Everything Bilstein Mega Thread

[Sgrab]

I could've gotten an appointment at another tire shop at any time , I chose to wait for an opening at the 4x4 shop mainly because I've heard some say their non 4x4 shop could not get the alignment in after the bilsteins installation .
Congratulations on the bils Sir , I think this is a great DIY for those wanting the level .

Question .
Where did you get your TGC Spacers and do they install above or below the rear coils ?
Thanks !

Thank you! I'm going stop in at the local shop tomorrow and talk to them. As the for spacers I honestly don't remember where I bought them because I bought everything about 8 months ago (yeah it took me that long to finally get everything installed). I think I ordered direct from their website. Also they go above the coil. Pretty simple install.

Edit: just found them on their website. Here's a link

http://www.topguncustomz.com/p-6558...ear-steel-coil-lift-spacers.aspx#.V8OmjMT3anM

First question, are you sure they were installed correctly? What I'd be checking is making sure the lower spring seat is on correctly. It should be coming down over the adapter ring and C-clip on the Bilstein so the grooves are pretty much hidden. If it's on upside down (upwards) then there will be far too much front end lift and it won't be possible to align it.

If the spring seat is in fact on correctly then I would try a different alignment shop as RLK suggested.

Almost 100% positive they are installed right. After pep boy told me they couldn't do the install I went back and double checked. I'll take pictures tomorrow.

Thanks for your help everyone. I really appreciate it

 

[phrater]

Thanks guys. Went back and re-read and compared to phraters example. In short, it looks like I could go from the stock height of 33" to 34" and the stock width of 10.8" to 11.2" and remain safe.

Phrater, I like the look of yours. If you had to put new tires on tomorrow, would you go with the same size you have now or go a little wider?

I would most likely go with 285-65-20 in the same tire, just for a little more width. I'm not sure what fuel mileage would be lost, but I didn't lose anything with the tires I have now. I also have a Diablo tune, and adjusted tire size...

I will try to find a pic with more angle for reference.

 

[AustinB]

Also they go above the coil. Pretty simple install.

With the TGC spacers.. the poly ones go under the spring, metal ones go above it.

 

[R.L.K.]

With the TGC spacers.. the poly ones go under the spring, metal ones go above it.

Thanks ! I thought there was a difference.

 

[roadshow]

I love these struts, what a significant improvement to ride quality over factory! They also nearly eliminated my body roll in tight turns

 

[shawn1112]

Okay so I installed my Bils last night along with new rims and 35x12.50x18 Nitto Trail Grapplers.

How soon should I get it aligned?

How far off is the Speedo?
I do a lot of driving in Chgo and there are tons of speed cameras.

 

[brandonjansen]

Okay so I installed my Bils last night along with new rims and 35x12.50x18 Nitto Trail Grapplers.

How soon should I get it aligned?

How far off is the Speedo?
I do a lot of driving in Chgo and there are tons of speed cameras.

I'd get it aligned within a couple days. Give it a bit of driving time to get the suspension to settle down but then it can go straight to the alignment shop. The longer you wait the longer you're putting improper wear on your tires.

Check your speedo with a GPS to know for sure but you'll be about by 6% (assuming you had 275/60/20's stock). So at 60 mph on your speedo you'll be traveling at +/- 64 mph.

 

[shawn1112]

Thank you sir.
One other thing can I adjust tire size to correct speedo with a Intune or Trinity?

Or do I need to use Superchips tuner?

 

[troutspinner]

I'm finally a part of the Bilstein crowd. Had mine installed today at a nearby shop. $550 parts, labor and alignment.

Went 2.1 on my 14 CC Big Horn. I ended up with a 1/2" difference in height front to rear, rear being higher of course, perfect!

If you are in SE Pa, I highly recommend giving J&B Motorsports a call, they are a performance shop with lots of experience in leveling and lifts.

Sorry, no pics, still riding on stock tires. I want to ride them a few more months into the ground before I go a little bigger.

 

[EvoNiner1986]

Just curious how you all were able to compress the spring enough to set it at 2.8. I rented spring compressor from Auto Zone and it was a struggle to even get it to 2.1. How'd you all do it?! Also, please see the attached pic, I think we put that metal piece on upside down?

