Replacing the Ranchos

[TheYzerplan]

I was looking for a more comfortable ride so I had Bilstein shocks put on my truck, 5160's on the rear, 6112's up front. I also bought the 5100's for the front, but the shop I used said they fit the same as the 6112's (bad geometry at the lifted setting). They said that the only way for me to have proper steering geometry was for it to ride on the lowest setting, on either the 6112 or 5100.

If you look at the pictures below, you will see what my issue is. The way it looks is awful (increased rake/loss of height), but it is an 'absolute dream' to drive. I don't want a lift or bigger tires, just a better ride and smoother tow with less body roll. So I'm okay with it as is, but would really like to get that height back. I'll be taking it into a different shop just as soon as I grab all of the parts from the last shop, because I suspect that might be part of the issue.

So my questions for you fine folks:

-Has anyone swapped out 'all 4' shocks with no lift?

-Will such a large rake hurt my rear end in any way (gears axle, springs)?

 

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[TheYzerplan]

Here's a side by side with the stock Rancho and the Bilstein 5100 that they say is a direct replacement, in case anyone was curious. I'll update after I see the folks at the 2nd shop.

 

[AT4_Guest20]

Man I have a lot of questions on this one, but I think I'll just wait until you hear from the second shop. I have a hard time believing these will cause any ill effects in the lifted position. Did they provide any other explanation besides "bad geometry"? We're talking a max of 1.2" of additional height according to the description on the Bilstein website. I'm really interested in because I have the 5160s in the rear and I want to get the 6112s for the front. I think you need a second opinion. I'm willing to bet that decision on their part is purely based on possible liability for them if anything goes wrong.

Also, 5160s don't lift the truck in the rear, and the front is on the stock setting (lowest) so your rake shouldn't be any different than a stock AT4. Right?

 

[TheYzerplan]

Okay, the second shop was key... because the 1st shop had absolutely no idea what they were talking about, and I shared some of their bad information. I had to drive 45 mins both ways, but it only took them 30 mins to add height, and make the 6112's work perfectly. There are zero issues with the 6112 up front, no rubbing, caster, camber, and the toes were all well within limits. I picked the middle height adjustment, could have gone higher, but the added control I have at this rake is amazing. I'm still pulling better MPG's at the new height, but not as good as before. It hurts my eyes less at this rake, so this is my favorite way to drive this truck, the driving experience is almost unmatched.

I think I forgot to mention that I had a bad rattle in the front right after I had the work done the 1st time. Initially, I thought it was disconnected firewall trim pieces, turns out they damaged the bolt on the strut at the first shop, so now that strut is loose and it can't be tightened. Now I'm left waiting on a new strut, paying out of my pocket to avoid any more dealing with the garbage shop that did all this crap. I really regret not knowing anything going in, but at least I'll be able to vet the next mechanic that works on my suspension. Lesson learned, pay the price, soldier on.

 

[AT4_Guest20]

Nice! Glad to hear you got it all worked out. I was preparing to write a very long post on why I knew the first shop was full of it lol, but I figured I'd wait for your update. Great looking truck and thanks for posting the final result.

 

[TheYzerplan]

Nice! Glad to hear you got it all worked out. I was preparing to write a very long post on why I knew the first shop was full of it lol, but I figured I'd wait for your update. Great looking truck and thanks for posting the final result.

Thanks, I really like the way it drives, it's not even comparable to the Ranchos. Did you do your fronts yet?

It boggles the mind why GM couldn't cut cost elsewhere and improve this at the factory.

 

[AT4_Guest20]

Thanks, I really like the way it drives, it's not even comparable to the Ranchos. Did you do your fronts yet?

It boggles the mind why GM couldn't cut cost elsewhere and improve this at the factory.

No I haven't done the fronts yet, now that you have confirmed that there are no issues, I'm gonna get them ordered.

 

[wipple]

No I haven't done the fronts yet, now that you have confirmed that there are no issues, I'm gonna get them ordered.

Hello,
Where are you guys ordering these bilsteins? Also, how do the bilstein compare to fox or king. I agree, GM really cheaped out putting garbage shocks on a 70K truck. Major disappointment.

 

[AT4_Guest20]

Hello,
Where are you guys ordering these bilsteins? Also, how do the bilstein compare to fox or king. I agree, GM really cheaped out putting garbage shocks on a 70K truck. Major disappointment.

I got mine from 4 Wheel Parts. I've never had Fox or King shocks so I can't really answer that question.

 

[wipple]

I got mine from 4 Wheel Parts. I've never had Fox or King shocks so I can't really answer that question.

Thanks, placed order today for 5160's through 4WP. They were backordered though.

 

[TheYzerplan]

I just put the 5100's up front, they feel the same, much better this time without the rattle, I'll get pics up when I can wash the pollen off.

Turns out the 1st shop may have been truly despicable, in that it appears they knowingly tried to JB or spot weld my steering knuckle after a total structural failure, this is after they broke my shock and put my truck in the shop for the better part of 3 months. I don't know what to do next, the owner covered the cost of the repair, but still owes me for the shocks, cosmetic damage, and a refund of the $1300 I paid him to do the work. He's been very aggressive through text message, denigrating my military service for no reason other than it's all he could find. I feel like I owe it to the community to sue this man, so that he can't hurt anyone else.

In other words, whatever you do, install them yourself. I'll never do this again, I'll do it myself.

 

[wipple]

Wow, thats super bad. I would demand he replace with brand new factory parts everything he broke. All work done by GMC service at his expense. Dont settle for less even if requires going down the legal path.

 

[wipple]

When you say they feel the same, does the front still bounce like the stock Ranchos do?

 

[TheYzerplan]

Hello,
Where are you guys ordering these bilsteins? Also, how do the bilstein compare to fox or king. I agree, GM really cheaped out putting garbage shocks on a 70K truck. Major disappointment.

I've only ever had the DSSV Multimatics, but I've been in plenty of trucks with Fox and King. For me, these Bilsteins are great, but I won't be off-roading. These are still far more capable than the Ranchos, there is no question, I just want to be able to feel the road. I was marveling at it today as I drove over some roads I hadn't been on in a while, the rocking and boat like ride are gone totally.

Unless you're racing in the Baja, you should be fine with these.

 

[TheYzerplan]

When you say they feel the same, does the front still bounce like the stock Ranchos do?

That's the biggest aspect I was concerned with, and yes, they certainly do a great job. Zero rocking issues. You feel the road more, but that's a good thing for anyone that likes to drive a truck.

Wow, thats super bad. I would demand he replace with brand new factory parts everything he broke. All work done by GMC service at his expense. Dont settle for less even if requires going down the legal path.

It's already fixed, I'm not even really that concerned with my money, it's the fact that his guys would think this is okay. I've never seen anything like this.