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  #31  
Old 06-25-2016, 07:14 AM
Logan03CO Logan03CO is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by rwilche1 View Post
How about if you plan on living the double lifted life? T bar crank and superlift? I'm assuming I'd need the 5100's?
You wouldn't need anything different that what a basic Superlift requires. Nothing changes when you tack on a basic torsion bar crank.

Any shock made for a stock height truck wouldn't work with the basic Superlift suspension lift anyway.


Also, for the record..I wouldn't consider that any type of "double lifted life".

Classically (AKA: Pre-Plastidip era) - 'double lifted' would mean a body lift & suspension lift.

IMO: A torsion bar crank - isn't considered a "true lift" at all.


EDIT: IIRC - I don't think Bilstein even makes a 5100 series designed for the 1998-Death 4WD Rangers (w/ suspension lift) anyway.
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Last edited by Logan03CO; 06-25-2016 at 07:25 AM.
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  #32  
Old 06-25-2016, 07:42 AM
rwilche1 rwilche1 is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Thank you sir, I've got superlift shocks coming anyway. Just was curious as I always heard good stuff about this brand of shocks.
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  #33  
Old 06-25-2016, 10:51 AM
NewShockerGuy NewShockerGuy is offline
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Arrow Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

So let me ask this final question before I order the Bilsteins.

I have the 4" spindle lift which doesn't affect the front shocks so I am cool with the normal 2wd bilsteins.

The rear I have the 1.5" factory lift blocks and 2" lift shackles. What I did before my rear shocks was use 4x4 shocks. Can I do the same thing with the bilsteins and get the 4x4 instead of the 5100s?

I feel like the 5100's are going to be too stiff of a ride for highway driving so I'm almost positive the 4600's are what I am going to order.

Any reason the above won't work, as it currently is now I have front 2wd shocks and in the rear 4x4 shocks.


EDIT:

Welp I went with the above plan and will have them hopefully by the end of the week. I'm really hoping a see a difference between the $40 Monroe OE Spectrum vs the Bilstein 4600HD.



Thanks,
-Nigel
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2001 Ranger XLT 2.3L Auto: Bunch of misc mods.
Little lift: 4" Spindle Lift w/ 2" shackles and 2" oem blocks.OEM Ranger Sport Wheels: Tires=245x75x16

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Last edited by NewShockerGuy; 06-28-2016 at 03:03 AM.
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  #34  
Old 06-29-2016, 10:15 PM
NewShockerGuy NewShockerGuy is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Installed the Bilstein's today. Rears were the 4x4's with a blue rubber boot. Install took all of 15 minutes. Firmed up the rear compared to the Monroe OE Spectrum (sensatrac) that were on the truck. Has a single bounce and doesn't nearly go down/bounce when I am on the tail gate bouncing up and down.

Fronts did not have the rubber boots, rather they had a blue plastic cap to cover the metal shock rod. Not sure which looks better or will last longer but I would imagine the plastic not cracking/ripping like the rubber might. Fronts took a little more time only because one has to jack up under the control arm to start the bolts but other than that, I really can't tell a difference on the front shocks. Truck bounce the same amount up there.

Overall handling when inside the truck. Before I used to be able to shake the cab left/right by just moving or if someone got in on the passenger side. Now that has mitigated some what, and is less dramatic.

Overall ride quality is nice, a tiny bit firmer in the rear but nothing mind blowing. Is it worth the x2 cost of the Monroe OE Spectrum that I had previously... probably not. Will they last longer, (hoping so?).

I'll update after a couple thousand miles. Not dissatisfied but also not ecstatic about them.

-Nigel
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2001 Ranger XLT 2.3L Auto: Bunch of misc mods.
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  #35  
Old 06-29-2016, 11:46 PM
Tyler46 Tyler46 is offline
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The plastic covers are fine on the front. That's what I have, just don't plow through the mud and it won't get on the shaft and eat up the seals. I beat the piss out of mine and I've had zero issues.
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  #36  
Old 06-30-2016, 07:36 PM
NewShockerGuy NewShockerGuy is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Nice!

Well after driving quite a bit yesterday and today I can honestly say I now feel a difference. Highway driving is much improved compared to the Monroe's. It's hard to describe but the Monroe's were way more cushy and had more bounce yet the ride still felt abrasive in a way over bumps. These seem firmer yet poised in that the side to side wobble getting in and out of the truck isn't there, but gliding over the highway still feeling planted. Not harsh like my STi, but very comfortable actually.

I like them. Now I feel like perhaps I should have gotten these first.

Glad I got these over the 5100 series. These are enjoyable and make the truck feel a lot nicer!

Moral of story = get them and enjoy the ride.

-Nigel
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2001 Ranger XLT 2.3L Auto: Bunch of misc mods.
Little lift: 4" Spindle Lift w/ 2" shackles and 2" oem blocks.OEM Ranger Sport Wheels: Tires=245x75x16

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  #37  
Old 07-02-2016, 05:04 PM
rangergambler rangergambler is offline
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2010 2.3 stick reg cab with 30s.

