Shocks are my next upgrade. I offroad alot but I want to keep it smooth on the highway.

I'm considering bilstein and rancho mostly but i'm open to suggestion. I can't afford anything fancy , probably just their low end models . looking to spend about 150-300 total$

Up front is simple , the same shock as the fx4 must be pretty good . Is that the 5100 series bilstein or is it different ? I like the price of the rancho rs 5000 but how does it compare ?



Out back is the real question since i'm running a chevy shackle .I plan to run it on the lower setting (1") . sometimes when the bed is loaded i might switch to the max setting(1.5") for a while.

John griggs suggested when i get shocks choose one that is longer but i'll need bump stops to match.... this will restore my travel to basicaly normal cuz i lost 1 inch down gained one inch up.

stock or longer shocks ? new bump stops? what will be the best setup ?

john griggs says his rancho rs5000 are slightly too stiff outback.maybe rs9000x could be good so i can adjust when bed is loaded? i saw it for 70 each would it be worth it? how is the bilstein? i see on the bilstein site that 5125 seems to be the same shock but available by lengths so maybe that is an option?

i really am not sure how to choose the right shock outback even if i know i need one a little longer same with the bump stop. sorry i'm a newbie but atleast i used the search first.

I'm going to run duff traction bars not sure if that changes anything.

 

I got pro comp es9000 for the front and rear. I got the 2" lift ones for the rear, yet I have close to 6" of lift, they are fine. You just have to look at the extended length. I have plenty of room still.

 

kyb monomax shocks is what i had at one point and really liked them. made for 2-3 inches of lift in the rear and 1-2 in the front, performed like the level2 bilstiens.

 

Bilstein 5100's are longer lift shocks that are designed to use factory shock mounts. This is what you would get for the rear shocks in a 4x4 RCD lift kit, for example. Most 5100's are zinc plated.

Level II's come from the factory with Bilstein's "HD" series. HD's are stock length shocks designed to bolt directly onto factory mounts. They are a very good all-around shock that provides a smooth street ride.


Generally speaking, shocks with a longer extended length also have a longer compressed length. For example, the 5100 rear lift shocks in the 4x4 RCD kit are longer than the factory Ranger 4x4 shocks, both extended and compressed. To compensate, the RCD kit includes steel spacers that fit between the frame and the factory bumpstops. If they didn't, the shocks could bottom internally before the bumpstops, potentially causing damage to the shock or the mounts.

2006 F350 bumpstops are about twice as tall as the factory Ranger stop and would allow the safe use of a shock with a compressed length that is about 1.5" longer than stock compressed. They are a direct bolt on to the Ranger frame and are tough polyurethane compared to the soft rubber Ranger pieces. Under $20 each at a Ford dealer. Bumper part number 6C3Z-4730-A.

 

thanks bob the bump stop sounds great ! ... so I guess the shocks should be 1.5 -2 inches longer , I'll look into it more ......

does everyone think i should get the longer shock or just keep it stock? it rides fine now but if i'm going to spend the money I just want to make sure i do it right .



what does evryone think about running the rancho rs9000x in the back? has anyone tried them ?....It just seems like i could soften it for highway use and more flex in low speed offroad situations. then with weight in the bed or higher speeds offroad i can firm it up to stop bottoming out .

 

I used to have the monomax in the front on my slammed s-10 .. I thought they had a nice ride , they helped stop the bottoming out too.

 

I am pretty sure i had that shock before i went to kyb on my old truck . I didn't like them when compared to the KYB...

 

I'm using Rancho RSX (old twin-tube design) and I'd buy them again. Had them around 2 years, but I'm not sure how long exactly.

However, the valving in the rear was too stiff until I added full size tires and spare and more weight in the toolbox -- now they're perfect, lol.

 

Must not have been the monotube. I can't remember exactly which model it was i just remember I was not happy with Monroe

 

i can't find the extended and compressed lengths for the stock beh 2795 bilstein hd . from the suggested replacements I gather its 16 collapsed 26 extended approx. .

does anyone know off hand or have a stock shock on hand or will have to pull it off and measure ?

 

Going by memory, I think the stockers were something like 16 1/4" compressed, 26" extended.

For comparison, I just measured a pair of 5100's from an RCD lift kit (F4-BE5-A092-T5) and they are about 17 3/4" compressed, 29 1/2" extended.

 

I'm having a very hard time finding the specs on alot of shocks . I've checked into most the brands I trust and haven't found one that is the right length and most don't give any lengths .