Rear shocks for 2" lift

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rang-a-stang
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2024 6:08 am

Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby rang-a-stang » Thu Dec 26, 2024 6:31 am

My 2011 has Rancho shocks along with a 2" spacer in the back. I HATE these rear shocks AND they are toast. Currently running RS9000's but I do not remember the part number; they came with the kit. I had them replaced about 3 years ago under warranty, and they still suck.

Looking around on here (I'm new, my intro post here:topic21769.html) it looks like Bilstein 24-197434 would probably be the ones to get if I were stock height. Do they still work with a 2" spacer back there? Anyone else running this shock with a spacer?

Background: I road trip A LOT. I offroad VERY infrequently and when I do, it's pretty tame stuff. I tow occasionally, and when I do, it can be pretty heavy. This pic just over a year ago when I picked up a parts truck. But generally looking for a good road shock with a fantastic warranty. I am partial to Bilstein but open to others.
IMG_4734.jpg


silverarrow27
Posts: 461
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:40 am
Location: Banning, CA

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby silverarrow27 » Fri Dec 27, 2024 1:12 pm

I personally haven't tried Bilsteins on the R51, I have however used OME Nitrocharger shocks and they drove well for me with OME medium duty springs. I'd get rid of the spacers and go with the Moog Armada springs at least.

BullDozer
Posts: 170
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 10:27 am
Location: Detroit, Michigan

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby BullDozer » Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:52 pm

I also have the same. I have armada rear springs with the Rancho 9000 rear shocks. My shocks didn’t last long at all - maybe 15k miles. Private ebay seller - so I don’t think there is any warranty.
What do you guys recommend as I believe need to buy special “taller” shocks than OEM. I am still about 3 inches taller than stock in rear. I didn’t get any rear spacer with my Rancho 9000 kit. It came with front struts/shocks and rear springs only.
I finally got the rear alignment and now need to replace but the rear shocks and looking for something to last as daily driver- not off-roading

rang-a-stang
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2024 6:08 am

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby rang-a-stang » Wed Jan 08, 2025 8:38 am

silverarrow27 wrote:
Fri Dec 27, 2024 1:12 pm
I personally haven't tried Bilsteins on the R51, I have however used OME Nitrocharger shocks and they drove well for me with OME medium duty springs. I'd get rid of the spacers and go with the Moog Armada springs at least.
copy. I have the Bilsteins sitting here waiting to go on, now.

I am a "If it ain't broke don't fix it" kind of guy and have been happy with the spacers. However, one of my Airlift bags has recently popped and now I am a tad tail-down so I took your advice and ordered a set of cheapie Armada springs. I am hoping the cheapies are a touch softer than good Armada springs. The springs show up next week... along with some other little bits I need to replace while I am in there.
BullDozer wrote:
Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:52 pm
I also have the same. I have armada rear springs with the Rancho 9000 rear shocks. My shocks didn’t last long at all - maybe 15k miles. Private ebay seller - so I don’t think there is any warranty.
What do you guys recommend as I believe need to buy special “taller” shocks than OEM. I am still about 3 inches taller than stock in rear. I didn’t get any rear spacer with my Rancho 9000 kit. It came with front struts/shocks and rear springs only.
I finally got the rear alignment and now need to replace but the rear shocks and looking for something to last as daily driver- not off-roading
Odd. My kit came with the spacers and no springs for the back. When did you buy your kit? I bought mine about 2018 and I know the front struts have changed configuration since I bought the kit and wonder if they also went from spacers to springs in that time or if we have different kits? My lift was less than 3". Mine only went up about 1.75" in the back.

BullDozer
Posts: 170
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 10:27 am
Location: Detroit, Michigan

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby BullDozer » Wed Jan 08, 2025 7:52 pm

Sorry meant to say mine came only with the rear shocks not the rear springs. I bought it Dec 2017.
It’s been 7 years but only about 15 K miles - maybe 20k miles.
There are bilisteins on 4x4 parts that are for lifted pathfinder. I am thinking these would be good $75 a piece. Any advice? I wonder if I got real vs counterfeit Rancho rear shocks?



https://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981403-pat ... shock.html

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AS_The_Crow_Flys
Posts: 139
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:28 pm

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby AS_The_Crow_Flys » Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:09 pm

rang-a-stang wrote:
Thu Dec 26, 2024 6:31 am
Odd. My kit came with the spacers and no springs for the back. When did you buy your kit? I bought mine about 2018 and I know the front struts have changed configuration since I bought the kit and wonder if they also went from spacers to springs in that time or if we have different kits? My lift was less than 3". Mine only went up about 1.75" in the back.
IMHO, the rear springs are too soft from the factory for regular driving, let alone heavy towing. Not only that your springs are probably worn out at this point. I am not a fan of spacer either. I would suggest that you get new springs and shocks for the rear (wouldn't hurt to do the fronts as well to even out the feel). I would think that a worn out spring would stress your shocks more so it should be addressed together.

