Bell tech, ranco or billstein

mymaggiebell · April 19, 2015

I have searched and searched. Just looking for opinions on what may be best application for awd denali? Thanks in advance. Also, there is some confusion out there with regards to part number for my truck, do if I could get help there! Thanks in advance!!

BlackZ71Silverado · April 19, 2015

Not sure which shocks come OEM on the Denali but what are you trying to get out of shock replacement? Stiffer ride, better handling or softer/cushy ride, that information would help in your decision.

The bilstein 5100's that are popular are a stiffer shock. The Rancho 7000MT shocks are also stiffer but not as stiff as the Bilsteins. Rancho also had to RS5000, popular shock but usually cause a rougher ride seeing that they are pretty stiff shocks. Rancho RS9000XL's are adjustable and allow you to tune your ride, they seem to have good reviews. It's all personal preference when it comes to shock selection.

I recently replaced my OEM fake Rancho shocks with RS9000's and they have been great so far. I also tossed the front leveling kit and put the Quick Lift Loaded on the fronts. Working out well so far and it allows me to adjust while towing loads. May be doing the same with my 08 V-Max shortly since they are such an improvement over OEM and allow the shocks to be tuned. My total cost was around $530 for rear shocks with the front quick lift.

Chris · April 19, 2015

The year would help. Tapatalk doesnt show that info. 02-07c Denali's had the electronic selectable suspension. But i do like the Belltech SP shocks. They have a nice firm on road feel. I have ran stock, Bilstein 4600's, Bilsten 5100's, and the Belltech's currently

mymaggiebell · April 19, 2015

Sorry I always assume look at my info...2010 sierra Denali...thanks for some input.

Not sure which shocks come OEM on the Denali but what are you trying to get out of shock replacement? Stiffer ride, better handling or softer/cushy ride, that information would help in your decision.

The bilstein 5100's that are popular are a stiffer shock. The Rancho 7000MT shocks are also stiffer but not as stiff as the Bilsteins. Rancho also had to RS5000, popular shock but usually cause a rougher ride seeing that they are pretty stiff shocks. Rancho RS9000XL's are adjustable and allow you to tune your ride, they seem to have good reviews. It's all personal preference when it comes to shock selection.

I recently replaced my OEM fake Rancho shocks with RS9000's and they have been great so far. I also tossed the front leveling kit and put the Quick Lift Loaded on the fronts. Working out well so far and it allows me to adjust while towing loads. May be doing the same with my 08 V-Max shortly since they are such an improvement over OEM and allow the shocks to be tuned. My total cost was around $530 for rear shocks with the front quick lift.

mymaggiebell · April 19, 2015

Sorry too....damn auto correct gets me again...beltech and rancho?... Lol! Anyways after a nicer ride that can handle bumps. I use this more as a car than struck per say. People speak highly about all, but I was also hoping for some input front he awd crowd as there seems to a difference to which I don't know why??

Chris · April 19, 2015

Sorry too....damn auto correct gets me again...beltech and rancho?... Lol! Anyways after a nicer ride that can handle bumps. I use this more as a car than struck per say. People speak highly about all, but I was also hoping for some input front he awd crowd as there seems to a difference to which I don't know why??

A lot of people with the SS which is 03-07 and AWD from 03-05 use the Belltech SP. The downside i see to the Belltech on paper is that it is a twin tube. The Rancho is a Monotube. Now i dont know the difference in feeling between the two, but the Belltech seems to handle a bit better on the roads compared to my sets of Bilsteins

mymaggiebell · April 19, 2015

A lot of people with the SS which is 03-07 and AWD from 03-05 use the Belltech SP. The downside i see to the Belltech on paper is that it is a twin tube. The Rancho is a Monotube. Now i dont know the difference in feeling between the two, but the Belltech seems to handle a bit better on the roads compared to my sets of Bilsteins

Thanks! I was inching towards bilsteins, my friend has beltech but his Tahoe is lowered and he has air ride and my friend who is a dealer manager threw me a curve and asked "how about ranchos?" Hence, me asking the Internet! lol!

xXZ-71Xx · April 20, 2015

My last set of shocks were Rancho 9000XL's and they were awesome but they only lasted a couple years and the fronts were worn out again. I replaced them with Bilstein 5100's and they ride like the RS9000's set near the stiffer end, I Hope these last a little longer.

