Bilstein vs Rancho Shocks - Comparisons and Real World Advice
The Debate Continues
We cover the "Rancho vs Bilstein Shocks???" debate that rages on across numerous automotive forums. There are so many different types of drivers and uses of a truck or Jeep, its hard to get an objective read on what these two brands of shocks mean for your vehicle. We're going to lay out specs for you to figure out the best shock for your intended use.
We're going to focus on the Bilstein 5100 Monotube series compared to the Rancho RS7000MT Monotube shocks, and the RS5000X shocks. We'll mention straight out of the gate that the RS5000X doesn't really compare to the Bilstein 5100 or the RS7000MT, both of which are monotube design shocks.
We've been running the Rancho RS9000XL shocks on our new Power Wagon for a few thousand miles now, we've got some first impressions and how they stack up against the factory Bilstein shocks that came on this beast.
|
Piston Size |
Body Material |
Rod Size |
Shock Design |
Finish |
|
|
Bilstein 4600 |
46mm |
Steel |
14mm |
Monotube |
Painted |
|
Bilstein 5100 |
46mm |
Steel |
14mm |
Monotube |
Zinc |
|
RS7000MT |
46mm |
Steel |
14mm |
Monotube |
Zinc |
| RS5000X | 35mm | Steel | 16mm | Twin Tube | Painted |
What does it all mean?
Besides the bullet pointed differences, lets get into what the specifications actually mean and translate to for your vehicle. All 3 shock series are under a high pressure nitrogen gas charge. Neither company reveals exact PSI numbers on the nitrogen gas charge, but we expect Bilstein to be approaching 200psi, while Rancho is closer to 150. Higher PSI typically translates to firmer ride due to internal shock pressures, which affects valving and damping characteristics.
- Bilstein 5100 and Rancho RS7000MT are very similar, both of these monotube shocks are going to ride nearly identical
- Rancho RS5000X is the newly improved RS5000, now a gas charged unit, while an upgrade over their previous product, doesn't match the consistent ride quality of a monotube shock.
- RS5000X active piston of 35mm is significantly smaller than the monotube counter parts, meaning response will be harsher, and offroad performance will result in shock fade during extensive use.
- RS5000X painted surface is more prone to debris, but the twin tube body protects the active internal tube.
Rancho's RS7000MT shock is the newest addition to the available truck and Jeep performance parts, while the Bilstein 5100 has been available for much longer. And as you can tell, Rancho took some 'inspiration' for how they designed their RS7000MT competitor. One thing to keep in mind as well when comparing these shocks, Rancho manufacturers the RS5000X in Arkansas, USA, while Bilstein manufactures their shocks in Germany and the United States.
Pricing
Bottom Line
If you're on a budget, wait for Rancho's twice-yearly rebate, which will provide a refund on 1 out of 4 shocks purchased. This means if you buy 4 of the RS7000MT shocks, you can send in a rebate form, proof of purchase, and be refunded $79 on a VISA card.
If you prefer tried and true design and performance, we highly recommend the Bilstein 5100 series, one of our best sellers for most available applications. Both shocks seldom suffer from warranty issues or premature failure, so the comparisons are a wash there.
