Factory "Rancho" Tenneco Shocks Love 'Em or Hate 'Em/Upgraded

[Centex14]

True indeed Centex.
Ranchos of today are not like those in the past.
This is why i petition for GM to include a truly well built shock such as Bilstein, Fox etc on the z71
and especially AT4,X31 and Trail Boss for 2019.
You will Love your Bilsteins!
Please report once you have them installed. It is then you will see the point about the Ranchos 

I’ve run the 5100’s on all of my diesels and my 77 bronco. Nothing new to me. They really are a great shock.


2014 z71 LTZ
Volant Intake
Borla Exhaust
Diablo

[YukonXL04]

I have factory ranchos on my 18 z71. About to roll 1k miles on it. Honestly they ride good on small bumps and such. Small pot holes I dont even feel.

Large bumps and speed bumps are kinda rough though.

I am happy with them so far. They are firm, but I like a truck to feel like a truck. My uncles 17 without Rancho shucks feels soft and mushy. Like my 04 yukon xl... I prefer mine for sure.

[aseibel]

1 hour ago, Centex14 said:

The stock rancho’s are like nickleback. The internet says you have to hate them but when asked why you never get a straight answer.

[tnchevy]

I just got a 2018 silvy work truck that has the regular shocks while my 14 personal truck has the factory rancho's on it.  I will say that I enjoy the highway and around town ride much better on the 18 with the softer shocks.  The downside is that I do a lot of off road riding for my job and those soft shocks are terrible for that.  I don't do much off roading in my personal truck so I probably would be better off with the the non-rancho shocks.

[Sierra Dan]

These Rancho shocks act like nothing more than springs after several thousand miles. No dampening left whatsoever.

Anyone's K2 feel like a boat on the water when you back out of your driveway (provided there is a curb) and your whole truck bobbles driver side to passenger side? Now you know why!

[AllterrainX440]

5 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

These Rancho shocks act like nothing more than springs after several thousand miles. No dampening left whatsoever.

Anyone's K2 feel like a boat on the water when you back out of your driveway (provided there is a curb) and your whole truck bobbles driver side to passenger side? Now you know why!

Started happening with mine after only 10k and I don’t have a curb

[Sierra Dan]

4 minutes ago, AllterrainX440 said:

Started happening with mine after only 10k and I don’t have a curb

Please Vote! 

[pronstar]

I bought my truck with 30k on the clock, so can’t attest to how they performed new.

But my Ranchos are toast.
Damping is severely lacking. They aren’t controlling the spring like they need to.

Going straight to Kings and my expectation is a bazillion percent improvement.


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[Sierra Dan]

I have seen Raptors that are never dirty or taken off road.

They soak up some of the Baddest potholes out there though! 

The AT4 and Trail Boss are for intended audiences.

From what I have read in my short time here, that style of audience dumps the stock "Ranchos"

In favor of a look and performance that the Rancho cannot and does not offer.

My point being.....yes these two trim level offerings were smart.

But the bottom line on a cool lifted truck with meaty tires usually revolves around the suspension.

So offer it with Good suspension.

Would a ZR2 be cool with stock ranchos? No!

[pronstar]

I have seen Raptors that are never dirty or taken off road.

They soak up some of the Baddest potholes out there though! 

The AT4 and Trail Boss are for intended audiences.

From what I have read in my short time here, that style of audience dumps the stock "Ranchos"

In favor of a look and performance that the Rancho cannot and does not offer.

My point being.....yes these two trim level offerings were smart.

But the bottom line on a cool lifted truck with meaty tires usually revolves around the suspension.

So offer it with Good suspension.

Would a ZR2 be cool with stock ranchos? No!

 

Chevy offers pretty great spool-valve shocks and an overall nice suspension package on the Colorado. And Ford can’t make enough Raptors.

 

So I’m with you...why doesn’t GM offer something better on the Silverado?

 

My only thought is they’re at max capacity now, and the bean counters don’t see enough revenue versus development costs.

 

 

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[Silverado-Hareek]

On 8/28/2018 at 2:58 PM, CadillacLuke24 said:

I'd like to see a comparison of Bilsteins and Ranchos both on and off road. We know Bilsteins ride better on road, that's been validated countless times. Where it would count is off road, which is the point of the Z71 package. 

 

When my Ranchos were brand new, they did ok off road.  But these shocks wear out very quickly.  I'm certain mine were shot around 30,000 miles but I waited until I needed new tires at 60,000 to replace them.  I have Bilstein 5100's now and they're amazing to say the least.  Whether driving off road or going over speed bumps and rough city streets in my area, they just eat up whatever they come across.  One of my favorite things to do is drive over speed bumps without slowing down much and you barely feel the bumps.  It's amazing...like they aren't even there.  I don't remember the Rancho's handling things that well when they were new but I do recall thinking they were decent shocks when I first got my truck.  Once they were shot the truck felt like a boat on a stormy sea going over bumps.

[Sierra Dan]

7 hours ago, Silverado-Hareek said:

When my Ranchos were brand new, they did ok off road.  But these shocks wear out very quickly.

Thank you! 

One of the points I am trying to make. And GM chose to install this same Shock on the new "Redesigned" 2019 trucks.

[batman900]

Anyone have any data or opinion on the stock shocks vs stock rancho? I'm not even sure on the stock shock brand? I had a 2015 Z71 with the Ranchos and found them to be a bit on the harsh side, now with my new 18 LT I kind of find the stock "no name brand?" shocks to be too floaty. 

[Sierra Dan]

Stock Shocks and GM Rancho shocks are all made by Tenneco.

[Silverado-Hareek]

2 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

Thank you! 

One of the points I am trying to make. And GM chose to install this same Shock on the new "Redesigned" 2019 trucks.

This is why I likely won't pay for the Z71 package again.  It's pretty worthless for the $3,000 premium.  You're better off getting a standard 4x4 and then spending your money on some aftermarket parts which you'll ultimately have to do anyway with the Z71.  Back in the 90's they actually built a decent off road truck with the Z71 package (had bilstein shocks and metal skid plates!).  Nowadays it's just a status symbol and unfortunately I learned that the hard way.