I have looked through all the posts re Bilsteins and the 10 and 20% stiffer set ups. It seems that the stiffer shocks are used on lifted Xs or ones w/ an ARB/bull bumper. Is there an advantage to using a 10% stiffer valve rate on a stock X? I've got a brush guard on mine and am running the stock size tire for my truck. Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks for the input.

Most people who run winch bumpers run the 20% stiffer to compensate for the extra weight.When I lifted my X I didn't have my bumper on and I drove around with 20% stiffer up front and oem valving in the rears and it bounced alot in the front.

Now as far as running 10%'s I don't think they'd be all that bad.

A lot depends on your preferences for control versus ride comfort...a stiffer shock means better control, less body lean, faster recovery, and a harsher ride...

A softer shock is more comfortable, but also more floaty, etc.

If you think you might add more weight (Skids, bumpers, fatter kids, carbs...etc...) the extra stiffness now might be handy later.

If you and yours will always remain the same weight, you can bias towards comfort or handling as you prefer.

I have 20% extended Bils on with the 3" SL...and they ride great as far as I'm concerned, way better than the stockers did.

I had Shrockworks bumper and sliders, a winch, and equipment riding around before the lift, on the OEM shocks,...and going up 3" for SL + onto 33 x12.5's, I thought the overall responsiveness of the handling improved.

If that helps.

You can get rancho 9000's.. they are adjustable.. want it stiffer, twist the knob, softer, twist the other way.. or get the kit and adjust it from the drivers seat.. I have stock tbars, calmini front end, 9kwinch and the 9000's.. on their softest setting it gets a very smooth ride (almost floaty) on their stiffest, you (almost) pee blood...

I just added 20% frt 10% rear, on my X which is still stock as far as bumper, lift, tires. With the mind set that hopefully this sprint to add the ARB bumper and the sliders.

And I will say even at stock the ride is much better! Slight stiffness in front, but most of the summer I carry two kayaks off to the side of the truck since I have the Yak loadwarrior w/ext on top, and with the weight on top The trck seems more stable in turns.

Also added the Bilstein Steering Stabilizer, $90 well spent!

(cant wait till spring)