I sent the exact following message to 4wheelonline.com's customer service and got back some choppy response that wasn't really helpful in the slightest. So I figured I'd turn the people I do trust and ask the forum.



I was wondering if the Bilstein 5100's that are adjustable and come with the RCD 4" lift kit for the 04-current 4x4 F-150 are a special version of the 5100's or just the normal ones. If they are the normal ones, what would the part numbers for those be.

Also, I was wondering if those shocks (the same that come in the RCD kit, and are hopefully a normal product) would work just fine and in the same manner if installed onto the Rancho 4" lift kit for the same truck.

I ask because I like having the option of switching between a 4" and 6" lift in case I ever want to go back down to a 33" tire instead of a 35" but I like the Rancho kit better than the RCD.



On a separate note, would the adjustable 5100's fit onto a 6" Fabtech or 6" Pro Comp lift? And would the Rancho RS9000XL's be compatible with either of those lifts?



I know it's alot of questions, but I would really appreciate finally finding some concrete answers to my questions.




So if anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!!

 

Your best bet is to contact the manufacturers and get the shock's lengths.

 

Yep, those shocks will work with a rancho (at either setting, 4" or 6") and will work on a fabtech or pro comp (6" setting only). Wouldn't deal with 4wheelonline, few people have had issues with them. Here is the link to top gun customz for the bilsteins you're looking for http://store.topguncustomz.com/store...82&i=193821846. The rancho shocks won't work with a fabtech or pro comp lift as they are 6" lifts and the rancho shocks are designed for a 4" lift, stick with the bilsteins

 

do you think the adjustability on the Rancho RS9000XL's is a good enough feature to skip the Bilsteins if I were to go with the Rancho 4" ?

Or is it not worth it, and the Bilsteins are just the overall better way to go? Lastly, I heard the 5100's are fairly stiff for on road driving, is that true?

 

Ranchos are nice shocks (maybe not quite bilstein quality but nice none the less) and would just get them (ranchos) if you going with the rancho lift. 5100's don't ride stiff at all, I'd say firm and controlled is a better way to describe them

 

i think you've convinced me towards the Bilsteins. For like only $100 more, I can have Bilsteins all the way around on the Rancho and it gives me the option to either do a 4" or 6" lift if I decided to change it either way. Win win regardless.

Out of curiosity, if I knew that I wanted a 6" and was just going to buy a 6" lift and put Bilsteins all the way around, would there be any advantage of going with the Fabtech over the Pro Comp? The difference in price between the two is almost the price of the shocks. And just so you know, it will mostly be on pavement with some light offroading thrown in every once in awhile, nothing intensive.

 

also, which of the following retailers would you say is the best to deal with? and are there any to avoid?

autoanything.com
rockymountainsusp.com
modbargains.com
topguncustomz.com
performancelifts.com
4wheelonline.com

lowest prices found:
Rancho $1463 AutoAnything
Pro Comp Stage I $1586 ModBargains
Fabtech $1900 PerformanceLifts.......$1818 4wheelonline
Bilsteins 5100 $429 TopGunCustomz

 

Stay away from 4wheelonline, a few people on here have had problems with them. The rest as far as I know are fine. If you want bilsteins then go for them. Pavement or off road the difference between fabtech and pro comp simply comes down to personal preference and/or price as both will get the job done the same, if you can't get there with a pro comp you won't get there with a fabtech (or any other lift for that matter). Lastly, if you want a 6" lift then get it as you'll soon be kicking yourself for getting a 4"

 

is there a difference between getting a 6" lift and getting a 4" lift with the adjustable Bilsteins? I thought that the adjustable Bilsteins could give the truck another 2". So in my thought process (could be flawed), I figured that the 4+2 would be the same as a 6" lift. Maybe 2" higher in the front, but a AAL would solve that right?

 

Yep, a 6" lift is designed for 6" of lift and a 4" lift is designed for 4" of lift. You can add 2 more inches to a 4" and make it a 6" but your CV's (constant velocity joints) and UCA's (upper control arms), as well as other parts won't be at there normal angles and will in turn have more stress on those associated parts. How much this matters, is up to you, but if you want a 6" lift then get a 6" lift, if you want a 4" then get a 4" lift. Also, you can't adjust the height of the bilsteins when there in the truck you have to take apart the front end, compress the spring and take them out to adjust them. Not incredibly difficult (I installed my bilsteins) but not something you're gonna want to do often. Do some research and a lot of the questions your asking will be answered

 

it is safe to assume that the CV's and UCA's would be put at the same angles and stress as a normal 2" leveling kit? or would it be aggravated worse because of the lift?

i just see a lot of people running the leveling kits with no problems.

 

Nope, would be the same as a leveling kit. Like I said, how big of an issue that is, is up to you

 

thanks alot man, you've really helped out alot!

 

No problem

 

By the way, your truck is one my favorites on this forum. It's definitely an eye-catcher!