 

[AustinB]

If its upside down, thats why you had a hard time compressing the spring.



Doesn't look upside down, but it does look like a 2.8" setting?

 

[EvoNiner1986]

If its upside down, thats why you had a hard time compressing the spring.



Doesn't look upside down, but it does look like a 2.8" setting?

No, the black piece aka spring seat on mine is good, I was referring to the silver piece. The one that rests on the ring where you select the notch for the height

 

[jgruberman]

Just curious how you all were able to compress the spring enough to set it at 2.8. I rented spring compressor from Auto Zone and it was a struggle to even get it to 2.1. How'd you all do it?! Also, please see the attached pic, I think we put that metal piece on upside down?

To answer your first question, air gun alternating between sides. Goes fairly quickly with air tools, just make sure you're going back and forth rather than trying to compress one side of the spring all the way at once. As far as the position, I don't recall if there WAS a wrong position for the silver ring. I would imagine you could call Bilstein and ask them, assuming you didn't want to just uncompress the spring and check.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[EvoNiner1986]

To answer your first question, air gun alternating between sides. Goes fairly quickly with air tools, just make sure you're going back and forth rather than trying to compress one side of the spring all the way at once. As far as the position, I don't recall if there WAS a wrong position for the silver ring. I would imagine you could call Bilstein and ask them, assuming you didn't want to just uncompress the spring and check.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

I'm referring to the piece I circled in red, it looks like I put mine on upside down

 

[brandonjansen]

I'm referring to the piece I circled in red, it looks like I put mine on upside down

Yes, you put it on upside down. That's why you're having trouble getting the spring compressed. You need to disassemble them and flip that piece around right away to get everything sitting correctly.

 

[R.L.K.]

I'm referring to the piece I circled in red, it looks like I put mine on upside down

Wow , I don't think I've seen thisone yet .

Definitely do not drive on that , the adjustment ring could pop out due to not being trapped & covered by the piece you've installed upside down , this could allow the adjustment ring to slide all the way down all at once .

 

[EvoNiner1986]

Wow , I don't think I've seen thisone yet .

Definitely do not drive on that , the adjustment ring could pop out due to not being trapped & covered by the piece you've installed upside down , this could allow the adjustment ring to slide all the way down all at once .

Yup got it swapped out today and it rides much better...and safer! Guess when we did the install should have paid more attention

 

[R.L.K.]

Yup got it swapped out today and it rides much better...and safer! Guess when we did the install should have paid more attention

Good deal ! Glad you got it properly installed Sir !

 

[BACONATOR]

Hello all, I've stalked the board for a while and have gathered a ton of information off of this and the other thread on the Bilstein shocks. I've read through all posts on both threads and still have a couple of questions. It's entirely possible (more than likely probable) that I have read over the answer/s I'm looking for already and just did not realize it.

I have a 2015 RAM 1500 4x4. I have already purchased the Bilstein adjustable front shocks, appropriate Bilstein rear shocks, and Mevotech UCAs. My question is this:

1) I really like the look of my stock wheels (20" Laramie). In keeping the wheels it seems, that from my reading of posts on this forum, that setting the front Bils to 2.1 and putting 275/65r20 tires on will yield a good result. Do I need a rear spacer if I want to maintain some rake? I personally like a little noticeable rake over a completely leveled truck. Although I do not like the factory stance at all. If so, what size spacer? (I am looking at the Daystar 1")

I apologize for having a long winded question be my first post. I appreciate any and all insight that anyone may have and hope that I'm at least headed in the right direction with what I'm trying to accomplish (better tires and a better looking stance). I look forward to contributing to the board going forward.

 

[AustinB]

275/65r20 will fit without anything at all...stock.. so no worries.

You may or may not need a spacer with 2.1, have to install them, drive around for a week and make a decision from there.

Personally, if I buy something that can go up to 2.5"... why stop at 2"?

2.8 front and a 3/4" spacer in the rear..with that tire size, is pretty much a done deal. Will look good, have about 1-1.5" of rake, and perfect wheel gap (imo)

Top Gun Customz(s?) For rear spacers.