Tuftruck 1211 too short for Bilstein 5100?

[hardcharger77]

Hi Folks,

Looking for some advice here. I've got 2017 RAM 1500 Sport Quad Cab (Hemi) that I've added a Go Fast Camper (~350lbs) to the back of. It's compressed the OE springs by 3/4" or 1" and I think the OE shocks are getting close to done as I every bump I hit gives me a series of "echos" as the rebound is not totally controlled. I'll be adding other things to the back of the truck, and figure I'll be running around with a total of about 500lbs over stock weight, so the stock springs would be getting a workout.

So... my plan was to get the truck a bit closer to level with Bilstein 6112's up front (set at 2") and put a set of Tuftruck 1211's in the back with Bilstein 5100's. The shop I have doing the install called and are telling me the extra inch of travel of the 5100's over stock combined with the shorter overall length of the 1211's mean I'm running the risk of the springs falling out. Unlikely during regular driving, but a possibility when the truck is on the lift or if I end up stretching out the back end in the middle of nowhere.

I'm having them install the 1211's for now and stick with the original shocks. Should I look at a shorter Bilstein for the rear (4600?) or just get new OE shocks back there? Or stick with 5100's and add limiting straps? Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[ram1500rsm]

The 1211's are 1" shorter than stock. You could add 1" spacers to compensate.

 

[hardcharger77]

The 1211's are 1" shorter than stock. You could add 1" spacers to compensate.

Thanks, that's an option. I'm going to get them to install the 5100's in the rear and leave the OE springs in for now. Hopefully that helps my "echo" bouncing problem. I didn't really want to raise the rear up too much.

Any recommendations on quality 1" rear spacers?

Thanks,

 

[ram1500rsm]

I'm running the Daystar 1" ones.

 

[pacofortacos]

The 1211's are a bit short, even with OEM HD shocks. I have had mine move by jacking the body up.
A 1/2" rubber type spacer (or double the thickness of the OEM spacer) would be perfect.

 

[hardcharger77]

Thanks for the comments. I am not super keen on adding a spacer. Anyone foresee issues if I switch to the Icon 1.5” lift rear coils? They seem to have a higher load capacity than stock and are a good bit longer that the Tuftruck 1211’s.

Meanwhile, 6112’s are going on the front at 2” with the stock rear springs, so I’ll have a nice lean until I sort this out. Good thing I don’t have any road trips coming up soon.


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[ram1500rsm]

I have the Icons because they have the most weight support of the pack that are longer than stock and are still within of 1-1.5" lift. Icon have 2 rates (progressive springs), so the 1st rate is 25% softer than stock, 2nd rate is 75% firmer. also because they can open up even longer than the 27 1/4 extended shocks i have now.

 

[pacofortacos]

There's also the tufftruck 1223 springs - they might be a bit longer but I don't have them to know for sure.

 

[hardcharger77]

I have ordered the Icons, hopefully they arrive soon.

Here’s how it is sitting now with 6112’s at 2” in the front and stock coils with 5100’s in the rear. Stock 275/60r20 wheels (keeping an eye out for Rebel 17’s so I can mount 285/75r17 tires)



GFC weighs about 350 and all of the old suspension bits are in the bed. It’s about 0.5” low in the rear.

For reference, here’s how it looked before the front lift.



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[ram1500rsm]

There's also the tufftruck 1223 springs - they might be a bit longer but I don't have them to know for sure.

The 1223V's are 17.75" long, stockers are 18.5" so they're still shorter. The 1223V's are their progressive coils so they should be the longest out of the other three coils they have for the RAM 1500: 1210,1211 and 1223's.

The only other coil i know of longer and progressive asides from the Icon 1.5" (19.5") are the SLF-140 for 2" lift, they're 22.5" long but they won't hold the 2" of lift with 500lbs. Tested myself in my crew cab 1500, and i carry 500lbs of extra weight at all times in mine because of my mods the SLF-140's lost their full 2" in a matter of 2 weeks, vs the Icons that lost 1" over a period of almost 2 years. That's why i'm running the Daystar 1" spacer on them. (i added the 1" spacers couple of months ago as a temporary solution while i was looking for longer springs)

I've been as far as reaching BDS for the 3" springs a few weeks ago, and after pictures exchange, weight info and spring rate, BDS concluded their 3" coil spring wouldn't even keep 2" of lift with my truck weight. BDS 034453R (BDS 3" coils) are 20 3/4" long and have a 240 lbs/inch spring rate which id guess is pretty much stock or super close to stock rates, just 3" longer. they're also linear like the stockers.

Eibach springs are 19.8" long but only 10% firmer than stock according to their website. Billies are 19.5" long and i'd guess they will have similar spring rates as the stocker, just 1" longer. They even have different lenghts as well for your driver/passenger side like stocker.

In terms of weight management and lenght it's my opinion and i may be wrong that Icon can carry more with less sag especially more if you can hit them with more than 500lbs of permanent weight. (Icon doesn't list spring rates, they used to advertised 25% softer than stock on 1st rate, 75% firmer on 2nd and that's why i went with them). Most progressives springs tend to drop like stock if you hit their first rate, first rate is tipically stock of softer, and then it ramps up from there until 2nd rate, then on the 2nd one the rate keeps getting firmer and firmer. Tuff Truck 1223V tell you they'll sag like stocker on the 1st rate, 2nd is the one that keeps everything in the peachy spot for weight management. That's why i like progressive springs for offroad and work, more weight capacity for expedition/overlanding tasks, soft or softer than stock without weight and longer than their counterpart linear springs so you can run longer than stock shocks without worrying about unseating your coils when offroading. I still run my own implementation of coil retainers, lol some old habits never die

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

I love linear springs for my sport vehicles, cornering is way easier to predict and control with them when mated with right shocks or coilovers.

 

[pacofortacos]

I thought the 1223 (not the 1223V) might be a bit taller than the 1211's. And the 1211's are barely a bit too short after 2 years on my Outdoorsman with the oem HD shocks.

It isn't that mine can even come loose at full shock extension - they are just barely loose enough to turn by hand. Even then it is only the DS, I don't think the PS is even that loose.

 

[ram1500rsm]

It migth be interesting to know their measurements. The 1223 are supposed to be Tuff truck extra HD coils. I'd think they're prob even shorter than the 1211's or perhaps the same free length but thicker coils for the added weight support.