Bilstein 5100 vs 6112

[mpwolf]

I was able to grab some 6112's, 5165 reservoir rear, and Bilstein 1" lift coils. The rears went in slick as snot, and the ride is way better. It turns out there were 2.5" spacers over the factory coils, and the shocks were totally shot. No wonder the ride was so harsh.Unfortunately the fronts did not go in nearly as smoothly. The bolts won't come out of the lower control arms. My thought was to replace the upper control arms, but now I'm thinking I had better replace the bottoms as well. I see plenty of talk about UCA's for lifted applications, but what do I look for when shopping for LCA's?

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Check in with @Quick_Shifter he is an expert on these items

 

[Quick_Shifter]

I was able to grab some 6112's, 5165 reservoir rear, and Bilstein 1" lift coils. The rears went in slick as snot, and the ride is way better. It turns out there were 2.5" spacers over the factory coils, and the shocks were totally shot. No wonder the ride was so harsh.Unfortunately the fronts did not go in nearly as smoothly. The bolts won't come out of the lower control arms. My thought was to replace the upper control arms, but now I'm thinking I had better replace the bottoms as well. I see plenty of talk about UCA's for lifted applications, but what do I look for when shopping for LCA's?

Call the dealer and order new bolts and nuts for the lower strut. And the mevotec LCA’s are an excellent choice however the dealer OEM may surprise you. @AllMoparParts.com can set you up with exactly what you need

 

[mrack]

If your lower strut bolt is seized then the lower control arm to frame bolts will definitely be seized as well. They need to be free to get an alignment. Sawzall them out with a carbide tip blade and replace those bolts as well.

 

[mpwolf]

Thanks guys- exactly the info I was looking for.

 

[mpwolf]

Full disclosure- I’m not doing the work. My guy got the nut off the shock bolt, but can’t get the bolt out, and is concerned about damaging the bushing. My thought is to simply order OEM Mopar LCAs and aftermarket UCAs. At least then we’ll know what we’re dealing with.

 

[olyelr]

Full disclosure- I’m not doing the work. My guy got the nut off the shock bolt, but can’t get the bolt out, and is concerned about damaging the bushing. My thought is to simply order OEM Mopar LCAs and aftermarket UCAs. At least then we’ll know what we’re dealing with.

Itsa good thought for sure

 

[mpwolf]

what should I be looking at for UCAs? Not looking for Gucci. Solid and dependable with the right geometry for 6112’s set at 2.8”

 

[canadianhemi17]

I have the 5100s and wish I’d got the 6112s all the time. The 5100s are great for what they are and I’d recommend them for most people, but just not quite enough shock for what I use this truck for. At the time I had just spend $1500 on icon coilovers which turned out to be a disastrous fail and was looking for the most tried and true strut possible.

What front bumper is that in your photo? I love it. Most of the aftermarket offroad bumpers I find give the trucks a "underbite" sort of look, like the bottom bumper sticks out way too far for the rest of the body lines, but that one you have looks great!

 

[mrack]

What front bumper is that in your photo? I love it. Most of the aftermarket offroad bumpers I find give the trucks a "underbite" sort of look, like the bottom bumper sticks out way too far for the rest of the body lines, but that one you have looks great!

It’s a Hooke road bumper. Would recommend