Guide to Leveling & Wheel and Tire Sizing for 06+ 4wd Ram 1500's

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quietpeen

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I was talking about rubbing on the uca lol, but I know some
Trucks with the 20x8's can fit 12.5 without rubbing the uca
 

nickauto

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Great thanks! I will send pics after the install.


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Brandon- took your advice - Just got my 10mm spacers from motor sport tech... I also ordered new bolts with the Method NV wheels... I'm not sure if they will be long enough... I'm trying to install all of this on Saturday- any idea on bolt length...
Recap: 18 x 9 Method NV +18 offset + 4 Bills (assuming 2.5" upfront)
With 35 x 12 BFG Ko2 and Motorsport tech 10mm spacers.
 
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brandonjansen

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Brandon- took your advice - Just got my 10mm spacers from motor sport tech... I also ordered new bolts with the Method NV wheels... I'm not sure if they will be long enough... I'm trying to install all of this on Saturday- any idea on bolt length...
Recap: 18 x 9 Method NV +18 offset + 4 Bills (assuming 2.5" upfront)
With 35 x 12 BFG Ko2 and Motorsport tech 10mm spacers.

Do you mean new wheel studs? There isn't really any need for new studs with that setup. I'd leave the stock ones in unless there's an issue with them. Shouldn't be any issues with the setup that you're planning to run.
 

nickauto

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Yeah that's what I meant- my bad.
Appreciate the response!


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never2low

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Thank you for the super detailed report. Definitely cleared a lot up.
 

Johnnymac2k6

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This was very helpful!

Question about an 06 4x4 with adding the strut extensions. Seems to me you're taking the strut out, just to bolt on the spacer, and then bolt it back in... Am i nuts to think you could just unbolt the sway bar, upper ball joint, strut, and lower it enough to get the strut spacer on...and the just bolt it back together? ( i just bought brand new KYB's before hearing of the BILS...or i'd be going that route. thanks! great writeup!
 
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brandonjansen

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This was very helpful!

Question about an 06 4x4 with adding the strut extensions. Seems to me you're taking the strut out, just to bolt on the spacer, and then bolt it back in... Am i nuts to think you could just unbolt the sway bar, upper ball joint, strut, and lower it enough to get the strut spacer on...and the just bolt it back together? ( i just bought brand new KYB's before hearing of the BILS...or i'd be going that route. thanks! great writeup!

I doubt the suspension would drop enough to get the spacer on that way as the spacer actually mounts up into the strut tower. You'd really have to watch brake lines and CV shafts going that route. You could remove the calipers to avoid the brake line issue but the CV shafts could be a problem. For the one bolt on the bottom of the strut I'd recommend just taking it out. It's easy enough to do.
 

Johnnymac2k6

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I doubt the suspension would drop enough to get the spacer on that way as the spacer actually mounts up into the strut tower. You'd really have to watch brake lines and CV shafts going that route. You could remove the calipers to avoid the brake line issue but the CV shafts could be a problem. For the one bolt on the bottom of the strut I'd recommend just taking it out. It's easy enough to do.

Granted i just got new KYB's installed...but don't those lower bolts usually need torched off after one winter?

The only reason mine went to the dealer for that is because i busted a closed end wrench on that bolt...
 

nickauto

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Brandon thanks for the recommendations- here it is - finally done. With one pic prior.

7ac47957fe2be1a9760363628f15557a.jpg80ba373de94ead484fc553e2185d9268.jpg1e5d46658918deeff9efbe4280268e7a.jpg10a4b5aac39b3fbf709caf5028f89ba3.jpg


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Buss111

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Nickauto,

I have been looking at the KO2 in 35x12.50/20. How is the comfort and noise? You have the bils set at 2.8 and had to run 10mm spacer in the front only? I guess I would just go with 1/2 spacers all around since I have factory flares. Do the KO2's run true 12.50 or are they closer to 13.00. What is your gas mileage now (2x4 or 4x4)? Thanks truck looks ready to get dirty!


All,

If anyone can let me know if running the bils @ 2.8 has caused any rapid wear of suspension parts. I went home on leave and stopped by a shop, the guy told me not to run bils because it changes the suspension geometry too much. I am hopefully going to NC now, hopefully by march and figure I might as well do the level and tires so I can hit some trails. Thanks for the input.




Brandon thanks for the recommendations- here it is - finally done. With one pic prior.

7ac47957fe2be1a9760363628f15557a.jpg80ba373de94ead484fc553e2185d9268.jpg1e5d46658918deeff9efbe4280268e7a.jpg10a4b5aac39b3fbf709caf5028f89ba3.jpg


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nickauto

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Honestly I'm very impressed with the BFG K02. Virtually no added road noise plus the added Bils and the bigger tires create a better ride in my opinion. I think the bils have a big effect on this setup in a positive way- My stock set up really felt mushy. The only slight negative is that it doesn't corner as well on the street - minor trade off.

