Mornin' All,
I have a 2008 4x4 reg cab with about 97000 miles and have some service coming due and I will need shocks soon, the last time in for service it was noted that I had some leaking in one of the shocks. I have had some interest in leveling the front as the regular cabs have the most severe factory rake. In reading through a lot of posts it seems I could take care of the shocks and lift with one application-Bilstein height adjustable 5100. The only negative thing I have seen posted is the stiffened ride, but I am not too concerned with that, I have replaced the factory size tires with a larger size and they are 10 ply so they ride a little stiff anyway. Right now my truck is a daily driver but some time in late spring I plan on buying a mini car for commuting and keeping the truck and putting a lot less miles on it. I would greatly appreciate any input from those of you that are currently riding on the bilsteins. Also it looks like the shocks will be around $400 +-, will I need to get any other parts to complete the switch, front end alignment?

 

I cannot give you a perspective on either as I've never had them, but rancho also makes a leveling shock that are ride adjustable. You can adjust from firm to soft and anywhere in between. I've heard good about both brands so it just depends on if you want a stiff ride or one that can be toned down a bit. As far as what else you need, both should come with all hardware, but you will need to make sure you get your tires aligned after either is installed. Sorry I couldn't help more.

 

At 97k you're WAY past due for shocks. I've had the Bilstein's for a little over a year, just over 10k miles. They do firm up the ride somewhat, but it's not unbearable. I'd rather have that than to soft. I've heard good things about the Rancho system as well. I don't think either one has a big leg up on the other. Buy whatever you think you'd like better. You will need an alignment afterwards.

 

Shock Recommendations IMHO:

1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications
2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The Exel-G’s (formerly GR-2) are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.

 

I just installed the bilstien shocks a few weeks ago, I am very impressed with them. I wouldn't say that they make the ride stiff, It feels like my truck is new again. I have a 08 Screw 4x4. So far that was the best thing I have done for my truck. I chose bilstein over the rancho cause the rancho uses plastic spacer that I can see going out in the near future. Off road the bilsteins are fantastic. I would recommend them to any one that is in the market for new shocks. And the best part of them is that you can decide how much lift you want. Hope this helps!