Bilstein 5100 leveling shocks verus Coil Spacer Reviewed Ram 1500

wibble · Mar 15, 2014

Talked me into the 5100's!! Thanks.

Burla · Mar 15, 2014

wibble said:
Talked me into the 5100's!! Thanks.

If I had a stock bumper, I would opt for the second level down which is about 1/2 inch different. The info I have from reading the Ram Forum is that eliminates the 4x4 shimmy you get with the highest setting but still remove almost all of the rake.

lswing · Mar 16, 2014

Thanks for the comprehensive review. All my reading has the Bils looking much better, never considered spacers. Will have them on in a few weeks at 2.1 and report back.

cableguy_hd · Mar 17, 2014

So if you level a truck and tow will this add any extra stress on the front end over a stock ride height? I have 2" spacers and have waited on installing. I don't and won't off road my truck I just like the leveled look.

Burla · Mar 17, 2014

Most of the weight when you tow is on the back, however when you brake much of the weight gets transferred to the front, and most importantly to the front shocks. Whether or not it adds more weight in comparison to stock height, In seriously doubt it in any substantial amount. However, you will be adding considerable force to your ball joint when braking with coil spacers. I would really opt for the 5100 if I was towing. Think about it, I had coil spacers with a heavy bumper and I couldn't stand it and changed them out after a couple thousand miles, and I know am completely happy with the 5100's. If you opt for doing it anyway, really concentrate on what your front end is doing, and see if you feel a harsher ride. I know a couple guys say with extra weight that coil spacers really cause a harsher ride.

Dude in the forum just found out his coil spacers cost him 1100 bucks because he needed new ball joints on a brand new truck with a very few miles and the dealer said **** off because of the coil spacers.

smarsmar101 · Mar 17, 2014

Bils ALL AROUND! Air bags in rear! And TGC Rear spacer!

DONE

cableguy_hd · Mar 17, 2014

Burla said:
Dude in the forum just found out his coil spacers cost him 1100 bucks because he needed new ball joints on a brand new truck with a very few miles and the dealer said **** off because of the coil spacers.

this is what has me thinking but that issue I thought was on 13's and 14's

Burla · Mar 17, 2014

When we stop the shock and spring from doing what it was intended by compressing it 2 inches, then we are adding stress to the front end. Most of the time there wont be issues, but add different driving styles, conditions, and weight and you can really harm your ball joints and other stuff in your suspension regardless year/make/or model of the truck. I get it that most of the time running spacers is no big deal, but it was in my truck for sure, made the ride too harsh. That problem was solved, really was a great upgrade.

RAMWarrior1 · Mar 17, 2014

Switch to Bilsteins?

Not trying to steal a thread but I don't know much about level spacers or the 5100s.

I would like to get the 5100s, as everyone speaks highly of them.

I'll post a pic of my truck and a picture of the front level that the dealer had installed.

Will I benefit from the 5100s? Moreover, will the 5100s work with my Pro Comp 6" lift? I love the rake and I don't want it completely leveled but would like a better ride quality?

RAMWarrior1 · Mar 17, 2014

Here's the pic of the level it has now. Not sure what it is but I think it looks nasty.

Sparkyy · Mar 17, 2014

Hopefully Burla doesn't mind me tossing another blue truck in to the ring. But here is mine with the 5100s sitting 2nd down from the top.
Might be a slight rake, never truly measured front/back so cannot say with any certainty but does help the ride.

Burla · Mar 17, 2014

RAMWarrior1, how does it drive? Is it harsh over country roads and pot holes? 5100's will make your ride bouncier and your truck will have much more travel. Your setup looks weird to me too, some type of extension. Definitely not what you would consider an upgraded quality lift IMO.

The truck looks great though.

wibble · Mar 18, 2014

Just ordered some 5100's to level out the truck. After doing a lot of reading on here decided to go with them over a level kit.

RAMWarrior1 · Mar 18, 2014

Burla said:
RAMWarrior1, how does it drive? Is it harsh over country roads and pot holes? 5100's will make your ride bouncier and your truck will have much more travel. Your setup looks weird to me too, some type of extension. Definitely not what you would consider an upgraded quality lift IMO.

The truck looks great though.

I completely agree, I don't like it and up close it definitely doesn't look like top quality. To some degree I notice the truck is rough on country roads and bumps. My wife actually notices it a lot more, but that's how I figured the truck should feel? Guess I was wrong from the sounds of how yours is riding now.

Donelam304 · Mar 18, 2014

I keep getting lost here. Let me see if I get this right. OK. Y'all correct me if I'm wrong. Which I usually am. Lol.

1500 trucks can use just the 5100's
Where the 2500's can use both at the same time, the Bilstein 5100's and the coilspring leveling blocks.

Or am I just all messed up with this. Lol.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900V) via taptalk...

Burla · Mar 18, 2014

wibble said:
Just ordered some 5100's to level out the truck. After doing a lot of reading on here decided to go with them over a level kit.

Please report back in this thread how your experience was.

lone12star · Mar 18, 2014

So I'm in the same boat you were, had a 2.5 inch spacer, and it was fine until I put on a ranch hand, then i noticed I had more rake, and the ride is rougher. So I think I'm going to order the 5100's and have them installed and 2.8

Sent from the MOPAR gods!

lone12star · Mar 18, 2014

Also I've never had to buy shocks, do they come in pairs? Or do I need to put 2 for the quantity?

Sent from the MOPAR gods!

Burla · Mar 18, 2014

I would double check whoever you bought them from, it should be around 100 dollars or so per shock.

lone12star · Mar 18, 2014

Yea everywhere I look it's about $100-$110. I didn't know if that was each or for pair

Sent from the MOPAR gods!

Bilstein 5100 leveling shocks verus Coil Spacer Reviewed Ram 1500

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