Bilsteins don't fit??

[hemiguyinMD]

I have an RC 4" lift on my 1500 and it's time for shocks.
I'm leaning towards the 5100 with the similar travel. But as I read reviews a lot of them say the factory bolts don't fit.
If rather not stop half way thru a job to run to the AP store.
Is there any truth in these reviews?

 

[G-Ride990]

5100s are stock footprint. They will bolt in just fine.

Do you have spacers on your struts now with the RC 4" kit? Reason I ask is because you can remove those spacers if you set the 5100s correctly.

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

Which RC lift do you have? Is it full length struts or coil overs or do you have a spacer on top of your strut? Got any pics of the strut assembly, mainly the top portion?

 

[hemiguyinMD]

Sorry I just realized I didn't clarify.
It's the rear shocks that are my concern.
I've tread more than a few site reviews saying the oem bolts didn't fit the bilstein bushing

 

[hemiguyinMD]

Specifically I'm looking at the 33 185569 n8 because of their length (17.91-29.7) or the 33 104652 (17.01-28.00)
My RC rears measure 16.47"-28.04"

 

[danielmid]

It would be pretty stupid for a bolt in replacement shock to not be able to bolt in. Bilsteins fit fine with stock hardware.

 

[Jacob Maguire]

They bolt in just fine. Are you asking about the extended and collapsed suspension travel lengths?

 

[hemiguyinMD]

I agree. It is pretty dumb that Bilstein doesn't offer a rear shock for a Ram with a 4" lift. They need to extend to 28"
The items I listed are "universal" and have a 5/8" eyelet whereas the Ram uses 1/2".

 

[hunterdan]

I agree. It is pretty dumb that Bilstein doesn't offer a rear shock for a Ram with a 4" lift. They need to extend to 28"
The items I listed are "universal" and have a 5/8" eyelet whereas the Ram uses 1/2".

Rear shocks use a 14mm or 9/16" bolt, not 1/2 or 5/8".

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

We can set you up with the Fox Adventure series shocks that we know bolt right in. Its what we use for RAMs lifted with the Zone 4" kit.

 

[crackerjack1957]

I agree. It is pretty dumb that Bilstein doesn't offer a rear shock for a Ram with a 4" lift. They need to extend to 28"
The items I listed are "universal" and have a 5/8" eyelet whereas the Ram uses 1/2".

This is on my 2014 RC 4-inch lift on the rear.
Bilstein 5125 shocks #33-185569 along with bushing kit #77-87027

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/replacement-rear-shock-for-fox-2-0-bds-4-lift.164999/#post-2325692

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

On the 5125s, you do have to replace the bushings and inserts before they will fit a 1500. I run them on the rear of my 14 ram that is lowered 6 inches with shock extenders. The extenders allow the shocks to be straight up and down vs at an angle like originally from the factory.

Ride is 100% improved and I don't have to use the explorer shocks for the rear that are recommended by Inez.

My experience

 

[hemiguyinMD]

Well.......
Things seem to have changed over the years.
I just removed the struts from the truck. They have factory coils but NOT factory shocks. These are longer by about 2 1/2 inches. (And I broke the hex end trying to remove the top bolt. Dammit)
I have my new adjustable Bilsteins that, as you can see, are much much shorter.
Now I have two issues.
1- how to remove the top nut from the existing strut
2- how to get my height back. A 2 1/2" spacer?
I just spent $500 and my truck is on stands. Please help

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

5100s have a ring that allows the adjustment of ride height. The can go up to 2.8, but over 2.1 probably will cause issues with ball joints

Do you have the adjustment ring. You can see the groves right on the shock body.

In addition you need the bottom cup off your current struts. You can buy the top cup from kyb for about $40.

 

[hemiguyinMD]

Yep. Got all that. Got them all assembled too.
The overall length is different by 2 1/2 inches because of didn't realize the ones I just removed were indeed not factory. The ones I removed are indeed longer.
The control

 

[hemiguyinMD]

So i learned the downfalls of assuming.
The 5100 adjustable shock lifts the front by increasing spring tension. The bolt to bolt mounting length is too short for my application and requires spacers if i wish to use them.
The 5125 rear comes stock with bushings for a 1/2" install bolt that is also too short. They require a bushing kit to fit them on my Ram, as someone mentioned. I opted to remove the old bushings and reinstall them on the 5125.
Now I wait until 9/4 for my next delivery so I can reassemble and drive.
Thanks for all the input. I learned a lot!!