Want to freshen up suspension without lifting.

[DRkNESS]

I own a 2011 Ram with almost 120,000 miles on it. Stock oem suspension with oem sized tires (3rd) set. I'm about to refresh the whole truck but first I want to start with the suspension. I don't want to lift it with the mileage that's on it now. What I would like to do is freshen up the suspension as far as new shocks, tires, and whatever else is needed. I'm good as far as what tires I will have installed. What I would like from you gents is proven suggestions as far as for shocks please. I would like to keep this truck for at least another 15 months. I don't tow, don't haul, I don't even put things in the bed of the truck. I use it for transporting the family for Church and for our many vacations.

Thank you kindly to those that respond with suggestions, and for those who just even took the time to read this.

 

[xrsman]

Well a lot of guys on here use bilstein 5100's for replacement shocks. The best part is that you can set them to lift your truck too! I'm not sure if you just didn't want to pay to lift it because of the mileage, but going with those shocks you could do both (they'd level the truck out) for the same price as just putting new shocks on! Plus from what I hear and read they're very good quality shocks!

 

[lonewolf2873]

Yes even without doing any lift/level, 5100's are great shocks. If it was me I'd put them on and put fronts up .7 at least.

 

[DRkNESS]

So with all of the great advice being given, does anyone have a link to where to buy these? I see the ads on the side, but is there one specifically that we support ? Thanks again for the great advice and those are the ones that I will be buying.

 

[kris319]

So with all of the great advice being given, does anyone have a link to where to buy these? I see the ads on the side, but is there one specifically that we support ? Thanks again for the great advice and those are the ones that I will be buying.

I would definitely recommend Bilstein, they offer the best performance for the price of any shocks out there.

I don't believe there is a specific vendor we support for Bilsteins and I know they were back ordered not that long ago so I would go with whomever has them in stock and with the best price.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[hunter99]

Do the 5100's even fit a 2wd truck? The OP don't specify and there is nothing to indicate either way. I hear how great these are and when I looked into them they only had fitments for 4x4's. If the OP's truck is a 4x4 that's great but if not does anyone know what a good shock would be for a 2wd?

Also, to the OP, I had an older 2nd gen dakota that the suspension had become tired on. Replacing all of the bushings front the rear really tightened the suspension back up. Not cheap but not super expensive either. Just something to think about.

 

[DRkNESS]

I'm sorry I should have stated that. My truck is a 4x4 Hemi BigHorn. I'm not sure if this part is important, but it's a crew cab also. I'm putting new tires, complete tuneup, oil change, full fluid flush, and upgraded headlights and foglights. Even though I'm only keeping it for 15 months, I don't cheap things out when it comes to taking care of vehicles.

 

[h2oman]

Yes it is important. With the 4x4 you can use the adjustable Bilstein's. Since yours is an '11 you can go to the highest setting (2.8 inches) no problem. If you have not changed the shocks before on this truck then your shocks have been dead for a long long time. The OEM's are pure junk and don't last much past 20K.

 

[DRkNESS]

^^^ Thank you for the response and these are the factory shocks on there. I faithfully have the truck at the dealer once a month since I drive so much and they check it supposedly every time. I'm going to order the (4) today and hopefully they are in stock. Thank you once again for all of the great info provided.

 

[Caldwell]

Bilstien 5100's, or even the 4600's ( Non Leveling ) will feel much better then OEM.

Also take a look into Bushing's / Ball Joints. The truck is only 4ish ? years old, with that kind of mileage things will have loosened up a little since stock. You may be shocked how much different a new set of bushing's can make your worn vehicle feel.

 

[h2oman]

With the amount of work involved in pulling the coil overs out, I seriously doubt they are checking your shocks.

 

[Buddy]

Pretty sure Moe's sells them, give Matt a call.

 

[DRkNESS]

I will drop the truck off at my go to shop and have them go through the whole suspension. They know that if it's suspect, I want it to be changed. But at the rate that I am going, I want everything replaced.