JonF
Junior Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2013
- Posts
- 26
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Severna Park MD
- Ram Year
- 2011
- Engine
- 5.7 Hemi
I installed the Bilstein 5100 ride height adjustable front shocks on my 2011 15004WD QC last night. There were a couple things that I could not find when researching them so here are a couple notes that I made during the install. I set mine to the 1.4" lift setting, the middle ring.
The total assembled length of the Bilsteins was 3/8-1/2" longer than the originals. This is important because the longer length will allow the front suspension to droop further when unloaded. (One original assembly was almost 1/4" shorter than the other)
I didn't think to measure the assembled length of the coil spring before disassembly. I do know that once I disassembled the originals I did not have to compress the spring any further to reassemble it onto the Bilstein so the length was fairly close. If you choose a higher setting on the Bilstein this will change though. And if the coil springs are progressive, increasing the preload will raise the spring rate and ride harshness. If the coil springs are not progressive rate, then it wont make any difference.
The install was pretty straight forward. I am a mechanic so to me it was fairly easy. I did watch a video on U tube before I started. It was helpful, and it also listed out the tools needed for the job. Removing the assemblies from the truck was easy. The only difficulty I had was disassembling the shocks. The top nut and threads on the top of the shock were somewhat corroded. It took a bit of cussing to get them off. I don't have a lot of tools at home so it was a little difficult. Putting the assembly back in the truck was fairly easy also. I used bungy cords to keep the steering knuckle from falling outwards and stressing the CV boots or pulling the joint out. I bought the "OEM" brand spring compressor I found here on another thread. I'll post the part number after I get back out to the garage. I put a little grease on the threads and it works very well. Having used cheapo compressors before I was leary of how it would do on a truck spring but I was very impressed at how well it worked and easily it compressed and held the spring.
After assembling and running up and down the road about 2 miles the front is sitting right about 1 3/4" above stock. I'll give it a couple days to settle before I have it aligned and then I will re-measure and post the net height increase.
The total assembled length of the Bilsteins was 3/8-1/2" longer than the originals. This is important because the longer length will allow the front suspension to droop further when unloaded. (One original assembly was almost 1/4" shorter than the other)
I didn't think to measure the assembled length of the coil spring before disassembly. I do know that once I disassembled the originals I did not have to compress the spring any further to reassemble it onto the Bilstein so the length was fairly close. If you choose a higher setting on the Bilstein this will change though. And if the coil springs are progressive, increasing the preload will raise the spring rate and ride harshness. If the coil springs are not progressive rate, then it wont make any difference.
The install was pretty straight forward. I am a mechanic so to me it was fairly easy. I did watch a video on U tube before I started. It was helpful, and it also listed out the tools needed for the job. Removing the assemblies from the truck was easy. The only difficulty I had was disassembling the shocks. The top nut and threads on the top of the shock were somewhat corroded. It took a bit of cussing to get them off. I don't have a lot of tools at home so it was a little difficult. Putting the assembly back in the truck was fairly easy also. I used bungy cords to keep the steering knuckle from falling outwards and stressing the CV boots or pulling the joint out. I bought the "OEM" brand spring compressor I found here on another thread. I'll post the part number after I get back out to the garage. I put a little grease on the threads and it works very well. Having used cheapo compressors before I was leary of how it would do on a truck spring but I was very impressed at how well it worked and easily it compressed and held the spring.
After assembling and running up and down the road about 2 miles the front is sitting right about 1 3/4" above stock. I'll give it a couple days to settle before I have it aligned and then I will re-measure and post the net height increase.
