Wanting to Lift 2021 Built To Serve 1 inch in front

[FakeDistress703]

Hi everyone, I am about to become a firs time truck owner. I'm getting a 2021 Ram 1500 BTS in Anvil. I couldn't be more excited, but I want to lift the front end an inch or so just so it looks a little better. I've heard a lot of good things about the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks, and so i have a few questions.

What do I need to do to install them? Is this something I am able to do at home? (I have some but not a ton of tools)

Will I need to replace the control arms or any other components? I do not want to drastically lift the truck's front end, just a little bit (1.5-2 max)

Most reviews of the 5100 are really good, but I have heard of some having problems with drivability after, especially with death wobble.

Thank you all for your input. I cannot explain how stoked I am to be joining the Ram Family.

 

[rzr6-4]

What do I need to do to install them? Is this something I am able to do at home? (I have some but not a ton of tools)

One bolt on bottom and a few on top, breaker bar and a few different length extensions may be helpful but nothing crazy. Not sure on if you need a spring compressor or if it will slide in easy at full droop, maybe someone else will chime in.

Will I need to replace the control arms or any other components? I do not want to drastically lift the truck's front end, just a little bit (1.5-2 max)

No, but you will need an alignment.

Most reviews of the 5100 are really good, but I have heard of some having problems with drivability after, especially with death wobble.

Again maybe someone else will chime in here but to my knowledge the 1500s don't get death wobble. 2500/3500 100% do, but that is a solid axle and is a completely different suspension/steering set up.

 

[FakeDistress703]

Thank you! Im hoping this will be easy, I would love more input but your answer is encouraging.

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

Death Wobble is a straight front axle issue, not a IFS problem. We offer Bilstein and other brands and can offer you a quote on the correct 5100's. If you would like a quote send me a message.

 

[mrack]

Depends on if you buy just the shock or the pre assembled strut. Installing an assembled strut is easy, but taking apart and assembling a strut yourself is sketchy, and given your limited tools and knowledge I wouldn’t recommend it. Find a place that sells the strut assembled to your desired height, suspensionlifts.com was the cheapest when I bought mine.

You don’t need new upper control arms 2” and under.

 

[FakeDistress703]

Depends on if you buy just the shock or the pre assembled strut. Installing an assembled strut is easy, but taking apart and assembling a strut yourself is sketchy, and given your limited tools and knowledge I wouldn’t recommend it. Find a place that sells the strut assembled to your desired height, suspensionlifts.com was the cheapest when I bought mine.

You don’t need new upper control arms 2” and under.

Thank you very much. I agree, so should I look at the entire package? It seems like only the shock is around 280 and the entire thing is 800. I should most likely buy the 800 one then? Or should I buy the shock and have a mechanic install it? Seems like for the first time I may not want to do this myself.

 

[mrack]

Thank you very much. I agree, so should I look at the entire package? It seems like only the shock is around 280 and the entire thing is 800. I should most likely buy the 800 one then? Or should I buy the shock and have a mechanic install it? Seems like for the first time I may not want to do this myself.

Yeah get the $800 assembly. It’ll be an easy install and you’ll gain some basic knowledge of how your front end works as you go. Make sure you get an alignment afterwards

 

[jay w]

I had Les Schwab do my 5100's! I put them on all corners and love them! I think I have them on clip 5, which is just under 2" of lift in the front! I run a 20x10 wheel with 285/55 R20's! Just the shocks BTW!

 

[olyelr]

Thank you very much. I agree, so should I look at the entire package? It seems like only the shock is around 280 and the entire thing is 800. I should most likely buy the 800 one then? Or should I buy the shock and have a mechanic install it? Seems like for the first time I may not want to do this myself.

Depending on where you take them to get the springs swapped onto the new shocks you may end up paying just as much as buying a loaded strut. Plus you will still have the original springs.

 

[FakeDistress703]

Yeah get the $800 assembly. It’ll be an easy install and you’ll gain some basic knowledge of how your front end works as you go. Make sure you get an alignment afterwards

Great point, thank you. I’ll probably end up getting the full assembly as I do want to understand how everything works.

 

[FakeDistress703]

Depending on where you take them to get the springs swapped onto the new shocks you may end up paying just as much as buying a loaded strut. Plus you will still have the original springs.

Yeah, mechanics will probably charge a fortunate to put in the stur, so the assembly will be easier. And then all I have to pay for is the alignment. Thank you for your advice!

 

[diymirage]

Thank you very much. I agree, so should I look at the entire package? It seems like only the shock is around 280 and the entire thing is 800. I should most likely buy the 800 one then? Or should I buy the shock and have a mechanic install it? Seems like for the first time I may not want to do this myself.

not knowing where you are as a mechanic, i suggest you watch this video, its made a little bit in jest, but it covers just about everything that one could do wrong
at about the 5 minute mark he addresses your question "should i get a loaded shock or a bare one?"

Most Common Strut Installation Mistakes!

For More Info visit us at: http://1aau.to/h/cAm/Len shows you some common strut installation mistakes! Are you planning on installing new struts on your car,...

youtu.be

 

[olyelr]

Yeah, mechanics will probably charge a fortunate to put in the stur, so the assembly will be easier. And then all I have to pay for is the alignment. Thank you for your advice!

Basically, installing a loaded strut is pretty simple overall. But having to swap springs onto a strut before install…better have the right equipment!!!! (Press)

 

[express2014]

Rent or buy a quality spring compressor for Bil 5100s. I bent my 20yo HF spring compressor.

 

[mrack]

Rent or buy a quality spring compressor for Bil 5100s. I bent my 20yo HF spring compressor.

For clarity this is only if you disassemble and reassemble the strut yourself. Only basic tools needed to swap in an assembled strut.

 

[FakeDistress703]

Yeah. Watches a few videos and realized I do not have a spring compressor, and so I should either leave it up to the professionals or buy the assembled strut. I need a quote from a mechanic but rn for simplicity stake I may just cough up the 800