Bilsteins or ReadyLift Leveling

[SJ Ram]

This is my first post, so let me start by introducing myself. I just bought my first Ram truck (2014 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 Maximum Steel). I love my truck, but cannot stand the aluminum clad wheels. I have my eye on a set of Fuel Hostage (chrome) wheels with Open Country A/T 2s. I want to level the front end to prevent rubbing...and that, finally, leads me to my question. I talked to the local wheel shop today and they suggest a ReadyLift level kit, but a lot of the research I did on here was leaning toward the Bilstein 5100 adjustable struts. I would like to get some input regarding pros and cons of going one route, or the other.

Thanks in advance for all the help! I added a picture of the new love of my life (after my wife and daughter of course...)

 

[BoldAdventure]

Welcome, congrats on the new ride and congrats on being able to use the "search" function.

So the Blisteins are adjustable, which is a plus, where the Readylift will be static and fixed height.

The big concern I seem to see around these parts is the 13+ guys have issues with their upper balljoint boot shredding and it being out of position. This is why some buy the upper control arm kits. From my understanding, you can bypass this with the Blisteins.

 

[Andrew09HEMI]

What offset on the wheels are you looking at? The Bils seem to be a great choice, I love the ProComps personally but either way Id look into getting new UCAs just to prevent anything unsafe happening especially with the family. Mevotechs seem to be affordable and increased performance over stock so consider those with either kit. And back to my offset question, thatll be dependent on how much lift you may need

 

[SJ Ram]

and congrats on being able to use the "search" function.

That is why this is my first post, lots of good information already out there...but I think I read just enough to confuse myself.

What offset on the wheels are you looking at? The Bils seem to be a great choice, I love the ProComps personally but either way Id look into getting new UCAs just to prevent anything unsafe happening especially with the family. Mevotechs seem to be affordable and increased performance over stock so consider those with either kit. And back to my offset question, thatll be dependent on how much lift you may need

The Hostages (20x10) come with a standard offset of -12. I might be missing it, but I can't find Mevotech UCAs for the 2014.

 

[Westwind1124a]

Bil's kick ass! you're going to love the rambox too!

 

[HemiRoar]

I might be missing it, but I can't find Mevotech UCAs for the 2014.

From what I have read, 13-14 Rams can be outfitted with 09-12 Mevotech UCAs. I think Xrsman was the one that pointed that out in another thread for his new Longhorn.

Very nice truck btw.

EDIT: here - http://www.ramforum.com/f40/2013_2014_ram_1500s_-_leveling_lift_kits_ball_joints-53625/

1st page, scroll down, you'll see the part #

 

[SJ Ram]

Okay, I am going with the Bilsteins, Fuel Hostage (PVD finish) and Toyo Open Country AT2 (35x12.5). I got a quote from a local shop (found on yelp with lots of good reviews) for $3500 to install Bilsteins, swap TPMS, mount, balance and alignment. Can anybody with a similar setup let me know if this sounds reasonable? The only thing that makes me a little hesitant is they are quoting it as a "package deal" and wont give me an itemized breakdown.

Thanks in advance!

 

[homebrew]

Install the bils yourself and use your savings to take yourself out to a nice dinner. Just did mine, took about 3 1/2 hours to do. Much of that time was spent finding tools hooking up the compressor and figuring out what I was doing on the driver side. Once I got to the passenger side it literally took me 45 mins from the time I took the lugs off till I put them back on again.

 

[Csanders1992]

Really 3500 probably isn't a bad deal on all that if that's including wheels and tires also. Probably 1200 for wheels 1400 for tires and 250 for Bilsteins. Mounting and balancing and swapping tps at discount tire is like 150. So your looking at around 500 in labor. This is all just estimates, I didn't look up any prices lol


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[ElTerrible]

what size wheels are you looking to get? if they are 20s 3500 sounds reasonable with all the additions included. and welcome to rf.

 

[SJ Ram]

Yes, 20" wheels. I thought $3500 sounded pretty good after doing some research on tirerack.com, just didn't like not having a detailed breakdown.

Thanks for the input!

Install the bils yourself and use your savings to take yourself out to a nice dinner. Just did mine, took about 3 1/2 hours to do. Much of that time was spent finding tools hooking up the compressor and figuring out what I was doing on the driver side. Once I got to the passenger side it literally took me 45 mins from the time I took the lugs off till I put them back on again.

Did you have to rent a spring compressor to do the install yourself?

 

[homebrew]

Yes I did. I watched the YouTube video for guidance, the guy in the video had to muscle the wrench to get the spring compressed. Life was much easier with the compressor and impact wrench.

 

[Jarhead57]

Install the bils yourself

My time is money....so I paid my guy 75$ to do mine while I sat across the street in a little park with a cold one under a big shade tree and read a book.

 

[chipmaker]

My time is money....so I paid my guy 75$ to do mine while I sat across the street in a little park with a cold one under a big shade tree and read a book.

Me too, $100 for struts, 70 for alignment.

 

[Caldwell]

Welcome to the Forum, and congrats on Max Steel !.

3500$ for what you listed does'nt sound outrageous.

Toyo At-2's in a 35x12.50x20 average price is ( 1350-1400$ )

Fuel Hostage Rims 20x9 or 20x10 average price is ( 1200-1300$ )

Bilsteins from Moes Performance - Fronts Only is ( 220$ )

without labor / alignment / tpms factored in your already on the 3k$ bubble.