Front end struts

[2818micheal]

i have a 2011 4.7 l bighorn and I upgraded the rear suspension with hd springs and airbags to tow now the front suspension is going out and I am looking for advice what to get that isn’t too expensive but will help with the rough ride down the interstate too

 

[ttthiel]

i have a 2011 4.7 l bighorn and I upgraded the rear suspension with hd springs and airbags to tow now the front suspension is going out and I am looking for advice what to get that isn’t too expensive but will help with the rough ride down the interstate too

Bilstein 5100 are easy on the bank and pretty good or Bilstein 6112's are supposed to be great as well and tougher than the 5100's but you are going to pay more for sure. Is your truck 4x4?

 

[buddy guy]

love the Billy 5100s!!!!

 

[2818micheal]

1st sorry in the title I originally wrote shocks instead of struts lol and Yes it’s a 4x4

 

[MarineBSP]

Following this thread with interest. Not quite ready yet, but there's a little 'jiggle' over abrupt bumps that I suspect a higher quality strut would cure.

I'm curious about those who have experience with 5100's and 6112's without significant lifts.

 

[ttthiel]

Following this thread with interest. Not quite ready yet, but there's a little 'jiggle' over abrupt bumps that I suspect a higher quality strut would cure.

I'm curious about those who have experience with 5100's and 6112's without significant lifts.

Like i said I had the 5100 and set at 2.1 and they were great for the price

 

[rwhjr]

I think 5100s do their job to lift the front.

But frankly, they ride over bumps like crap.

So if you want a cheap option to raise the front go with it but I wouldn’t expect much else from them in terms of performance.

I have them on my truck right now and when it’s time I can’t wait to upgrade them to something else.

 

[buddy guy]

i have them at 2.1 as well. i agree with the comment about a bit of jiggle with the stock ones. i feel the Bilsteins made me feel more confident in the front end and how it responds and maybe a touch firmer. i've taken some off ramps pretty fast and they feel really good. i disagree on the ride over bumps. i don't know if it is better, but i definitely didn't feel it was worse. i have the 20 inch stock rims and goodyears running at 41 lb so i'm not running them soft to change the ride.

 

[rwhjr]

i have them at 2.1 as well. i agree with the comment about a bit of jiggle with the stock ones. i feel the Bilsteins made me feel more confident in the front end and how it responds and maybe a touch firmer. i've taken some off ramps pretty fast and they feel really good. i disagree on the ride over bumps. i don't know if it is better, but i definitely didn't feel it was worse. i have the 20 inch stock rims and goodyears running at 41 lb so i'm not running them soft to change the ride.

You’ve hardly had yours on though.

I’ve had mine on fora couple years and put them through a lot of different situations.

If they were horrible I’d have removed them a long time ago. So I’m not saying that.

I’m just saying they’re nothing to rave about and I honestly think their best characteristic is that they will loft the front end higher lol. They’re not going to be a good bump/off-road shock imo.

But if you stick to paved roads and parking lots you can’t go wrong.

I’ve heard (but not experienced) that the 6112s perform a little better but they cost a little more which is why you don’t see them as frequently.

 

[ttthiel]

You’ve hardly had yours on though.

I’ve had mine on fora couple years and put them through a lot of different situations.

If they were horrible I’d have removed them a long time ago. So I’m not saying that.

I’m just saying they’re nothing to rave about and I honestly think their best characteristic is that they will loft the front end higher lol. They’re not going to be a good bump/off-road shock imo.

But if you stick to paved roads and parking lots you can’t go wrong.

I’ve heard (but not experienced) that the 6112s perform a little better but they cost a little more which is why you don’t see them as frequently.

Had my billys for years and they were great

 

[buddy guy]

You’ve hardly had yours on though.

I’ve had mine on fora couple years and put them through a lot of different situations.

If they were horrible I’d have removed them a long time ago. So I’m not saying that.

I’m just saying they’re nothing to rave about and I honestly think their best characteristic is that they will loft the front end higher lol. They’re not going to be a good bump/off-road shock imo.

But if you stick to paved roads and parking lots you can’t go wrong.

I’ve heard (but not experienced) that the 6112s perform a little better but they cost a little more which is why you don’t see them as frequently.

true. but i had billy 5100s on my tacoma and put them through a lot more than i will on this truck, admittedly. the 6112s to my understanding are a lot more, bigger strut but also include the coil. more than i need that's for sure. if i was offroading i probably would have approached it as a lift versus level project and factored a lot more into it.

i guess it would be good to define what kind of bumps you are talking about. they ride fine over railroad track bumps and speed bumps, but i don't hammer the throttle on bad tracks or speed bumps. not my thing lol.

