New Coilovers with 6 Inch BDS lift

[Jwithing]

Hey all, I've been reading a ton of threads on here and picking up some great info, but wanted to get thoughts in regards to my specific setup. Looking to spend some money to replace my suspension components since I have about 115k miles on the existing setup and I want to make sure I get it right the first time. I've reached out to our vendor Nick and I feel like I'm pestering him a bit too much with my indecisiveness and lack of knowledge lol.

Current setup:

6 inch BDS lift with 37x13.5R20 Toyo open country RT

Fox 2.0 shocks in rear stock Mopar struts in front

Unsure if the rear coil springs are 3 inch or 5. I sent an email to BDS asking them how I could identify. Ground to middle bottom of the bushwhacker flares is 45 inches in back and 43 inches in front.

Overall height clearance is about 6'10.75" or so if I recall correctly.

Goal:
I have to maintain a 7ft clearance capability.

I mainly drive highway and don't ever really offroad, although I have a few times, so I want a super comfy road ride. My gal has back issues, so any comfort I can provide while she rides shotgun, I'll spend a bit more for it.

What I'm considering:
Will probably upgrade the front UCAs to zone while I'm at it. From what I have been reading, the zone bushings should be more quite and less maintenance than others?

Replace the rear shocks with another set of FOX 2.0 shocks. I believe part number is 985-24-032, or would this vary based upon the rear coil spring size I have with my BDS lift?

I started out thinking the FOX 2.0 coilovers, 983-02-050, for the front. It sounds like the 2.0 are a PITA or impossible to get spring tensioners on them while on the truck to change the ride height. I would like to try bring up the front of the truck to level it for a nice change of pace, but if it screws my 7ft clearance, it would be nice to easily adjust them back down to where it is now.

So then I started looking at the DSC adjustability with the FOX 2.5, 883-06-073. I like the idea of getting rid of the 4 inch spacer ontop of the strut cover. Being able to tune the coilovers easily would also be awesome so that I could tune for the road and have offroad ready at the fingertips. There is an offroad park where I fish frequently so its always a possibility and some day I'll probably retire the truck as a daily driver, so the offroad capability now comes as a potential bonus and I can stomach the extra $1k cost. However, are the fox 2.5 a similar PITA to compress and adjust while on the truck?

I've seen ICON mentioned but haven't looked into them much so I'm not sure of a part number or price. It sounds like the ICONs are easily adjustable like normal coilovers while on the truck without being compressed, which is a big plus for me, but how does the ride comfort and quality on and offroad compare to the FOX?

Thanks in advance fellas, looking forward to your expertise, experiences, and ideas.

 

[Socalramfan]

Would you post a few pics of your Ram as it sits. Can’t make out your avatar too well. Looks like a nice stance

 

[danielmid]

UCA: JBA or Icon instead of Zone, better long term, less maintenance.

Rear shocks would be the same you already have? Are you worn out on the rear shocks?

The 2.0 shocks are tougher to adjust, the 2.5s can be adjusted on the truck. The longer coilover will also improve the ride.

If your goal is ride plushness then stay away from the Icon coilovers, they are happier with speed on rough roads than as a daily driver.

Another option to complicate things for you, most suspension tuner shops will do custom length Kings/Fox, so you could call Accutune or maybe Thuren and see what they would recommend for coilovers to replace the front strut plus spacers.

 

[Jwithing]

Would you post a few pics of your Ram as it sits. Can’t make out your avatar too well. Looks like a nice stance

Here's the same pic, about 5 years old but still looks the same except for putting a light tint on the fogs to blend them in better and adding high power DD fogs. I don't have a lot of leveled pics.

 

[Jwithing]

UCA: JBA or Icon instead of Zone, better long term, less maintenance.

Rear shocks would be the same you already have? Are you worn out on the rear shocks?

The 2.0 shocks are tougher to adjust, the 2.5s can be adjusted on the truck. The longer coilover will also improve the ride.

If your goal is ride plushness then stay away from the Icon coilovers, they are happier with speed on rough roads than as a daily driver.

Another option to complicate things for you, most suspension tuner shops will do custom length Kings/Fox, so you could call Accutune or maybe Thuren and see what they would recommend for coilovers to replace the front strut plus spacers.

I can't keep it straight with everything I've been reading about the UCA differences lol. Nick was telling me that if I get a replacement coilovers and keep stock height, I won't need UCAs as the majority or angle correcting which I don't need. Are there any UCAs that would be good for my stock current height and plus 2 inches? I really want that adjustability incase it screws my clearance and/or I end up not wanting to run level or stock.

I've put 95k on the current suspension setup and there may have been an additional 25k put on by the previous owner, probably time for a change. The ride isnt terrible, but I feel everything on the highway. BDS told me I'd have to take the shock off and measure fully extended to figure out which one I need.

Thanks for the recommendations, actually saw someone state that icons would be a little more plush on the hwy than fox. Have you run both to compare first hand?

I feel like custom tuning is a bit over the top. I'm also willing to spend a little extra, but not looking to throw money away lol. I still need to keep funds in mind eventually for my built 6.4 swap when my engine finally craps out. There's also the core 4x4 rear pieces on my wishlist along with the Detroit tru trac rearend.

 

[danielmid]

I can't keep it straight with everything I've been reading about the UCA differences lol. Nick was telling me that if I get a replacement coilovers and keep stock height, I won't need UCAs as the majority or angle correcting which I don't need. Are there any UCAs that would be good for my stock current height and plus 2 inches? I really want that adjustability incase it screws my clearance and/or I end up not wanting to run level or stock.

I've put 95k on the current suspension setup and there may have been an additional 25k put on by the previous owner, probably time for a change. The ride isnt terrible, but I feel everything on the highway. BDS told me I'd have to take the shock off and measure fully extended to figure out which one I need.

