Rancho & Bilstein Stats

[jjvw]

I have run at least 4 sets of Ranchos and I keep going back to them for a budget shock. I haven't run Bilstein's since 2017, but I do remember they were noticeably rougher riding than the first set of Ranchos. There are plenty of discussions of shocks here on the forum, so keep searching threads. Mostly what you will find is that Bilstein's are really rough, and many prefer either the Rancho 5000X or the Skyjacker BlackMax. OF course, if you want a very good ride, you'll need to outboard and get tuned resi's.

The reality seems to be that all off the shelf shocks fall into a very narrow range of ride quality. It isn't until someone can get into the world of tuning that the real range of differences and possibilities shows up. Once that happens, you realize that the choice of which off the shelf shock doesn't matter much.

 

[JMT]

The reality seems to be that all off the shelf shocks fall into a very narrow range of ride quality. It isn't until someone can get into the world of tuning that the real range of differences and possibilities shows up. Once that happens, you realize that the choice of which off the shelf shock doesn't matter much.

It just matters if you want to be able to decipher which side of a coin you ran over! LOL

 

[jjvw]

It just matters if you want to be able to decipher which side of a coin you ran over! LOL

A decent off shelf shock might be one that has the control and stability of the Bilstein 5100 and the small event softness of the rack Rancho 5000x.

Two things I have figured out are that most want a wallowy boaty feel and most don't know how to describe what they like or what in ride quality.

 

[JMT]

A decent off shelf shock might be one that has the control and stability of the Bilstein 5100 and the small event softness of the rack Rancho 5000x.

Two things I have figured out are that most want a wallowy boaty feel and most don't know how to describe what they like or what in ride quality.

I think that sounds exactly right.

 

[Mike_H]

A decent off shelf shock might be one that has the control and stability of the Bilstein 5100 and the small event softness of the rack Rancho 5000x.

Two things I have figured out are that most want a wallowy boaty feel and most don't know how to describe what they like or what in ride quality.

So...A Bilstein 5100 with a flutter valve?

 

[srimes]

A decent off shelf shock might be one that has the control and stability of the Bilstein 5100 and the small event softness of the rack Rancho 5000x.

Two things I have figured out are that most want a wallowy boaty feel and most don't know how to describe what they like or what in ride quality.

"I want a shock that makes my TJ ride like a Cadillac."

 

[jjvw]

"I want a shock that makes my TJ ride like a Cadillac."

I think most conflate that with an old Cadillac that has worn out shocks. This assumes they have ever ridden in a Cadillac in the first place.

 

[Mike_H]

"I want a shock that makes my TJ ride like a Cadillac."

I want a shock that makes my TJ ride like a European sport sedan. Tight, controlled, but non jarring.

 

[Woodrow]

I have run at least 4 sets of Ranchos and I keep going back to them for a budget shock. I haven't run Bilstein's since 2017, but I do remember they were noticeably rougher riding than the first set of Ranchos. There are plenty of discussions of shocks here on the forum, so keep searching threads. Mostly what you will find is that Bilstein's are really rough, and many prefer either the Rancho 5000X or the Skyjacker BlackMax. OF course, if you want a very good ride, you'll need to outboard and get tuned resi's.

Do to my inability to finish what I started, I'll have tuned fox 12x2.0 coilovers in rear and 9" Bilsteins up front in Sand Hollow this year. Should be an odd combo.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

The reality seems to be that all off the shelf shocks fall into a very narrow range of ride quality. It isn't until someone can get into the world of tuning that the real range of differences and possibilities shows up. Once that happens, you realize that the choice of which off the shelf shock doesn't matter much.

Completely agree with this. I've been mountain biking from the rigid fork days and adopted more dynamic tuning there long ago. What you can do when you have separate control over spring rate, high speed and low speed compression plus some control over rebound rate changes the game.

The Rancho 9000s at least give some nominal low speed compression tuning, but man I'd love to go to a set of tuned DSCs on the Jeep. I know what I'm missing.

 

[JMT]

Do to my inability to finish what I started, I'll have tuned fox 12x2.0 coilovers in rear and 9" Bilsteins up front in Sand Hollow this year. Should be an odd combo.

You are planning to outboard the front too, though, right?

At this point, I think I am. Like you I am just trying to get ready for Sand Hollow now. Every little project/improvement is on the sideline. I think my front Rancho's are about 10.5" travel IIRC. Not too bad with the 12's in the rear.

 

[rasband]

At this point, I think I am.

You know it, not think it . The balance is awesome and makes wheeling way more predictable. The front is good bit of work, but not quite like the rear as you aren't locating where they need to be as much - the towers get built around where the previous tower was.

 

[Woodrow]

You are planning to outboard the front too, though, right?

At this point, I think I am. Like you I am just trying to get ready for Sand Hollow now. Every little project/improvement is on the sideline. I think my front Rancho's are about 10.5" travel IIRC. Not too bad with the 12's in the rear.

Oh yeah. The front will get the mid arm, coil over and even a little stretch just like the rear. Just not before Sand Hollow.

 

[JMT]

You know it, not think it . The balance is awesome and makes wheeling way more predictable. The front is good bit of work, but not quite like the rear as you aren't locating where they need to be as much - the towers get built around where the previous tower was.

Ok, ok! You know me.

Now, I was just getting on here to search to see if the stock upper bracketry can be modified to accommodate an 11" Fox Resi. I think most do PolyPerformance towers, but curious if the tower can just be modified by cutting and welding a new upper tower.

EDIT: Found this post by Tworley.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/looking-for-opinions-on-highline-fenders.28589/post-460520

 

[jjvw]

Ok, ok! You know me.

Now, I was just getting on here to search to see if the stock upper bracketry can be modified to accommodate an 11" Fox Resi. I think most do PolyPerformance towers, but curious if the tower can just be modified by cutting and welding a new upper tower.

EDIT: Found this post by Tworley.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/looking-for-opinions-on-highline-fenders.28589/post-460520

I did the upper mount relocation about 10 years ago for a factory style post mount after seeing even older examples of it on Jeep Forum. There is nothing difficult or fancy about it. Trying to change that mount to a horizontal through bolt is a silly amount of work. Using the Poly mounts is faster and easier in an already difficult project.