Front Suspension Suggestions for Heavy Winch Bumper

[ram_the_mountains]

Hi,

First-time poster here!

I'm at my wit's end trying to find something that meets my needs for a front suspension upgrade. I have a 2012 Ram 1500 4x4 with a Bilstein 5100 front level, Fox 2.0 rears and 315/70/17 BFG K02 tires. I added an Iron Bull winch bumper and winch after a collision with a deer. The winch bumper weighs several hundred pounds and has dropped the front level about an inch and has put much more strain on my suspension; as well as made the ride much more rough. I thought it would be a simple fix of adding heavy-duty front strut coil springs, but I can't find ANYTHING on the market. I've found heavy springs for Ford, Chevy and Ram 1500s of previous years and even looked at old threads about swapping 2500 springs on the 1500 (2nd and 3rd Gen I believe).

The best that I have found is the Sumospring "Helper-Spring," which is basically a heavy foam spacer that increases the capacity of the stock springs. I bought those as a temporary fix, but they have left much to desire. I use my truck a heck of a lot off-roading and I need something durable.

I don't want to do a spacer, airbag or anything like that. I just want to increase the weight capacity of my front end and keep decent off-road performance.

I have been thinking about upgrading to a better front strut; possibly the Bilstein 6112 or the the Fox 2.0 coilovers but those are not in my budget right now (waiting to wear out the 5100s), and I'm not sure that they will handle the weight any better.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be very appreciative!

 

[JB1]

Check out the Eibach strut it has settings for heavy bumpers

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/i-added-the-eibach-pro-lift-to-my-zone-6”-lift.126929/

 

[ram_the_mountains]

Check out the Eibach strut it has settings for heavy bumpers

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/i-added-the-eibach-pro-lift-to-my-zone-6”-lift.126929/

Wow! I think those might actually be the perfect solution. I've spent many hours googling, but those have never showed up!

I tried to post these pics in my OP but I couldn't figure it out.

View media item 26292
View media item 26291

 

[JB1]

Wow! I think those might actually be the perfect solution. I've spent many hours googling, but those have never showed up!

I tried to post these pics in my OP but I couldn't figure it out.

View media item 26292
View media item 26291

I don't have any personal experience with them but @Quick_Shifter really likes them.


To post a pic use the Upload a file button that's next to the post reply at the lower right

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Wow! I think those might actually be the perfect solution. I've spent many hours googling, but those have never showed up!

I tried to post these pics in my OP but I couldn't figure it out.

View media item 26292
View media item 26291

I’m happy to answer any questions you have about the eibach set up. I called and asked a lot of questions to eibach directly. I like to do my homework on stuff so I think I may be able to help

 

[ram1500rsm]

You could add a 1" spacer to what you already have, but the ride won't get any better being that your current coil springs can't support the weight, and for sure the Billies are not valved to run that heavy, plus now you're creating another problem with overextending your struts because of the spacer, wich is more likely why Bilstein doesn't support adding spacers when you use the upper perches.

The Eibach will be better as i'd think their spring will have higher pressure rates (hopefully that and just not a longer spring with more preload) which in turn will help you manage more weight, and their strut is also designed with that extra inch lenght you're adding in mind, Call EibacH and see if they can tell you more about their front coil springs and talk to them about you have.

Another solution is to add Icons/Kings/Radflo/Fox etc, 2.5 coilovers in the front, and ask any of them for their medium or heavy duty coils, you tell them how much weight you have in the nose, and they'll help you select the right coil spring you should have, then you adjust the collar to put the nose in the same spot you had before the bumper, now you have a shock that can be valved for the weight if you ask in advance, or you can spend an extra $200 per coilover to add valving adjustment, and a coil spring capable of handling the weight and some more if you wanted, more expensive that the traditional strut/springs, but it's always the best approach if you wonder what the best approach is.

Do you have aftermarket UCA's ?

Have fun.

 

[ram_the_mountains]

I’m happy to answer any questions you have about the Eibach set up. I called and asked a lot of questions to eibach directly. I like to do my homework on stuff so I think I may be able to help

Thanks for the replies. I called Eibach today and spoke with one of their tech reps. They assured me that their Pro-Lift-Kit front springs (#E30-27-001-02-20) would be a good fit for my situation. It's a longer spring than my OEM springs and they are rated for 10% more load capacity. The rep was confident that it would correct my situation. I'm gonna go ahead and use the Eibach Pro-Truck Sport Leveling shocks for the front. My 5100s have close to 50,000 miles on them, so I might as well change them while I'm pulling the struts out. If anyone is curious, the tech rep told me that the lifting springs are compatible with the 5100s, despite their warnings on the website.

I still have the original UCAs as well as the original lower ball joints and inner tie rods. Those are all getting changed while I tear everything down. My truck has just over 84,000 miles; thousands of those being offroading and forest service road miles.

Is the general consensus on the Mevotech UCAs positive? I wish I could drop some cash and do everything right, but I'm on a pretty strict college student budget.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Thanks for the replies. I called Eibach today and spoke with one of their tech reps. They assured me that their Pro-Lift-Kit front springs (#E30-27-001-02-20) would be a good fit for my situation. It's a longer spring than my OEM springs and they are rated for 10% more load capacity. The rep was confident that it would correct my situation. I'm gonna go ahead and use the Eibach Pro-Truck Sport Leveling shocks for the front. My 5100s have close to 50,000 miles on them, so I might as well change them while I'm pulling the struts out. If anyone is curious, the tech rep told me that the lifting springs are compatible with the 5100s, despite their warnings on the website.

