Help! I want to level front end - upper control arm issue?

Jb800 · Mar 29, 2014

I had a 2007 with HBS spacers and no issues. I just bought a 2014 Ram 1500 Big Horn and ordered Bilstien 5100 adjustable front shocks because I want to level the front. Now I just stated reading all about the ball joints popping out and I would need to order a set of Zone control arms for $430. Is there any cheaper alternative? I didnt expect that I would have to spend this extra $ to level it.

taz03 · Mar 29, 2014

Your only option at this point is to put in aftermarket uca's. I leveled my 14 laramie and within a few months the ball joints are starting to come out. My zone uca's came this week and iam going to put them in and hopefully no more issues.

NYCruiser · Mar 29, 2014

When you change the control arms do you use the same ball joints or upgrade them too?

Nevermind, just read Zone's press release that they come completely assembled with greasable BJ installed.

http://zoneoffroad.com/blog/?p=3518

Jb800 · Mar 29, 2014

Will I stiil have the ball joint issue if Im using the Bilstiens but dont put the clip on the highest level?

BMD · Mar 29, 2014

Jb800 said:
Will I stiil have the ball joint issue if Im using the Bilstiens but dont put the clip on the highest level?

Some do some don't but seems like the trucks using factory shocks are having more issues than the bilsteins or the rancho loaded from what I have read.

oz97tj · Mar 29, 2014

It doesnt matter what brand of lift. Its the factory balljoint not giving enough range of motion when a lift is installed. Considering lowest is still 2.1 inches, youll likely still have the issue.

Dante221 · Mar 30, 2014

My level is on hold also

Hello
My Bilsteins will stay in the box until the Zone Offroad Upper control arms arrive. However I fear my plans for 295/65R20 Toyo ATIIs which just barely
clear on the stock rims may rub with the heavier duty control arms.
More research needed
Dante :uhoh2:

PS EGAD Zone Offroad install guide says DO NOT use their upper control arms with Bilstein
leveling shocks! Now I'm really confused!!

NYCruiser · Mar 30, 2014

Dante221 said:
PS EGAD Zone Offroad install guide says DO NOT use their upper control arms with Bilstein
leveling shocks! Now I'm really confused!!

I read that too, but I think it only means their kit that comes with their spacers. I don't think just the UCA's will be a problem with bilsteins.

BMD · Mar 30, 2014

You guys are so hung up on bilstein the rancho loaded quick lift seems to me to be just as good an option.

tsunamilogan05 · Mar 30, 2014

NYCruiser said:
I read that too, but I think it only means their kit that comes with their spacers. I don't think just the UCA's will be a problem with bilsteins.

What he said. I was lost as well until I did some digging.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

NYCruiser · Mar 30, 2014

BMD said:
You guys are so hung up on bilstein the rancho loaded quick lift seems to me to be just as good an option.

Its just different. Some guys prefer the bilstein ride with the stock springs. Either way you still get the upper BJ problem.

rpr · Mar 30, 2014

I just stumbled across an interesting fairly recent review of the Rancho's:

October 30, 2013

By

David Hostetler "SuperDave3006"

This review is from: Rancho RS999910 Quick Lift Loaded Strut (Automotive)

I replaced my OEM shocks / coil springs and an Autospring 2.5" spacer block with the Quicklift Loaded on my 2004 F150 4x4. I have the 5.4L with a heavy duty winch bumper and 9000lb winch. Before the quicklift loadeds, measurements from ground to the top center of the wheel arches with 35x12.50/17 tires was 40.75" front, 40.75" rear. After 38.75" front and 40.75" rear. I literally lost 2" of lift going with these!

Now that's the bad. Now for the good. The rock hard leveling kit ride is a thing of the past. I set my front adjusters to 6, the rear to 4 and away I went. Rancho recommends that setting for street / highway, but I use it offroad as well and it performs very well.

I am working with Rancho, and checking the Ford Truck forums to see what others have come up with. It appears the coil spring included in the Quicklifts doesn't have a correct spring rate, and is basically too soft, so winch bumpers, winches, larger displacement engine etc... tend to make them sag more. There are several guys putting 1 and 2 inch spacers on top of these!

While I believe Rancho has the right idea, they need to belly up to the bar as it were, and fix these things so they give the full advertised lift, and offer free replacements with LABOR for the ones they shipped out defective...

I think if they straighten out the ride height issues, these could be a real winner in the long run.

Any thoughts?

BigSexyBlue05 · Mar 30, 2014

Is this just a problem with 2014? Cause my 2012 ive had 2" hbs spacer for almost two years and no sighns of ball joint problems.

cableguy_hd · Mar 30, 2014

I believe its late made 13's and 14's from what I've read on here. Also I think going 2.5" on those years makes the problem worse or more prone to happen

cableguy_hd · Mar 30, 2014

Dante221 said:
Dante
PS EGAD Zone Offroad install guide says DO NOT use their upper control arms with Bilstein
leveling shocks! Now I'm really confused!!

looks like Zone has 2 products. One has a built in lift one does not. The one with the built in lift says to not use bilsteins. The other does not.
Zone Offroad Heavy Duty Upper Control Arm Kit: 06-14 Ram 1500 D2301
Zone Offroad 2" Adventure Series UCA Lift System 12-14 Ram 1500 D49

Dante221 · Mar 30, 2014

Thanks !

cableguy_hd said:
looks like Zone has 2 products. One has a built in lift one does not. The one with the built in lift says to not use bilsteins. The other does not.
Zone Offroad Heavy Duty Upper Control Arm Kit: 06-14 Ram 1500 D2301
Zone Offroad 2" Adventure Series UCA Lift System 12-14 Ram 1500 D49

Thanks for the info. I will be calling them tomorrow to be sure .

Dante :***:
PS Zone Offroad upper control arms ordered 3/31/14. Due in a
couple of days.

mel5151 · Mar 31, 2014

I just installed the Rancho Quicklifts. Front end measurements started at 36 and is now at 38, rear is at 39 in. I have only tried a"5 setting and its a pretty darn good ride. Once the rear Ranchos are in Ill dial down the right ride.

UneasyJmitchell · Apr 4, 2014

cableguy_hd said:
I believe its late made 13's and 14's from what I've read on here. Also I think going 2.5" on those years makes the problem worse or more prone to happen

Ewww, thats bad news. I recently bought a 2012 Hemi 4x4 1500 and I am waiting on a 2.5 level coming in the mail. EDIT--Misread I think. Maybe the 12s are OK with it?

cableguy_hd · Apr 4, 2014

12's seem to be ok

BMD · Apr 4, 2014

NYCruiser said:
Its just different. Some guys prefer the bilstein ride with the stock springs. Either way you still get the upper BJ problem.

So far non issue on both 2014's not saying it will or won't happen but one of them is over 1000 miles with no issues. I can't find one person it has happened to with the rancho's so far

Help! I want to level front end - upper control arm issue?

Junior Member

Junior Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page