Monroe vs Bilstein 5100

[larkja]

Local 4x4 store just informed me only 5100s available for the rear. Want to sell me Monroes to go up front. I am tempted to wait until January for a matched set of 5100s. So, should I:

1. Go Monroes on all 4 corners,
2. Go Monroes up front and Bilsteins on the back,
3. Wait until Jan/Feb for the Bilsteins on all 4 corners.

Thanks

 

[07navi]

Local 4x4 store just informed me only 5100s available for the rear. Want to sell me Monroes to go up front. I am tempted to wait until January for a matched set of 5100s. So, should I:

1. Go Monroes on all 4 corners,
2. Go Monroes up front and Bilsteins on the back,
3. Wait until Jan/Feb for the Bilsteins on all 4 corners.

Thanks

ALL MONROES unless you like bone jarring and teeth rattling rides.

 

[max78]

or go all KYB, they are another good brand i have had great success.

Bilstein will give yoy a firmer ride if that is what you want. we have bad roads and washboard where we live so that a big no for us.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Love my 5100s.

I wouldn’t run Monroes if you paid me.

 

[outdare]

I put KYB on the back of my 17 EL and she quit twerking at the stop lights.

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[07navi]

Love my 5100s.

I wouldn’t run Monroes if you paid me.

You couldn't pay me to run anything else, I like a smooth ride.

 

[Jeremygsu]

I had purchased a set of 5100's for my '15 XLT but after 3+ months of waiting for them on back order I cancelled the order and bought KYB Excel G's. I believe they are a step up from the Monroe's but below the 5100's.

Either way, I've been pleased with the ride over the stock shocks.

 

[ExplorerTom]

You couldn't pay me to run anything else, I like a smooth ride.

I just ran 9 hours of interstate at 80+ mph. Bilsteins soak up the bumps.

Monroe are great shocks for teaching you how to replace your shocks. Replace your factory shocks with Monroes and you’ll soon be back in there replacing them again because their quality is bottom shelf. Monroes are basically the generic brand of shocks.

 

[07navi]

I just ran 9 hours of interstate at 80+ mph. Bilsteins soak up the bumps.

Monroe are great shocks for teaching you how to replace your shocks. Replace your factory shocks with Monroes and you’ll soon be back in there replacing them again because their quality is bottom shelf. Monroes are basically the generic brand of shocks.

yeeeeok

 

[CaptainKrunch]

I wouldn't buy a twin tube shock. I'd stick with monotube

 

[the bus]

Monotube is better. Not sure if the bilstein 4600 series is available but that could be an option. However on my gen2 I have the rancho 9000 and can dial in whatever ride you wish. I have them cranked to highest setting but you can soften it up if you want depending on wheel and tires. I am back to all terrain oem so firm feels best with this set up. And I have the quicklift set up too. So new springs as well. Rides much better than my 2013 f150 I just put 4600s on the back of that one last week.

 

[Kenn B]

I'm curious of what expected life expectancy for original shocks would be.

 

[07navi]

I'm curious of what expected life expectancy for original shocks would be.

Depends on road conditions and miles.

 

[larkja]

So...

Go with Bilstein 5100s unless you want to go with Monroes, unless you want to go with KYBs. Then there are the Rancho QuickLifts which work well when dialed up until they don't need to be dialed up.

So to summarize:
Bilstein >KYB>Monroe except in those cases where Monroe>Bilstein or KYB>Bilstein, in which case Monroe=KYB>Bilstein unless the Rancho is in the picture.

Thanks

 

[07navi]

Dial shocks only get dialed one time but you pay for the feature.

 

[larkja]

Dial shocks only get dialed one time but you pay for the feature.

I had Ranchos on a Jeep JK. They were a nice feature when I changed out tires - went from 32s to 35s. The extra sidewall made things bouncy, so I stiffened up the shocks and was GTG. I also like the fact the Ranchos have a lift feature which means I don't need a lift kit.

 

[07navi]

I had Ranchos on a Jeep JK. They were a nice feature when I changed out tires - went from 32s to 35s. The extra sidewall made things bouncy, so I stiffened up the shocks and was GTG. I also like the fact the Ranchos have a lift feature which means I don't need a lift kit.

I can see off-roaders changing the dial quite often. I can't find a 1 1/2" lift kit for the the front of my '07 Navigator so would certain Rancho shocks work for that?

 

[ExplorerTom]

I can't find a 1 1/2" lift kit for the the front of my '07 Navigator so would certain Rancho shocks work for that?

Shocks don’t lift or support vehicle weight.

 

[Brent Harward]

Nothing wrong with Monroes. Got'm. Point: Get rid of the stock shocks. They're terrible, unless you like driving a parade float! I've got Bilsteins on our Mustang GT. Like'm. But they're stiff and cost more labor to install than Monroes. If you're doing it yourself you have to manually take the old spring/shock assy upart n reinstall.

 

[07navi]

Shocks don’t lift or support vehicle weight.

That's a no brainer but why did he say it did? (I know; ask him.)