Hodges 2016 Bilstein Build

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Truck Fun

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I reinstalled the sway bar, that way all the variables are known, but it's been consistent 1/2 lower on the driver side front and rear. Oddly enough the sway bar lined right up even tho the tape shows a difference side to side.

1/2 isn't noticeable, but now that I know, it's bothering me

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Interesting considering that the driver's side spring was 0.5 in longer than the passenger side spring.
 

ram1500rsm

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I think i read somewhere here that spacers from a Jeep TJ will fit our rear springs, you could get the OME 10mm trim spacer for the TJ, OMEWTJPR10, and fit it in the rear driver spring, that should be more than enough to get rid of most of you gas tank lean.
 
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hodge-xj

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Interesting considering that the driver's side spring was 0.5 in longer than the passenger side spring.
Exactly my thoughts, makes me wonder if the body lines are a bit off, especially since the sway bar lined right up. When I dropped the springs that 1/2 had the lower shock bolt stuck tight, had to bump it up with the Jack to remove it. I'm gonna try to find a level spot to measure everything, most areas around here all have a decent grade to them.

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hodge-xj

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I think i read somewhere here that spacers from a Jeep TJ will fit our rear springs, you could get the OME 10mm trim spacer for the TJ, OMEWTJPR10, and fit it in the rear driver spring, that should be more than enough to get rid of most of you gas tank lean.
I'll bring the stock coil with me to the 4x4 shop and see of they have a tj coil isolator or spacer to try. I hope it was just because the rear sway was out. My old Cummins always sat funny unless I was parked perfectly level and pulled back and forth a few times to evenly load the suspension. Seems that was a bigger annoyance than the way the truck drove without the sway bars honestly.

It's funny cuz nobody would notice but us.

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ram1500rsm

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Interesting considering that the driver's side spring was 0.5 in longer than the passenger side spring.
It may be the Bilstein springs have very close rates to the stockers if not the same rates but just 1" longer, so if you had a factory lean, that lean is still there.
 
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hodge-xj

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It may be the Bilstein springs have very close rates to the stockers if not the same rates but just 1" longer, so if you had a factory lean, that lean is still there.
Right, but the bilstein was longer on the drivers side by 1/2". Presumably to account for fuel weights. My stock coils are nearly the same length even tho they are different part numbers. So it should be close if no the same, one would think anyway.

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ram1500rsm

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I'll bring the stock coil with me to the 4x4 shop and see of they have a tj coil isolator or spacer to try. I hope it was just because the rear sway was out. My old Cummins always sat funny unless I was parked perfectly level and pulled back and forth a few times to evenly load the suspension. Seems that was a bigger annoyance than the way the truck drove without the sway bars honestly.

It's funny cuz nobody would notice but us.

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I had adjustable sway bar links in my JKU to apply more preload towards one side to correct trim issues like this. in the end i ended up using an OME trim spacer in the front to correct the lean, after that i didn't have to play with sway bar links preload anymore and she was sitting straight whether i had my sway bar disconnected or not, my lean was a lot more visible with the front disconnected. i guess the nature of live axels.
 

ram1500rsm

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Right, but the bilstein was longer on the drivers side by 1/2". Presumably to account for fuel weights. My stock coils are nearly the same length even tho they are different part numbers. So it should be close if no the same, one would think anyway.

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Have you checked that side is not bowing ? i doubt it but something else to check, worst case add the trim spacer, if the difference is 1/2" a 10mm will get rid of it for sure.
 
