Shocks/struts in the cold!!!!

[Gdsmith07]

So I need help looking for a good strut combination for the rear. I decided to post in this specific forum because it does have a 2inch level/lift under it currently.

It can get to -50° ambient where the Yukon is, it typically stays right around -20° though. I put some bilsteins in the front and back two years ago, the back rides so stiff. The front rides a little stiff but I plan on doing the coil over conversion to combat its front suspension.

Anyone have a good recommendation on a strut/shock that’ll work well in cold weather? I’m trying to get some of the bad ride out of the rear end.

I do plan on eventually going to a 4inch lift in total but pointing a way in a parts list for the struts/shocks would be awesome. Or if anyone has any experience in real cold weather, or recommendation on a specific part!

Look forward to hearing everything available thanks!

 

[Onlyone]

Rancho 9000XL are probably the best riding shocks out there and you can adjust them to what you need. They are affordable, have a large shock body and have a lifetime no questions warranty. If you live in the rust belt, you’ll need to lube the adjusters more often. You can adjust them from super soft to really stiff.

Although a good shock normally, Bilsteins are probably one of the most harsh riding shocks out there. Not surprising they are stiff in the winter.

RS9000 XL Adjustable Damping Shocks

Rancho's innovative manually adjustable 9 position shocks provide the ultimate performance for both on-road and off-road use for both trucks and SUVs.

www.gorancho.com

 

[swathdiver]

Stock shocks and put some weight in the back if you want the ride to improve, these things were built to haul and tow.

 

[Gdsmith07]

Rancho 9000XL are probably the best riding shocks out there and you can adjust them to what you need. They are affordable, have a large shock body and have a lifetime no questions warranty. If you live in the rust belt, you’ll need to lube the adjusters more often. You can adjust them from super soft to really stiff.

Although a good shock normally, Bilsteins are probably one of the most harsh riding shocks out there. Not surprising they are stiff in the winter.

RS9000 XL Adjustable Damping Shocks

Rancho's innovative manually adjustable 9 position shocks provide the ultimate performance for both on-road and off-road use for both trucks and SUVs.

www.gorancho.com

I’ll do some reading on the rancho’s and see. How they work out. This is my first set of shocks I’ve swapped in such cold and I am completely blown away at how harsh the ride is. I’m up in Alaska, by the ocean though so I do deal with some salt.

 

[Gdsmith07]

Stock shocks and put some weight in the back if you want the ride to improve, these things were built to haul and tow.

Just go back to the stocks, are the stocks that good ???

 

[swathdiver]

Just go back to the stocks, are the stocks that good ???

I think so, those Ranchos are good too. The engineers tailored the shocks to fit specific configurations of trucks to give them the best ride and handling possible and make them last for many years.

 

[Onlyone]

Just go back to the stocks, are the stocks that good ???

The Ranchos are great shocks. But I would also agree with @swathdiver that the factory shocks ride fantastic as well. You just get the adjustability with the Ranchos. You won’t find a better riding shock (Ranchos) without someone tuning a set of Kings, Bilsteins, or Fox’s. but then you’re looking at 3-5k for a set of shocks vs 4-500.

 

[Ordo 87]

Rancho 9000XL are probably the best riding shocks out there and you can adjust them to what you need. They are affordable, have a large shock body and have a lifetime no questions warranty. If you live in the rust belt, you’ll need to lube the adjusters more often. You can adjust them from super soft to really stiff.

Although a good shock normally, Bilsteins are probably one of the most harsh riding shocks out there. Not surprising they are stiff in the winter.

RS9000 XL Adjustable Damping Shocks

Rancho's innovative manually adjustable 9 position shocks provide the ultimate performance for both on-road and off-road use for both trucks and SUVs.

www.gorancho.com

Agreed. Currently running those on my 06 Denali atm. Only gets to -20 for short stints here in Anchorage, AK, but no issues with them and the ride is legendary!

 

[MassHoe04]

My Z71 has original factory shocks. Bilsteins. Still ride great after 18 years and almost 210k miles!

 

[Gdsmith07]

Looking like I’m going to switching over to the rancho’s for the back. I like the option of adjustability.

My current set up is just too
Stiff in the winter months. Feels like I’m riding on bricks. Even aired the tires down to try and get a little softer run but that didn’t do much to it. Made it a little more tolerable but not much.

I’ll let you guys know how it goes, I appreciate the input and information!!

 

[Onlyone]

You won’t be disappointed. They really are the best mid range shock you can buy. You can make them crazy soft or you can have them ride super stiff like Bilsteins. Lol. They have a larger shock body than all their competitors, which helps keep them cooler in heavy use and a lifetime warranty. If you drive in lots of salt, you need to remember to lube the adjusters. That is a definite weak point of them. Even just a spray of WD40 will be just fine.

I put them on my Jeep after having Fox shocks on it and it’s amazing the difference. I did have a problem with one of the Ranchos which ticked me off. One was already leaking out of the box but I think someone returned it and it got re-shipped out. Rancho immediately sent me out a new one even though I bought it from 4wp’s. Good customer service.

 

[Ordo 87]

Stock shocks and put some weight in the back if you want the ride to improve, these things were built to haul and tow.

Hmm. This may be the worst comment I've ever encountered in this forum.