Rancho question

After trolling for an answer at XOC, it seems that I will not get specifics. It amazes me that when I specifically ask for part number information, I am told by each poster to buy thicker T-bars.

Anyway, I HAVE the motorsport bars and now I want better shocks to dampen my winch/ARB dead weight on the front end. Are the 9156's the Rancho of choice and what if any mods are neccessary to mount them up?

I would also appreciate your suggestions, BASED ON EXPERIENCE, on what shocks you like. Please specify what you like/dislike about them, part numbers, and any install gotchas.

The bottom line is that my stock shocks are cashed and I need to finish this mod this weekend if possible.

Thanks in advance guy's,

Never used the ranchos. Have stock t-bars, and ARB no winch. I do have the blistiens (30% stiffer than stock) and I love them, the part # for them are in the part numbers thread.

Ben

Wow, you waited a whole 49 minutes for a response.

Anyway, I answered your question (you'll disagree) over there.

Wow, you just can't be nice.

Actually you answered my question perfectly. I noticed you have/had ranchos from the BFD picture I found during a search. Can you recommend a front setup from your experience?

Nope.

Scooter I am running the 9156's in the front but if you want RS9000's go with the RS9188, it's the same shock but you do not have to press the stud out from the bottom mount and shave the bushing down to fit like I did(at the time the warehouse was out of 9188's). The shocks never lived up to my expectations up front until I installed the stiffer t-bars, then I had plenty of adjustment but a year and a half of abuse with the stock t-bars(before the new ones) running them on 4 or 5 everyday has taken it's toll. I drove Vikram's truck with the 20% stiffer billsteins up front(sway bar disconnected) and while i liked the rebound and how they felt on stutter bumps they could not keep the truck from floating and diving in the turns compared to my Rancho's on 5 and stock t-bars(also disconnected)...so the choice is up to you. I would love to feel what a new set of Rancho's and the stiffer t-bars drives like, wish i bought the t-bars earlier.

I originally used the Rancho RSX's on my truck. They were stiffer and certainly better than stock, but they didn't seem to dampen short hard impacts (washboards, etc). I now have the Bilsteins (30% stiffer for winch/ARB) as well as stiffer torsion bars. I am very happy with how they compliment each other.

A few of our clubmembers have Rancho RS9000's, but they bought these before the Bilsteins were available (actually there was nothing built specifically for the Xterra, but these were close). They seem to appreciate the adjustable settings especially for the rear, but I feel the Bilsteins give you the best on and offroad performance.

Also if you are considering any adjustments in your suspension height, make sure you consider the longer Bilsteins. Spencer at SLR can help you with any more questions you might have specifically about the shocks.

Originally posted by FSRBIKER
I drove Vikram's truck with the 20% stiffer billsteins up front(sway bar disconnected) and while i liked the rebound and how they felt on stutter bumps they could not keep the truck from floating and diving in the turns compared to my Rancho's on 5 and stock t-bars(also disconnected)...

Vik's got the 10% Bilsteins.

Kick ass!

Thanks for the help Todd, Schlud,....Ian.

Unfortunately I am dealing with a limited time frame before a huge road trip so I need to get cracking. I know "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine", but I figured I could get one last thing done before leaving.

Thanks again,

I've had the Rancho 9000's all around, and now am running Bilsteins. I liked the adjustability of the Rancho's when used with stock springs in the rear as the springs are soft and suck as we all know.

The adjustability of the Rancho's is what originally sold me on them, but now that I've been experimenting with different springs, I've realized the right combination of spring / shock is much better than trying to get the shock to do more than it's intended to do, (such as reduce body roll) The stiffer springs / torsion bars do that much better than destroying your ride by having super stiff shocks, which is what I was doing by running around on 5 with my Ranchos.

Once I upgraded my springs, I absolutely love the valving of the Bilsteins. Also up front the new Bilstein 5100 series from SLR come with a dampening cushion of sorts that reduces harshness if you bottom out.

If you go to their website you can see a picture of what I'm talking about when you view their lift kit.

Originally posted by Sc00ter
Wow, you just can't be nice.


He is a wrathful God.

Bilstein P/N's
Front:


B46-1099-H0 4X4 valved for extra weight of winch

Rear:


F4-B46-2126-H0 for use without rear sway bar and with 2 inches of lift

Originally posted by rrdstarr
F4-B46-2126-H0 for use without rear sway bar and with 2 inches of lift

That rear shock is for use with the SLR lift kit, and the rear spring pack. The spring pack is 1.5" thicker than stock. On a stock X, you may see some bottoming out of the shocks, more noticable on the passenger side.

I'll periodically check that shock to see if I am doing it harm.

My mistake Rick, the rear shock number for the SLR spring pack is BE5-6216-H0.

The 6216, 2126 had me confused.