I noticed on this forum people have recommended the Bilstien 5100 ($61 each) as seen here:

https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/bilstein-front-shock-p-1924.html

but then I noticed the Rancho RS5000, priced at ($45 each):

https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/rancho-rs5000-front-shock-p-1855.html

My question is, will the ($32 less/savings) Rancho fit the way the Bilstien does?

Yup, they'll both work and I've got the Ranchos on mine and love em!

The ranchos are great! I have them and love them!

They both fit...but the Rancho 5000 series is an old fashioned twin tube shock, and the Bilstein 5100 series is a state of the art monotube shock.

This means that while the Rancho is fine for driving around, and people who don't wheel where the shocks matter, or who don't know any better will be quite happy with them, the Bils are simply a better shock due to the type of construction.

For example, an old fashioned twin tube shock can't dissipate heat as well as a modern monotube shock..its just physics, and has nothing to do with brand, etc.

The way a shock WORKS, is it turns motion into heat.

That's HOW it damps the motion, to control the ride.

So, ALL shocks turn motion into heat...and, to keep doing it, they have to get RID OF THE HEAT.

If they get too hot to absorb more heat, they stop damping the motion.


On a rough road, etc...the shock pistons are going in/out like rabbits in the spring....


This over heats most twin tube shocks, and they lose performance...called "Shock Fade".

The ability to damp motion fades away as the shock gets hotter and hotter.

So, a typical Rancho 5000 test would be say a drive through the Pine Barrens at a normal pace, with the truck INITIALLY soaking up the bumps just fine....and gradually losing that ability, and the ride getting progressively bouncier/rougher, until after say 30 minutes or so, kidneys are turning to pudding, etc.

The same ride with the Bils is a bit better than the initial Rancho start, because the Bils also have true digressive valving, and some other more advanced damping abilities, but similar in my opinion at least...but, it stays like that the entire DAY, and DOESN'T lose the ability to control motion after 30 minutes of hard work.

So, sure, an old fashioned twin tube shock is cheaper than a modern monotube shock...

...Just like a house made of pre-fabbed panels is cheaper than one made of stone.


For perspective, Rancho does sell monotube shocks as well, and Rancho's monotube shocks ALSO can take a day of hard work, just like the Bils monotube shocks...but not at that price point.


So, its not an apples to apples comparison - the price is lower for a reason.

If in love with the name "Rancho", you can get THEIR monotube shocks instead of their low-end 5000's...and, still get a MUCH BETTER shock than the 5000.


:D

Thanks all for your input. God forbid TJTJ sells his Xterra and moves to another forum.