Rancho 9000 or Bilstein 4600

[Clarryhill]

OK folks, got a quick question for you. I'm thinking that my OEM shocks are toast, and am thinking about replacement. For a number of years, I had been extremely happy with the performance of Rancho 9000's, but that was another truck altogether (GMC 2500HD Dmax). With the current F450, I have read differing viewpoints, that seem to favor the Bilsteins. I have seen other preferences as well, but seems to be a majority for the 4600's for a non lifted truck.
For those that have used both Rancho and Bilstein, if indeed, there are some of you out there, which do you prefer?

[towpro]

Remember, what I like may be different than what you like. Check it out, Rancho might still have this deal that after 90 days of you don't like they they will give you your money back.

I would love to find a bracket that lets me piggy back 2 shocks on the back. double the dampening when truck camper is loaded. I bet that would be the fix, but not everyone has the truck dedicated to only moving the truck camper.

[towpro]

n0m4d wrote:
I've been following this because I was planning on picking up a set of 4600's for my 2016 F250 this spring. It seems like for the most part people set the fronts and leave them. Would there be an issue putting the 5000's in the front and 9000's in the rear?

See page 3, post 4. I tried it and shipped them all back to manufacture. It never felt right. in fact new stock Ram shocks felt better.

The only time the 9000's felt better than the new factory shocks was when truck was empty, and set on 2 or 3. but in my case the camper is loaded 9 months out of year, and other 3 months truck sits in garage.

[jimh406]

The 9000s are completely adjustable, so I don't think that it would be a problem to have 5000s on the front. For reference, I ran Front 6 - Rear 9 with my TC and Front 3 - Rear 1 unloaded. That truck was a '06 F350 PSD 6.0 SC 4x4 LB with 19.5 Visions and Hankook DH01 245s.

[n0m4d]

I've been following this because I was planning on picking up a set of 4600's for my 2016 F250 this spring. It seems like for the most part people set the fronts and leave them. Would there be an issue putting the 5000's in the front and 9000's in the rear?

[Clarryhill]

You're a better man than I on a summation attempt, Jim. I'm reading too many back and forth declarations to get at an answer that is that clear :):). BUT...it all adds significantly to the decision matrix. Appreciate all the comments.

[jimh406]

It seems like there were remarkable differences in opinions of Bilsteins based on the model truck and what it's hauling or towing.

Just trying to summarize the thread ... Bilsteins don't do a lot for SRWs or old trucks with heavy loads. For that workload, Rancho 9000s seem to be the right call if available. That's not much of a surprise to me because I cranked the 9000s to 6 in front and 9 in rear on my SRW to haul the same camper that I have on my F450. I ran 3 in front and 1 in rear unloaded otherwise the ride was rough on the SRW. Still, the Bilsteins are remarkably better riding than the stock shocks I took off of the F450 either loaded or unloaded, but maybe the stock shocks were worn out.

[time2roll]

My 4600s seemed to perform same as oem that had 100,000 miles. I had expected some improvement. All this time I thought maybe I should have installed the 5100s. Thanks for the confirmation. MonoMax will be on before Summer.

[S_Davis]

Only reason I went 5100 over the 4600 was color.

[Area13]

Contacted Bilstein, here's the email-

[Area13]

jimh425 wrote:
The info is conflicting. If you already have the 5100s, you'd could try them and see what you think.

Yeah, that's the plan.

[sonuvabug]

Area13 wrote:

sonuvabug wrote:
Here's an interesting description I found a while ago regarding the 5100 and 4600 series Bilstein shocks.

Explanation of the Differences Between the 4600 and 5100 Bilstein Shocks

Have run Bilsteins in a number of vehicles (car & truck) and I'm very happy with their performance.

So the 5100's on my rig might work? Was about ready to yard 'em out and use 'em for crab pot weights. I may just ride 'em out, we'll see...

If they are the base 5100's designed for stock height (no lift = 0") or modest lifts up to 2" ... then yes they will work on an unlifted truck. If the shocks are one of the higher level 5100's designed to work with lifted trucks ... then not a good fit for an unlifted truck.

[S_Davis]

I have the 0"-2" 5100s on my truck hauling about 3500lbs in the bed everyday and they have been good for the last 20,000+ miles. I am running heavier 19.5" tires as well.

[BradW]

Clarryhill wrote:
Man, you guys are not making this easy...(Although not completely unexpected :):))

Welcome to the internet. Its the easiest place in the world to answer shop. 🙂

I don't know if its any better or you can even find them there, but I read a lot of the reviews on Amazon. Some are very good.

Good luck!

[jimh406]

The info is conflicting. If you already have the 5100s, you'd could try them and see what you think.