Ordered a set of Bilstein 5100 shocks

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I just ordered a set of front and rear bilstein 5100 shocks for my 2015 ram 2500. I figured at 155000 miles it is overdue for a set. I put a leveling kit on about a year ago and have been wanting to put these on so I can do away with the shock extension. Never really liked the idea of putting an extension on but it has been ok with no problems and it did serve its purpose. Anyway it should improve the ride a little over the factory shocks that I’m sure are worn out.
So if anybody has any tips on the install which should be pretty straight forward it would be greatly appreciated. In my case most things that seem like it will be an easy job end up a total pain in the ass. Thanks
 

White six four

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
444
Reaction score
688
Location
Wisconsin
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.4
For removing the factory rears I recommend a sawzall and metal cutting blade for the top nut. Unless yours aren't rusted or you've been spraying them with penetrating oil for awhile.
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Thanks I’ll keep that in mind. Hopefully I won’t be needing to cut anything.
 

dieseldave

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Posts
249
Reaction score
100
Location
Little Suamico
Ram Year
2021
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I just ordered a set of front and rear bilstein 5100 shocks for my 2015 ram 2500. I figured at 155000 miles it is overdue for a set. I put a leveling kit on about a year ago and have been wanting to put these on so I can do away with the shock extension. Never really liked the idea of putting an extension on but it has been ok with no problems and it did serve its purpose. Anyway it should improve the ride a little over the factory shocks that I’m sure are worn out.
So if anybody has any tips on the install which should be pretty straight forward it would be greatly appreciated. In my case most things that seem like it will be an easy job end up a total pain in the ass. Thanks
Can you tell me where you ordered them from ? Were the in stock ?
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Yes they were in stock. I got them from suspension connection. Just ordered them yesterday and got an email they were shipping today.
 

White six four

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
444
Reaction score
688
Location
Wisconsin
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.4
Hopefully you won't have too. WI winters took a toll so rather then struggling I took the easy route. Also for the rears for that top nut. Passenger side you can get to it from inside underneath the truck. Drivers side more then likely you'll have to remove the wheel well liner and go through the wheel well opening. Or just remove the liner on both sides if you have the time.
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I agree. I’m going to start soaking them with some kroil now. Probably won’t be installing them until at least next week or so. Thanks for the advice
 
Last edited:

bdc2

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Posts
193
Reaction score
90
Location
Ks.
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4
I think you’ll have to cut them off . I had to on mine at like 25k miles
 
Joined
May 27, 2021
Posts
48
Reaction score
43
Location
Spokane, WA
Ram Year
2015
Engine
6.4
You'll love them, even if it's a hassle to get them off. If I remember right, I pulled the fender liners out to do the rears, the fronts just push out of the way with some persuasion.

I'd definitely spray any of the fasteners for a few days, just to give you a little help.
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Should be here tomorrow. We will see if fedex delivers on time or not. I’m soaking down the areas that are needed so hopefully will help out. Luckily I have a warm place to install them when I do. Removing the liners seem to be a no brainer to make things easier. Again I appreciate the advice from all.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Still have yet to put them on but Im hoping they will take care of the wheel hop I experience when locking 4wd in. Got a little hung up in a pile of about 15in of snow at the end of my street after the plow trucks came thru so I locked it in 4wd to get going again. The wheel hop was bad enough to the point I had to let up. My truck came factory with the axle shock but I dont think it helps a whole bunch. Im thinking or hoping the new 5100s will help out but Im sure its the empty bed and no weight.
 

Elc-1973

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2021
Posts
15
Reaction score
9
Location
Colorado
Ram Year
2022
Engine
6.7 Cummins
Just did my rears the other night. what a pain in the a$$, I ended up cutting the tops off as they were pretty seized. Now that i know I will just cut them in the future. It was also -10 outside so that didn't help with my patience level! Also FYI I put antiseize on them for future removal possibly, they way they sit on top of the frame i'm sure the water just collects and rusts them.
Good luck with the install.
 

dlromo

Senior Member
Joined
May 15, 2018
Posts
226
Reaction score
427
Location
TX
Ram Year
2020
Engine
Hemi 6.4
How’s the ride compared to stock?
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Put the fronts on so far and the ride is a little better but nothing to get excited about. They do look better if nothing else. Didn’t really expect it to be mind blowing anyway. Maybe once I get the rears on I will notice a difference. That top bolt will definitely need to be cut off or I have a nut splitter that I’m going to try before cutting. Definitely a pain but I will get it eventually.
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
Where exactly are you guys cutting on the top shaft? Above or below the big washer? If I go below do I go through the rubber bushing? Problem with going above I see is getting under the nut since that washer is con-caved.
 

bdc2

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Posts
193
Reaction score
90
Location
Ks.
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4
I cut the nut at a diagonal spun it and cut it again and then nocked it off if I remember right
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I cut the nut at a diagonal spun it and cut it again and then nocked it off if I remember right
Ok thanks. I will see if I can get in there at an angle enough to cut it. People aren’t kidding when they say it’s a pain in the ass.
 

bdc2

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Posts
193
Reaction score
90
Location
Ks.
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4
Ok thanks. I will see if I can get in there at an angle enough to cut it. People aren’t kidding when they say it’s a pain in the ass.
I have a dewalt sawzall that you can put the blade in sideways as well as up and down. Sideways gave me a little more room to work.
 

HuskerRam

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Posts
307
Reaction score
465
Location
Tucson, AZ
Ram Year
2022
Engine
3.0 Ecodiesel
When I did it last weekend (installed 5100s up front), I used an 18mm socket that was held by a vice grip to hold the nut. Then I used an 8mm deep socket attached to my impact driver. Coated the nut thoroughly with WD-40 and started loosening.

IMHO, the ride quality is a little stiffer (as reported by everyone else) but it feels better.
 
OP
OP
buckeyexx

buckeyexx

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Posts
677
Reaction score
704
Location
Ohio
Ram Year
2016 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I have a dewalt sawzall that you can put the blade in sideways as well as up and down. Sideways gave me a little more room to work.
Nice! I’m using a small snap on battery powered sawzaw. It gets in the space fine but still trying to figure out the best way and spot to cut.
When I did it last weekend (installed 5100s up front), I used an 18mm socket that was held by a vice grip to hold the nut. Then I used an 8mm deep socket attached to my impact driver. Coated the nut thoroughly with WD-40 and started loosening.

IMHO, the ride quality is a little stiffer (as reported by everyone else) but it feels better.
The front were much easier for sure. Didn’t have a problem with getting them out since I have a ton of room. I just used a 3/8 drive impact to break the nuts loose. I did have to run it up and down a couple of times on the passenger side but it came off pretty easy. I personally dont feel like the ride is anymore stiff than before. I just lower the air pressure in the tires and seems to smooth things out.
 
Top