Hey All, I have an 04 Supercrew 4X4, 56K... Time for new rubber and shocks... I want to level out the front rake. So hence my question for the adjustable shocks from Rancho 9000XLS or Bilstein 5100?

Thanks,

Don

 

You can't adjust the height of the 9000s, just the firmness, and you will not get the rake out of your truck with shocks. Need a leveling kit for your year.

 

Bilstein 5100 ARE leveling shocks. You can set them for normal ride height, 1 inch increase, 2 inch increase. Mine are fantastic!!

 

Sorry bro, wrong on both accounts! He has an '04. Both of those shocks are ride heigth adjustable and will fix the rake.

Don, it's pretty much going to boil down to brand loyalty and what you want. Both are great and both have a great rep. Never heard a bad thing abou either one. The Ranchos have the added feature of being adjustable where the Bilsteins don't. Just depends on how important that is to ya. I've seen a few guys complain about the Bilsteins ride like a truck (go figure) instead of like a '88 DeVille, but with the Ranchos you might could taylor that a bit. Haven't done a price check on the Ranchos, maybe that could be your decision maker.

 

Just to clarify, the 5100's will raise the front of your truck ~2", but the 04's and 05's have a greater rake than the 06 - 08, often requiring a 2.5" leveling kit. From what I have read there are mixed results using 2 to 2.5 kits where some are still not level, some are level, and some are nose high, almost as if every truck is different (blah blah blah).
If you go with the Bilsteins chances are you will still have a small rake, but it will not be near the rake you have now and you will have better shocks.

 

Just out of curiousity, how can the shock, which doesn't support any weight raise your truck?

 

Yes sir that is true. The '04-'05's do have a greater rake. I have a '04, and I got the Bilsteins. It did raise the front end 2in. but I still have a slight rake. Not bad though, to me its about right. A buddy of mine has a 07 and has them, his could probably use a AAL or a block...........just sayin

 

You can change the spring seat position when installing the shock to achieve the amount of lift you would like.

 

Sorry bro, but YOU'RE wrong.
The R9000xl shocks are not height adjustable, only firmness. For height adjustable, the OP needs to look into the Rancho quickLift shocks: Link to Rancho quickLift. For all intents and purposes they are R9000xl shocks but have the coil collar added.

I've had the Bilstein 5100's set at 2" and really liked them, but I'd give these Ranchos a serious look. Ride firmness is adjustable in these shocks, a feature I like in my R9000xl's.

 

I assume that is only for 04+ trucks????

 

Well I guess we'll call it a draw cause that's the shocks I was referring to. And like you said, they are 9000XL's. Does Rancho even have another (standard) shock for an '04 and up truck?

Yes, only '04 and up, and the lift is accomplished by how the coil spring mounts on the shock body. Do a search, there's a few threads in detail on how this accomplished. But you are correct, the shock itself does not provide the lift. Search for 5100 or preload.

 

Thanks for the replies... I thought the Rancho 9000XL was height adjustable, my bad. I really want that front rake gone. I am looking into the Rancho quicklift. Thanks for the link... I am still interested in the Bilsteins 5100, but have seen they are a bit rough. Not that, that is a big deal, just that I love the ride these have.

Thanks,

Don

 

I am very interested in the Rancho Quicklift. Anyone have a link to the best deal on these are?

Thanks,
Don

 

Rancho Quicklifts are coilover shocks for the front end and will lift the front of a truck 1"-2.5"s. Rancho RS900XL shocks are for the front or the back of a truck they will not lift the truck. Both are nitrogen filled, have a life time warranty, and have 9 adjustable settings for road, cargo, and hauling adjustments. The Bilstein 5100 shocks will lift the front end up to 2.75"s depending on the application. I personally went with the Rancho RS900XLs all the way around do to their flexibility. I have the wireless adjustable control unit that Rancho offers in my cab and I also have a 2" leveling kit.



Front, RS900XL coilovers...




Rear, RS9000XL shocks...

 

Hey JD, just looking at your pics there...don't the rear shocks mount boot down/body up?? The 9000's for my '02 do. I know that a different truck, but not really. Just curious if the instructions specified. I know on your trucks it can physically be mounted either way since there's any eye on each end.