I'm running 10mm spacers at all 4 corners- stance is great- thanks to brandon.
I really prefer a bigger tire- and went specifically with an 18" rim- I have a 4x4 and believe that a 20" rim wouldn't have been the right application for off road.
Bils don't change the geometry/ function of the suspension- I think they improve it.
Gas mileage is relatively unchanged.
Hope this helps!


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Buss111

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Nick,

It helps a lot thanks man. Happy holidays.
 
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brandonjansen

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Nickauto,

I have been looking at the KO2 in 35x12.50/20. How is the comfort and noise? You have the bils set at 2.8 and had to run 10mm spacer in the front only? I guess I would just go with 1/2 spacers all around since I have factory flares. Do the KO2's run true 12.50 or are they closer to 13.00. What is your gas mileage now (2x4 or 4x4)? Thanks truck looks ready to get dirty!


All,

If anyone can let me know if running the bils @ 2.8 has caused any rapid wear of suspension parts. I went home on leave and stopped by a shop, the guy told me not to run bils because it changes the suspension geometry too much. I am hopefully going to NC now, hopefully by march and figure I might as well do the level and tires so I can hit some trails. Thanks for the input.

Bilsteins are the best form of leveling as they keep the front suspension geometry within OEM specs. So the shop you talked to is not one I'd recommend working with as they obviously don't understand how the Bilsteins work and why they're better than spacers.
Bilsteins alone aren't going to cause any rapid wear of suspension parts. Yes certain parts may wear out slightly quicker than if everything was stock. But it would be barely noticeable. I wouldn't worry about that at all.

With regards to spacers 10mm (3/8") is pretty much the maximum width you want to run with stock studs to have enough thread engagement for the lug nuts.
 

Pollock21

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Is there much difference between CV angles for 2.8 vs 2.1 with the billy's?

That's one of my last deciding factors, CV wear. I know it's a given that you will increase the wear, but curious how much worse 2.8 is vs 2.1.

Hopefully our trucks are magical and we don't have CV issues at 2.8 :joke:
 

R.L.K.

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Is there much difference between CV angles for 2.8 vs 2.1 with the billy's?

That's one of my last deciding factors, CV wear. I know it's a given that you will increase the wear, but curious how much worse 2.8 is vs 2.1.

Hopefully our trucks are magical and we don't have CV issues at 2.8 :joke:
Angle difference in the CV between settings of 2.1" & 2 8 "s with Bilstien 5100s. ....not even noticable visually Sir , pretty much the same .
 

Sportznut

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Hi Guys
In reading through this thread and several others I think I've come to the conclusion that I would like to ask a few of you to confirm that I'm headed in the right direction.

I have a 2014 1500 4WD Big Horn with the 5.7 CC 6'4" bed. I only drive this on the highway but I do put on a lot of miles.

I just bought brand new Michelin LTX MS2s ( these are a Highway Tire and I love them so far). Stock Size tires 275/60/20 on stock wheels. I do not tow very often and when I do it's only a small utility trailer, 2000lbs max.

Here is my plan.

I am going to have the Bilsteins installed on all four corners. I have about a 3.25" rake. I am going to have the Bilsteins set at 2.1 inch and not do any type of spacers. I am also not planning on doing anything with the UCAs. Just have the Bilsteins installed and have it aligned and nothing else. Should I be concerned with anything doing it this way?

My only goals are to level it out a little bit and improve the ride a little. I don't want to open up a can of worms and create suspension issues for myself.

So am I on the right track? Am I going to regret the stiffer ride? I want it to be very smooth.

Thanks in advance.



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Sportznut

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Well, I made my appointment to have my 5100's installed tomorrow.

Aside from making sure they don't stick the flange on upside down, make sure they install at 2.1 , and double check the part numbers, please let me know if there's anything else I need to be looking for.... this is the first time I've used this shop. They have good reviews and in talking to them over the phone they seem like knowledgeable guys. Crossing fingers.

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R.L.K.

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Your set up.should suit you well Sir give me a minute and I'll find a post I think you should read , and make sure your techs understand where to install the washer that comes with the bilstein 5100s .

You've eluded to this :

a5737036b5f6ec335dd93ab60eaa4de7.jpg

Also take a look at this post , if they put the washer in the wrong place there's no way to know unless you take it back apart .

Hope this helps

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...hare_fid=17770&share_type=t&share_pid=1206420

Alright guys.. BILSTEINS post your pics!!!
 
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Sportznut

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R.L.K. Thank you very much!

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