2014 Ram 4x4 outdoorsman shock upgrade

[Dflorea]

I’m think about upgrading my shocks. Not necessarily lifting maybe 1in. But want a better off road performance as I will ride down washboard gravel and into mud and dirt ruts at time on hunting trips. Oh, and I’ll travel 1000 miles on highways to get to my destinations. Maybe I’m asking for too much but I’ll compromise. Any thoughts out there other than purchasing a new vehicle?

 

[kurek]

For the money it's hard to beat the Bilstein 5100s.. Tons of people run them for a reason. They will allow you to stay stock or go up 0.7" up to 2.1" above the original outdoorsman raised height.

If you want to go harder fox and kings and icon will all do what you're after, not as inexpensive as the Bilsteins but built even stronger.

 

[hodge-xj]

I’m think about upgrading my shocks. Not necessarily lifting maybe 1in. But want a better off road performance as I will ride down washboard gravel and into mud and dirt ruts at time on hunting trips. Oh, and I’ll travel 1000 miles on highways to get to my destinations. Maybe I’m asking for too much but I’ll compromise. Any thoughts out there other than purchasing a new vehicle?

How much is your budget? There's plenty of good choices out there and I'm pretty sure there's quite a few of us that have all run whatever combination you can imagine.

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[Mossybloak]

I really love my Rancho Quicklifts. They don't quite level the truck but they do raise it a little more than it sits stock (Outdoorsman). Also, since the spring and shock are built to work together you get an excellent ride. They are also extremely easy to install.

 

[Ecofx86]

if u want better ride look into the

Eibach Pro-Truck Sport Front Adjustable Shock for 0-3 in. Lift (09-18 4WD RAM 1500)

 

[novelmike]

I really love my Rancho Quicklifts. They don't quite level the truck but they do raise it a little more than it sits stock (Outdoorsman). Also, since the spring and shock are built to work together you get an excellent ride. They are also extremely easy to install.

I agree with this.
With the Rancho’s you can have them set for your pavement ride and then turn a knob on the bottom of the shock for your off-road ride. The “1” setting compared to the “9” setting on the shock is a HUGE difference in ride quality.
Just remove your stock, and bolt these in.

 

[joshuaeb09]

The 5100's are a decent upgrade over stock, but that isn't saying a whole lot. The Rancho's are about in the same league, but easier to install without having to deal with death traps (Spring Compressors). The next step up would something like the Fox 2.0 C/O's, but I would personally take the 6112's over those like what @hodge-xj is running on his truck. After that costs goes up quite a bit if you want to go to the next level with 2.5" bodies and resi's etc.

It really depends on how much you want to spend and how good you want it to perform off road. The cost curve between the two isn't really linear, but only you can really judge how much it's worth to you.

 

[Dflorea]

“easier to install without having to deal with death traps (Spring Compressors). The next step up would something like the Fox 2.0 C/O's, but I would personally take the 6112's over those like wh”

6112 what make is this ?

 

[Dflorea]

“easier to install without having to deal with death traps (Spring Compressors). The next step up would something like the Fox 2.0 C/O's, but I would personally take the 6112's over those like wh”

6112 what make is this ?

 

[pacofortacos]

Why are spring compressors death traps?? They aren't hard to use, a possible hand hazard but that's about it. I have been using them since the 80's and have never even seen anyone get hurt, let alone killed.

 

[Dflorea]

Local 4x4 shop recommended rancheros. My engineer nephew recommended fox 2.0. 6112 are Bilstein? I’d like to stay around a $1000. Truck is paid off. 70000 miles on it. It runs great and no major issues so far. Which is unusual for me to keep a vehicle since I usually trade and get new after pay off.

 

[Dflorea]

It’s narrowed down to Bilstein 6112 $1500 Or fox 2.5 front 2.0 rear. Over $$3000. My price point favors the Bilstein Route.

 

[ram1500rsm]

Who's is quoting you? Icon stage 1 is about $1600, 2.5 body front, 2.0 body rear. Fox 2.5 will be a little more because Fox gives you reservoirs and Icon doesn't, though the Fox 2.0 shocks are a little cheaper than Icon. Fox 2.5 front with Fox 2.0 rear will be close in price. Add your choice of ucas.
You can get King or Fox 2.5 front and rear with res for about $2500. Add your choice of ucas.

 

[Dflorea]

Who's is quoting you? Icon stage 1 is about $1600, 2.5 body front, 2.0 body rear. Fox 2.5 will be a little more because Fox gives you reservoirs and Icon doesn't, though the Fox 2.0 shocks are a little cheaper than Icon. Fox 2.5 front with Fox 2.0 rear will be close in price. Add your choice of ucas.
You can get King or Fox 2.5 front and rear with res for about $2500. Add your choice of ucas.

 

[Dflorea]

A shop called Four wheel Diversified Quoted Fox 2.5 front 2.0 rear over $3400.

 

[hodge-xj]

A shop called Four wheel Diversified Quoted Fox 2.5 front 2.0 rear over $3400.

So unless you really plan on running the **** out of your truck you don't "need" resivoir shocks. The extra cooling and cavitation resistance is more high speed oriented across some pretty harsh environments.

Not saying they aren't badass and worth the money, just saying unless you really are gonna use them to their potential it's wasted money. I have the bilstein 6112s with fox 2.0 rear shocks. I have been pushing my truck pretty hard and have yet to find their limits. In the future I'm gonna be upgrading to kings or fox 2.5z but I also plan on progressing into some Raptor organized events. I'm all for bigger is better when it comes to suspension, but also know ya might not wanna drop 3500.

If you're only planning on small lift and normal fire road driving I gotta say these 6112s will be leaps and bounds over the stock stuff. Especially on a budget

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[joshuaeb09]

Why are spring compressors death traps?? They aren't hard to use, a possible hand hazard but that's about it. I have been using them since the 80's and have never even seen anyone get hurt, let alone killed.

A wall mount sure. Love those things makes the job super easy. The typical "insert auto parts store here" rentals I've seen some bad things when one of those bolts eventually fails from wear/fatigue. Usually fairly safe, but you start compressing some stiff springs in those things and it gets real scary real fast once you do some math lol.

 

[ram1500rsm]

A shop called Four wheel Diversified Quoted Fox 2.5 front 2.0 rear over $3400.

Check here with one of the forum vendors, Nick@GotExhaust
He'll get you a way better deal

 

[ram1500rsm]

Some examples from online vendors:

Icon Stage 1, $1500
https://performancelifts.com/icon-2009-2018-ram-1500-4x4-stage-1-k213001.html

Fox 2.0 rear shocks, FOX985-24-032, $149 each
FOX985-24-032
https://performancelifts.com/fox-ram-1500-performance-series-rear-shock-985-24-032.html


Fox 2.5 CO's, $1494
https://performancelifts.com/fox-2009-2018-ram-1500-4x4-factory-series-coilover-883-02-080.html

Radflo 2.5 front and rear, best deal i've seen out there at $2250 for the whole chit
https://performancelifts.com/radflo-dodge-ram-1500-4x4-coilover.html

King 2.5 CO's $1599
https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/king-ram-1500-4wd-09-front-2-5-dia-remote-reservoir-coil/

King 2.5 rear shocks, $949
https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/king-ram-1500-4wd-09-rear-2-5-dia-piggyback-reservoir-shock/

 

[MidwestExpress]

A shop called Four wheel Diversified Quoted Fox 2.5 front 2.0 rear over $3400.

Yikes, that's like $1,500 in labor charges.