Hodges 2016 Bilstein Build

joshuaeb09 · Jan 12, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Never knew that, I'll definitely keep that in mind! I know atf has so many wild uses with the detergents in it. I used it as a motor flush on old junk yard 350s and stuff playing around in hot rod shops when I was younger. I just grabbed cheap stuff to try and save my Jack, to no avail.

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Yea I've run it through a few motors to clean em out, used it to clean parts, poured it through carburetors to clean the top end, and put it in fuel tanks. Pretty versatile stuff that atf. It probably wouldn't do much for a jack that's already hurting, but running it in a jack seems to make em last a bit longer. For jack usage I'd just hit up walmart or the parts store and get that cheap stuff as well. It's not like it's doing all that much and your just after some seal conditioning and anti-wear help.

hodge-xj said:
Also, I wanted to run a suspension combo nobody had yet, and get some more info into our database. Just for giggles really. Ram1500rsm has his king setup, Mike has the eibach, I have a bilstein setup, victorlawson has icons coming, Midwestexpress is putting together a setup, among a few other member who put together some sweet setups, everyone should have a nice selection and examples to help see what fits their needs and price ranges.

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Yea I completely understand that. If Bilstein had had the 6112's when I did my truck the 1st time it would already have them no questions asked. Same with those Billstein rear springs so I really appreciate you documenting all of it. Who knows I might just wait until the 6112's are in stock again and go that route or I might not. Still waiting on my damn house to sell before I do anything so I've got time to be persuaded one way or the other.

hodge-xj · Jan 13, 2019

joshuaeb09 said:
Yea I've run it through a few motors to clean em out, used it to clean parts, poured it through carburetors to clean the top end, and put it in fuel tanks. Pretty versatile stuff that atf. It probably wouldn't do much for a jack that's already hurting, but running it in a jack seems to make em last a bit longer. For jack usage I'd just hit up walmart or the parts store and get that cheap stuff as well. It's not like it's doing all that much and your just after some seal conditioning and anti-wear help.

Yea I completely understand that. If Bilstein had had the 6112's when I did my truck the 1st time it would already have them no questions asked. Same with those Billstein rear springs so I really appreciate you documenting all of it. Who knows I might just wait until the 6112's are in stock again and go that route or I might not. Still waiting on my damn house to sell before I do anything so I've got time to be persuaded one way or the other.

Return on investment. < if my yield will be similar to that of another investment I will compare and contrast. I got what I wanted and needed in a package that has longer service intervals and resistance to corrosive environments. So this investment will technically last me the life of my truck. That's a pretty good way to spend 1400$.

I hope your house sells! Where exactly are you located.

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joshuaeb09 · Jan 13, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Return on investment. < if my yield will be similar to that of another investment I will compare and contrast. I got what I wanted and needed in a package that has longer service intervals and resistance to corrosive environments. So this investment will technically last me the life of my truck. That's a pretty good way to spend 1400$.

I hope your house sells! Where exactly are you located.

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I'm down in south central Texas so the closet thing my truck will see to a corrosive environment would be the beach every once in a blue moon. The house is in an area that's been growing pretty heavily North East of San Antonio, but it just seems I've had bad luck with buyers who can't source financing or otherwise flake. I know it would rent out in a second being spitting distance from Randolf AFB, but I was hoping to avoid the hassle of land lording and just take the equity and run to my brokerage. I also feel you on the service life as I've never been able to kill Bilstein's on other trucks and it's not like I'm doing any serious wheeling. Might still go Billstein since I wouldn't want to tackle a shock rebuild myself and shipping out racing shocks to get rebuilt would be a hassle. It's one of the reasons I've avoided Fox with their claimed life between rebuilds being less than I'd want to deal with.

Who knows what I'll end up doing alot of my posts recently have just been thinking out loud so to speak since going back to work has killed me mentally (Shift work suuuuuuucks and the lack of sleep is brutal).

hodge-xj · Jan 13, 2019

joshuaeb09 said:
I'm down in south central Texas so the closet thing my truck will see to a corrosive environment would be the beach every once in a blue moon. The house is in an area that's been growing pretty heavily North East of San Antonio, but it just seems I've had bad luck with buyers who can't source financing or otherwise flake. I know it would rent out in a second being spitting distance from Randolf AFB, but I was hoping to avoid the hassle of land lording and just take the equity and run to my brokerage. I also feel you on the service life as I've never been able to kill Bilstein's on other trucks and it's not like I'm doing any serious wheeling. Might still go Billstein since I wouldn't want to tackle a shock rebuild myself and shipping out racing shocks to get rebuilt would be a hassle. It's one of the reasons I've avoided Fox with their claimed life between rebuilds being less than I'd want to deal with.