Chris · April 20, 2015

Thanks! I was inching towards bilsteins, my friend has beltech but his Tahoe is lowered and he has air ride and my friend who is a dealer manager threw me a curve and asked "how about ranchos?" Hence, me asking the Internet! lol!

Belltech makes a set for stock height and that is what i am using

BlackZ71Silverado · April 20, 2015

My last set of shocks were Rancho 9000XL's and they were awesome but they only lasted a couple years and the fronts were worn out again. I replaced them with Bilstein 5100's and they ride like the RS9000's set near the stiffer end, I Hope these last a little longer.

How long ago did you buy them? There has been upgrades since they were first introduced in 2007-2008. The new model is much improved over the initial release of the 9000's. I don't remember the specifics but I did watch the demonstration at a 4x4 show this past summer and it was impressive.

I have had Bilstein shocks on a 2 different GM trucks before but they were the classic 7100 series that GM used to use on Z71 & ZR2 before they cheaped out. Also had the better 4600's on a Sierra and they were a good all around shock.

Never had the Bilstein 5100's but reading and talking with people who actually run them, they are good shocks but mostly shine off road. The Bilstein rep. at the 4x4 show claimed that the 5100 series of shocks/struts were actually designed specifically for lifted trucks but can be used at stock vehicle height without issue. Real reviews from actual owners compared to most other brands is that they are a little stiff on the road.

There are far more options with Bilstein other than just the 5100's that many people talk about so don't get stuck on only the 5100 as an option. The 4600 are a good all around shock and won't cost you a lot of money as well as the 7100.

Rancho also has a few options. If you are not interested in adjustables in the RS9000, the RS7000MT is an option. Their RS5000 is also a very popular all around use shock as well.

Shop around, there are shocks other than the two brands mentioned that will serve you well.

If you are reading through forums just Beware that most shock topics on the forums are hard to get any true opinions on because they turn into Bilstein vs Rancho pissing matches with no useful information. It's mostly the 'mine are better than yours' nonsense, and from those who never owned the brand they are bashing so don't take extremely negative forum posts about either brand too serious.

Sent from my crappy iPhone 6

using Tapatalk

xXZ-71Xx · April 20, 2015

How long ago did you buy them? There has been upgrades since they were first introduced in 2007-2008. The new model is much improved over the initial release of the 9000's. I don't remember the specifics but I did watch the demonstration at a 4x4 show this past summer and it was impressive.

I have had Bilstein shocks on a 2 different GM trucks before but they were the classic 7100 series that GM used to use on Z71 & ZR2 before they cheaped out. Also had the better 4600's on a Sierra and they were a good all around shock.

Never had the Bilstein 5100's but reading and talking with people who actually run them, they are good shocks but mostly shine off road. The Bilstein rep. at the 4x4 show claimed that the 5100 series of shocks/struts were actually designed specifically for lifted trucks but can be used at stock vehicle height without issue. Real reviews from actual owners compared to most other brands is that they are a little stiff on the road.

There are far more options with Bilstein other than just the 5100's that many people talk about so don't get stuck on only the 5100 as an option. The 4600 are a good all around shock and won't cost you a lot of money as well as the 7100.

Rancho also has a few options. If you are not interested in adjustables in the RS9000, the RS7000MT is an option. Their RS5000 is also a very popular all around use shock as well.

Shop around, there are shocks other than the two brands mentioned that will serve you well.

If you are reading through forums just Beware that most shock topics on the forums are hard to get any true opinions on because they turn into Bilstein vs Rancho pissing matches with no useful information. It's mostly the 'mine are better than yours' nonsense, and from those who never owned the brand they are bashing so don't take extremely negative forum posts about either brand too serious.

Sent from my crappy iPhone 6

using Tapatalk

I bought them about four years ago and drove on them bad for almost two, The rears are still good and I put those on my other truck but the fronts were 100% shot. I loved those shocks and if they have fixed whatever caused them to go bad so fast I would buy them again. That being said these bilsteins have been really good too but I do miss being able to adjust them and I have no idea how long they will last me.