Upgrade shocks to improve ride

[ArkansasMichigander]

Have any of you upgraded shocks to improve ride quality? If yes, how much did it help? The ride is pretty good, but I have osteoarthritis so I would like it to be as smooth as possible. (I have a 2025 XLT with the 2.7)

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[OxygenMask]

I've upgraded the shocks on every truck I've owned (but not the RR)
HUGE improvement with right shocks.
Mostly mine were serious 4wd rigs, but even the jolting ride of my F350 was incredibly tamed with Bilsteins. I'm a huge fan of Bilsteins...

I have no recommendations for the Ranger but I'm sure others will chime in.

 

[some_guy]

I've upgraded the shocks on every truck I've owned (but not the RR)
HUGE improvement with right shocks.
Mostly mine were serious 4wd rigs, but even the jolting ride of my F350 was incredibly tamed with Bilsteins. I'm a huge fan of Bilsteins...

I have no recommendations for the Ranger but I'm sure others will chime in.

I think the RR Fox live shocks are active on rebound only. I think the 3.0 ones are active for both compression and rebound. I would do that upgrade, if any.

 

[stemplar]

I just installed bilstein 4600’s on the rear this week and so far I’m happy with the results. I’ve only done about a hundred miles unladen on shitty local roads and the rear had calmed down a lot over all the potholes and bumps everywhere. It almost feels like it’s got softer springs in the rear because the rebound is so much better now. Edit: as soon as bilstein lists front shocks (or ideally coilovers) for the Ranger I’m getting them too)

 

[josephp732]

I just installed bilstein 4600’s on the rear this week and so far I’m happy with the results. I’ve only done about a hundred miles unladen on shitty local roads and the rear had calmed down a lot over all the potholes and bumps everywhere. It almost feels like it’s got softer springs in the rear because the rebound is so much better now. Edit: as soon as bilstein lists front shocks (or ideally coilovers) for the Ranger I’m getting them too)

Great feedback - I was going to do the rears with 4600's. Looks pretty easy to do the swp-out.

 

[HighDesertRanger]

I just installed bilstein 4600’s on the rear this week and so far I’m happy with the results. I’ve only done about a hundred miles unladen on shitty local roads and the rear had calmed down a lot over all the potholes and bumps everywhere. It almost feels like it’s got softer springs in the rear because the rebound is so much better now. Edit: as soon as bilstein lists front shocks (or ideally coilovers) for the Ranger I’m getting them too)

Did this add any lift over the OEM shocks?

 

[stemplar]

Did this add any lift over the OEM shocks?

No, the 4600’s are for stock ride height, while the 5100’s are essentially the same shock internally but allow for ride height adjustment. So far the 4600’s are the only ones bilstein has officially released for the 6th gen rangers.

 

[Muffin1]

No, the 4600’s are for stock ride height, while the 5100’s are essentially the same shock internally but allow for ride height adjustment. So far the 4600’s are the only ones bilstein has officially released for the 6th gen rangers.

After not wanting to wait any longer for the 5100 adjustable to level off the front i went with the Eibach Pro-Truck Sport Shock # E60-35-062-01-10 and am very satisfied with the ride, it eliminated the rebound floaty ness and i set them at the 1'' setting which leaves and tiny bit of a rake which I'm fine with.
So anyone waiting for Bilstein you have this choice as they have the same feel
(I had the 5100's on my 5th Gen Ranger and it firmed up the front just like these Eibachs).

 

[hand-filer]

Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 rear shocks rusting/pitting after a single trip?
Could be a one off situation but it made me reconsider and commit to waiting for the Bilsteins.

 

[Muffin1]

Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 rear shocks rusting/pitting after a single trip?
Could be a one off situation but it made me reconsider and commit to waiting for the Bilsteins.

Yea i saw your linked post a while back when i was searching for alternatives, so what i did was use this on the shocks after i got it home from the shop and on the two bottom mount bolts that were supplied by Eibach they are not like the factory black oxide bolts.
I had previously sprayed the whole undercarriage with this spray within days of picking it up new from the dealer, (even the driveshaft that everyone was complaining that it rusts)
So i'll monitor to see how they hold up from the pitting, and ill get some pics and post them if that helps anyone out.
B'LASTER 12 oz. SURFACE SHIELD Rust Protectant from Harbor freight.

 

[Wolfman00]

Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 rear shocks rusting/pitting after a single trip?
Could be a one off situation but it made me reconsider and commit to waiting for the Bilsteins.

na, unfortunately on my 2020 i had the same issue. not sure why they keep pushing the zinc coatings on shocks. sadly powder works wayyyyyy better

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