 

[rwhjr]

true. but i had billy 5100s on my tacoma and put them through a lot more than i will on this truck, admittedly. the 6112s to my understanding are a lot more, bigger strut but also include the coil. more than i need that's for sure. if i was offroading i probably would have approached it as a lift versus level project and factored a lot more into it.

i guess it would be good to define what kind of bumps you are talking about. they ride fine over railroad track bumps and speed bumps, but i don't hammer the throttle on bad tracks or speed bumps. not my thing lol.

I hear ya. Mine don’t even much like highway expansion joints or repair patches on the road at 55-65mph which is my biggest gripe. And they’re only at the .7” height setting with a 6” lift kit. My buddy’s bone stock Silverado seems to take ‘em better unfortunately.

I’ve just not been a huge fan but I am waiting until the time is right to swap them out for the bds-fox struts (from their 6” kit) so I can get rid of my top hat spacer from my lift kit also.

 

[buddy guy]

so, your situation is apples to oranges compared to mine. a lot of other stuff in a 6 inch lift that could be adding to issues and maybe the bilsteins just aren't right for your setup. i don't have your issues at all. and a lot of people are happy billy 5100 users here and elsewhere. if the op had said he was looking for a 6 inch lift situation, i wouldn't have said a word. it sounds to me like he's looking for something more like a level than a monster lift

 

[rwhjr]

so, your situation is apples to oranges compared to mine. a lot of other stuff in a 6 inch lift that could be adding to issues and maybe the bilsteins just aren't right for your setup. i don't have your issues at all. and a lot of people are happy billy 5100 users here and elsewhere. if the op had said he was looking for a 6 inch lift situation, i wouldn't have said a word. it sounds to me like he's looking for something more like a level than a monster lift

Had the 5100s on the truck before the lift as well. Did the 5100 level shortly after buying the truck. Then the next progression was the lift kit and I kept them in order to gain a little front end height since our trucks come with so much factory rake.

Same opinion of them in both scenarios...set at 2.8 before loft kit and then lowered to .7 after loft.....but different strokes for different folks.

Here’s a couple pics of
5100s at 2.8 no lift kit
5100s at 0.7 w/ 6” lift
Same ride results with both....who knows maybe it’s me or my truck....

But hey whatever setup OP chooses at least he’s got a Ram

 

[ram1500rsm]

OP if you're not looking to lift, then Bistein 4600 struts can do the trick.
If you want a 2" level in the front, you can do Rancho QL's or you can do Bilstein 5100's at 2.1"
With the Bisteins there is dissablembly/assembly required, Ranchos are plug and play so they can be easier to install if you're doing this yourself.

 

[rwhjr]

OP if you're not looking to lift, then Bistein 4600 struts can do the trick.
If you want a 2" level in the front, you can do Rancho QL's or you can do Bilstein 5100's at 2.1"
With the Bisteins there is dissablembly/assembly required, Ranchos are plug and play so they can be easier to install if you're doing this yourself.

What’s the verdict on the Eibach struts that come with springs as well?

 

[ram1500rsm]

What’s the verdict on the Eibach struts that come with springs as well?

Crap i keep forgetting them. Eibach struts are another option as well, don't know what happened with their lift springs though, i think they're good at 2.5" on the zero lift perch ?

 

[Scott Nugent]

I put on Rancho quick lift struts three years ago and they have held up nicely. Bilsteins were backordered and the factory struts were shot.

 

[2818micheal]

You’ve hardly had yours on though.

I’ve had mine on fora couple years and put them through a lot of different situations.

If they were horrible I’d have removed them a long time ago. So I’m not saying that.

I’m just saying they’re nothing to rave about and I honestly think their best characteristic is that they will loft the front end higher lol. They’re not going to be a good bump/off-road shock imo.

But if you stick to paved roads and parking lots you can’t go wrong.

I’ve heard (but not experienced) that the 6112s perform a little better but they cost a little more which is why you don’t see them as frequently.

So I’m looking for the better ride on the interstate, but can handle the off road as well ( a lot of the campgrounds I get are dirt , gravel and rocky) like I just drove 9 hours pulling my TT and half the ride home I sat there bouncing up and down like I was on a wooden roller coaster

 

[Shiva]

Just wondering if the combination of the heavier springs in addition to the airbags might be part of the issue. Could the **** end be stiffer than needed for the job?
I'm quite happy with coil bags alone for towing heavy.
I guess you've tried the two with the bags aired down to 5psi as if they're not there and riding only on the heavy coils.
Not saying the front shocks aren't on their way out but have you done a standard shock test while stopped? Checked for loose or worn front end components?
Just wondering out of interest.