BDS Lift vs ZONE lift kits

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oldstyle17

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I installed the Zone 4" lift with bilstein 5100's set at 1.5 with the 3" coils in the rear and was happy with how it sat and drove, but 17,000 miles later the c clip on the front 5100 let go and the coil lost all tension and was just loose. The coil actually hit my cv and knocked the boot off. I now added the fox 2.5 coilovers for the 6" kit and let them down to about 5.5" which got rid of the strut spacer and added the zone UCA's and am much happier. When the kit was originally installed there was a slight popping noise at full lock and the coilovers and UCA's completely solved that issue and the ride quality is exceptional. I still have the 5100's on the rear tho and will be replacing them soon with fox 2.0's.
 

oldstyle17

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I think the stiff ride from the BDS kit has a lot to do with the rear Fox shocks. They are extremely stiff, so I think I'm going to be getting rid of mine. I havent decided on which shock to replace it with yet, but the Fox rear shocks will be coming off. They are almost impossible to compress by hand while on the truck which is overkill for how I use the truck.

Which fox 2.0's did you get for the rear? and if your replacing them I live in the Houston area if you go to sell them let me know
 
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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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I installed the Zone 4" lift with bilstein 5100's set at 1.5 with the 3" coils in the rear and was happy with how it sat and drove, but 17,000 miles later the c clip on the front 5100 let go and the coil lost all tension and was just loose. The coil actually hit my cv and knocked the boot off. I now added the fox 2.5 coilovers for the 6" kit and let them down to about 5.5" which got rid of the strut spacer and added the zone UCA's and am much happier. When the kit was originally installed there was a slight popping noise at full lock and the coilovers and UCA's completely solved that issue and the ride quality is exceptional. I still have the 5100's on the rear tho and will be replacing them soon with fox 2.0's.
So you had the preload strut spacer installed PLUS the bilsteins installed @ + 1.5" at the same time ?

How thick was the preload spacer ?

This must have been a terrible stiff ride ?

Thanks for a response Sir ...

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oldstyle17

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Yeah it had the 4" spacer from the zone lift, plus 1.5 out of the bilsteins. It actually road better and smoother than factory by far. But I still would recommend those fox coilovers, or you can order custom icon coilovers and I was told to look at which ones you want and the custom aspect will add about $100 per strut. Would've been like 13-1400 for icon customs for their best ones I think


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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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Yeah it had the 4" spacer from the zone lift, plus 1.5 out of the bilsteins. It actually road better and smoother than factory by far. But I still would recommend those fox coilovers, or you can order custom icon coilovers and I was told to look at which ones you want and the custom aspect will add about $100 per strut. Would've been like 13-1400 for icon customs for their best ones I think


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Does this Zone kit drop the front differential?
Seems like a 4" preload spacer + bils @ +1.5 " would end up with a steep CV Shaft angle ... it's been my understanding if bils are installed the preload spacer would be omitted during the install ?
Am I thinking about this wrong ?

Thanks again for a response

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WiSH2oo0

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I cannot comment on Bilstein installation but the BDS/Zone 4" kit does drop the front differential .
 

JB1

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Does this Zone kit drop the front differential?
Seems like a 4" preload spacer + bils @ +1.5 " would end up with a steep CV Shaft angle ... it's been my understanding if bils are installed the preload spacer would be omitted during the install ?
Am I thinking about this wrong ?

Thanks again for a response

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I assume he means the spacer that goes on top of the strut
 
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oldstyle17

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Yes, sorry I was half asleep and did not read that correctly. It was a 4" spacer between the strut and tower.


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bigred74

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i know nobody has posted in this for awhile but hoping this will get some responses. I too am looking to do a 6in lift on a 17 ram 1500 and trying to decide which brand to go with. so far best prices have been:

superlift 6" with bilsteins all around for $1630
Zone 6"/5" with fox adventure shocks in rear and bilsteins upfront for $1765
BDS 6"/5" with fox 2.0 rears and bilsteins upfront for $2,085

I was trying to find something under $1500 because i only plan on having this truck for 2-3 years but also want a quality ride so i can enjoy the truck while i do have it. any thoughts on which route would be best to go?
 

Ratket

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Just bite the bullet and grab the zone.
 

DrkRam

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I have the Zone 4 inch lift with 3 inch coils in the rear along with the Fox performance shock upgrade the kit comes with. Also have the bil's up front to level it. Rides much better than stock and would recommend Zone to anyone!!
Also I believe BDS AND ZONE ARE OWNED BY FOX as in FOX SHOCKS.
 

shadowhawk

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so are you going to be an "outside" truck now since that lift puts you higher than your clearance?
 

bigred74

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Ya it hasn't been parked in the garage since I've got it. Lol park my challenger in there debating on making the door bigger tho
 
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