Lowering a 4wd? Belltech 25013 shocks any good?

[Speed150mph]

I’ll cut the preamble. I’m considering lowering my 2010 ram 1500 4wd. Trucks a daily driver, on highway with very limited off road. Will see winter roads in Canada. I’ve hit a road block, the only kit I’ve found for lowering the front is the belltech 25013 lowering strut. Are these struts any good? Do they ride well? Do they cause issues with CV shafts or front driveshaft angles?

my build plans if I decided to lower it was a 2/2 drop using belltech 25013 lowering shocks up front with new stock springs. Belltech 5465 front sway bar with suspensionmaxx adjustable links. In the back I was going to use mcgaughy 2” lowering spring, with bilstien 4600 shocks, a hellwig rear sway bar and adjustable rear control arms and panhard bar. I know it’s a cobbled together mess of parts, but I do like the raked stance of the stock truck, I just want to bring everything down 2” will this work or cause issues?

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

2/2 drop using belltech 25013 lowering shocks up front with new stock springs. Appears to work. Why replace springs? Bet they are disco and you will have difficulty finding.

Belltech 5465 front sway bar waste of funds

suspensionmaxx adjustable links. Appears to work but why?

In the back I would go with your plan to use mcgaughy 2” lowering spring, with bilstien 4600 shocks, a hellwig rear sway bar and adjustable rear control arms and panhard bar. All appears to work.

But that's just my opinion

 

[DILLIGAF]

Front sway bars on these truck arent needed anyways.

 

[Wild one]

I’ll cut the preamble. I’m considering lowering my 2010 ram 1500 4wd. Trucks a daily driver, on highway with very limited off road. Will see winter roads in Canada. I’ve hit a road block, the only kit I’ve found for lowering the front is the belltech 25013 lowering strut. Are these struts any good? Do they ride well? Do they cause issues with CV shafts or front driveshaft angles?

my build plans if I decided to lower it was a 2/2 drop using belltech 25013 lowering shocks up front with new stock springs. Belltech 5465 front sway bar with suspensionmaxx adjustable links. In the back I was going to use mcgaughy 2” lowering spring, with bilstien 4600 shocks, a hellwig rear sway bar and adjustable rear control arms and panhard bar. I know it’s a cobbled together mess of parts, but I do like the raked stance of the stock truck, I just want to bring everything down 2” will this work or cause issues?

2" drop spindles for the 2X4's also fit the 4X4's,and are easier to wheel align to factory specs.I ran the drop spindles with cut down rear R/T springs on my old 4X4

 

[Speed150mph]

2/2 drop using belltech 25013 lowering shocks up front with new stock springs. Appears to work. Why replace springs? Bet they are disco and you will have difficulty finding.

Belltech 5465 front sway bar waste of funds

suspensionmaxx adjustable links. Appears to work but why?

In the back I would go with your plan to use mcgaughy 2” lowering spring, with bilstien 4600 shocks, a hellwig rear sway bar and adjustable rear control arms and panhard bar. All appears to work.

But that's just my opinion

Replacing the springs because after 450000 km on them I’m sure they aren’t as strong as they used to be.

Why do you say the front sway bar is a waste? I was going to go with hellwig up front but they don’t make one for the 4wd. But I’ve heard good things on the belltech. And The suspensionmaxx links because they are stiffer than stock and are adjustable to can be set for the ideal length for the new ride height.

 

[Speed150mph]

2" drop spindles for the 2X4's also fit the 4X4's,and are easier to wheel align to factory specs.I ran the drop spindles with cut down rear R/T springs on my old 4X4

That’s interesting. I’d heard it can cause issues with the CV shafts which is why I was staying away from them but something to consider. Can you recommend a good one?

 

[Wild one]

That’s interesting. I’d heard it can cause issues with the CV shafts which is why I was staying away from them but something to consider. Can you recommend a good one?

When i did it there were only MacGauphies (sp??) dropped spindles available,i'm not sure whats available now,as it was 10 years ago when i transferred the spindles off my 2X4 onto my 4X4. You'll want 20 inch rims,you can make 17's work,but you have to do some grinding on the lower arm/balljoint stud.
I never had any issues with the CV's when i had them in place.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

You should prepare yourself that the springs will be discontinued. My 14s are discontinued and my truck is 4 years newer than yours.

Spindles below

2002-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 2" Front Drop Spindles - McGaughys 44001

Shop for a 2002-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 2" Front Drop Spindles - McGaughys 44001 from suspensionsuperstore.com. With The Largest Inventory w/ Free Same Day Shipping & Best Pricing!

suspensionsuperstore.com

 

[Speed150mph]

You should prepare yourself that the springs will be discontinued. My 14s are discontinued and my truck is 4 years newer than yours.

Spindles below

2002-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 2" Front Drop Spindles - McGaughys 44001

Shop for a 2002-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 2" Front Drop Spindles - McGaughys 44001 from suspensionsuperstore.com. With The Largest Inventory w/ Free Same Day Shipping & Best Pricing!

suspensionsuperstore.com

So using spindles I would still use stock height springs and shocks up front?

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Yes, that is correct

 

[ezmoney]

I’ll cut the preamble. I’m considering lowering my 2010 ram 1500 4wd. Trucks a daily driver, on highway with very limited off road. Will see winter roads in Canada. I’ve hit a road block, the only kit I’ve found for lowering the front is the belltech 25013 lowering strut. Are these struts any good? Do they ride well? Do they cause issues with CV shafts or front driveshaft angles?

my build plans if I decided to lower it was a 2/2 drop using belltech 25013 lowering shocks up front with new stock springs. Belltech 5465 front sway bar with suspensionmaxx adjustable links. In the back I was going to use mcgaughy 2” lowering spring, with bilstien 4600 shocks, a hellwig rear sway bar and adjustable rear control arms and panhard bar. I know it’s a cobbled together mess of parts, but I do like the raked stance of the stock truck, I just want to bring everything down 2” will this work or cause issues?

