Yeah another bilstein question

[SFD213]

I have a 2004 2500HD 4wd w/stock suspension. Am i able to just throw two bils up front to level and call it a day, or would that be unadvisable/impossible/unlikely?

 

[usaf2006]

The 2500 has coils on the SFA right? The Bilsteins level with the struts on our IFS trucks.

Do correct me if I'm wrong. It's late and I just slammed out a biology test

 

[SFD213]

Yeah i wana say they do. Like you said its late, long day at work, early morning tomorrow. Any normal day and id have an answer for you but i cant think straight. Ill double check tomorrow but i do believe theyre coil overs on the axle behind all the fun steering components and stuff

 

[blackbeautyhemi]

You can get 5100's for your truck but I don't think they level like the IFS trucks, you'll have to get leveling coils or coil spring spacers.

 

[SFD213]

Crap. Would throwing leveling coils on stock shocks over extend the shocks? Probably should just throw the shocks and coils on together

 

[usaf2006]

It shouldn't since its only 1.5 -2". But since you're in there, as long as they're not new, I'd change the shocks anyways.

 

[SFD213]

Thanks guys. When i get home from work today im gonna do some 'splorin on the interweb for more stuff to spend money on now lol

 

[brandonjansen]

Yup, as the other guys have said your truck doesn't have front struts so the Bilstein level is not an option for you. Your options are either leveling coils or leveling spacers. With either one you will want longer shocks and an adjustable track bar as well.

 

[SFD213]

Wow this is turning out to be more of a project than i thought

 

[blackbeautyhemi]

I'd still suggest adding the bilsteins tho while you're in there cause they ride great and have a lifetime warranty so why not?

 

[SFD213]

Shop quoted $780 spacers and bils installed. HA! Yeah okay! Parts cost $280, ill do it myself

 

[usaf2006]

Make sure you get an alignment afterwards.

 

[SFD213]

Ive heard the metal spacers are a bit of a rough ride. Looked at some leveling coils today. Anyone have any opinions on which one to use? I was looking at rough country because theyre cheap, yet at the same time im hesitant because, well, its RC, theyre cheap

 

[NWRQC]

Thuren or Carli. They cost a little more but you get what you pay for.
I went from spacers to the Thuren soft rate coils and it's night and day difference. With the spacers you will feel every crack in the road.
You have to remove the shocks to get the springs out, so you may as well replace them while you're there. Fox or bilsteins, you cant go wrong. You'll soon be looking for sway bar end links, as the stock ones will bend in no time, if they haven't already.

 

[SFD213]

The thurens say theyll give me 4" of lift which is nearly twice the amount to level. Personally i think carli is a little expensive for a level, but not too expensive for lifts, so if i lift im going carli, otherwise im gonna stay away

 

[SFD213]

Any opinions on the rancho set ups?

Edit: Disregard. Everything is for diesels. Apparently hemis dont exist in 2500s

 

[NWRQC]

The thurens say theyll give me 4" of lift which is nearly twice the amount to level. Personally i think carli is a little expensive for a level, but not too expensive for lifts, so if i lift im going carli, otherwise im gonna stay away

They make a 2" soft rate coil that will give you about 2.5" of lift, which would be level.

 

[SFD213]

They make a 2" soft rate coil that will give you about 2.5" of lift, which would be level.

The smallest i see is a 3" soft rate. Did they get rid of the 2" maybe?

 

[NWRQC]

CJ has them.
Thuren 2" Soft-Ride Performance Leveling Coils Dodge Ram 2500/3500

 

[SFD213]

CJ has them.

Thuren 2" Soft-Ride Performance Leveling Coils Dodge Ram 2500/3500

Thank you. Couldnt find them for the life of me.

So from what im gathering, the parts list is this:
Thuren 2" soft rate coils, bilsteins (might as well do all 4), thuren adjustable track bar, and either now or soon, sway bar end links
Missing anything?