I still have the original UCAs as well as the original lower ball joints and inner tie rods. Those are all getting changed while I tear everything down. My truck has just over 84,000 miles; thousands of those being offroading and forest service road miles.

Is the general consensus on the Mevotech UCAs positive? I wish I could drop some cash and do everything right, but I'm on a pretty strict college student budget.

The mevotechs are stronger but do not have any angle corrections. Since you have a 2012 the oem uca’s were not an issue. The design change came is ‘13 (I think) being on a budget you’re better off checking your existing uca and upper ball joint if they are tight keep them and see what your angles are. No point buying new and then realizing you need uca’s with angle correction. They are easy enough to change without taking everything apart again so it’s not a must do while it’s apart deal. Keep us up to date I know you’ll be happy with them once people start to realize these eibach kits actually exist they will get very popular

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Just make sure you get the
E60-27-001-04-10 they make a
E60-27-001-03-10 which is not adjustable for $6 cheaper. I’m old school so I like to talk to humans when orders things and they sent me the non adjustable ones first but it was my fault we were side tracked talking about every option they offer and future plans of what they have in the works for these pro truck kits.

 

[MidwestExpress]

Just make sure you get the
E60-27-001-04-10 they make a
E60-27-001-03-10 which is not adjustable for $6 cheaper. I’m old school so I like to talk to humans when orders things and they sent me the non adjustable ones first but it was my fault we were side tracked talking about every option they offer and future plans of what they have in the works for these pro truck kits.

Future plans? Care to share please? I'm a couple years away from suspension mods, but if I were purchasing today - I'd probably buy Eibach's "Pro truck kit" (front & rear).

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Their Pro Truck Line is still in an infant state (Very New) Their concept on making shocks and struts comes from the saying if you want something done right, do it yourself. The Pro-Truck line's success rate is going to determine if we will ever see a coil over type set-up from them. Obviously as consumers we love options, Eibach is a business if these kits don't gain traction they might offer them but not innovate anything. I probed and mentioned that they already make the coil springs for fox shocks and is there any comparable products on the horizon. (Referring to reservoir shocks, coil overs, Kits for lifted trucks etc.) He said they are releasing new products at Sema the end of October. I am numb to new releases because I own an Audio-Video company and get promises like this daily. A new tv will be released and your life will be complete after we release this new product and then we don't see it for 2 years, that being said I am not holding my breathe. Eibach is a great company that makes great products and I am very happy with my springs and dampeners from them, I also like calling and speaking to a human that treats me right.

 

[MidwestExpress]

Thank you, Quick_Shifter, for that info.

IMO, the current Eibach Pro Truck Kit appears great for 2 reasons - price & lift height (3.5"/1"). No other strut/spring/coilover combo can get 3.5" front lift that I'm aware of. Performance wise - of course, the high end King/Fox/Radflo/Icon coilovers are going to be much better, but personally, I don't want to hassle with rebuilding them every 30,000-50,000 miles on my daily driver. I think Eibach may have created a product that fits a different niche (price point & lift height) than others have offered and, depending on the long term durability, it may be successful for them. I think the 2.5" remote reservoir coilover market is fairly saturated already and they'd have a hard time breaking in there.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Thank you, Quick_Shifter, for that info.

IMO, the current Eibach Pro Truck Kit appears great for 2 reasons - price & lift height (3.5"/1"). No other strut/spring/coilover combo can get 3.5" front lift that I'm aware of. Performance wise - of course, the high end King/Fox/Radflo/Icon coilovers are going to be much better, but personally, I don't want to hassle with rebuilding them every 30,000-50,000 miles on my daily driver. I think Eibach may have created a product that fits a different niche (price point & lift height) than others have offered and, depending on the long term durability, it may be successful for them. I think the 2.5" remote reservoir coilover market is fairly saturated already and they'd have a hard time breaking in there.

Yes eibach springs all the way around not a spacer lift in the rear, and you Can't really beat a million mile warranty

I'd really like to see sway bars from them for the 4th gens

 

[S0CAL]

Hi,

First-time poster here!

I'm at my wit's end trying to find something that meets my needs for a front suspension upgrade. I have a 2012 Ram 1500 4x4 with a Bilstein 5100 front level, Fox 2.0 rears and 315/70/17 BFG K02 tires. I added an Iron Bull winch bumper and winch after a collision with a deer. The winch bumper weighs several hundred pounds and has dropped the front level about an inch and has put much more strain on my suspension; as well as made the ride much more rough. I thought it would be a simple fix of adding heavy-duty front strut coil springs, but I can't find ANYTHING on the market. I've found heavy springs for Ford, Chevy and Ram 1500s of previous years and even looked at old threads about swapping 2500 springs on the 1500 (2nd and 3rd Gen I believe).

The best that I have found is the Sumospring "Helper-Spring," which is basically a heavy foam spacer that increases the capacity of the stock springs. I bought those as a temporary fix, but they have left much to desire. I use my truck a heck of a lot off-roading and I need something durable.

I don't want to do a spacer, airbag or anything like that. I just want to increase the weight capacity of my front end and keep decent off-road performance.

I have been thinking about upgrading to a better front strut; possibly the Bilstein 6112 or the the Fox 2.0 coilovers but those are not in my budget right now (waiting to wear out the 5100s), and I'm not sure that they will handle the weight any better.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be very appreciative!

Welcome to the forums!




I have the Iron Bull bumper Defender 4 and run a Warn VR12000 winch. I swapped out my Billies 5100 and upgraded to Billies 6112. These things are stout. They do not sag like the 5112s. And while they only go to 2.6, they won’t let you down. I also run a 6” Zone and 37s.

Good luck!