Don't kill me but leveling question

[cajun87]

I'm trying not to sound like a total noob dork but i want to level my 2013 outdoorsman 1500 I understand that there are spacers that go on top of the strut, spacers that go between the top of the strut and the spring, and the bilstein 5100's that are ride adjustable. I've read that most ppl on here use and recommend using the bilsteins but i just cant seem to justify buying brand new shocks for a truck that has 700 miles on it. Seems like a waste to me. Please shed some light on my leveling conundrum.

 

[Mgpatton1s]

I went with a Readylift leveling kit which is the spacers and absolutely no problem. 100 bucks or less if you install yourself

 

[chuck]

I'm running the rough country 2.5" leveling kit on my Ram. $129 bucks and also doable on your own. I love the way my truck looks now.

 

[gibby252006]

Most people run the billistein due to them possible lifting the truck at a later time. I have them and I dont like plastic spacer anyways. You get what you pay for just think of that.

 

[Mgpatton1s]

Most people run the billistein due to them possible lifting the truck at a later time. I have them and I dont like plastic spacer anyways. You get what you pay for just think of that.

I mean. Considering I can get a set for 20 dollars more, "you get what you pay for" probably isn't the best phrase...it's just kind of whatever you feel like. Yeah the shocks are adjustable and they have pros but it's not like spacers are bad.

 

[Sharp Charge]

Offroad warehouse does a good comparison between the adjustable shock vs the spacer.

ORW Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable - YouTube

 

[fastNugly]

It's honestly what your budget allows and really if budget is not an issue....what you want to spend.
Nothing wrong with spacers or adjustable shocks.

 

[cajun87]

From what i gather all the bilsteins are is a preloaded spacer the same as one you can put on your stock unit. I could see why spacer on top might cause an issue, but 90% of the leveling kits that get installed around here are spacer on top. It seems if they caused that big of a problem no body would run them. Hell the dealerships install spacer on top kits.

 

[quietpeen]

i don't use bilsteins lol. They are good for lifts where people want the truck as close to level as possible. I have a hbs 2" level spacer and have just a little bit of rake left.

What i did cost a lot less than bilsteins and i don't notice a difference in ride quality. Like stated above, its all about what you want to spend and what you plan to do to the truck.

 

[fastNugly]

Exactly as Butch re iterated.
Its all in what you want and what your wallet allows. There is no right or wrong here..... Just preference is all

 

[sambrian2007]

I'm in the same boat as you trying to figure out what to do with my 2013. I think I'm going to go with the HBS 2.5" spacers. I suspect the Bilsteins are going to be stiffer than stock b/c they are more suited for offroad. I had the Rancho QuickLifts on my F150 and didn't like them b/c they were so stiff.

 

[Hemi395]

Yeah I'm also kind of on the fence about leveling my truck. I do want it to sit higher in the front so it looks like its a 4x4, but my concerns are mainly warranty issues, premature CV joint wear, and killing mpg a bit. Definitely not looking to lift my truck just make it look more like a truck so if I do it it'll probably be spacers...

 

[cajun87]

Shouldn't affect warranty. The dealerships over hear even install them

 

[Mgpatton1s]

Yeah I'm also kind of on the fence about leveling my truck. I do want it to sit higher in the front so it looks like its a 4x4, but my concerns are mainly warranty issues, premature CV joint wear, and killing mpg a bit. Definitely not looking to lift my truck just make it look more like a truck so if I do it it'll probably be spacers...

It won't affect your warranty, and it shouldn't affect your gas mileage. It didn't mine, and like other people said. Most people use the spacers and if it messed up the CV's, we wouldn't use them