I don't know if this is what you are looking for. American Trucks posted this video 2 days ago. It's a 2/4 Belltech kit for 4x4 Ram.

2009-2018 RAM 1500 Belltech Lowering Kit with Street Performance Shocks Review & Install

Upgrade your Dodge RAM's performance and looks by installing this Belltech Lowering Kit with included Street Performance Shocks. This kit lowers your truck b...

youtu.be

 

[Geawiel]

I don't know if this is what you are looking for. American Trucks posted this video 2 days ago. It's a 2/4 Belltech kit for 4x4 Ram.

2009-2018 RAM 1500 Belltech Lowering Kit with Street Performance Shocks Review & Install

Upgrade your Dodge RAM's performance and looks by installing this Belltech Lowering Kit with included Street Performance Shocks. This kit lowers your truck b...

youtu.be

I don't know if I'd suggest this kit. I put mine on and had issues in the rear with wobble. If anyone is going to do this kit, replace the rear socks with the QA1 TS905. It doesn't say it fits however, they do. You should be sitting at 21" with weight on wheels. The length of the QA1's, max, it 23.63". The handling difference between the Belltech and the QA1's is drastic.

You also might end up having to do the traction bar relocation kit by IHC. I'm on the fence on Belltech's stabilization bar relocation bracket. There is 1 bolt that is impossible to get a torque wrench on. It gives some play and contributes to wobble coming from the rear. I had the bracket welded to the axle but I'm still not happy with it. There is a frame side stabilization bar kit that I'm going to try when I can get to it.

With the QA1s dialed up towards the performance handling range then the wobble is gone, but it's a rougher ride. With a soft setting it's only there when you hid some really rough spots or get hit with hard cross winds. It disappears as soon as it stops, and it is only noticeable by the driver, but it's bugging me.

 

[bonnyjliss]

**** you man, you're convincing me to spend more for the qa1s over the belltechs.... LOL

my truck is basically just how you described yours.

i have the track bar relocation kit sitting on my desk, the stabil relocate kit as well... i don't have shocks yet... i should probably get the qa1s if i want to be happy with it long term... uggggg

what about the front shocks? did you get qa1s there are well or belltechs?

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Thread 'Shocks for lowering' https://www.ramforum.com/threads/shocks-for-lowering.99668/

 

[Wild one]

I don't know if I'd suggest this kit. I put mine on and had issues in the rear with wobble. If anyone is going to do this kit, replace the rear socks with the QA1 TS905. It doesn't say it fits however, they do. You should be sitting at 21" with weight on wheels. The length of the QA1's, max, it 23.63". The handling difference between the Belltech and the QA1's is drastic.

You also might end up having to do the traction bar relocation kit by IHC. I'm on the fence on Belltech's stabilization bar relocation bracket. There is 1 bolt that is impossible to get a torque wrench on. It gives some play and contributes to wobble coming from the rear. I had the bracket welded to the axle but I'm still not happy with it. There is a frame side stabilization bar kit that I'm going to try when I can get to it.

With the QA1s dialed up towards the performance handling range then the wobble is gone, but it's a rougher ride. With a soft setting it's only there when you hid some really rough spots or get hit with hard cross winds. It disappears as soon as it stops, and it is only noticeable by the driver, but it's bugging me.

Shocks no matter how good are just a band-aid for rear end wobble on a lowered Ram.The proper way to cure the issue is to relocate the rear arms,so they're back to a somewhat proper geometery,and don't try to steer the rear end,which is where the wobble originates from.

 

[Geawiel]

Shocks no matter how good are just a band-aid for rear end wobble on a lowered Ram.The proper way to cure the issue is to relocate the rear arms,so they're back to a somewhat proper geometery,and don't try to steer the rear end,which is where the wobble originates from.

Correct, but, the shocks that do come with that kit, relocation aside and no wobble, are not great. With the Belltech kit shocks, my bump stops sat a hair from the frame. This was indicated in the kit to be normal. They use the bump stops, which they said are progressive stops, as part of the shock system. It caused a really rough ride and constant hitting on the bump stops. With the QA1s, the ride significantly smoothed out. No more constant bottoming out on even the slightest of bumps. I never had issues again. Being adjustable was a huge bonus as well.

 

[Wild one]

Correct, but, the shocks that do come with that kit, relocation aside and no wobble, are not great. With the Belltech kit shocks, my bump stops sat a hair from the frame. This was indicated in the kit to be normal. They use the bump stops, which they said are progressive stops, as part of the shock system. It caused a really rough ride and constant hitting on the bump stops. With the QA1s, the ride significantly smoothed out. No more constant bottoming out on even the slightest of bumps. I never had issues again. Being adjustable was a huge bonus as well.

I ran the Belltech street performer shocks for years and never had any issues with them,but i did trim the bumpstops a wee bit. Truck pulled 1.50 60fts easily at the track,and was dead stable to 155 mph with the belltechs and stock rear arms.I had a set of custom heavy duty rear locating arms,but they didn't do anything for the truck,and when i went on a lightening kick,i took them off and went back to the stock arms,as 1 of the custom short arms,weighed more then all 4 of the stock arms did,lol.
The QA1's are nice,but if the rear suspension is done right they aren't needed as much as alot of guys think they are