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

[Sierra Dan]

Amen! If Ford guys buy Raptors, why can't GM guys have something similar?

The AT4 and Trail boss are close (with the 6.2) but they are lacking in the suspension department.

 

[Druder]

I've found that the people who are happy with the Ranchos are blissfully ignorant to good suspension and that's okay. Even in this thread I've seen the contentious comments from owners who can't justify trying something different so they act like everyone else is trying to be an elitist. If anyone needs a good test pull into a parking lot that has an elevated entrance that you hit at an angle. Do that in a stock z71 and then a truck with upgraded suspension. You will go from a bobble head to a smooth transition and finally see what people are talking about. I've done $1k a corner Ohlins on a purpose built vehicles and 4600s on daily drivers, both and leaps and bounds better than stock.

[Sierra Dan]

Druder, you hit the nail on the head with your paragraph above.

My point exactly! Thank you for commenting!

And my point is also that you do not need to break the bank to have much better upgraded suspension

without going the coilover/reservoir route.

Simply put, GM uses Tenneco Rachos on Z71 not because it is a good shock for the purpose, but rather

they are Cheap. If they were to install Bilsteins like they did in the old days at least going back to my 05 avalanche

the buyer would benefit but GM would lose money because they would not profit as much.

They should give you a shock choice and charge accordingly, just like every other option or package.

What is a few hundred dollars more on a 60k plus truck anyway?

[Druder]

GM put the same rotor on both sides of the Corvette, their flagship model, to save $0.10 a car... the rotors cracked and failed because rotors are directional and shocker, people drive Corvettes hard. The bean counters have to get their way and "throwaway" items like tires and suspension are the first on the chopping block.

[Silverado-Hareek]

35 minutes ago, Druder said:

I've found that the people who are happy with the Ranchos are blissfully ignorant to good suspension and that's okay. Even in this thread I've seen the contentious comments from owners who can't justify trying something different so they act like everyone else is trying to be an elitist. If anyone needs a good test pull into a parking lot that has an elevated entrance that you hit at an angle. Do that in a stock z71 and then a truck with upgraded suspension. You will go from a bobble head to a smooth transition and finally see what people are talking about. I've done $1k a corner Ohlins on a purpose built vehicles and 4600s on daily drivers, both and leaps and bounds better than stock.

 

10 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

Druder, you hit the nail on the head with your paragraph above.

My point exactly! Thank you for commenting!

And my point is also that you do not need to break the bank to have much better upgraded suspension

without going the coilover/reservoir route.

Simply put, GM uses Tenneco Rachos on Z71 not because it is a good shock for the purpose, but rather

they are Cheap. If they were to install Bilsteins like they did in the old days at least going back to my 05 avalanche

the buyer would benefit but GM would lose money because they would not profit as much.

They should give you a shock choice and charge accordingly, just like every other option or package.

What is a few hundred dollars more on a 60k plus truck anyway?

Agreed on all points.  In fact I ran over a speed bump today with my Bilsteins going about 15-20 mph and barely felt it.  Made me laugh actually because with the old Ranchos I would've been tossed around gotten whiplash doing the same thing.  Good suspension can't fully be explained.  You just have to feel it to know it and if you're new to upgraded suspension, really your only option is to take a bunch of opinions from other people and roll the dice on one of them.  I can tell you with 100% certainty that you will not hate Bilstein 4600's or 5100's.  That doesn't mean they're better than everything else out there and that's the only shock you should ever buy.  I'm just saying those are the only upgraded shocks I've ever personally used and for me, they're incredible.  And I think you'll find a lot of people will say the same thing about the same model shocks.  That's why I ultimately decided to use them because of how many people were endorsing them.  So they're a safe bet in my opinion that you can't really go wrong with.

[Sierra Dan]

Dump the Factory Ranchos.

Install Bilstein, Pro-Comp, Eibach, Fox, Even Rancho MT7000s

All of these are roughly the same price and serve the same purpose.

What they will not do is underperform like the factory Tenneco Ranchos.

[Roscopcoletrain]

curious, are the stock shocks on the Max Tow the same as reg shocks? 

 

also, poll, needs a 3rd option. They can feel ok/work well, and you not love them. You're just satisfied with what they're doing. 

[15 Z71]

How much do bilstiens cost for all four corners?

[Kubs]

I voted for the second option and here is why.  I have an '18 NHT Max Tow truck that did not come with Ranchos.  My Brother has a '16 Z71 with Ranchos.  Having ridden in both trucks stock, the Ranchos are more harsh.  You can feel the bumps more and the truck has more movement up and down.  My NHT shocks were quite the opposite.  Very soft, and bouncy.  You dont really feel any bumps, but the truck takes longer to settle out.  It keeps bouncing a bit after each bump, a little like they are worn out but not as extreme (I have had this truck since mile 0 and it felt the same).

 

I put Bilstein 5100s on mine with the max lift on the front.  The difference is night and day over both Rancho and NHT shocks.  The truck feels WAY more controlled.  Over bumps the TIRE quickly moves to absorb the bump instead of the truck moving up and down.  They feel slightly firmer than the NHT shocks, but not as bone jarring rough as the Ranchos. Plus I got almost a 2" level out of the Bilsteins.

Edited September 5, 2018 by Kubs

[Sierra Dan]

2 hours ago, 15 Z71 said:

How much do bilstiens cost for all four corners?

You can get them from 4 wheel parts, front pair, rear pair for about $345

[Sierra Dan]

Please do not forget to vote above!  Thanks 

[don67]

Aside from a little juddering now and then I really don't mind the Rancheros.   By comparison my old Ford shuddered and shook like a school bus.   Handled like one too.

 

Yeah, yeah, ignorance is bliss.   But it can also be financially smart.  

 

Edit:  Polls of this nature invariably attract more modders than average owners, so take the results with a grain of salt.  

Edited September 5, 2018 by don67

[Sierra Dan]

14 minutes ago, don67 said:

Aside from a little juddering now and then I really don't mind the Rancheros.   By comparison my old Ford shuddered and shook like a school bus.   Handled like one too.

 

Yeah, yeah, ignorance is bliss.   But it can also be financially smart.  

 

Edit:  Polls of this nature invariably attract more modders than average owners, so take the results with a grain of salt.  

Replacing a set of shocks does not necessarily involve only "modders" 

Eventually when they wear out they have to be replaced. 

[15 Z71]

29 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

Replacing a set of shocks does not necessarily involve only "modders" 

Eventually when they wear out they have to be replaced. 

That's my plan. When my stock Ranchos are shot then I will get the bilstiens. But for now don't really see a reason to drop 400 dollars. Yeah the Ranchos are stiff but not to where I can stand driving my truck by any means.

[John K.]

I'm learning a lot here.  I have noticed know one has mentioned shocks and towing, is that a different conversation?