Newbie lift components questions!!

[Tonyd2323]

Hi all new to the forum here and have a few questions. So to start I ordered a zone 6" kit with the 3 inch rear springs. Now I plan on using the bilstein 5100 all the way around so first question is can I use the strut at max with the current 3 inch spacer I have instead of using the big gaudy one that comes with the kit. Secondly the 5100 shocks say for use with trucks with 1" of lift in the rear so is there a different one out there that I'm not finding or will that one work. And last of all will factory wheels and tires work with this kit because I live in Michigan and want to run the stockers for the winter. Thanks ahead for any input... btw my truck is a 2014 1500 crew cab sport 4wd

 

[JB1]

Hi all new to the forum here and have a few questions. So to start I ordered a zone 6" kit with the 3 inch rear springs. Now I plan on using the bilstein 5100 all the way around so first question is can I use the strut at max with the current 3 inch spacer I have instead of using the big gaudy one that comes with the kit. Secondly the 5100 shocks say for use with trucks with 1" of lift in the rear so is there a different one out there that I'm not finding or will that one work. And last of all will factory wheels and tires work with this kit because I live in Michigan and want to run the stockers for the winter. Thanks ahead for any input... btw my truck is a 2014 1500 crew cab sport 4wd

1. Before we can answer the questin about your front bilsteins......Explain this "can I use the strut at max with the current 3 inch spacer I have"......you have a level kit currently?
2. No the bilsteins for 1" lift wouldn't have the proper range you'll need with the 3" rear lift, you should call superlift and get them to sell you the rear Bils from their 4" kit with bushings.
3. what diameter stock wheels and what size tires?

 

[Tonyd2323]

Sorry yes I have a 3 inch leveling kit on already. My wheels are the stock 20" sport wheels with 2756020 tires. And I just ordered the proper shocks and bushings from superlift. Thanks for the reply

 

[JB1]

The problem with using your level spacer as a lift kit spacer is the height. Your current level spacer is probably approximately 1.5” thick, whereas the Zone 6” top spacer is 5” tall.

Zone uses a preload spacer and a top spacer to get the 6” of lift. When using the adjustable Bilsteins you don’t use the Zone preload spacer.

It’s all math:

2.75” strut lift height
1.5” level spacer height
_____
4.25” front lift


5” zone spacer height
0.70” strut lift height
_____
5.7” front lift

You need to measure your fenderwell height from ground to center fenderwell opening at all 4 corners then tell us the measurements here so we can determine your rake.

Also try and measure your level spacer thickness if you can get up in there.

To answer your question can you use your level spacer, sure you can buy you’ll have less front lift.

 

[Tonyd2323]

So I did measure the rake and its about 3/8. 38.5 rear and 38.125 front that's ground to fender. I just purchased the truck and had ordered 3 inch leveling blocks not knowing that it already had a leveling kit.

I figured I could use the 3 inch blocks I ordered with the bils at 2.8 and achieve the same lift as if I just used the blocks that come with the kit. Just wanted to verify.

I guess the thing i worried the most about is If i can use my stock sport wheels without spacers. I'm concerned if they will clear the aftermarket knuckles that come with the kit and I figured someone on here has run the same lift as me with stock wheels.

I plan on in the spring getting some motometal 20x10s with 35s.

And by the way jb I love the look of your truck your post is where I found the shock numbers I need and brushing kits.

 

[JB1]

Thanks

Ok so that rake measurement is with the level spacer, did you happen to measure before that was installed?

Could you post a link to the 3" level kit you bought/installed?

Yes the stock 20" sport wheels will fit just fine, its the tires width that sometimes rubs when you install a 12.50 wide tire on the stock wheels.

 

[Tonyd2323]

Supreme Suspensions - Ram 1500 Lift Kit Front 3.5" Leveling Lift Kit for [2006 - 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD] and [2005 - 2011 Dodge Dakota] BLACK Aircraft Billet Strut Spacers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V3YUFPW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_nuk0BbG724WD9

This is the spacers I bought they are still in the box. The measurements I gave are as the truck sits now with whatever spacers the previous owner had installed

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Best advice would be to stick with the zone kit. Yes you can run Bilsteins but you opted for the 3” rear coil springs so you won’t have your bilsteins turned up. The top hat spacers that come with your zone kit will have the proper angles on them. Where most leveling kits turn the strut top 180 degrees (even zones 4” kit has them turned) geometry is very important with the front end components

 

[Tonyd2323]

I appreciate all the advice and I will make sure to post pics when I'm done...

 

[JB1]

Those level spacers thickness won’t measure the height of lift. I forget the ratio but it’s about 1:2. When you increase the length of the strut by adding that level spacer while keeping the stock knuckle the lift height is approx double that spacer thickness.

Your better off using the Zone top spacer and have your installer set your Bilsteins to 0.7” and not use the Zone preload spacer.

 

[Tonyd2323]

I'm gonna be the lucky installer for this one. I'm gonna just go with the kit as is and set the bils at the .7 like you said. Thanks again