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

[Sierra Dan]

2 minutes ago, Silverado-Hareek said:

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.

Hareek,  Aside from the Shocks alone and maybe a skid plate and emblem or two....  the other aspect of a Z71 package is also the body colored grille etc.

Some buyers simply like this painted look so in order to get it they go for the Z71 package not really fully understanding their suspension (shocks) are subpar.

Again, back in the day, my 1994 Silverado Short Bed Reg. cab Z71 came with Bilstein Off Road shocks and aluminum skid plates.

Exactly what the 2019 AT4 and Trail Boss should have!

[pronstar]

Z71 gives you hill decent control which some guys like, plus posi and 3.42 gears...no?

 

I guess one could order the rear-end stuff as an individual option.

 

At any rate, it’s not just shocks, but I also wouldn’t choose the shocks it came with if given the choice.

 

 

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[Silverado-Hareek]

8 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

Hareek,  Aside from the Shocks alone and maybe a skid plate and emblem or two....  the other aspect of a Z71 package is also the body colored grille etc.

Some buyers simply like this painted look so in order to get it they go for the Z71 package not really fully understanding their suspension (shocks) are subpar.

Again, back in the day, my 1994 Silverado Short Bed Reg. cab Z71 came with Bilstein Off Road shocks and aluminum skid plates.

Exactly what the 2019 AT4 and Trail Boss should have!

 

7 minutes ago, pronstar said:

Z71 gives you hill decent control which some guys like, plus posi and 3.42 gears...no?

 

I guess one could order the rear-end stuff as an individual option.

 

At any rate, it’s not just shocks, but I also wouldn’t choose the shocks it came with if given the choice.

 

 

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In fairness, I'll admit I was more motivated by looks.  In 2014 the Z71 was the only truck besides the work truck that didn't have the overly chromed out front end.  It was a way to get the black grill insert.  So you're right sometimes its the look that's important.  I don't find the hill descent control to be a very useful feature, and you should be able to get the 3.42 rear end in any trim level.  Most trucks I looked at had it standard.  But I'm getting off topic.  The point is the factory Rancho's are garbage.  Even though they're also made by Tenneco, I find the standard black shocks to last a little longer than the Ranchos and perform better over time.

[Sierra Dan]

Yes on Hill Decent gears etc.

 

[lapoolboy]

I just installed Fox 2.0.  Best things since sliced bread.

[Sierra Dan]

2 minutes ago, lapoolboy said:

I just installed Fox 2.0.  Best things since sliced bread.

Sweet! I like the Fox shocks also. Ran them on my racing atvs. 

The new RC Vertex units also look sweet.

Did you vote?

[Sierra Dan]

On 8/28/2018 at 11:11 AM, truckguy82 said:

Everybody hates the ranchos

 

this thread is 3 years too late

It's not too late for those just getting into a used K2 with the Ranchos.

This thread will give new used truck owners some information to look out for.

 

[300 Blackout]

I’ve had two Sierras with the All Terrain package. Both came stock with Ranchos.

On the second one, which is my current vehicle, I replaced the front Ranchos with Bilstein 5100s (2nd highest setting) and the rears with Monroe Reflex. This was one of the first things I did to the truck because I did not care for the Ranchos on my previous truck.

Subjective observations: following the change the truck feels more connected to the ground. This is especially noticeable on pot-hole-ridden dirt roads where I previously felt that the truck would break loose and struggle to reconnect. Similar to a hydroplane or a rock skipping on water in the most inelegant of ways.

It seems to me that most of the “off road” packages offered are nothing more than appearance packages with very minor performance upgrades that wouldn’t differentiate one truck over another in off road terrain.

I would like to see different shocks offered in the next generation of truck, however, it certainly isn’t the only change I’d like to see in the off-road type packages.



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[spizike9]

On 8/28/2018 at 12:34 PM, Sierra Dan said:

I have a feeling that all of those " Love " votes are guys who have fewer miles.

Sure, no matter what shock is on the back, bed weight will make the ride better.

I have less than 1k miles on mine. All city. To me the valving is too soft but it isn’t a terrible ride. There’s been once, maybe twice when I went over a bumpy road going around a corner that I thought my rear end was a little unstable. Time will tell how well they hold up for me. I won’t have to worry about rust due to the climate where I live. 

[spizike9]

On 8/28/2018 at 12:34 PM, Sierra Dan said:

I have a feeling that all of those " Love " votes are guys who have fewer miles.

Sure, no matter what shock is on the back, bed weight will make the ride better.

Your pole is a fail. I voted for what you said is “love” but I don’t love them. You needed more/better options. 

[Centex14]

I just pulled my rancho’s off at a 116k miles. They had plenty of rebound and compression in them and were similar to the bilstein’s I installed. With that said, the bilstein’s do ride different than the rancho’s. Not sure if I’d call it better but maybe just more settled and not so busy if that makes sense.


2014 z71 LTZ
Volant Intake
Borla Exhaust
Diablo
Bilstein 5100
Rough Country Level

[Sierra Dan]

7 hours ago, spizike9 said:

Your pole is a fail. I voted for what you said is “love” but I don’t love them. You needed more/better options. 

The pole was never intended as a sink or swim, but a matter of fact to point out an issue in another thread.

Like, Love, Satisfied or Do not even know what's under my truck....  it's all the same.
 

[spizike9]

6 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

The pole was never intended as a sink or swim, but a matter of fact to point out an issue in another thread.

Like, Love, Satisfied or Do not even know what's under my truck....  it's all the same.
 

If you’re trying to get a general consensus how people feel like love or satisfied are all very different. I don’t like or love mine. Realistically I don’t even think I’m satisfied with them. I think the 5100s would be a better “off-road package” shock. I struggle with mine as I don’t really want to put 5100s on (I want Kings) but would be satisfied or I would “like” them if that’s what they came with. 

[Sierra Dan]

The purpose of my pole was to initially point out to some other members in another thread regarding the new 2019 AT4 and Trail Boss.

Both of those packages come with the same Ranchos we K2 Z71 owners are familiar with.

My opinion was that both AT4 and Trail Boss would be much better offerings from the factory with something other than the Rancho (Tenneco) shocks.

Throw 5100s or just about any other well known true off road better built shock on them.

No I wasn't expecting GM to install Coil Overs or Reservoirs ( That would be great though) on the AT4 and Trail Boss.

Just something much better than the Tenneco Ranchos.

[spizike9]

4 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

The purpose of my pole was to initially point out to some other members in another thread regarding the new 2019 AT4 and Trail Boss.

Both of those packages come with the same Ranchos we K2 Z71 owners are familiar with.

My opinion was that both AT4 and Trail Boss would be much better offerings from the factory with something other than the Rancho (Tenneco) shocks.

Throw 5100s or just about any other well known true off road better built shock on them.

No I wasn't expecting GM to install Coil Overs or Reservoirs ( That would be great though) on the AT4 and Trail Boss.

Just something much better than the Tenneco Ranchos.

Ok yeah. I see what you were doing. I wish they’d do a raptor killer with a super charged 6.2 and King suspension. One can only dream right.