Z71 Rancho Quality

[truckguy82]

9 hours ago, 15 Z71 said:

Just curious what year is your z71 with the Ranchos?

‘14 all-terrain

 

everybody has the same complaints regardless of year

[15 Z71]

1 hour ago, truckguy82 said:

‘14 all-terrain

 

everybody has the same complaints regardless of year

Well I can say mine is a 15 and my friends 18 z71 is night and day from mine. Have you ever rode in a newer one? And the guy I carpool with has an 19 AT4 and you can hit parking lot  speed bumps with ease. I agree with you that the 14 and 15 are super stiff and bounce the crap out of you.

[truckguy82]

21 minutes ago, 15 Z71 said:

Well I can say mine is a 15 and my friends 18 z71 is night and day from mine. Have you ever rode in a newer one? And the guy I carpool with has an 19 AT4 and you can hit parking lot  speed bumps with ease. I agree with you that the 14 and 15 are super stiff and bounce the crap out of you.

I have road in loaners, but I can’t recall hitting a bump big enough

’18 should be the same, might just be his whole truck is a lot tighter and newer. I’m not aware of any suspension changes from ‘14 to ‘18

’19 i’ve only driven a denali with mag ride

[typ0]

On 11/27/2019 at 10:12 AM, aseibel said:

ok, now you're on the right track- I understand the physics of how the suspension is supposed to work. Now can you tell me which one has MORE damping? Does the Bilstein offer more damping or less than OEM? I am trying to figure out if people who like the Bilsteins are getting a stiffer/faster OR softer/slower rebound over bumps than my truck. I can't tell from the typical descriptions of how people's body parts feel inside the cab. If my Ranchos are shot, my ride would have no damping and continue to oscillate after every impact, no? Since my truck does not oscillate, I can infer that my Ranchos are not shot?

 

I'm not a salesman. Call Bilstein, I'm sure they would be happy to explain it to you.

 

A common statement on the forums, which I have done too, is to say they are "shot" or however you want to describe it. The shocks I took of weren't technically "shot" or worn out, they performed just like they did from the factory, they only had 4k miles on them. They just didn't work for me so I replaced them.

 

If you're happy with your shocks, and it appears you are, why waist your time here? Go do something else.

[TXGREEK]

OP, your OEM Rancho shocks are no different than the tires that came along with your truck. Speaking from lots of experience on this subject, GM has no intention installing highest quality parts, rather installing parts from the cheapest bidder, Rancho shocks ARE NOT the old Rancho Shocks that came out years ago, rather they’re bought out by a far cheaper manufacturer for the SOLE PURPOSE of Automotive OEM Supply. Bilstein Shocks used to come on our Z71’s but later replaced by Ranchos due to cost. Lots of people are fine with their stock Ranchos, don’t expect anything from them such as vehicle stabilization on uneven roads especially off road use. Each and every one of my Z71’s got upgraded shocks, enormous difference especially during unstable road conditions cause you just never know when it’ll happen. If you’re on a budget and you’re contemplating cost and not lifted or leveled then I’d save up and get yourself a set of Bilstein 4600’s which are the shocks that started the whole Z71 craze in the first place. Lifetime warranty, no questions asked is Awesome!

 

 

Sent from Above

 

 

[Deadeye]

I have a 2016 1500 Z71. The biggest issue I have with the Ranchos is the bouncing when I go over a dip in the road. It's really bad when I have the travel trailer hooked up. I have tried different settings on the WD hitch bars to no avail. Was thinking about the Bilstien 4600 like I had on the old Z71 from the factory but was told to go with the 5100 for the ride and handling when towing.  

[duquephart]

12 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

OP, your OEM Rancho shocks are no different than the tires that came along with your truck. Speaking from lots of experience on this subject, GM has no intention installing highest quality parts, rather installing parts from the cheapest bidder, Rancho shocks ARE NOT the old Rancho Shocks that came out years ago, rather they’re bought out by a far cheaper manufacturer for the SOLE PURPOSE of Automotive OEM Supply. Bilstein Shocks used to come on our Z71’s but later replaced by Ranchos due to cost. Lots of people are fine with their stock Ranchos, don’t expect anything from them such as vehicle stabilization on uneven roads especially off road use. Each and every one of my Z71’s got upgraded shocks, enormous difference especially during unstable road conditions cause you just never know when it’ll happen. If you’re on a budget and you’re contemplating cost and not lifted or leveled then I’d save up and get yourself a set of Bilstein 4600’s which are the shocks that started the whole Z71 craze in the first place. Lifetime warranty, no questions asked is Awesome!

 

 

Sent from Above

 

 

 

Cheapest bidders sent man to the moon.

[TXGREEK]

I have a 2016 1500 Z71. The biggest issue I have with the Ranchos is the bouncing when I go over a dip in the road. It's really bad when I have the travel trailer hooked up. I have tried different settings on the WD hitch bars to no avail. Was thinking about the Bilstien 4600 like I had on the old Z71 from the factory but was told to go with the 5100 for the ride and handling when towing.  

It’s your shocks, 4600 are for stock suspension, 5100’s for leveled or lifted. I’d jump on a set for Black Friday!


Sent from Above

[TXGREEK]

 

Cheapest bidders sent man to the moon.

 

That’s actually untrue, in the 60’s, most everything onboard the capsule was built from scratch and made in the USA. Back on track......

 

 

Sent from Above

 

[Deadeye]

4 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

 

It’s your shocks, 4600 are for stock suspension, 5100’s for leveled or lifted. I’d jump on a set for Black Friday!


Sent from Above

 

I have them in the cart ready to pull the trigger. Checking the thread for feedback. Truck is stock. Wouldn't mind a slight rise in the front. One seller suggested the 5100 for best ride and handle the towing. 

[TXGREEK]

I have them in the cart ready to pull the trigger. Checking the thread for feedback. Truck is stock. Wouldn't mind a slight rise in the front. One seller suggested the 5100 for best ride and handle the towing. 

If you want a stock ride then get the 4600’s, front 5100’s leveling shocks will bring your front end up approx 1.75”, change your ride quality and throw off your front angles a bit. 4600’s in the rear unless you add another 1” block height making it total 2” in rear and then you’ll get full potential from the 5100’s


Sent from Above

[TXGREEK]

There’s a Bilstein leveling thread somewhere in here, take your time, research before you pull the trigger. Most everyone does leveling for added tire size, not for ride quality.


Sent from Above

[duquephart]

24 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

 

That’s actually untrue, in the 60’s, most everything onboard the capsule was built from scratch and made in the USA. Back on track......

 

 

Sent from Above

 

 

And it was all spec'd at put out for bids.

[TXGREEK]

Btw, I bought the 5100’s with leveling spacers, had them installed and the ride quality was horrible, hated driving it. They weren’t lifted, they were installed with 2.25” spacers, through off my UCA’s causing tire rub, bought new wheels with different offset in order to stop rubbing. If you want to get more height I’d highly recommend lifting it.

Leveled with stock wheels and 275/60/20’s


Leveled with new wheels 285/60/20’s


4.5” CST lift with 295/60/20’s and I absolutely LOVE IT!



Sent from Above

[JimCost2014]

Yikes, this may be a first, we are literally going to take a thread so far off of the tracks that it will be in outer space soon....................