3500 2wd dually. I would highly reccomend Bilsteins.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,058
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From: Canuckistan
Is the Bilstein 5100 for 2-3" lifts BE5-6881-H5, or BE5-6681-H5?
I have heard both now.
Thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,234
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From: Texas/Oklahoma Border
It's the nickle plated shock that goes with the 2-3" front lift. I quite sure its the 6881-H5.
I originally bgt the blue/yellows, and with the 2" frt leveling Kit, they were very soft. Sold them and got the nickle plated frt shocks....Big difference!
RJ
I originally bgt the blue/yellows, and with the 2" frt leveling Kit, they were very soft. Sold them and got the nickle plated frt shocks....Big difference!
RJ
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,820
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From: My head lays down in Murrieta, but the day light hours are spent in San Diego, Ca.
my pops runs bilsteins 5100 on his 2500hd 2wd chevy (yes, i'm still trying to convert him). anyways, he loves them. they're a very smooth riding shock. with the stock shocks, my mom wouldn't even ride in the truck, now my pop has to fight her for the truck.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 73
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From: Vancouver, Wa
Differnt front and rear?
Some web sites just have BE5-2549 where you order 4 shocks. Other sites make you choose 2 fronts and 2 rears, the rears with a part # of B46-1908. So I'm a little confused are the shocks mountings different front and rear and if so why don't all the web sites make you choose a set for front and back. I got the feeling I was almost about to buy 4 "fronts" from some stores. Can anyone shed some light on this?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 170
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From: Texas
Just put a set of the new generation 9000 series on my 05! So far they have met my expectations with the front on 8 the rear on 7. I had lifted Fords and Chevys prior to this Dodge and ran the Rancho products and never had a failure on or off the road.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,056
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From: Colorado
Shortly after I started this post, I installed the Bilsteins on my truck and it was far superior to the worn out stock shocks, but I'm not totaly impressed with them. I had ranchos on a chevy i used to own, and I thouht they were great. Some day I may try rancho.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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I had Rancho 9000s on my truck for around 30,000 miles (little over a year). They were rusted and a PITA to adjust (fronts).
I put the Bilstein HDs on , and its a night and day difference. My wife and kids even noticed how much better the truck rode.
The only thing good about the 9000s were the adjustability in the back when I was pulling my camper or loaded with cargo. Otherwise I will never own another set of Ranchos. They sucked!!!!!!
I WILL definately buy another set of Bilsteins.
I even put a set of Bilsteins on the wifes Mercedes.
I put the Bilstein HDs on , and its a night and day difference. My wife and kids even noticed how much better the truck rode.
The only thing good about the 9000s were the adjustability in the back when I was pulling my camper or loaded with cargo. Otherwise I will never own another set of Ranchos. They sucked!!!!!!
I WILL definately buy another set of Bilsteins.
I even put a set of Bilsteins on the wifes Mercedes.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 408
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From: WV
Wife has an Avalanche with the factory Billie's but at about 60000 they are truely shot(wheels hopping off the ground)! I have RS9000 on my 97 w/ about 12000 on them and they have their moments. I don't love them but when towing I can crank up the rears and it makes a tremendous difference. A 14000 lbs tractor was beating me to death back there and all it took was a small adjustment and the ride smoothed right out. They don't ride that great empty though.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 331
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Wife has an Avalanche with the factory Billie's but at about 60000 they are truely shot(wheels hopping off the ground)! I have RS9000 on my 97 w/ about 12000 on them and they have their moments. I don't love them but when towing I can crank up the rears and it makes a tremendous difference. A 14000 lbs tractor was beating me to death back there and all it took was a small adjustment and the ride smoothed right out. They don't ride that great empty though.