Who knows what I'll end up doing alot of my posts recently have just been thinking out loud so to speak since going back to work has killed me mentally (Shift work suuuuuuucks and the lack of sleep is brutal).

Well hopefully someone with their **** together comes through and you can get it sold. I'm in a similar position of sell vs rent, there's never a perfect answer for that. It all depends on the demographic of who's going to be utilizing the home if you rent that would sway that decision.

Honestly, the suspension argument can go in circles for days. It's such a subjective topic. Some love the stock ride, some think it's garbage. There's so many variables it can make your head spin. The 6112s are in a sense big 5100s. I feel like as technology has moved forward, suspension has stayed pretty even keep from oem, for standard vehicles. The raptor and zr2 being the exceptions. So for me it's usually my first and most costly upgrade. If I lived out west, or in an area where I was running hard and fast offroad, kings without question, but for me I live in jersey, we have highways. I have to go over an hour to get anywhere I can drive in a legal trail and for us it's in 4lo crawling on rocks. My high speed is torn up highways so for me, the bilsteins will do just fine. I'd love to have the icons and the such buts in an unjustifiable cost for the same performance for my intended use. Street ride and low speed off road only gets so refined in a dense before it's a common ride quality from any manufacturer. So get what fits your use best, and make sure it handles your hardest dirt time. In the end, you'll be super pleased with any big companies product. I've run most of them out there and each had it's compromises, but all had similar daily driving experiences. The wow factor really kicked in above 40mph in the dirt, which I just don't do anymore.

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joshuaeb09 · Jan 13, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Well hopefully someone with their **** together comes through and you can get it sold. I'm in a similar position of sell vs rent, there's never a perfect answer for that. It all depends on the demographic of who's going to be utilizing the home if you rent that would sway that decision.

Honestly, the suspension argument can go in circles for days. It's such a subjective topic. Some love the stock ride, some think it's garbage. There's so many variables it can make your head spin. The 6112s are in a sense big 5100s. I feel like as technology has moved forward, suspension has stayed pretty even keep from oem, for standard vehicles. The raptor and zr2 being the exceptions. So for me it's usually my first and most costly upgrade. If I lived out west, or in an area where I was running hard and fast offroad, kings without question, but for me I live in jersey, we have highways. I have to go over an hour to get anywhere I can drive in a legal trail and for us it's in 4lo crawling on rocks. My high speed is torn up highways so for me, the bilsteins will do just fine. I'd love to have the icons and the such buts in an unjustifiable cost for the same performance for my intended use. Street ride and low speed off road only gets so refined in a dense before it's a common ride quality from any manufacturer. So get what fits your use best, and make sure it handles your hardest dirt time. In the end, you'll be super pleased with any big companies product. I've run most of them out there and each had it's compromises, but all had similar daily driving experiences. The wow factor really kicked in above 40mph in the dirt, which I just don't do anymore.

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It would almost 100% be active duty based on the area should I rent it out, but being over an hour away from where I live now the distance is the main hassle. That and I work nights so dealing with anything should it arise would just **** me off by wrecking my already wrecked sleep lol. If I was in a better position to transition to a normal schedule I'd probably go with renting it out for the passive income, but I'd need like 4 or 5 rental's (assuming financed favorably) in order to make up for what I'd lose in the income drop. Luckily I've got a buyer lined up that has their **** together on the cash side of things, but man have they been a bit picky on little **** like slightly weathered trim and the fact some of the paint blends aren't 100% perfect on a house that's been lived in for 5 years. Hell I even replaced all the carpet with the top dollar **** after I moved out compared to the low grade **** that was in it when I bought it. Gotta go drive out there to meet with my realtor this evening for a game plan that hopefully won't cost me much so I can finally get that monkey off my back.

Yea when I was living in that house it was all mostly street/highway driving with the occasional excursion out to where I live now so the 5100's were a huge improvement over stock. The 6112's on my friends trucks that still live out there ride phenomenal on the street, but I haven't had the chance to experience them off the pavement at all. The biggest issue for me is having a bad back (3 surgeries so far) so when I exceed their damping capacity unexpectedly in my current conditions (mainly soft spots that develop or hidden low spots at the water crossings) I notice it a lot more than any of my passengers ever have. I'm also not really pushing any outlandish speeds maybe 45 mph at the most in the smoother bits and less than 10 in the water crossings. but I'd say an average of 25-30 mph overall. That right there is my main temptation to just go hog wild for the most damping I can get even if it costs me a little more.

