The 18" tire and wheel assembly on my 05 FX4 weigh 80# apiece, alot of unsprung weight! The lack of dampening on both the front and rear end is obvious when going over even small bumps. Who out there , with an otherwise STOCK SUSPENSION, has replaced the OEM shocks with aftermarket units? What did you buy and was it money well spent? Thanx for any input.

 

How many miles on your truck? If you're much over 15k to 20k then the shocks that came on the truck from the factory are done. At that point they just look like shock absorbers. Any good aftermarket shock (properly valved for your truck) will be a vast improvement. I put Bilsteins on mine and the transformation is unbelievable. They weren't expensive and they will last much longer than the OEM units. I think I got them from Eshocks online.

 

There are bunch of recent posts between me and some guy who has the new in May Rancho RS9000XL shocks. I think rear part # is 999286. @ 99 at Summit racing. I'm going to get em next week. I have over 125,000 on my original FX4 shocks which BTW measure at @ 45mm and the 9000xl is @ 70mm! big difference. They are adjustable too. He said he ran Bilstiens and while better than stock, these Ranchos are one step better yet....

 

I disagree. I've had both the adjustable Ranchos and currently have the height adjustable Bilstein 5100s.

I would choose the Bilsteins over Ranchos any day of the week.

 

Folks,
Thanx for the input. I'm sure either Bilstein or Rancho would be a quantum leap over the Gabriels Ford installs. Heck, if I remember correctly the pre 04 FX4s came with Ranchos.

 

So you had the old Rancho 9000x or the new, out since May/07 Rancho 9000XL? Cause if that is the case your comparing apples to oranges.

 

I'd like to get a set of these for my truck. Do you know which ones you chose for yours? Heavy duty? Comfort? etc.. I dont tow anything or use it for work etc, so i'd like to maintain a comfortable ride just want an improvement from oem's.

 

Bilstein. Don't even think twice about it.

My '03 Cobra came with them, wow, great shocks. Put them on a '76 Firebird TA earlier this year, makes that 30 year old car almost handle good.

My '97 is due for shocks, and I'd put Bilsteins on if I didn't have an '07 on order. I suspect the '07 will get them after a year or so (need to make sure it's not a lemon before pouring real money in).

 

Nope, I was comparing them to the old Rancho 9000Xs but are you comparing them to something that you've had? Nope and I'm sure the guy was talking about the Bilstein replacements which are geared towards a daily driver. The Bilstein 5100s are built for offroad.

 

? I clearly pointed out that I didn't have em. You've never had em either? I stated that I didn't. I was a little more clear with my comments than you were. Thats all. Relax. I really don't give a crap what shock you, him or anyones else use? All I'm saying is be fair to Ranhco when they have a new upgraded product.

 

LOL!

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off like I was getting worked up over it. I feel the same way. I couldn't care either. I like what I've got.

 

sorry to be off topic, but do the Rancho 9000x adjust in height like the bilstein shock?

 

No I think the 9 position dial just effects how firm it gets. So you'd have it at 1-2 normal which I understand is a touch firmer than stock, then you'd have it at @ 7 with a big trailer, then 8-9 if you were doing some serious off-roading.

 

I Just Installed Monroe Reflex Shocks. (Front 71361)(Rear 911262) I Have 10,000 Miles On My Truck. One Rear Shock Started Leaking, So I Replaced All Four Shocks. The Reflex Shocks Made My Truck Handle Very Well (Now It Rides Like A Cadillac). (250.00 RockAuto.Com)

 

For what it's worth...

I put Rancho 9000X's on a lifted 1998 Ranger and Bilstein 5100's on a lifted 2002 Ranger. I had the in cab controller for the Rancho's and it was nice to be able to adjust the shocks depending on terrain, but overall I think Bilstein overall makes a better quality shock... damn Germans!