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2021 Ranger 4x4 stock height with Tow pkg questions about shocks, air bags, cooling?

Big Blue

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Anybody know how much the road clearance will change with the PPE Deep pan?
None. The cross member is still the lowest point by alot.
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PltFX4

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If you're not leveling the truck, save the money and use 4600's, they're valved the same as the 5100's.

Source: Email directly from Bilstein
Out of my ignorance and curiosity (not to mention I put 5100 on my un-lifted 2019 Ranger) I looked up 4600 vs 5100s:

Which leaves the question: is there a problem I'm unaware of with the 5100s on an un-lifted Ranger?? (back a few years 5100s were the go to shock to replace the FX4 OEM shocks).

The main difference is that Bilstein 4600s are for stock-height vehicles to improve daily driving, while Bilstein 5100s are for lifted vehicles and have height-adjustable options. The 5100s also feature a zinc finish for increased durability in off-road and corrosive environments, while the 4600s have a painted finish.

Feature Bilstein 4600Bilstein 5100
Best ForStock-height vehicles, daily drivingLifted vehicles, off-road, towing
Height AdjustmentNoYes, the front shocks are height-adjustable for a front-end lift
Ride HeightDesigned to keep factory ride heightDesigned for lifted applications, available for different lift levels
FinishPainted (blue and yellow)Zinc-plated
ValvingTuned for stock height applicationsValved firmer to handle the extra weight of larger tires often found on lifted vehicles
DurabilityDurable, but the paint finish is less resistant to corrosion than the 5100's zinc platingMore durable in harsh conditions due to the zinc finish
 

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Red Line Synthetic Oil. WaterWetter® It works—I’ve been using it in all my vehicles for 15 years now. I don’t fully understand the science behind it, but I know it’s effective. On the rice rockets I’ve owned, which get driven hard on track days, I noticed faster cooldowns between runs with it compared to without. Temperatures remained stable due to the thermostat, but it also took longer to heat soak. PPe pan normal cruising keeps me at 185 to 190 daily driving avg temp while towing is 200.

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I had a dark blue sil-80 sr20 swapped in to replace the KA24when I was younger… always wanted a 240sx coupe with the s13 front…. But I ended up falling in love with the 1988 Rx7… then when the Mitsubishi evolution came out in the states that and my 2001 2.5rs coupe Subaru became my fun cars… I ran redline as well in all those cars… except the rotary engine.. that one was a bit of a oil burner…
 

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Out of my ignorance and curiosity (not to mention I put 5100 on my un-lifted 2019 Ranger) I looked up 4600 vs 5100s:

Which leaves the question: is there a problem I'm unaware of with the 5100s on an un-lifted Ranger?? (back a few years 5100s were the go to shock to replace the FX4 OEM shocks).

The main difference is that Bilstein 4600s are for stock-height vehicles to improve daily driving, while Bilstein 5100s are for lifted vehicles and have height-adjustable options. The 5100s also feature a zinc finish for increased durability in off-road and corrosive environments, while the 4600s have a painted finish.

FeatureBilstein 4600Bilstein 5100
Best ForStock-height vehicles, daily drivingLifted vehicles, off-road, towing
Height AdjustmentNoYes, the front shocks are height-adjustable for a front-end lift
Ride HeightDesigned to keep factory ride heightDesigned for lifted applications, available for different lift levels
FinishPainted (blue and yellow)Zinc-plated
ValvingTuned for stock height applicationsValved firmer to handle the extra weight of larger tires often found on lifted vehicles
DurabilityDurable, but the paint finish is less resistant to corrosion than the 5100's zinc platingMore durable in harsh conditions due to the zinc finish

No problem using the 5100's in an un leveled truck, just a waste of funds.

I had them simply because I bought the 5100's for the rear before I emailed Bilstein about them and had every intent of doing 4600's on the front, but when I finally decided to buy them (During Covid) the 4600's were nowhere to be found and I ended up with the 5100's on the front.

Your chart above is wrong about the valving in the Ranger application. Might be true of others, but not in the 5G Ranger.
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