Thanks for the recommendations, actually saw someone state that icons would be a little more plush on the hwy than fox. Have you run both to compare first hand?

I feel like custom tuning is a bit over the top. I'm also willing to spend a little extra, but not looking to throw money away lol. I still need to keep funds in mind eventually for my built 6.4 swap when my engine finally craps out. There's also the core 4x4 rear pieces on my wishlist along with the Detroit tru trac rearend.

For the UCAs, if your lift has extended spindles you won't need BJ correcting UCAs. JBA makes a set that is for stock geometry lifts, like the lifted spindle kits. That's what I would recommend for you. The Zone and Icon have correction built in for strut/coilover lifts with stock spindles.

If you're happy with the rear ride, measure compressed and then extended, then match that up with new (or the matching external reservoir model, or a 2.5 to match the front).

I've run none of them, I have Bilstein 5100s in the front, and Fox 2.0s in the back with Icon springs. There are dozens of threads here with people who have run every combo and all of them say Icon is rougher on road than either Fox or King 2.5, even more so with tuned 2.5s.

Rear parts have other options also, I run Freedom Offroad parts, there's a few people here running Clayton Offroad parts that love them.

Here's a fantastic resource from @ram1500rsm that has cross reference info and options for everything we've discussed:

4th Gen 1500 Coilovers,Struts,Shocks,Control Arms,Trackbars

It's been a while since i had updated my previous list so i've been meaning to post the latest rundown. This is just me collecting info from a bunch of internet sites sites. Use as your own risk. i don't meant to pretend i made any of this parts so i'm not responsible for warranties, misuse of...

www.ramforum.com

 

[healthyrx]

I can't keep it straight with everything I've been reading about the UCA differences lol. Nick was telling me that if I get a replacement coilovers and keep stock height, I won't need UCAs as the majority or angle correcting which I don't need. Are there any UCAs that would be good for my stock current height and plus 2 inches? I really want that adjustability incase it screws my clearance and/or I end up not wanting to run level or stock.

I've put 95k on the current suspension setup and there may have been an additional 25k put on by the previous owner, probably time for a change. The ride isnt terrible, but I feel everything on the highway. BDS told me I'd have to take the shock off and measure fully extended to figure out which one I need.

Thanks for the recommendations, actually saw someone state that icons would be a little more plush on the hwy than fox. Have you run both to compare first hand?

I feel like custom tuning is a bit over the top. I'm also willing to spend a little extra, but not looking to throw money away lol. I still need to keep funds in mind eventually for my built 6.4 swap when my engine finally craps out. There's also the core 4x4 rear pieces on my wishlist along with the Detroit tru trac rearend.

I have the icon coilovers and do basically no off-roading right now. They are definitely firm on the interstate and on street driving. According the to @crazykid1994 the fox 2.5 coilovers are much plusher than my icons (he has ridden in my truck and seen how the icons feel prior to buying his fox)

My opinion of the icon coilovers is that they are similar to the forks on a Dirtbike setup for super cross vs setup for trail riding. Firm and take a lot more energy to blow through the stroke but absorb harsh and high speed impact well. I chose the icons as an upgrade from the eibach strut/spring combo just because I wanted a 2.5 coilover which to my understanding has larger holes in the valving allowing for more tuning/ oil movement than a 2.0 coilover but I don’t do enough off-roading to justify the cost for the fox coilovers with a res.
However were I in your situation with a significant other who needs as soft a ride as you can get I would absolutely not hesitate to throw these icon out and get custom valved king/fox 2.5s

 

[Jwithing]

For the UCAs, if your lift has extended spindles you won't need BJ correcting UCAs. JBA makes a set that is for stock geometry lifts, like the lifted spindle kits. That's what I would recommend for you. The Zone and Icon have correction built in for strut/coilover lifts with stock spindles.

If you're happy with the rear ride, measure compressed and then extended, then match that up with new (or the matching external reservoir model, or a 2.5 to match the front).

I've run none of them, I have Bilstein 5100s in the front, and Fox 2.0s in the back with Icon springs. There are dozens of threads here with people who have run every combo and all of them say Icon is rougher on road than either Fox or King 2.5, even more so with tuned 2.5s.

Rear parts have other options also, I run Freedom Offroad parts, there's a few people here running Clayton Offroad parts that love them.

Here's a fantastic resource from @ram1500rsm that has cross reference info and options for everything we've discussed:

4th Gen 1500 Coilovers,Struts,Shocks,Control Arms,Trackbars

It's been a while since i had updated my previous list so i've been meaning to post the latest rundown. This is just me collecting info from a bunch of internet sites sites. Use as your own risk. i don't meant to pretend i made any of this parts so i'm not responsible for warranties, misuse of...

www.ramforum.com

By extended spindles, do you mean the spacer ontop of the struts?

I think the fox 2.0 in rear are fine and just figure I'd replace them with what I have. I doubt another extra 1k for the 2.5 in rear is necessary for me.

 

[Jwithing]

Nick had a great idea of jacking up the front end 2 inches to check my clearance. I'll have to give that a go this weekend and see how it is.

Kind of sucks that it's one or the other on the UCAs. Would be nice to be able to lift the front 2 inches and be able to drop it back down without having to change the UCAs.

 

[danielmid]

By extended spindles, do you mean the spacer ontop of the struts?

I think the fox 2.0 in rear are fine and just figure I'd replace them with what I have. I doubt another extra 1k for the 2.5 in rear is necessary for me.

The spindles/knuckles below are longer than stock to keep the stock geometry so you wouldn't need the UCA that correct angles like the Zone/Icon.



That's why I think the JBA would work well, a pretty big upgrade over stock while working with your lift kit. They make a version for stock geometry trucks.