Thread: Calling all D21 and WD21 Gurus!

Well, my B13 was totalled on August 31st my an old man in a pickup trying to cross the highway. Thank God noone was seriously hurt! I miss the car terribly but I won't leave the forum here!

So anyways, my '96 Hardbody is the new and only daily. It needs new shocks very very badly. The truck is bouncing everywhere. I did some research on simple shock upgrades and the two that peak my interest are the Rancho RS5000 and the Bilstein 5100 (I think it's called that). I have read some various things on them. Some say the Bilsteins are superior being that they are a monotube design that makes them more durable and less prone to leak. But I have also read that they are overpriced for what they are. I've read that the Ranchos are too stiff and a little on the cheap side of quality, but a good shock nonetheless.

My intentions are for a shock that sees mostly highway, but I'm certainly not afraid to get it muddy on the trails. I don't need any crazy high speed compression shocks. Just something that will be an upgrade from stock that is somewhat competent on the trails. I'm an off-road rookie! The truck is completely stock with no lift.

Any enthusiast forums that I can find? Seems the aftermarket for these trucks is tiny.


Dave

From what I understand they're both stiff and better suited to off-road. If you're going for "mostly highway" and don't have a lift stick with OEM style replacements.

Does your front end continue to bounce after hitting a bump(s)? If so your front torsion bars need to be adjusted. My '95 Hardbody's front end bounced like crazy and was sagging so I assumed it needed shocks. I threw on OEM type replacements and there was no change, so I cranked the torsion bars up which leveled the front end and stopped the bouncing. You will most definitely need an alignment after doing this, but well worth the effort.

I installed Nismo shocks on my wife's '01 Xterra - the Nismo's were on sale, and they are just re-badged Bilsteins. I nearly bought a full set of Ranchos especially when they had a very good sale late Spring/early Summer; but I read many reviews saying they were a little harsh.

My wife's X doesn't not see any trail use - only pot holes driving to work. "4x4 Parts" had the Nismos on sale, and they might still have a couple sets. I was partial to the Bilsteins and would have purchased those if the Nismos weren't the same thing for $30 cheaper.

If you buy Bilsteins and you have a 4x4, you can get the upgraded set for additional travel length for nearly the same price - might interest you.

Josh

Yup.

Fosters, that's interesting about Nismo shocks being Bilsteins. Must be a good shock if Nissan is willing to badge them.

Just found out that Rancho is having "Shocktober" for a promotion. I get buy 3 shocks, get one free. Very tempting. They're already cheaper than the Bilsteins. Might look into the Rancho RS9000XL for the amount I save, and they are 9 position adjustable. Hmmm.

Hit me up.

When I looked, the sales that Rancho had were nearly half of the Bilsteins. Really tempting, but after reading reviews; and deciding we planned to keep the X for some time....I sucked it up and bought the Bilsteins (saved a couple bucks with the Nismo thing).

If money is tight, then I understand about the Ranchos. I was surprised that I got all 4 for what 2 on an SE-R would cost. I'm liking the truck market.

Josh

Decided to buy the Rancho 9000XL. It was just too good of a deal to pass up. Not sure if I'm gonna buy the MyRide wireless controller since it's $235. I also bought the steering upgrade package with the Bilstein shock, so we'll see how reliable it is. Ya, they are in different locations but I figured no need to have a bias. I like the truck market too! Unless you get into some serious stuff, it seems reasonably cheap! Thanks for the help guys.

Nico Club Forums for Infinity/Nissan vehicles. There's a decent D21 Hardbody forum that has pretty good info.

No comparison for Bilstein and Ranch no matter what you are doing. I ran Bilstein 5100's on two nissans before putting them on my current 4Runner. Springs really make or break you, but with stock springs those 5100's will be fine.

Brent

Got variable intermittent wipers in that '96? If not here's a write-up I did based on my '95. Man, I miss that truck...

Hardbody: Crappy on/off wipers to variable intermittent delay!