SHocking Question

ERICHTHECATT · April 12, 2015

I have a 14 Sierra SLT All Terrain. Have the Rancho shocks on the rear. 22980432. 8500 miles on my truck. I carry about 400 lbs of part and tools in the back of my truck, and the truck bounces about 3 times with every bump. Never had the problem on my 91 GMC I just sold. This truck had the Monroe shocks. Id like to install Monroe rear shock on my truck (911533) but i'd like to compare the specs to see if this is going to accomplish anything. Cant find any specs of the Ranchos. Does anyone know where i can get the specs? Also waiting on my Back ordered headlights! Will be nice to see on a dark road.

high country · April 13, 2015

What kind of specs are you looking for?

ERICHTHECATT · April 13, 2015

I just want to compare the piston sizes and whatever specs are avalable. I need to find a shock that doesnt allow my truck to bounce with such a light load.

Spurshot · April 13, 2015

You need to compare damping rates. Nothing else will give you info about ride quality.

Most off-road racing shocks have huge pistons and very low damping rates. The two are independent of each other, especially in the off road applications.

It's unlikely that you'll consistently find the full specs with damping rates for all makes, especially a GM OEM shock.

calgator73 · April 13, 2015

Just go 4600 or 5100....you will be very pleasantly surprised if you're wanting a controlled ride.

ERICHTHECATT · April 26, 2015

Today I took off my rear Rancho shocks, and replaced them with Monroe Magnum 34690. ($64.00 for two) Fit perfect, and cured my problem. My truck no longer bounces 3 times with a light load. I feel no difference in the ride. Still smooth.

hurricanoday · April 26, 2015

Couldn't that have been a warranty issue with your truck being so new and low miles?

fondupot · April 26, 2015

Bilsteins are a lot better than the stock ranchos. I like them on my truck a lot.

Chad2815 · April 26, 2015

Bilsteins 5100.....best mod ever!

ERICHTHECATT · April 27, 2015

It wouldn't have been a warranty issue because the ranchos were working. The were still fully pressurized. They just cant handle much weight in the bed. The Monroe's are working perfect. And cant beat the price. Now to deal with my headlight problem. still waiting on the dealer to get the new bulbs in

Spurshot · April 27, 2015

The Rancho shocks have damping characteristics that never suited me. Too much damping (stiff on the little bumps).

Monroe shocks are owned by the same company, Tenneco.

BlackZ71Silverado · April 28, 2015

Couldn't that have been a warranty issue with your truck being so new and low miles?

No, not at all.

It's not a warranty issue, his shocks did not have a defect. They are GM factory junk. GM has Tennoco build their shocks and in this case, painted them white and slapped a Rancho sticker on them.

They are terrible, have been for years and the only fix is to replace them with a better quality shock/strut.

GM should go back to using the Bilstein's from the factory like they used for the Z71 suspension years ago. 7100's or 4600's, much better than the Tennoco ones they use now.

I recently tossed the factory shocks (Rancho/Tennoco) on my 2010 after a horrible trip to WV with 2 atv's on the trailer. It was the worst haul ever. Replaced them with the Rancho RS9000XL. Fronts with their Quick Lift, uses the same shock. Best decision I've made and the adjustability is amazing. It was either those or Bilstein 5100's. Went with the Rancho's simply because they offered a complete strut assembly and Bilstein did not.

Going to be replacing the shocks (blue Tennoco) on my 08 V-Max as well. Factory shocks are terrible towing the camper.

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TJay74 · April 28, 2015

Sounds like I need to put the Bilstein's on my AT as well then. I had mine leveled in the rear and as someone else stated when I run over a dip in the road the rear end blows thru the shock travel and then bounces for a bit.

Razorback7 · May 4, 2015

I'm a shock/suspension newbie. I know that I don't like the ride of my '15 Z71 compared to my 2010 Z71 or my 2000 Z71. In fact, the 2000 probably had the best ride. It sounds like the Bilstein 4600's would be a good choice. I've also read that the 5100's would work - but I have no interest in leveling.

Should I go 4600 or 5100? If someone could help with specific part numbers, that would be great. It seems the info on Bilstein's site is somewhat dated.

Thanks.