What to do next?

[MidwestExpress]

Hey all,

I'd like to upgrade my suspension more. I'm looking for off road upgrades, as I don't tow or haul much other than typical yard work/homeowner stuff. I don't have aspirations to enter my truck into the Baja 500, but just have a little more ability/confidence in the suspension for when I play in the dirt. The truck is a daily driver for me. I'm not necessarily looking for more lift, I want it to fit in the garage.

Currently, I have the Bilstein 5100s front & rear. Everything else is stock. I'd like to find some upgrades that work with those Bilsteins, if possible. I also don't have a large budget to purchase a bunch of parts at once, but rather, will have to piece it together over time.

Does anyone have recommendations for me on what to do next? I see there are options for the rear springs, is that a good place to go next? Should I do UCA's? Does anyone know if there are upgraded front springs that can be paired with the 5100s? Any other components that'd be a better next step?

Thank you for any input.

 

[Chief_6.7]

Are you looking for more lift? Better ride? Then what you currently have.

 

[MidwestExpress]

Are you looking for more lift? Better ride? Then what you currently have.

I'm not intentionally looking for more lift, but if 1-2" is added as part of putting in the upgrades that'd be fine. I'm mainly looking for stronger components to be able to push it a little harder off road. Thanks

 

[yillbs]

there are a few. Depending on what you're truck is opened with you'd want to go with some of the lines below.

1. Eibach sway bar upgrade ( these are nice )
2. 3 -4 inch lift with 35 inch tires, something that will plant you better off road, I.E M/T rated, or perhaps A/T ? but 35's either way
3. Kill whatever side steps you have and get the AMP power side steps. You won't high center " as much " with your long ass bed. I've literally had mine underwater for hours, and through dry desert. They don't die.
4. you didnt' say what year your truck was, but stiffer springs , perhaps the 1223Vs ? ( someone else can chime in on that )
5. You'll likely want to get a trans plate, oil plate, etc.

I think ultimately, going " off road " implies that you need to have the ability to go where you need to. If it's just dirt, you'll likely encounter some high terrain. with your longer bed, you're wheelbase is rather large. Because of this, you're really not in the best " offroad " dirt truck ever. If you're thinking you're going to get to the same level as say a raptor, don't hold your breathe. These ram trucks are not light, they are heavy little ********, and if you attempt to jump your truck, or drive like a raptor, you're likely going to break a ujoint or lose a bearing. good luck though!

 

[MidwestExpress]

1. Eibach sway bar upgrade ( these are nice )
2. 3 -4 inch lift with 35 inch tires, something that will plant you better off road, I.E M/T rated, or perhaps A/T ? but 35's either way
3. Kill whatever side steps you have and get the AMP power side steps. You won't high center " as much " with your long ass bed. I've literally had mine underwater for hours, and through dry desert. They don't die.
4. you didnt' say what year your truck was, but stiffer springs , perhaps the 1223Vs ? ( someone else can chime in on that )
5. You'll likely want to get a trans plate, oil plate, etc.

I think ultimately, going " off road " implies that you need to have the ability to go where you need to. If it's just dirt, you'll likely encounter some high terrain. with your longer bed, you're wheelbase is rather large. Because of this, you're really not in the best " offroad " dirt truck ever. If you're thinking you're going to get to the same level as say a raptor, don't hold your breathe. These ram trucks are not light, they are heavy little ********, and if you attempt to jump your truck, or drive like a raptor, you're likely going to break a ujoint or lose a bearing. good luck though!

Thank you for the response. Yeah, I don't plan on jumping the truck. I do already have the Bilstein 5100s set at 2.8 with bigger BFG A/T tires. I don't have side steps and have no interest in putting them on currently. My year is 2014.

I have considered upgrading the sway bars, any more feedback on off road performance with them? I'm definitely considering upgrading the springs. At the risk of asking a stupid question, why can't the front springs be upgraded separately from the struts/shocks? For example, Eibach says their springs can only be used with their front shocks.

https://eibach.com/us/i-7743-pro-lift-kit-springs-front-springs-only.html

 

[yillbs]

Thank you for the response. Yeah, I don't plan on jumping the truck. I do already have the Bilstein 5100s set at 2.8 with bigger BFG A/T tires. I don't have side steps and have no interest in putting them on currently. My year is 2014.

I have considered upgrading the sway bars, any more feedback on off road performance with them? I'm definitely considering upgrading the springs. At the risk of asking a stupid question, why can't the front springs be upgraded separately from the struts/shocks? For example, Eibach says their springs can only be used with their front shocks.

https://eibach.com/us/i-7743-pro-lift-kit-springs-front-springs-only.html

If you can get a good set of disconnecting sway bars you might get some better performance. Sway bars in general aren't really going to " assist " with much " off road ". Though, they are good to have in the event you're doing more than just creeping along at 5mph off road / rocks, etc.

As for the spring question, Ram sells them as a set. unfortunately, that means others will too. Though, they dont have to be. However; the load on the springs will need to basically align with whatever preloader you have / strut you want to use. I.E if you upgrade to a stiffer spring, but don't upgrade your struts or shocks, you're going to be in one hell of a ride!