Most people seem fairly happy with the Billsteins. They may or may not be the best but they are not junk. They are not rebuildable. You could get a different option that is rebuildable if you wanted. But its all going to add up. I have driven our 2007 (thinga-ma-jigger i have a thread on it here) version with stock shocks and KYBs in the past. Frankly the stocks were so so, and the KYBs were (again in my opinion) very bouncy. I am currently using Koni shocks that are rebuildable.

rang-a-stang
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2024 6:08 am

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby rang-a-stang » Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:36 pm

Copy all, guys. Yesterday I spent about 3 hours and installed my new Bilsteins, Mevotech sway bar end links and cheapie Fleabay QX-56 springs. It went pretty easily, with only one nut on a sway bar end link fighting me at all.

The Ranchos were NASTY. The boots had collected water and it pooled at the top and rusted the shock out. The sway bar end links were both worn but one was REALLY worn. Put my truck down and it sits pretty much EXACTLY the same as it did with the spacers and stock springs. BUT, I don't have an upper isolator in there yet. I just ordered a pair of isolators and they get here this week. That should pick the rear up a 1/4" or so when I put them in. I did not re-install my bags in these springs but saved them in case I need them later.

It drives SOOOOoooooo much better than before! SUPER happy with the result. On some bumps I get a clunk but I am 90% sure that is the spring clunking on the body since there is no rubber there.

I am OK with non-rebuildable. Bilsteins have always done me right when I asked for a warranty replacements on my other cars/trucks. Besides, this truck is already 14 years old and 135K miles. I doubt the shock will wear out before the rest of the truck does. The Billsteins seemed to extend about 3/4" longer than the Ranchos.

Next up is trans filter/flush/radiator bypass, spark plugs/intake spacer, and some other little odds and ends.
Last edited by rang-a-stang on Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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AS_The_Crow_Flys
Posts: 139
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Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby AS_The_Crow_Flys » Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:42 pm

Glad its working out for you. DIY definitely will save some cash.

My 2007 is going pretty well still. It needs some bushings and probably the coils replaced. Outside of that its running strong and rest free (except the battery tray). Honestly, I see no reason it won't make it to 20. I also see no reason to get rid of it. Even if i paid someone to do all the work that could use doing it would be like 2500$. You can't get much of a vehicle for 2500$ these days.

OMRebels
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:26 pm

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby OMRebels » Tue Jan 28, 2025 5:44 pm

rang-a-stang wrote:
Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:36 pm
Copy all, guys. Yesterday I spent about 3 hours and installed my new Bilsteins, Mevotech sway bar end links and cheapie Fleabay QX-56 springs. It went pretty easily, with only one nut on a sway bar end link fighting me at all.

The Ranchos were NASTY. The boots had collected water and it pooled at the top and rusted the shock out. The sway bar end links were both worn but one was REALLY worn. Put my truck down and it sits pretty much EXACTLY the same as it did with the spacers and stock springs. BUT, I don't have an upper isolator in there yet. I just ordered a pair of isolators and they get here this week. That should pick the rear up a 1/4" or so when I put them in. I did not re-install my bags in these springs but saved them in case I need them later.

It drives SOOOOoooooo much better than before! SUPER happy with the result. On some bumps I get a clunk but I am 90% sure that is the spring clunking on the body since there is no rubber there.

I am OK with non-rebuildable. Bilsteins have always done me right when I asked for a warranty replacements on my other cars/trucks. Besides, this truck is already 14 years old and 135K miles. I doubt the shock will wear out before the rest of the truck does. The Billsteins seemed to extend about 3/4" longer than the Ranchos.

Next up is trans filter/flush/radiator bypass, spark plugs/intake spacer, and some other little odds and ends.
Great work!! I’m actually finally getting around to installing my rear moog springs, and rear bilstein shocks. Other than 19 millimeter wrenches and jacks, what tools will I need? I’m pretty capable with DIY stuff. Just need to know what tools I need to get it going. Thanks in advance

rang-a-stang
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2024 6:08 am

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby rang-a-stang » Wed Jan 29, 2025 2:29 pm

It was pretty much just hand tools. You need more than just a 19mm. Probably make sure you have a breaker bar because some of them are REALLY tight. You will need to jack the truck and put it on a jack stand, then use the jack under the control arm to remove the bolt, then gently lower the control arm to remove the spring.

One note, check your rubber spring isolators before you start. They are not as cheap as they used to be (mine were $50 for 2 of them from nissanpartsdeals.com) if you need them, you are going to want to order them now.

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AS_The_Crow_Flys
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Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby AS_The_Crow_Flys » Wed Jan 29, 2025 2:52 pm

Torque Wrench in the 50-250FT range, maybe some PB blaster or the like. an alignment afterwards.

OMRebels
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:26 pm

Re: Rear shocks for 2" lift

Postby OMRebels » Sun Feb 02, 2025 7:51 am

Thank you both!


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