Local Shop Won't Install 5100s.

[NYR99]

So I called a local off-road shop to get a quick quote on how much it would be to get Bilstein 5100s installed in the front. They said they don't install 5100s to level Rams because they cause too many problems. I told him that goes against everything I have researched and read online. He said I was wrong.

What gives?

 

[kg93]

find a different shop, doesnt even need to be an offroad shop

 

[DRkNESS]

As soon as he said no, your next move should have been to move on lol.

 

[Csanders1992]

Bilsteins are a much better alternative to spacers. The shop is way wrong


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[Ricks Ram]

5100's are the way to go. They keep your suspension geometry within its it's perramiters. As stated find another shop that is familiar with them and knows what they are doing or install them yourself.

 

[Pull Ya]

Last time I talked to anyone at 4 Wheel Parts that said they now have a company policy that prevents them for installing Bil 5100's on the new Rams without also changing the UCA. Another good reason to go somewhere else to have your work done.
Jay

 

[dkmesa]

would you rather them begrudgingly agree to install them and mess something up? Just move on and be glad that shop didn't accept your business.

 

[curtis]

Last time I talked to anyone at 4 Wheel Parts that said they now have a company policy that prevents them for installing Bil 5100's on the new Rams without also changing the UCA. Another good reason to go somewhere else to have your work done.
Jay

I thought replacing the UCA on the new am was the correct way to go from what I heard

 

[HemiPower36]

find a different shop, doesnt even need to be an offroad shop

I had a place called "Mexico tire" install mine. Hahaha. Those dudes tend to be pretty mechanically inclined aaaaand, they didn't ass **** my wallet.

 

[EagleChief]

I thought replacing the UCA on the new am was the correct way to go from what I heard

Not necessarily. With the Bilsteins set at 2.1 or lower, there is no need to worry about it. Even at 2.8 (max) it hasn't been too much of an issue. But, when adding "cheap/cheaper" spacers, it is a must.

To the OP, like others have said, find another shop. They haven't figured out the whole story. But, they are also covering their butts. I had checked with 4 Wheel Parts also, like someone already said, and they refused to do it without also doing the UCA's. They wouldn't even budge after I explained the difference between the "leveling kits" and the Bil's.

I ended up doing it in the driveway with the help of a buddy and we got then finished in about 2 hrs.

 

[roadshow]

Your experience isn't that uncommon. I've had both a truck parts store AND a mechanic who said he builds custom suspensions both say, "I've never heard anyone tell me they have problems with spacer kits". Sure, maybe they haven't. But they also probably don't research what others outside of their offline community have to say about it. I'm sure there's no shortage of shops or mechanics who's only feedback is local and don't go on the internet. The mechanic I spoke with just gave me a look that basically said yeah sure, whatever you want and obviously wasn't interested in what website communities had to say about Bils vs spacers

On the other hand, when you're on the internet, people don't tend to show up for no reason at all just to tell everyone "I've had Bils or spacer blocks installed for 5 years with no problems". People tend more to post when they're having issues, not the lack of them.

 

[madrock]

Worst case check with your dealership. My local dealership installed 5100 on my Jeep for $220. I didn't want to deal with taking apart the entire engine bay to access the strut bolts/nuts.