Replacement of Stock Shocks & Struts

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Evil Phoenix

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Hey Guys -

My truck is nearing 100K Miles and I was thinking about replacing the stock ride height shocks and struts.

Truck is 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 5.7 Big Horn with the 5.7 bed

I have no interest in lifting, leveling or lowering this truck but I do want to put on nice equipment.

I just put on new tires and was astonished by how the ride was already so much better. I cant imagine how the shocks/struts as well as the sway bar mounts/end links have contributed to a poor ride quality that has happened slowly over time.

The truck is used to pull cars, our boat, 20ft or smaller trailers, load the bed with landscaping or building materials, haul misc. I dont even drive it that often but I do want to give the truck the attention it deserves this year.

What are you recommended for pre-loaded stock height replacement?

TIA!
 
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HEMIMANN

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For a stock replace, I suggest Bilstein 4600 series shocks. They ride much more controlled than the mush shocks than the truck comes with, unless you have the off road package.

I have offroad package, so it came with Bilstein 4600's. The 5100's are for lift kits.
 

09SilverRam

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For the rear top you will need to pull the wheel well liners and use a crow foot (21mm I think) to hold the bolt. So if you don’t have a crow foot set you may want to confirm that bolt size and order a crow foot when you order the shocks.

Or you could do like I do and order car parts, then leave them right inside the front door for three weeks while you wait on one more part and your wife start huffing every time she walks past them.
 

Chukbacca

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For the rear top you will need to pull the wheel well liners and use a crow foot (21mm I think) to hold the bolt. So if you don’t have a crow foot set you may want to confirm that bolt size and order a crow foot when you order the shocks.

Or you could do like I do and order car parts, then leave them right inside the front door for three weeks while you wait on one more part and your wife start huffing every time she walks past them.
I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who does that! Hahahahaha
 

crash68

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I was thinking about replacing the stock ride height shocks and struts.
If your replacing the shocks yourself, consider picking up these for the rear shocks: https://www.thurenfabrication.com/products/shock-nut-set-2009-2018-dodge-ram-1500
Lots of members like the Bilstein shock but some people describe them as being able to run over a coin and tell if it's heads or tails. Some members have reported back that Fox shocks ride better than the Bilstein. If your looking for a cushy ride probably best to stick with the OEM
 
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Evil Phoenix

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I guess I am just looking for a factory ride. I drive a company car M-F. When its nice out I have a fun car and a motorcycle. The truck just gets used for truck things.

That doesnt mean that Ill be cool with a crappy ride either.

Thanks for the advice.
 

06 Dodge

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For a stock replace, I suggest Bilstein 4600 series shocks. They ride much more controlled than the mush shocks than the truck comes with, unless you have the off road package.

I have offroad package, so it came with Bilstein 4600's. The 5100's are for lift kits.
When i replaced my shocks in my 06 2500 a few years back I had the 5100 installed, it was not a lifted truck
 

nlambert182

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You can get 5100s if you have a front spacer (leveling kit).

I had 5100s on my 2012. Can't get them on my 2018 since it doesn't run a front spacer.
 

Daw14

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While you are under there doing the shocks , you should inspect your rear control arm bushings. These wear fairly quickly, and it is a huge improvement with either new arms or just the bushings
 

Bigskyroadglide

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If it's 4x4 do 5100 bils in the back if you're most street. If offroad do the 5160s. In rear.

For front If street you can do the 5100 bils but be prepared you have to take the strut apart. If offroad 6112s with new springs pre assembled. Easy and fast but costly.

In total its about what you want to spend, 4600s f&r will set you back several hundred, 5100s more than half a yard and you have to risk your life to assemble. 6112s pre assembled and 5160s more than a yard but you have a firm off road ride.

If RWD, just get the 4600s.

In the end, it's about $$$$.
 

mrack

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You can get 5100s if you have a front spacer (leveling kit).

I had 5100s on my 2012. Can't get them on my 2018 since it doesn't run a front spacer.
OP has a 1500 so none of that is relevant. Both 4600 and 5100 can be set to stock height on half tons
 

joelmic

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I'm right there with the OP.
I'm at 80k and want to do mine soon, once this weather breaks I'll be doing my brakes, so I'd like to do the rear shocks first.
I actually am impressed with the OEM shocks on my truck but I don't want to pay $250 each.
I got a quote from the MOPAR guy here and that's just too much for OEM, even tho they lasted this long.
There has to be an OEM equivalent that is half that price. ??
I have lots of tools in the bed. But like I said the OEM ride has always been pretty smooth. The last thing I want is to feel every bump and crack in the road once I replace them.

I'd appreciate any suggestion. (see my sig for truck details)
 

quickster2

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Get with [email protected] a forum supporter. He set me up with all 6 needed on my 2500. Fast service and best price I found at the time. 1 stop shopping.

4600 on the four corners. 5100 for the rear transaxle. Fox Performance Series 2.0 for the steering stabilizer. Very satisfied had them on for about a year now.
 

nlambert182

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OP has a 1500 so none of that is relevant. Both 4600 and 5100 can be set to stock height on half tons
Just telling you what Bilstein says... they say the same thing for a 1500 that they said on my 2500. Could you make them fit? Possibly.
 

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mrack

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5100s and 4600s both have a stock height circlip setting. That said I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone actually setting the 5100s to stock as there are no other supporting mods needed to bump them up a couple inches.
 

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