Everything Bilstein Mega Thread

[stimpy433]

Looks good, but of course it'll look way better after some new rims and tires though
Did you go with the 2.8 or 2.1 setting? Can you check your fender measurements for me? From the ground to center of fender, front and rear. Thanks!!

After measurement fronts measure 39.75" and rears measure 39.25". I'll give another week or so then remeasure it to see how settling there is after I get some miles on it. Planning on adding 1" rear coil spacers to the back once it settles.

 

[novelmike]

After measurement fronts measure 39.75" and rears measure 39.25". I'll give another week or so then remeasure it to see how settling there is after I get some miles on it. Planning on adding 1" rear coil spacers to the back once it settles.

Thanks for the measurements! Looks like I'll be pulling my Rancho Quicklift out, hopefully sooner than later. I'm at 38.50 front and 40" rear. And I've got 285/75/17 tires on!

 

[DamnRam1500]

After reading a lot I still feel like I'm reading mixed answers on the following.

What is the latest word on doing the Bilstein 5100 set at 2.1 with out doing the upper control arms and ball joints? Will my oem ball joints blow out?

Mall crawler with very occasional off pavement fun.

Oem Sport 20" wheels with 3:21 gears 5.7 4x4 8 speed.

I want to do a level, not a lift but I don't want to have adverse side effects. I just don't have the extra $400 for upper control arms.

I'm looking to run a 34" or 35x11.50 tire.

Also how much will I hate life going with bigger tires and 3:21s? Mpg/power loss?

Finally, WTF is up with this Amazon pop up constantly popping up?

 

[69GWC]

Mine are at 2.8 on stock a arms, many run stock a arms with no problems.
Movotech a arms work good and are nowhere near $400 .

Going to 35s with 3:21s and think it will be fine, did not buy this truck for drag racing ,to big and heavy for that and even with 3:92s they still are not fast..lol

 

[R.L.K.]

After reading a lot I still feel like I'm reading mixed answers on the following.

What is the latest word on doing the Bilstein 5100 set at 2.1 with out doing the upper control arms and ball joints? Will my oem ball joints blow out?

Mall crawler with very occasional off pavement fun.

Oem Sport 20" wheels with 3:21 gears 5.7 4x4 8 speed.

I want to do a level, not a lift but I don't want to have adverse side effects. I just don't have the extra $400 for upper control arms.

I'm looking to run a 34" or 35x11.50 tire.

Also how much will I hate life going with bigger tires and 3:21s? Mpg/power loss?

Finally, WTF is up with this Amazon pop up constantly popping up?

@ 2.1 " & light offroad only you will be fine with your OEM ucas !

Mevotech UCA'S are less than $50 ea and are very solid with a greasable ball joint if you feel you just gotta upgrade from stock , but no need for you imo Sir .

I installed my bils @ +2.8" and I offroad on a regular basis, sometimes extreme this is why I installed a beefier uca in the Mevotecs.


You will loose a bit of mpgs 2 - 3 mpg based on your driving style .

Your 8 speed xsmn has lower gearing in 1rst , 2nd & 3rd as opposed to the 6 speed guys so even with the 321 differentials you will loose very litle power .

Post up pics when your done !

If you're doing the bilsteins install yourself or having a " Professional "
shop doing it READ this link below .



http://www.ramforum.com/showthread.php?p=1206420


As i included some helpful advice and tips , especially on the WASHER placement.

Good luck !

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[DamnRam1500]

Thank for the quick response guys.

I've built many lifted and trail ready jeeps so I will tackle this job on my own. I've read a lot of the tips and tricks like washer placement and puttting the lower spring seat on correctly.

As far as $400 A arms I was referring to the Zone A arms.

I didn't buy mine to be a speed demon but I was bummed it didn't have the 392s like the other truck I was oriygoing to buy. I never thought to check before signing on the dotted line.

I just want to make sure it won't be sucking down gallons per mile and still have some power off the line. I'm a lead foot in denial.

I will definitely post pictures when I'm done. I just need to save for the Bills and some tires. I'm going with Nitto Crossteks because they look beefy but have an all season tread and I drive 70 miles round trip every day.

 

[JB1]

You should get the mevotech forged UCA's, they are approx $38ea from rockauto and easy to change during strut replacement.

 

[swh822]

Would buy the mevotech UCAs for cheap insurance, much better then factory..


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[crazykid1994]

Installed the bils a week ago. Wow is all I can say. The ride is so much better in my opinion. Not exactly stiffer but it just rides smoother and firmer. It's been raining so I took it out for a spin. Set at 2.1 front with a 1" rear spacer

Just for show but the zone UCAs are freaking crazy huge and a lot beefier


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[Hemi395]

Replaced my rear shocks with Bils yesterday. We just got a TT and when going over any imperfections in the road the rear of the truck would start bouncing almost uncontrollably. The stock shock I could compress with on hand whereas the Bils took most of my weight to compress. Ride quality is virtually the same as before. Pretty damn impressive

 

[Goose_1327]

Any opinions on running 25-242393 (5160s) Bils in the rear rather than the 5100s?


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[Hemi395]

What's the difference between the 5100s and the 5160s?

 

[Goose_1327]

Seems to me the main difference is the 5160s are slightly longer to accommodate lift and also include the reservoir




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[R.L.K.]

What's the difference between the 5100s and the 5160s?

I believe the 5100 series are the adjustable ones for the front end only for use inside the coil as a strut assy.

Adjustments are :

Stock highth
+.7"
+1.4"
+2.1"
& +2.8" on the 5100's

Other Bilstein P/N 's are not adjustable to my knowledge ..
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong ...

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[zstampe]

Bilstein’s at 2.8 and a 1” rear spacer with 35/12.50/20’s.

Been on the bilsteins for almost 20k Miles with no issues.


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[R.L.K.]

Bilstein’s at 2.8 and a 1” rear spacer with 35/12.50/20’s.

Been on the bilsteins for almost 20k Miles with no issues.


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Nice , looks like stock 20X9 +19mm wheels , any rubbage Sir ?

I'm on Bills @ + 2.8" for about 30k and zero issues as well [emoji16]

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[zstampe]

Nice , looks like stock 20X9 +19mm wheels , any rubbage Sir ?

I'm on Bills @ + 2.8" for about 30k and zero issues as well [emoji16]

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Zero rubbage. Stock wheels and a 1/4” spacer up front is all.


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[Krik_604]

Bilstein’s at 2.8 and a 1” rear spacer with 35/12.50/20’s.

Been on the bilsteins for almost 20k Miles with no issues.


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This looks awesome! I’m getting the same setup this Friday with Duratracs.

Is the 1/4” spacer necessary up front to avoid rubbage? I hadn’t considered needing one.

R


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[Goose_1327]

You'd be correct but I was speaking about the rear 5100s vs 5160s. 5100s being the top monotube shock which allows for 1" of rear lifted height and the 5160 with the reservoir which also accommodates 1" of lift in the rear.



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[quietpeen]

This looks awesome! I’m getting the same setup this Friday with Duratracs.

Is the 1/4” spacer necessary up front to avoid rubbage? I hadn’t considered needing one.

R


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For the 20x9 wheels yes a 1/4" spacer is most likely needed. For a 20x8 wheels it is most likely not needed.