I'm pretty impressed with all the positive posts I've read on upgrading shocks to Bilsteins. My only concern is that I like the softer ride I currently get from the OEM's in the rear of the truck, and am concerned that Bilsteins will stiffen the ride in the rear when unloaded. The front of my truck bounces quite a bit (especially when towing), which is why I'd like Bilsteins up front. Can I put them just in the front or do I need the same shock on all four wheels?

Ranchos are adjustable

I would run Rancho's. Just my opinion but I like the fact they are adjustable.

I just installed Bilsteins all around. Truck just turned 10,000 miles. The difference in overall ride and performance with the Bilsteins is unbeleivable.


Friends told me to stay away from the Rancho's since they are made by Tenneco along with the factory GM shocks. Rancho says lifetime warranty but won't cover the adjustment knobs when they fall off. Ranco's are also strictly hydraulic and not gas like the Bilsteins.


I really don't care what name is on the shock as long as it had outstanding performance like the Bilstein.

Roegs,


No bounce in the rear with the Bilsteins here. Those POS originals are the ones that promote the bounce. I would think that running higher tire pressure in the rears when unloaded would cause more bounce, also.


As another member (I forget who exactly) put it so well: "Putting the Bilsteins on is the single best bang-for-the-buck improvement you can do!" http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Tom http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pig.gif

The Bilsteins are a bit more firm in their control, but not harsh. Lower rear tire pressures, 45 - 50lbs, will help smooth the ride in the rear. I noticed my rear axle bounced and skittered a lot LESS over rough surfaces after I installed the Bilsteins. The Ranchos do give you the ability to tune the ride to some extent, you're still stuck with the stock rear spring rates. But, since installing the Bilsteins about 25,000 miles ago there has never been a situation, loaded or light, where I've felt the shocks were not suited to the situation. Your call, good luck.

TC

The Bac and I http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gifdisagreehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif on things political, but wholeheartedly http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifagreehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif on Bilsteins. They are the best money spent on my truck so far!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Silveradogs is right!!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


ohmigod...did I say that?!? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif


Tom http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pig.gif

My dad has a 96 chevy Z71 with bilstein on. There's about 120,000 miles on them. Is it time to replace them when he gets his new tires or are bilsteins good for more miles?


I'm getting ready to order a set for my LLY and would order 2 sets if you think dads need replacing.


goody

I bought ranchos for my truck and get great performance out of them. I have bilstiens on my wife's ZR2 s10, I have had them on other trucks also, great shocks but no adjustability. just my 2cents.

How much do the Bilstines go for ?? Is there a part number for them and where can I get them from ? Do I need to allinement after I install them ? I have 1500 miles on the truck now :)

www.kennedydiesel.com (http://www.kennedydiesel.com) $260 to your door. And he's a vendor from this forum,and a knowledgeable guy. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Tom http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pig.gif

Any got pictures of both setups?

Are Bilstines lifetime warranty or rebuildable?


Never heard of adjustment knobs falling off. couldn't cost much to replace at any rate . . . .


I went with the lifetime warranty http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Thanks for all the comments on this. Looks like a set of Bilsteins is in my near future. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


I purchased a set of Rancho adjustable shocks last year, but returned them before installing. I found out after I ordered them that they are a standard hydraulic (vs. gas pressure) shocks. Nothing wrong with hydraulic, but I'd prefer gas pressure for that kind of money.

Just put a set of Bilsteins on this weekend. What an unbelievable difference. Truck has 22k and the stock rears were going bad and the fronts were completely shot. With the stock shocks on, a local trip down an expansion joint concrete freeway was like riding a bull for eight seconds. The truck would get into a frequency which would rattle your teeth. Did the same stretch yesterday. The thing just cruised through. Sweet. Best mod so far. Got mine from Kennedy. Great guy. Had Rancho's in the past with no where near the same results.

One thing to remember guys, Bilsteins have been or backorder lately.

One thing to remember guys, Bilsteins have been or backorder lately.


I got mine in two (2) days from Camping world. Great price, but 3 get one free and they paid the shipping. I think that you need to call them to get the special I was not able to find them on their website. I also think that the special is on right now and I don't know how long it will run.


These shocks are great, it's like driving a different truck.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif They have really helped the ride and vehicle control even when towing my travel trailer. Truck has 10,000 miles on it and if I had known that the Bilsteins caused this much improvement I would have changed 9500 miles ago.


Edited by: bigchev

We ordered some about 3 weeks ago and wondered why they didnt show up. When we called the vendor about it. He said they were on backorder and was just going to ship them when they came in, we were wondering when he was going to tell us about this?? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gifWe had a customer waiting on them. Needless to say we ordered them elsewhere and had them the next day.

I too purchased mine from Camping World. $232.00 delivered to my door in two days. GREAT upgrade.

bilsteins, or ranchos, are rebound valved units, the addition of these shocks will not make the truck ride ruffer at all. it will increase your handling ability in reducing body roll. After the install of aftermarket shocks, your truck will only ride as ruff as your springs and tbars will allow. Your shock fall out rate is what you should be really concerned with. this is what is going to stop your truck from bouncing while going over bumps, and while tryin to do a brake standhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif!

I payed more from kennedy but he is a forum vender!

I had my dealership install the Revo's and Bilstiens before I set foot in the truck. Traded in the stock tires and ebay'd the shocks as new take-off's, ~$500 out of pocket for both.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

I have seen the Rancho's knob fail, it froze up before falling off and were not repairable.

I don't know about backorders but Bilstein was closed for inventory until the first week of Aug.

After seeing all these positive notes on Bilsteins, I placed my order with Kennedy last night (with the wife's approval, of course). I have 11,000 miles on my truck, and the ride is progressivly getting worse. We tow a 30' travel trailer in the summers that has 1200lb hitch weight, so the OEM shocks have gotten a pretty good workout. From what I've read, the Bilsteins should smooth everything out.


One installation question...on the front shocks, do I use the Bilstein supplied rubber cushions for the top mount, or keep the ones that GM had on the OEM shocks?

I used the replacement Bilstein parts. No big deal.

Any got pictures of both setups?


Here is my setup.


I have tried both, By far the Bilsteins feel much nicer then the Rancho's. The ride is unbeleavable!


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/974_111_1190-1.jpg