Oddly enough I don't have the same issue in my Challenger with its solid cradle/braced diff, poly/delrin bushings, Stiffer control arms, and plenty of chassis bracing. That thing just wears out your whole body after a day of hard driving even on some of the rougher farm roads out here, but then again it also stays off the stone aside from dragging ass to/from the nearest pavement avoiding all the short cuts (water crossings/rougher roads).

hodge-xj · Jan 13, 2019

joshuaeb09 said:
It would almost 100% be active duty based on the area should I rent it out, but being over an hour away from where I live now the distance is the main hassle. That and I work nights so dealing with anything should it arise would just **** me off by wrecking my already wrecked sleep lol. If I was in a better position to transition to a normal schedule I'd probably go with renting it out for the passive income, but I'd need like 4 or 5 rental's (assuming financed favorably) in order to make up for what I'd lose in the income drop. Luckily I've got a buyer lined up that has their **** together on the cash side of things, but man have they been a bit picky on little **** like slightly weathered trim and the fact some of the paint blends aren't 100% perfect on a house that's been lived in for 5 years. Hell I even replaced all the carpet with the top dollar **** after I moved out compared to the low grade **** that was in it when I bought it. Gotta go drive out there to meet with my realtor this evening for a game plan that hopefully won't cost me much so I can finally get that monkey off my back.

Yea when I was living in that house it was all mostly street/highway driving with the occasional excursion out to where I live now so the 5100's were a huge improvement over stock. The 6112's on my friends trucks that still live out there ride phenomenal on the street, but I haven't had the chance to experience them off the pavement at all. The biggest issue for me is having a bad back (3 surgeries so far) so when I exceed their damping capacity unexpectedly in my current conditions (mainly soft spots that develop or hidden low spots at the water crossings) I notice it a lot more than any of my passengers ever have. I'm also not really pushing any outlandish speeds maybe 45 mph at the most in the smoother bits and less than 10 in the water crossings. but I'd say an average of 25-30 mph overall. That right there is my main temptation to just go hog wild for the most damping I can get even if it costs me a little more.

Oddly enough I don't have the same issue in my Challenger with its solid cradle/braced diff, poly/delrin bushings, Stiffer control arms, and plenty of chassis bracing. That thing just wears out your whole body after a day of hard driving even on some of the rougher farm roads out here, but then again it also stays off the stone aside from dragging ass to/from the nearest pavement avoiding all the short cuts (water crossings/rougher roads).

Good luck on the house, I know how persnickity people can be on things like that. Especially now a days with HGTV and shows making people think houses are gonna be extravagant. Ranting aside hopefully for you it moves along with little issue.

When it comes to back issues and the such, at least in my opinion, I say go for the gold. It costs more initially, but the results have a broader usable platform. They are where you get the 3 dimensional results and they perform comfortably in all the scenarios you throw at them. Kings, valved a bit lighter, say stage 1 or 2 and rock on. I'll definitely keep you posted on how these rear coils pan out. I have a feeling they might be firmer than stock, similar to the 6112s, not that that means they'll ride worse, or even noticeable from stock.

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joshuaeb09 · Jan 13, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Good luck on the house, I know how persnickity people can be on things like that. Especially now a days with HGTV and shows making people think houses are gonna be extravagant. Ranting aside hopefully for you it moves along with little issue.

When it comes to back issues and the such, at least in my opinion, I say go for the gold. It costs more initially, but the results have a broader usable platform. They are where you get the 3 dimensional results and they perform comfortably in all the scenarios you throw at them. Kings, valved a bit lighter, say stage 1 or 2 and rock on. I'll definitely keep you posted on how these rear coils pan out. I have a feeling they might be firmer than stock, similar to the 6112s, not that that means they'll ride worse, or even noticeable from stock.

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That's what I'm leaning towards as well, but maybe with the stage 3 tuning. It's not really firm rides that bother's me so long as they're controlled into the compression and I don't have an abrupt hit. Right now I've got the 1211 coils for towing which are a lot firmer than stock and shorter, but not as bad as say a 2500. Something just a touch softer with more length rather than stiffness for the height would probably be more ideal so I've been investigating swapping them. I wasn't too pleased with my stock rear coils since they would sag really bad even with just something like a few pieces of furniture back there and then I would really notice the bump stops under certain conditions. That drove me to the 1211's when I found them on sale and I probably didn't do as much shopping around as I could've. Depending on what your Billsteins look like I might go after those or I'll look at the Icon's again. My uncle wants my current 1211 coils for his 2wd when he hauls drums around and I would only take like a $20 hit on them with what he offered anyways so they'll more than likely end up gone.

hodge-xj · Jan 13, 2019

joshuaeb09 said:
That's what I'm leaning towards as well, but maybe with the stage 3 tuning. It's not really firm rides that bother's me so long as they're controlled into the compression and I don't have an abrupt hit. Right now I've got the 1211 coils for towing which are a lot firmer than stock and shorter, but not as bad as say a 2500. Something just a touch softer with more length rather than stiffness for the height would probably be more ideal so I've been investigating swapping them. I wasn't too pleased with my stock rear coils since they would sag really bad even with just something like a few pieces of furniture back there and then I would really notice the bump stops under certain conditions. That drove me to the 1211's when I found them on sale and I probably didn't do as much shopping around as I could've. Depending on what your Billsteins look like I might go after those or I'll look at the Icon's again. My uncle wants my current 1211 coils for his 2wd when he hauls drums around and I would only take like a $20 hit on them with what he offered anyways so they'll more than likely end up gone.

