Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

lettereleven · Post by **lettereleven** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 8:12 am

Hi all,

I am contemplating replacing my shocks as the ride is hard as nails. Currently running Rancho 9000, but great things are said about Bilsteins. As the van is lifted, I've been directed to the Bilstein 5100 (B6 HD for stock, I believe).

Has anyone got any thoughts or experience on which is "better"?

We not currently tow anything. Most driving is on-road. And if it's off-road, it's just wash board gravel roads.

Thanks very much

Jamie

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:06 am

Bilstein's hands down, especially because blueberry is quite heavy and the bigger tires. bilstein's will do a better job and keeping them on the ground (rebound stroke).

get the measurements extended / compressed and I'll find the one's you need

lettereleven · Post by **lettereleven** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:32 am

Thanks for the offer Jesse (and the perspective on Bilstein).

This is the info I've compiled so far. The Rancho PN were read off the van and specs from GoRancho. The Bilstein info was provided by eShocks based on the rancho info. If you are able to validate, that would be amazing.

Sorry about the image, a spreadsheet is attached.

J

mararmeisto · Post by **mararmeisto** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 1:57 pm

With the new trucks I've been looking at of late, all of the off-road versions come with Bilsteins as an upgraded shock over the OEM supplied ones. It's either a big marketing scheme, or it's a good shock.

Just my nickel's worth...

rezdiver · Post by **rezdiver** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:11 pm

those extended and collapsed measurements between the two brands are a bit off, make sure they are off in the right direction. you dont want to bottom out during extension and especially compression. since you have a lift, you may have to reconfirm by doing a static measurement of the vehicle suspension between full extension and compression to bumpstop.

lettereleven · Post by **lettereleven** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:31 pm

Thanks guys -

Yes, the Eshocks guy did say that "these parts were the closest I could find".
I will double check the specs of both and learn more about static compression tests.

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:59 pm

echo what reza said.

Jamie, I'll give you a hand with that.

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:24 pm

lettereleven wrote:Hi all,

I am contemplating replacing my shocks as the ride is hard as nails. Currently running Rancho 9000, ......

Jamie

Being Rancho 9000s, why don't you just soften them up? Maybe run the forward shocks at "6" and the aft shocks at "3", see how that feels. There ought to be a little knob on each shock, numbered 0 through 9 (unless they are hooked up to a compressor) 0 is soft, 9 is stiff. I've had my Rancho 9000s for four and a half years ~ the love is still there.

Falco.

lettereleven · Post by **lettereleven** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:16 am

Sadly I tried setting them to 1 for a while. It was still awful - which is why I think they are toast.

Jimbobtx3 · Post by **Jimbobtx3** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 12:55 am

I know this is an old thread but did anyone get the Bilstein 5100's to fit? Part no for fronts is Jeep Wrangler, rear part no is Ford F250. They may need revalving to suit the Delica

lettereleven · Post by **lettereleven** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:13 am

I haven't bought them yet - I was thinking of doing it in conjunction with control arm bushings later this spring/early summer. I will certainly take your comments into consideration when I get there! Thanks very much.

J

Jimbobtx3 · Post by **Jimbobtx3** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 4:31 am

Hi Folks,

Just so the world knows. I lashed out and bought the shocks. I can tell you that in stock trim, these shocks fit but bottom out big time on compression. They arent even close. Fronts appear way too long and under damped. What I dont get is how those rancho measurements above can be from a Delica? No way they would work without major lift and bump stop mods. Rears appear 100mm too long for stock bump stop height.

stever1000 · Post by **stever1000** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:58 am

Has anyone bought appropriate sized 5100's ?

Post by **thelazygreenfox** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:24 pm

I’m ordering Rancho RS5195 front and RS5180 rear shocks. These are non nitrogen charged and an option to my wasted nitrogen charged Pro Comps 9000s for my vehicle.

I've found many shocks that are length compatible for the Delicas but the main difference is nitrogen charged or not

Interesting that Monroe and Rancho are owned by the same company.

thx
TLWF

stever1000 · Post by **stever1000** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:17 pm

Why did you choose a non-nitrogen charged shock?
Did you not like the procomps?

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