I've had these parts for months now and finally got around to installing them. What I got were the Bilstein B5100 shocks f/r, Tuff Truck 1211 rear springs, replacement Mopar front springs, MAXX Suspension sway bar end links, and Moog tie rod ends. Started with the rear shocks and springs Sunday afternoon. Getting the rear shocks off took more time than I expected. The only shorty wrench I had was 18mm so I had to "MacGyver" it into a 21mm open end. While I had the brake calibers and brackets off I decided to paint them black and change the pads. Now my rear suspension is complete. Did the Core 4x4 rear UCA, LCA, swaybar end links, and track bar a few weeks ago.
Finally got around to finishing the suspension upgrades yesterday and level my truck. Getting the front shocks apart took way longer than I anticipated...especially since the allen head (8mm) at the top of the shaft was so "chewed up" it would only spin while trying to remove the 18mm nut. I didn't manage to get any pictures of the old stuff coming off and then spending hours dealing with getting the spring hat off just added to the frustration. What I finally figured out was since I had purchased new shock boots that I could cut into the old ones and use locking pliers to clamp on to the shaft. From there I was able to use my impact and remove the 18mm nut with ease. I highly recommend purchasing replacement boots to anyone else considering doing the Bilstein B5100s so you don't have to risk dealing with a stripped allen head bolt like I did. I would have gotten the replacement spring hat from Mopar, but was more than the shocks! For the spring perch the stealership would only sell me the entire strut to get the perch...no point in that. When I got to doing the other strut it took me about 30 minutes from compressing the springs to removing the hat and perch I needed to reuse then compressing the new spring far enough to reassemble the strut. I replaced the factory UCAs with JBA, new MOPAR coil springs, Bilstein B5100 adjustable shocks (on the 2.8 setting), MAXX Suspension swaybar end links, and Moog tie rod ends. While I had these calibers off I went ahead and replaced the pads. Fortunately these didn't require painting...just cleaning.
This after picture was today in the daylight. In the end I went from stock height measurements of 35.75 (front) and 38.25 (rear) to 38.75 (front) and 39.25 (rear). Definitely need the step rails now to get in. Had my concerns last night when I lowered the truck down off the jack stands and was worried I would scrape the top coming out of the garage. Rode better on my drive to work so I'm happy. Have to wait until tomorrow morning to get the alignment, but for now it "tracks" pretty straight and true. Looks like my next set of tires will be 35s. Not quite ready to fork out the $$$$ since I just got these 305s back in March.
This after picture was today in the daylight. In the end I went from stock height measurements of 35.75 (front) and 38.25 (rear) to 38.75 (front) and 39.25 (rear). Definitely need the step rails now to get in. Had my concerns last night when I lowered the truck down off the jack stands and was worried I would scrape the top coming out of the garage. Rode better on my drive to work so I'm happy. Have to wait until tomorrow morning to get the alignment, but for now it "tracks" pretty straight and true. Looks like my next set of tires will be 35s. Not quite ready to fork out the $$$$ since I just got these 305s back in March.
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