Well, there's 3 good options for rear coils. Icons seem to be the go to. Dual rate coils are great multi purpose and everyone seems to love them, and the 75% increase in the second rate or something like that, eibach which net 1.5 of lift and are a 10% increase in rate, and these bilsteins,1" of lift.... which I can't find any info on aside from sales details. I have to assume they are similar and a touch firmer than stock. Eibach and bilstein are both about 175 a set as well so they don't break the bank either.

Oem rear coils are a joke, 2 kayaks in the back dropped my rear end.....seriously like 100lbs with all our gear.

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roadrnnr · Jan 13, 2019

mike19950 said:
They have really stepped up on some things recently. The Daytona line of jacks being one of them. Mine lifts almost 24" and is beefy a.f.

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I just bought the three ton long reach one today. was on sale.

16WhiteQC · Jan 14, 2019

Anyone know if the rear bilstein springs are progressive?

I might have to lift the front a little more to 2" and put ht rear springs in if they are progressive!

hodge-xj · Jan 14, 2019

16WhiteQC said:
Anyone know if the rear bilstein springs are progressive?

I might have to lift the front a little more to 2" and put ht rear springs in if they are progressive!

I'll let you know in a day or 2 when they show up. I believe they are linear tho

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JB1 · Jan 14, 2019

hodge-xj said:
I'll let you know in a day or 2 when they show up. I believe they are linear tho

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look forward to seeing the unboxing pics and dims

hodge-xj · Jan 16, 2019

Nothing really fancy to see. Rear stuff came in. Got the shocks installed. Springs will have to wait till I can get a Jack and stands big enough I can trust working under it. Did the shocks with the truck on the ground. Wasn't hard, just aggravating.

Rear spring dimensions 19.5" hoping to install asap

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JB1 · Jan 16, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Nothing really fancy to see. Rear stuff came in. Got the shocks installed. Springs will have to wait till I can get a Jack and stands big enough I can trust working under it. Did the shocks with the truck on the ground. Wasn't hard, just aggravating.

Rear spring dimensions 19.5" hoping to install

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Were they both the same length even though they have different part numbers?

joshuaeb09 · Jan 16, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Nothing really fancy to see. Rear stuff came in. Got the shocks installed. Springs will have to wait till I can get a Jack and stands big enough I can trust working under it. Did the shocks with the truck on the ground. Wasn't hard, just aggravating.

Rear spring dimensions 19.5" hoping to install asap

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They look beefier than I remember my stock crap being. Can't wait to hear how they ride on the truck and what kind of lift you actually end up with.

ram1500rsm · Jan 16, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Nothing really fancy to see. Rear stuff came in. Got the shocks installed. Springs will have to wait till I can get a Jack and stands big enough I can trust working under it. Did the shocks with the truck on the ground. Wasn't hard, just aggravating.

Rear spring dimensions 19.5" hoping to install asap

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Nice to know they're longer than stock.

hodge-xj · Jan 17, 2019

JB1 said:
Were they both the same length even though they have different part numbers?

I didn't even think to look. I'll check tonight, yesterday was hectic to say the least.

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hodge-xj · Jan 17, 2019

Confirmed, the drivers side is 20" and the passenger is 19.5"

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ram1500rsm · Jan 17, 2019

hodge-xj said:
Confirmed, the drivers side is 20" and the passenger is 19.5"

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You haven't installed this springs yet correct ? what's you're rear mesaurement currently ?

hodge-xj · Jan 17, 2019

ram1500rsm said:
You haven't installed this springs yet correct ? what's you're rear mesaurement currently ?

No I haven't installed them yet, need a jack and taller stands to fully droop the rear axle safely. Shooting for Monday morning install, supposed to be like -10* so work is shutting down, but ill get them installed.

Rear fender is sitting at 39.5"

I'm gonna remeasure hub to fender the day of install in the same spot I took my after picture. I won't be reusing the air bags with the new coils, so I let the air out and want to see if there's a variance in rear height

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Hodges 2016 Bilstein Build

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