Rancho or Bilstein?

revrnd · October 18, 2017

I had the factory Bilsteins on my '95 K1500 (Z71), no issues w/ that version.

What is the difference between the 51XX Bilsteins vs the 4600s?

SierraHD17 · October 18, 2017

1 hour ago, dynoray said:

so what are you using ?

A different brand on every vehicle I have on the road which is 5 total for now... I won't count the 2 others I don't drive.

FreeAmerican · October 18, 2017

I've had 2 truck in the last 3 years, both with the white / red Rancho crap. My GMC 1500 had 22k miles and 3 out of 4 were bad. GM said they would replace them, I said no thank you.

I put a set of 5100 Bilsteins on, leveled the front and had no complaints. I then upgraded to a 17 Chevy 2500 Duramax with the same Rancho crap. This is my tow vehicle. I started having issues with these. This time only 1 was showing signs.

The 5100 are really for leveled or lifted trucks, which I am not doing with the 2500, so I went with the Bilstein 4600 and could not be happier. (yellow and blue shocks)

On both trucks, steering response was much better, better control when towing, less nose dive on breaking.

SMiller · October 18, 2017

40 minutes ago, FreeAmerican said:

I've had 2 truck in the last 3 years, both with the white / red Rancho crap. My GMC 1500 had 22k miles and 3 out of 4 were bad. GM said they would replace them, I said no thank you.

I put a set of 5100 Bilsteins on, leveled the front and had no complaints. I then upgraded to a 17 Chevy 2500 Duramax with the same Rancho crap. This is my tow vehicle. I started having issues with these. This time only 1 was showing signs.

The 5100 are really for leveled or lifted trucks, which I am not doing with the 2500, so I went with the Bilstein 4600 and could not be happier. (yellow and blue shocks)

On both trucks, steering response was much better, better control when towing, less nose dive on breaking.

5100's are not for lifted or leveled trucks,they are the exact same length as the factory shocks,you actually need to run shock spacers with them when leveled.

dynoray · October 18, 2017

11 hours ago, SierraHD17 said:

A different brand on every vehicle I have on the road which is 5 total for now... I won't count the 2 others I don't drive.

well,since you trashed Bilstein,what brands are you using. i m sure we would all like to know. this is the reason i started the thread to get some input on Rancho and Bilstein,but if theres another shock out there that you feel is better,why not share?

SierraHD17 · October 18, 2017

48 minutes ago, dynoray said:

well,since you trashed Bilstein,what brands are you using. i m sure we would all like to know. this is the reason i started the thread to get some input on Rancho and Bilstein,but if theres another shock out there that you feel is better,why not share?

I feel a shock that doesn't leak is a better choice ...and doesn't fail in a short period of time. Pick a brand... I don't care lol. I have used most major brands with no complaints.... I am not loyal to one brand of shock... just like I don't just purchase GM vehicles either.

Or think like this... I have had 3 sets of duratracs and 3 blowouts on duratracs... only tire I have ever had shred on the highway... I won't recommend them... but do I have a tire I think is a clear winner? No... I buy a different brand and type more or less every time now...Like I am putting Toyo Open Country AT2 extremes on my 17 tomorrow. Do I think they are the best? No.. never ran them before lol.

FreeAmerican · October 19, 2017

11 hours ago, SMiller said:

5100's are not for lifted or leveled trucks,they are the exact same length as the factory shocks,you actually need to run shock spacers with them when leveled.

Well, yes they are, you can use them on a non lifted... But I called Bilstein, stock they recommend 4600, lift or level 5100 And straight from the Bilstein site

5100:

" Due to their larger tires and heightened stance, lifted vehicles place extra demands on a shock absorber‘s damping ability. The B8 5100‘s monotube design and patented digressive valving is uniquely suited to confront these demands. On or off-road, loaded or unloaded, the BILSTEIN B8 5100 shock absorber instantly reacts to changing road inputs to maintain a stable, controlled, and comfortable ride. "

Look up the 2500 hd on their site, you will see one set of 4600s but there are several sets of 5100 and the first set is 0 to 2 inch lift, and the next set of 5100s go up from there.

FreeAmerican · October 19, 2017

Sorry the above was from the Euro site... this from the USA site

Bilstein

Bilstein B8 5100 shock absorbers are designed as a direct fit solution for lifted trucks and SUV’s. These shock absorbers feature a monotube design which provides consistent fade free performance. B8 5100 shock absorbers utilize a unique, velocity sensitive, digressive piston which reacts to changing road conditions. All B8 5100 shock absorbers are tuned for each specific application to assure optimal performance is achieved. B8 5100 shock absorbers offer a significant improvement in ride quality, handling, and comfort.

SMiller · October 19, 2017

12 hours ago, FreeAmerican said:

Well, yes they are, you can use them on a non lifted... But I called Bilstein, stock they recommend 4600, lift or level 5100 And straight from the Bilstein site

5100:

" Due to their larger tires and heightened stance, lifted vehicles place extra demands on a shock absorber‘s damping ability. The B8 5100‘s monotube design and patented digressive valving is uniquely suited to confront these demands. On or off-road, loaded or unloaded, the BILSTEIN B8 5100 shock absorber instantly reacts to changing road inputs to maintain a stable, controlled, and comfortable ride. "

Look up the 2500 hd on their site, you will see one set of 4600s but there are several sets of 5100 and the first set is 0 to 2 inch lift, and the next set of 5100s go up from there.

You do know the 5100 is no taller then a stock shock right?

SuperSierra · October 25, 2017

They lift 1.85 don't they?

SMiller · October 25, 2017

3 minutes ago, SuperSierra said:

They lift 1.85 don't they?

Nope

You are thinking of the GM 1500 series trucks. Lift is achieved via torsion bars on GM HD trucks.

SuperSierra · October 25, 2017

Nope

You are thinking of the GM 1500 series trucks. Lift is achieved via torsion bars on GM HD trucks.

I just looked it up on amazon. Also see that the Ranchos that come on the z71 package aren't even under being ranchos they are under ACDelco Gm
Strange looking plastic boot on them.

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revrnd · October 26, 2017

On 10/18/2017 at 10:15 PM, FreeAmerican said:

Sorry the above was from the Euro site... this from the USA site

Bilstein

Bilstein B8 5100 shock absorbers are designed as a direct fit solution for lifted trucks and SUV’s. These shock absorbers feature a monotube design which provides consistent fade free performance. B8 5100 shock absorbers utilize a unique, velocity sensitive, digressive piston which reacts to changing road conditions. All B8 5100 shock absorbers are tuned for each specific application to assure optimal performance is achieved. B8 5100 shock absorbers offer a significant improvement in ride quality, handling, and comfort.

Thank you

Gears and Gadgets · February 12, 2018

I just put the 5160’s on my Sierra and I love them so far. MUCH better than the stock Rancho’s.

dynoray · February 14, 2018

i recently put the 5100's on my 2015 Hd that had the Ranchos from the factory. truck has 18000 miles on it. i have to say its alot better, turning,stopping,going over bumps etc. i realize its not a Camaro etc, but i feel it has helped quite a bit. i also have the Hellwig rear sway bar that also made a big difference. my 2 cents here,i hope the Bilsteins holdup good,they have only been on a couple of months so we'll see. they also look alot better than the white rusty Ranchos. i realize its not a show truck,but i hate to see rust already on a 2015 vehicle.