New control arms or not?

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dan0

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I just purchased the bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks for my 2016 ram, should i also get new control arms before I have them installed?
 

BiGMERF

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most say once your at 2.8 to do it.. i didnt at 2.1
 
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dan0

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how much did 2.1 actually lift your front end? do you still have noticeable rake?
 

SD38-2

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For a piece of mind I install zone upper control arms the same time I did the bilsteins. I'm set a 2.1 and there is a little rake according to the tape measure but looking at it you really can't tell. That's my opinion.
 

Curlyp

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how much did 2.1 actually lift your front end? do you still have noticeable rake?



What does rake mean? I have the bils 5100 installed and set at 2.8. My truck is leveled. Should have I installed a new upper control arm? What does it do?

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dan0

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truck looks good!
 

Captain_X

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Rake is the front being lower than the rear.


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Captain_X

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As for control arms, notice how every company that makes them say the same thing: they fix the binding problem common in (insert every truck manufacturer and model) known to occur with the factory ball joint. Blah, blah, blah. You only need new arms if you're doing some serious wheeling and at that point you should be replacing upper and lowers. And that gets you started down the rabbit hole. Enjoy the lift you have, and spend your money on some decent wheels and tires if that's your thing.


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DODGEMANABC

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Curlyp, You did the 2.8 on the front and nothing to the rear correct? I have a 17 Ram that Im wanting to level with the Bilsteins instead of spacers. Your truck looks great!

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Phylodog

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I believe the replacement UCAs for the 1500s become commonplace when the 2013 & later models started popping the ball joints out of the control arms after being leveled. I have a 2013 and it seems models made earlier that year didn't experience the issue, those manufactured later did. I'm having 5100s installed Monday and I'm going to wait and see what happens. I'm having a lift installed soon so if the ball joints pop I'll replace the UCAs when the lift is installed.
 

Curlyp

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Curlyp, You did the 2.8 on the front and nothing to the rear correct? I have a 17 Ram that Im wanting to level with the Bilsteins instead of spacers. Your truck looks great!

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That is correct and thank you!


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R.L.K.

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Mevotecs are only approximately $100 from vendor her www.rockauto.com , cheep insurance.
I've had my bilsteins installed @ +2.8" with mevotecs for about 25k no issues at all .

I keep my oem ucas for backup .

Many have installed Bils @ 2.8" on 2013 +Ram's with the oem ucas with no problems ...

I 4 wheel often , sometimes pretty rough too.

If your truck is a pavement queen , then I'd just keep the oem ucas ...as they typically don't blow out all the sudden , they start to raise slowly and make popping sounds for weeks which would give plenty of notice and plenty of time for you to order & install Mevos .....

My .02

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