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hodge-xj

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I had adjustable sway bar links in my JKU to apply more preload towards one side to correct trim issues like this. in the end i ended up using an OME trim spacer in the front to correct the lean, after that i didn't have to play with sway bar links preload anymore and she was sitting straight whether i had my sway bar disconnected or not, my lean was a lot more visible with the front disconnected. i guess the nature of live axels.
That's what it seems, especially these coil setups. I tossed my spare on the passenger side of the bed and threw my rear sway back in so I'll see how it sits. My buddy noticed it was sitting weird when I was at his house, I had pulled in from a steep downhill 90* left turn, drivers side was 39, passenger was almost 41. I went back and forth a few time and it was level at 40/39 both sides. Annoying and finicky. If the sway keeps it close I'll not pay mind to it, otherwise I'll look into the trim spacer for the rear.

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hodge-xj

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Have you checked that side is not bowing ? i doubt it but something else to check, worst case add the trim spacer, if the difference is 1/2" a 10mm will get rid of it for sure.
Bowing?

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Anyone know what the spring rate is for the Bilstein rear springs as opposed to stock. I know my 1211's are 319 LBS.

Also looking for a 1 1/2" to 2" lift in the back, trying to stay close to the 1211's spring rate.
 
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hodge-xj

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Anyone know what the spring rate is for the Bilstein rear springs as opposed to stock. I know my 1211's are 319 LBS.

Also looking for a 1 1/2" to 2" lift in the back, trying to stay close to the 1211's spring rate.
Put a spacer on the springs you have. Most aftermarket coils are after ride and off road performance, with towing being their last concern.

The 1211s are SD towing coils right

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JB1

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Anyone know what the spring rate is for the Bilstein rear springs as opposed to stock. I know my 1211's are 319 LBS.

Also looking for a 1 1/2" to 2" lift in the back, trying to stay close to the 1211's spring rate.

Did the 1211's give you any lift at all?
 

ram1500rsm

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I have them in my db list as 0.5" lift even though they are supposed to not lift the truck, they are stiff but shorter than stock, this are not springs for longer than stock shocks without a spacer.

Depending on your truck weigth, if you're looking for 2" lift and linear rates, you could do 3" BDS springs and let weigth drop them to 2 or 1.5"
 
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hodge-xj

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Measured again, sway bar connected in the rear.
Everything was within a 1/4" side to side. This time the passenger side was lower than it has been at 39.75 and drivers was about 39.5. At this point I'm not really gonna worry much about it, every time I've measured it's been different, so it's becoming trivial.

As for the ride, I notice nothing discernable between rear sway in or out, aside from a bit of mid corner stability, so it's staying installed. The temps are now well below 0* real feel with wind so pics will have to wait a few days. Still happier than a pig in s$&/ with this setup. Might toss a small rear spacer in for some rake but as of now I'm not gonna mess with it. Front should still settle some and I have plans for a bumper and winch so we'll see.

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JB1

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Hell yeah just drive it and enjoy it. My 6112’s settled about 1/4” IIRC
 
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hodge-xj

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Hell yeah just drive it and enjoy it. My 6112’s settled about 1/4” IIRC
That's what I'm gonna do! Hard to enjoy this weather tho! I wanna get up into the mountains a bit but it's too cold. Ill try and get a pic tomorrow of it from the side, but it's like -15 or something stupid out so that can wait. Lol

I wanna say the front has settled about 1/2" so far. according to what I documented in other posts, my front was at 38" to ground and 23" hub to fender. I believe i was at 38" rear. I cant seem to find my notes from install that had all my numbers before lift. I'm at 39" now front and between 39.5 & 40" rear. So however that compares to oem. I honestly don't even know how much lift I netted lol. The air bags and front spacers had this thing always so inconsistent. So it is what it is!

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hodge-xj

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So for giggles I measured from the lip on the rear bump stop cup to the strike pad on the rear axle, both sides.

Drivers 6 1/4"
Passenger 6 3/8"

These coils are SOFT. With the oem coils and bags there was about 2" compression visible on my shock shafts. With these coils I have about 4" at least. My commute is literally the same as it has been for years now. This thing rides like it's on pillows, I absolutely need rear spacers tho. Any load in this thing and I'll be nose up.

Spacers suggestions?

Want about 1" rake.

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