Front has 5100 and rear has 4600 shocks. With maxtrac coils up front.

Rides frieken awesome.

I can haull azzz in this one road that is uneven up and down up and down for like 5 miles long and this is where the 5100s and the 4600s come to life, controlled smooth/slightly than stock stiffer in a better way. It rides awesome. Going through train tracks no problem. It no longer wanders like it loses controll when kind of stepping on it with the old stockers. On some situations the fasters you go the smoothet it is with the bilsteins. Frieken greeed and greed by ford. The 5100 shocks and 4600 shocks should be included in all the rangers. CONSUMERS ALWAYS GET SHAFTED. WHO CARES ABOUT USELESS TPMS, RILL STABILITY CONTROL AHHHH!!
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  #38  
Old 07-12-2016, 08:37 PM
mms1361 mms1361 is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by NewShockerGuy View Post
] Is it worth the x2 cost of the Monroe OE Spectrum that I had previously... probably not. Will they last longer, (hoping so?).

I'll update after a couple thousand miles. Not dissatisfied but also not ecstatic about them.

-Nigel
Well alls i can say is i got the 4600s back in may2015, They felt might fine up until about december of 2015. The ride was stiff but i kind of liked that. The only exception being riding over ramps and stuff like that but for driving on the road it was perfect. Tires had that one bounce and firmly planted feel.

In december though i was working at amazon and had to step over like a dozen ginormous plastic speed bumps every day, twice a day. The last day i worked there i ran over one of those things like at 30mph and it made the truck hop in the air a bit lol. From then on the shocks rode like the same old bouncy autoparts store shocks. Im pretty sure that was the cause of it but I got less than 10k miles out of them. They problably wouldve lasted longer had i not done that. Now im debating wether to cough up this price tag again. The cheapies last all of about a month before they feel spongy.

These still take large blows fine but for the everyday little bumps and cracks on the road they no longer do nothing.
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Last edited by mms1361; 07-12-2016 at 08:40 PM.
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  #39  
Old 08-19-2016, 09:17 AM
rangergambler rangergambler is offline
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Bilstein 5100 shocks on front running them for 5 months. Smooth and only one bounce in the stroke.

Rear 4600 shocks running them for 10 months and are a great shock. They feel like new.


Maybe your bilstein shocks blew...
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  #40  
Old 08-19-2016, 10:33 AM
Tyler46 Tyler46 is offline
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Seems really odd, I've beat the piss out of my shocks for about a year now (even getting the truck airborne countless times) and they still feel like the day I bought them. I'm thinking you might have over extended them and possibly blew out the seal on it. I have the 5100's so mine won't fully extend with full droop of the front end.

First thing I would do is pull the shock and squish it by hand to see if it's still good.
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  #41  
Old 01-22-2017, 09:22 AM
Wolperdinger Wolperdinger is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

I've read the thread, and it's great information. I'm still unsure about what is considered "lifted". Would a 2.5" torsion bar levelling kit on the front of a 2008 Ranger Sport 4X4 be considered "lifted" and require the 5100 series, or will the 4600's still do the job?
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  #42  
Old 01-22-2017, 12:24 PM
DangerRanger37 DangerRanger37 is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolperdinger View Post
I've read the thread, and it's great information. I'm still unsure about what is considered "lifted". Would a 2.5" torsion bar levelling kit on the front of a 2008 Ranger Sport 4X4 be considered "lifted" and require the 5100 series, or will the 4600's still do the job?
You would just need shocks for a 4x4

4600's should be fine. 5100's are for aftermarket lifts.
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  #43  
Old 01-22-2017, 02:17 PM
Wolperdinger Wolperdinger is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Thanks.
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  #44  
Old 06-07-2017, 03:35 PM
Sparqy43 Sparqy43 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolperdinger View Post
I've read the thread, and it's great information. I'm still unsure about what is considered "lifted". Would a 2.5" torsion bar levelling kit on the front of a 2008 Ranger Sport 4X4 be considered "lifted" and require the 5100 series, or will the 4600's still do the job?
I called Bilstein today and asked about a 1.5 leveling kit. The rep told me that Bilstein does not have a shock for a level kit on a Ford Ranger. He said the 4600 would be bottomed out and it would not last long. I'm scratching my head because most shops recommend 4600 for leveling kit. WTH... He also said there is no 5100 series. Double WTH
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  #45  
Old 06-07-2017, 05:52 PM
Wolperdinger Wolperdinger is offline
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Default Re: The Ranger Bilstein 4600/5100 Shock Buying Guide

Well, I did put the 4600's in my Ranger with the new torsion bar keys back in February, and all seems good as far as I can tell. I haven't done any heavy off roading, but certainly haven't noticed any bottoming out going over some decent bumps and ruts.
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