Last year i installed a 4in Superlift on my 2006 Ranger. I am happy over all with my truck, however i am starting to realize the Superlift shocks provided with the Lift kit really suck *****. I replaced ball joints, control arms and everything else after i got the lift. Ride is still choppy, and vibrates a little at high speeds. So i decided i wanted to dump the superlift shocks and get the adjustable 5100 series Bilsteins, maybe with a bilstein steering dampener. I told my shop what i wanted , and they called bilstein to order the parts. Now heres the problem. ... A Bilstein rep told my shop that they dont have a shock that fits my truck? and they dont have a dampener for our Rangers either because it has an independent suspension system? WTF? I know this is false, because so many of you guys have Rangers, and Bilsteins. Can anyone give me the part numbers of the shocks i need and dampener that fit my truck? Sizes...and part numbers would help greatly,. ! Thanks!

 

No 5100 shock will fit the front of an ifs ranger, regardless if it's superlifted or not so the rep is correct. The diameter of the 5100 series is too big and will cause cv axle clearance issues. Either run with a 4600 series bilstein, or if you want a great improvement I highly recommend a coilover swap with fox emulsion shocks (or other brands as well).

But yes, the superlift shocks are rubbish. They should provide bilsteins with the kit, not a pos shock.

 

So the 5100 will fit the rear but for the front the 4600 will be needed?

 

how is the 4600 series? will i get better handling? and can i get a steering dampener?

 

Yes

They're good shocks. I ran them on the front of my truck and they took the trails, road, and any terrain much better than the shitty ranchos I had (which are still better than the superlift shocks). Coilovers will be 1000x better than any plain shock, though. It's a bit more expensive, but you already spent that much on a lift so why not

And no, you can't get a steering stabilizer. They don't make them for an IFS ranger since it's not needed. If you have a wobble it's more than likely an outer tie rod end

 

are some rangers different? because i see other posts where people say they have the 5100s on their Ranger. Just wondering if each Ranger has a different setup from the factory to allow the fit? also...im not a offroader. I use the ranger in the snow, and shitty weather. Just blooking for a smoother ride than what i got, and a bit more capable. i think fox would be overkill.

 

Like Pedro already answered, 5100s work in the rear, not the front. I have a set of 4600s for my front and 5100s for the rear of mine whenever I get the chance to install them

 

98+ 4x4s are all the same in the front end with a different torsion key on 08+ making them sit lower.

I see the thread you posted in. I texted him asking how he didn't have clearance issues, but I think he's asleep.
Id like to say he had them only in the rear. I'm stubborn and ordered them anyway after an RF veteran (Fx4Wannabe01) said not to. Got them and what do you know, they didn't fit lol.

 

Are the Bilstein HDs 4600s? That is what I have and I love them. What's the difference between HD and non-HD (assuming there is one)

 

Yeah they're the same. Yellow body with blue cover

 

Got it. Well I also recommend the 4600 for the front. They have taken tons of abuse in my truck. They are a little stiffer than stock, but much better for dirt trails.

Edit: Take a look at this article. The 4600 is not much different than the 5100. After reading this article I don't see a reason to try to fit the 5100 instead of just using the 4600.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/i...heavy-duty.cfm

 

Bilstein HD shocks are only designed for Stock height trucks. Is a 4in Superlift considered stock height?

 

 

Are you kidding me?!?

 

 

Does anyone have experience with Monroe coilover sentitracs? I was thinking about putting these sensitrac coilovers in the rear, and going with normal sensitracs upfront. Any experiences good or bad with these coilovers / shocks?