OneShot201
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2012
- Posts
- 236
- Reaction score
- 12
- Ram Year
- 2012 1500 Express - Mineral Gray
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
Finally got time to put the Hell Bent Steel 2" kit on last weekend.
I am very happy with how it looks, and am looking forward to being able to get larger tires on.
I went with the 2" kit to try to minimize problems with vibrations etc.
I intend to run 275/65 r20 A/T tires on aftermarket wheels with -12 offset (already purchased used Eco 826 Max 6's in chrome, just saving my allowance for the tires
).
The install is a bit of a PITA, took us about 2.5-3 hours for the first side, then only about an hour for second side. Not terribly difficult but still some work.
The instructions clearly state that no spring compressors are required for the install, but that is flat out untrue. Not needed for disassembly but absolutely needed to reassemble. We used the cheapo Harbor Freight ones I borrowed from a buddy. Remember, you are lengthening the strut assembly by 2+ inches, impossible to reinstall without compressing the springs first.
I would definitely advise getting the deep sockets the instructions recommend, not common sizes either, 21 and 24mm. Huge help to have them.
A word of warning, we cut the CV boot on the drivers side accidentally during reinstall. Very painful mistake, almost $200 repair cost, done at the same time as the alignment. That's using the OEM boot from Mopar, not a wraparound replacement style.
The alignment is a must, the numbers are thrown way out of wack after leveling, I paid $89 for the 4WD alignment, the last pic is the alignment report and you can see just how out they get.
Very doable install for anyone with the slightest bit of mechanical ability, and well worth it imo. Looks like a different truck even with the stock wheels and tires. The "Before and After" pic is the easiest to see to me, in person it makes a world of difference.
Enjoy the pics!
Before
Before and After
After
Alignment Sheet
I am very happy with how it looks, and am looking forward to being able to get larger tires on.
I went with the 2" kit to try to minimize problems with vibrations etc.
I intend to run 275/65 r20 A/T tires on aftermarket wheels with -12 offset (already purchased used Eco 826 Max 6's in chrome, just saving my allowance for the tires
).The install is a bit of a PITA, took us about 2.5-3 hours for the first side, then only about an hour for second side. Not terribly difficult but still some work.
The instructions clearly state that no spring compressors are required for the install, but that is flat out untrue. Not needed for disassembly but absolutely needed to reassemble. We used the cheapo Harbor Freight ones I borrowed from a buddy. Remember, you are lengthening the strut assembly by 2+ inches, impossible to reinstall without compressing the springs first.
I would definitely advise getting the deep sockets the instructions recommend, not common sizes either, 21 and 24mm. Huge help to have them.
A word of warning, we cut the CV boot on the drivers side accidentally during reinstall. Very painful mistake, almost $200 repair cost, done at the same time as the alignment. That's using the OEM boot from Mopar, not a wraparound replacement style.
The alignment is a must, the numbers are thrown way out of wack after leveling, I paid $89 for the 4WD alignment, the last pic is the alignment report and you can see just how out they get.
Very doable install for anyone with the slightest bit of mechanical ability, and well worth it imo. Looks like a different truck even with the stock wheels and tires. The "Before and After" pic is the easiest to see to me, in person it makes a world of difference.
Enjoy the pics!
Before
Before and After
After
Alignment Sheet
