Shock absorbers Bilstein or Rancho

N3s are nice for on road driving. They offer a plush ride. Everyone says go Bilstein 5100, and while they do perform better off-road, they are noticeably firmer on the street.

It’s firm but not rough and it handled wheeling around Southern Colorado and NW New Mexico just fine, even fully loaded. I’m beyond impressed considering the cost.

A set of rancho 9000. The adjustment actually works and you can tell a difference. Probably best bang for your buck.

It's surprisingly nice. Somehow it feels as sporty as my Forester XT. Occasionally you get a bit of "float" at highway speeds where it feels like you're in a boat or a big old Buick, but it's not uncomfortable by any means. Like riding on a cloud!

I drive on paved roads 80% of the time, it’s very smooth. No complaints, great even on hard turns

I have Bilstein B8s on my lowered Alltrack and I love how they work w/ my springs. Very controlled over the very imperfect road surfaces of California. ha.

I replaced the Ranchos with Bilstein 5100's after a couple thousand miles, night and day difference.

Ride quality isn’t noticeably different. Bilstein or Fox are great upgrades for the stock rancho badged shocks either way.

I’m stock for now, and probably only going to upgrade to some entry/mid-level Bilstein.

Pass on Rancho. I did a full set of them 4 years ago. Shop I had them done through is no longer in business. Even with receipts and invoices Rancho refuses to honor their warranty.