Budget vs High End Leveling

[PDXRam]

Hey fellas,

Looking into different ways of leveling my new truck. I know a ton of members have experience with Bilstein's in the front and new UCA's as well. But who has experience with a more high end way of leveling like the one offered from Carli Suspension? Or a kit from Icon?

The truck will not really be used off road and I'm probably putting on somewhere around a 34" tire or 305/55/20. I'm wondering if that extra $1,000 you spend for Carli/Icon is really worth it for the ride quality and maintaining factory geometry. I'm planning on having this truck for years and want to treat it well.

Carli Commuter 2.0 Kit:
http://www.cjcoffroad.com/Carli-Suspension-Ram-1500-4x4-Commuter-Kit-p/cs-ram15c20.htm

Icon Kits:
http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop/424-complete-suspension-systems

The truck is still at the stealership but I'm thinking about having them do it unless it's too much of a robbery. Any feedback on either of the options is much appreciated, as well as what you guys use for UCA's. I know Zone are popular, and Mevotech.

 

[bigred74]

Well if you want the truck to be level the carli one also lifts the rear 3/4in so you will only net an 1 1/4in lift in the front and I'm sure your rake is 3in. All depends how you want it to sit

 

[JB1]

I cant speak for the Icon kit as I went with a suspension lift. I did look at their UCA but I don’t like uniball Control Arms, I prefer a conventional ball joint so I went with Zone since it uses a Moog ball joint that any mechanic shop can source locally. I did add Bilstein 6112’s with my lift and it rides great, there’s a few here with them.
https://www.bilstein.com/int/en/product/bilstein-b8-6112/

 

[PDXRam]

Well if you want the truck to be level the carli one also lifts the rear 3/4in so you will only net an 1 1/4in lift in the front and I'm sure your rake is 3in. All depends how you want it to sit

Check this out. The commuter system is the one with Fox shocks, not King shocks. According to the video they are adjustable and would be able to level the truck. Thoughts?



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[Ravjay12]

If you’re not

Hey fellas,

Looking into different ways of leveling my new truck. I know a ton of members have experience with Bilstein's in the front and new UCA's as well. But who has experience with a more high end way of leveling like the one offered from Carli Suspension? Or a kit from Icon?

The truck will not really be used off road and I'm probably putting on somewhere around a 34" tire or 305/55/20. I'm wondering if that extra $1,000 you spend for Carli/Icon is really worth it for the ride quality and maintaining factory geometry. I'm planning on having this truck for years and want to treat it well.

Carli Commuter 2.0 Kit:
http://www.cjcoffroad.com/Carli-Suspension-Ram-1500-4x4-Commuter-Kit-p/cs-ram15c20.htm

Icon Kits:
http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop/424-complete-suspension-systems

The truck is still at the stealership but I'm thinking about having them do it unless it's too much of a robbery. Any feedback on either of the options is much appreciated, as well as what you guys use for UCA's. I know Zone are popular, and Mevotech.

If you’re not using the truck offroad, I would suggest Bilsteins and Zone arms. The Icon and Carli stuff is overkill.

 

[PDXRam]

I cant speak for the Icon kit as I went with a suspension lift. I did look at their UCA but I don’t like uniball Control Arms, I prefer a conventional ball joint so I went with Zone since it uses a Moog ball joint that any mechanic shop can source locally. I did add Bilstein 6112’s with my lift and it rides great, there’s a few here with them.
https://www.bilstein.com/int/en/product/bilstein-b8-6112/

And what is the difference both performance-, price- and setup-wise between Bistein 6112 and 5100 (most people have been using 5100 correct)?

I'm taking a look at the Bilstein website. What would be a good setup then? Take a look at this:

https://bilsteinlifts.com/shop/ram/...5160-0-1-rear-lift-shocks-11-17-ram-1500-4wd/

Or this and possibly add UCA's:
http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop...ge-ram-1500-4wd-suspension-system-stage1.html

 

[Ravjay12]

And what is the difference both performance-, price- and setup-wise between Bistein 6112 and 5100 (most people have been using 5100 correct)?

