Bilstein all the way
Bilsteins are gas shocks, where the Rancho are oil shocks.
Gas shocks are far more superior than any oil shock.
I had both and Bilsteins really improve my ride.

 

Thanks for the input. I am ruling out the Rancho 5000. Looks like most people so far like the Bilsteins better...do you guys run with plows or trailers? The one guy who mentioned trailers said the 9000 may be better...I have a plow or trailer on about 10% of the time. I was interested in the Rancho 9000 because they were easily adjustable...I wonder how long that adjustment lasts for with salty New England roads. It doesn't seem like the Bilstein 5100 fits on the front of my truck unless I get a 3" lift...I am putting on a 2" coil spacer but i am not sure if that is enough for the 5100. Bilstein recommends the HD for stock height...I wonder how stiff the HD is the 90% of the time I am at normal weight?

 

The Bilsteins use oil for the damping too. They just have their own anti foaming technology which is what all the "gas pressure technology" hype is about. BTW IMO air is just fine except maybe at top levels of racing otherwise "gas" is more of a marketing tool.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. At the consumer level, you will not notice any major difference in ride/handling when you are buying a universal type shock using factory mounting locations. When you buy a shock absorber, it isn't usually specifically designed for your vehicle. The same shock is used across a number of platforms, just with different mounting hardware.

Buy what is cheap, or what you like best.

 

It won't let me edit my post so I'll just put this separately. Something I'd like to add is your mounting point is crucial. Most newer solid axle trucks mount the shocks towards the extreme ends of the axle, inside the wheel well. This is a far better way of controlling roll and maintaining stability for your everyday user. It's a much better middle of the road setup then inboard like older trucks. Chrysler completely ditched leaf springs and went with links on the new Rams. Finally.

If you are doing heavy towing, campers or whatever, consider relocating your shock absorbers.

 

I totally agree other than in this case there is one adjustable, the RS9000. Alot of people use it for alternating between pretty heavily loaded and unloaded seem to like it. I haven't tried them myself but I have fairly strong faith in this info.

 

Vehicle:Ram 1500 4WD - Lifted 3 inches in Front, 0-1 inches in RearYears:94-01Setting:Bilstein 5100

Front Shocks Information

Part Number: BE5-6681-H8 (F4-BE5-6681-H8)Type:Mono-Tube GasList Price:$145.00 (each)Our Price:$75.00 Quantity:Notes:Compression bump stop on chassis may need to be modified to prevent damage to the shock absorber. (Note # L2)

Rear Shocks Information

Part Number: BE5-6682-H8 (F4-BE5-6682-H8)Type:Mono-Tube GasList Price:$145.00 (each)Our Price:$75.00 Quantity:Notes:Compression bump stop on chassis may need to be modified to prevent damage to the shock absorber. (Note # L2)
Sorry, if that paste turns out ugly. Its from eshocks.com.....What do they mean by the bump stop may need modification? Has anyone had to do this to their Ram??

 

The price of those shocks isn't nearly what they are actually worth. The available adjustment is extremely limited at best. You could get a used short stroke bypass for only a little more. Rebuild them yourself and you would have far better control over ride and roll. Using the existing mounting points.

 

I have had the Rancho adjustable ones for about 1 1/2 years and love them

 

I'm sure you're right, but it's almost guaranteed those Ranchos would last the life of most users trucks with no rebuilds or failures if well maintained. Pay the Les Schwab guy your dough and you can watch and eat some popcorn. Most folks don't want to get dirty much less mastering proper alterations of valve stackups and replacing their own seals or especially the culture shock of seeing the first bill from a specialist mechanic who can do all this work for them or whatever.

Short stroke bypass? Terms I've not heard. What's some good brands, affordable brands etc?