Leveling - Outdoorsman

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Posts
44
Reaction score
23
Location
WI
Ram Year
2016
Engine
3.6L
OK, I've read all about how spacers give you a rough ride. The think I don't understand is how does compressing that same stock spring more with a 5100 setup gives you a better ride? Logic tells me adding a spacer on top of the stock setup would increase the height and keep the factory ride. I see Autospring has a 1 1/2 for the outdoorsman because of the factory lift. That would be all I'm looking for.
 

MADDOG

Not RamForum Staff
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Posts
14,443
Reaction score
9,877
Location
Arizona
I leveled three 2500 trucks with Tuff Country's spacer lift kits and had no rough ride issues. Your assumption is correct. the spacer does not compress the spring when installed.

Each of the three trucks received the kits that include the shock extension brackets which helps the suspension geometry to remain the same. They do have your choice of two kits for your truck. I don't believe they have 2WD kits though.
 

pacofortacos

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2017
Posts
3,564
Reaction score
4,341
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7
The 5100 strut is a good bit weaker than your stock struts. The rod is significantly thinner than the stock rod in the strut.
 

crazykid1994

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Posts
5,040
Reaction score
4,963
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
So to put it in a very easy to understand reasoning. Compressing the stock spring farther only changes how the spring behaves when the strut is at full extension. When you have weight on the strut it will compress the spring to the same compression as it would have prior to adding preload to the spring. A spacer actually will allow the suspension to travel outside of its designed geometry which is what causes the rougher ride. The bilstein 5100 does not travel outside of the stock geometry because it is still stock length. You trade height for wheel droop with the bilstein or other methods of preloading the spring. Also with the spacers allowing the wheel to travel farther down you run the risk of destroying the cv axles or front differential because they can bind up. On a truck with a solid axle like @MADDOG has the spacer spacer is merely there to make the spring longer.
 

olyelr

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2018
Posts
4,673
Reaction score
3,418
Location
Kewadin MI
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.4
I leveled three 2500 trucks with Tuff Country's spacer lift kits and had no rough ride issues. Your assumption is correct. the spacer does not compress the spring when installed.

Each of the three trucks received the kits that include the shock extension brackets which helps the suspension geometry to remain the same. They do have your choice of two kits for your truck. I don't believe they have 2WD kits though.
Leveling a 2500 with a spacer is completely different than leveling a 1500 with a spacer. Completely different suspension up front.

And i would suggest doing the math on compressed shock length and the distance between the mounts when on the bumpstops. Using the shock extenders and no bumpstop extender will often leave the shocks bottoming out before the bumpstops are even used…definitely not a good setup.
 

GRKN

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2022
Posts
249
Reaction score
235
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
2009
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I didn’t think outdoorsman’s came any higher?
 

MADDOG

Not RamForum Staff
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Posts
14,443
Reaction score
9,877
Location
Arizona
Of course, I know they are different. However, a spacer lift can be used on a 1500.

Most of the suspension geometry can still be preserved with the shock relocation brackets offered.

I was simply offering input on what I have learned and used. I also noted that TC offers a such a kit.

I would add that it would be a good idea to talk to some of the leveling kit manufacturers, give them the specs on your specific truck and let them help you with how their kit works.
 
OP
OP
2016outdoorsman
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Posts
44
Reaction score
23
Location
WI
Ram Year
2016
Engine
3.6L
So to put it in a very easy to understand reasoning. Compressing the stock spring farther only changes how the spring behaves when the strut is at full extension. When you have weight on the strut it will compress the spring to the same compression as it would have prior to adding preload to the spring. A spacer actually will allow the suspension to travel outside of its designed geometry which is what causes the rougher ride. The bilstein 5100 does not travel outside of the stock geometry because it is still stock length. You trade height for wheel droop with the bilstein or other methods of preloading the spring. Also with the spacers allowing the wheel to travel farther down you run the risk of destroying the cv axles or front differential because they can bind up. On a truck with a solid axle like @MADDOG has the spacer spacer is merely there to make the spring longer.
Great explanation Crazykid. I was wondering if anyone has an under the tophat spacer? That would basically do the same thing as the bilstein 5100 concept, correct? I am basially only looking 1-1 1/2 higher.
 

olyelr

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2018
Posts
4,673
Reaction score
3,418
Location
Kewadin MI
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.4
Of course, I know they are different. However, a spacer lift can be used on a 1500.

Most of the suspension geometry can still be preserved with the shock relocation brackets offered.

I was simply offering input on what I have learned and used. I also noted that TC offers a such a kit.

I would add that it would be a good idea to talk to some of the leveling kit manufacturers, give them the specs on your specific truck and let them help you with how their kit works.
Well recommending a spacer kit that works fine on a 2500 is one thing. But he has a 1500, and regardless if manufacturers are still selling spacer kits for them, it is a proven fact that it is a very poor way to level the front end of a ram half ton.
 

crazykid1994

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Posts
5,040
Reaction score
4,963
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Great explanation Crazykid. I was wondering if anyone has an under the tophat spacer? That would basically do the same thing as the bilstein 5100 concept, correct? I am basially only looking 1-1 1/2 higher.
Would be called a preload spacer. I’m not sure about who sells them though
 

crazykid1994

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Posts
5,040
Reaction score
4,963
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Of course, I know they are different. However, a spacer lift can be used on a 1500.

Most of the suspension geometry can still be preserved with the shock relocation brackets offered.

I was simply offering input on what I have learned and used. I also noted that TC offers a such a kit.

I would add that it would be a good idea to talk to some of the leveling kit manufacturers, give them the specs on your specific truck and let them help you with how their kit works.
There are no shock relocation brackets for the front of a 4wd 1500 since it’s a strut or coilover and not a separate shock and spring. The top spacer is already relocating or extending the strut which is where the problem comes from in these trucks
 

metalchewy

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2022
Posts
297
Reaction score
445
Location
Las Vegas
Ram Year
2010 TRX4
Engine
4.7L
That 0.7" is achieved by the red HD struts the same way Bilsteins are adjustable. The spring sits 0.7 inch higher on it than on the standard strut.
 

Elwood

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2020
Posts
17
Reaction score
6
Location
Stockton CA
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
OK, I've read all about how spacers give you a rough ride. The think I don't understand is how does compressing that same stock spring more with a 5100 setup gives you a better ride? Logic tells me adding a spacer on top of the stock setup would increase the height and keep the factory ride. I see Autospring has a 1 1/2 for the outdoorsman because of the factory lift. That would be all I'm looking for.
I used the Eibach Sport Level Lift, no spacers. Longer shock and dual rate spring in back for 1" and longer struts and springs in front for 3-1/2" Sits level, looks good rides great.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
194,902
Posts
2,863,861
Members
155,252
Latest member
radikio
Top