I'm taking a look at the Bilstein website. What would be a good setup then? Take a look at this:

https://bilsteinlifts.com/shop/ram/...5160-0-1-rear-lift-shocks-11-17-ram-1500-4wd/

Or this and possibly add UCA's:
http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop...ge-ram-1500-4wd-suspension-system-stage1.html

Again, it’s what you’re going to be doing with the truck. If you want the look with some performance and rare light offroading, go with the 5100. If most of your driving takes you offroad, go with the ICON, Carli, or Bilstein 6112.
I do mostly street, so I chose the 5100 series front and rear set at 2.8 with ICON rear 1.5” coils, and Zone offroad arms.
All these options basically have the same feel, it’s just how much you want to spend.

 

[JB1]

I researched a lot, I looked at many forums (here and non dodge or ram forums like Tacoma or pirate4x4 wherever the search led me), I also watched a lot of videos (everyday people with real usage not sponsors etc.). I searched things like "bilstein problems"..."fox coilover leaking" "KING coilover noises" just whatever I could come up with on youtube.

Just do some research, you have time, then weigh the pros/cons and make a purchase

 

[PDXRam]

I researched a lot, I looked at many forums (here and non dodge or ram forums like Tacoma or pirate4x4 wherever the search led me), I also watched a lot of videos (everyday people with real usage not sponsors etc.). I searched things like "bilstein problems"..."fox coilover leaking" "KING coilover noises" just whatever I could come up with on youtube.

Just do some research, you have time, then weigh the pros/cons and make a purchase

What did you come up with through your research? I've done quite a bit but I come from a history of having a 6" BDS lifted truck. I'm leaning towards Bilstein 6112's in the front and Bilstein's in the rear too. Should I worry about changing UCA's too or that's not necessary with the 6112's? Thanks for any help, appreciate it!

 

[PDXRam]

Got a quote for front Bilstein 6112 and rear Bilstein 5160 for $1,600 including parts and labor. Is this decent or should I be looking elsewhere?!

 

[JayRam15]

Id say that is a good price. I got quoted $1800 including alignment. Which is why I chose to buy parts on my own and just get install.
I can say you will like the 6112.
I upgraded uca just for peace of mind and reading recommended above 2.1 to have it done. Don’t regret it one bit. Also comparing stock to the zone uca it is night and day. Worth the money.

 

[JB1]

I went with the 6112's and have no regrets, I also have a 6" BDS, they don't make a 5160 for mine so I just got the rear 5100.

pics here
http://www.ramforum.com/threads/my-ram-night-on-37s.110444/



http://www.ramforum.com/threads/install-price-for-6112-and-5160.116963/

http://www.ramforum.com/threads/16-sport-4x4-bil-6112-and-5160.111165/

 

[moparpeetie]

Got a quote for front Bilstein 6112 and rear Bilstein 5160 for $1,600 including parts and labor. Is this decent or should I be looking elsewhere?!

With Bils there is no need for new UCA's. That is unless you have you heart set on them. If you have any mechanical ability and time its an easy install for both. If you don't have access to a spring compressor, any shop will charge you around $40 to compress the coils and install Bils. So for some time and under $50 labor costs you can do it yourself...save a grand!!!

 

[PDXRam]

With Bils there is no need for new UCA's. That is unless you have you heart set on them. If you have any mechanical ability and time its an easy install for both. If you don't have access to a spring compressor, any shop will charge you around $40 to compress the coils and install Bils. So for some time and under $50 labor costs you can do it yourself...save a grand!!!

Unfortunately I don’t have any tools at all, nor the knowledge to do it. I’m not going to screw around with something that drives 65+ mph on the freeway and risk that I messed something up. Not about that life[emoji6]


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