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Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 8:12 am
by lettereleven
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

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:06 am
by jessef
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

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:32 am
by lettereleven
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

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 1:57 pm
by mararmeisto
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...

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:11 pm
by rezdiver
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.

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:31 pm
by lettereleven
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.

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:59 pm
by jessef
echo what reza said.

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

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:24 pm
by FalcoColumbarius
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.

Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:16 am
by lettereleven
Sadly I tried setting them to 1 for a while. It was still awful - which is why I think they are toast.

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 12:55 am
by Jimbobtx3
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

Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:13 am
by lettereleven
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

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 4:31 am
by Jimbobtx3
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.

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:58 am
by stever1000
Has anyone bought appropriate sized 5100's ?

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:24 pm
by thelazygreenfox
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

Re: Shocks: Bilstein 5100 or Rancho 9000

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:17 pm
by stever1000
Why did you choose a non-nitrogen charged shock?
Did you not like the procomps?