I did a search and could not find opinions on this particular comparison. I'm interested in feedback from anyone who has actually driven the same, or very similar, trucks w/ the factory FX4 Rancho shocks and also the Bilsteins on the highway and city streets.
Most of the threads I found dealt with lifted trucks with larger wheels/tires or off-road discussion, I'm interested in street performance on a stock truck. My truck is an '05 F-250 4x4 w/ 6.0 PSD. I've heard that the Bilsteins dampen extremely well and give a great ride, how about the Ranchos? My truck will never see heavy off-road use, just the usual towing/hauling/road tripping/etc... The heaviest trailer I'll ever pull w/ it would be well under 10k lb. on a tag-along. Thanks a lot in advance!
I've been researching a bit and talking with buddies who are into tuning their diesels. I have a 2007 F350 SD Crew that is stock and everyone has directed me to upgrading to the Bilstein products. Better performance on the highway and in town. I've always thought Ranchos were overrated, but have been limited to running only set of ES9000, 3 of 4 ended up leaking after a year (took them back to the retailer, who in turn reinstalled Pro-Comps for free). Pro-Comps have been good, but definately want to improve ride, braking, and everything in between. Hope this helps.
Last edited by jpross555; 05-14-2009 at 06:37 PM.
Reason: wrong quantity listed
The shocks that come with the FX-4 package are "Rancho branded" shocks--a cosmetic upgrade of the stock shocks with cheesy hard plastic non-functional red boots. They'll be worn out in two years or less. Just about any brand name shock would be an improvement be it Monroe, Bilstein, Rancho, Edelbrock or you name it.
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December, '02 build F-250 CC 4X4 Lariat 6.0/Torqshift,Toreador Red over Arizona Beige 4X4 FX4 w/ moon roof. Stull grill insert, chromed tow hooks/bed tie downs, painted door handles, King Ranch flares, '08 aluminum differential cover, Inyati bed liner, Edge 3" lift Bonspeed eight spoke wheels w/BFG AT KO 305/65R18s Pics http://community.webshots.com/user/going_going_gone
As a follow up to this, I was looking for a deal on Bilstein and Pro-Comp shocks (as mentioned, I had bad luck with Ranchos), and found the Bilstein sight very helpful in finding either "online" retailers or actual store fronts in the USA.
UPDATE: I went ahead and installed the Bilsteins on my truck. I bought it used recently and for some reason the previous owner had changed to Monroe "Reflex" shocks which gave it a pretty horse-**** ride. The difference is night and day. Rides like a Cadillac now and dampens really well. I've only driven it in the city and on the freeway so far but I run over some big speed-bumps everyday that I've never slowed down for just out of principle. HUGE difference, it just sucks them up now. Really nice ride.
UPDATE: I went ahead and installed the Bilsteins on my truck. I bought it used recently and for some reason the previous owner had changed to Monroe "Reflex" shocks which gave it a pretty horse-**** ride. The difference is night and day. Rides like a Cadillac now and dampens really well. I've only driven it in the city and on the freeway so far but I run over some big speed-bumps everyday that I've never slowed down for just out of principle. HUGE difference, it just sucks them up now. Really nice ride.
I just put the Monroe Reflexes on my 153k FX4 to replace the stock Rancho-branded units. Like you said, the ride quality is now CRAP. It's the worst riding truck I've ever been in.
So the Bilsteins are a big improvement over the Monroes? The ride quality actually improved??? Which part numbers did you buy?
I don't have the part #s in front of me but they're the only ones they sell for my truck, AFAIK. If you go to any Bilstein web site and put in your year/make/model, they will come up. They make another series for lifted trucks but there is no x-over to stock trucks.
Yeah, the ride is dramatically better than the Monroes. I can't imagine why Monroe would valve a street shock like that. Dampener design is not exactly rocket science at this point. I had to get used to a *normal* ride, it actually felt a little soft after those POS Monroes. It's real nice now, probably close to stock but better dampening. My truck has the factory sway bars F/R and isn't lifted so it handles pretty well for a ~7k lb. PU truck.
Ive had bilstiens, Pro Comps, ranchos, monroes, and Edelbrocks...And Id have to say last place goes to the monroes, and first place goes to Either the MX-6 reservoir shocks, or the edelbrocks (with reservoir)....First off the monroes just plain suck, the valving on the ranchos sucks, the bilsteins rust incredibly quickly in new england, and look like crap after one winter, the pro comps look allright, and dampen well on road and offroad, and I think the current edelbrock shocks I have look awesome, because they are chrome black and red, and they dampen effectively on road, havent been offroad with them.
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2006 F250 cc/sb sct, studs egr delete, 100 shot injectors, fass fuel pump, twins, rough country 4-link 8" Lift, 38"x15.5" Dick Cepeks, 20x12 Rockstars, 4" Dual Exhaust, Ranch hand bumpers Front & Rear
Well, rust isn't an issue where I live in Southern California. I'm more concerned with the performance/dampening of the shock than the way it looks.
I have to say that the Bilsteins look nice, though.
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