[rmckee]

So I am currently out of the country on Army business but I have a bunch of parts at the house ready for install on my 14 Ram Black Express after this tour is complete. First off is the cherry bomb extreme muffler, EGR body guard molding, EVO3 light bar mount with 17 inch cree light bar for the front, fender flares, molded mud flaps, rear bumper guard, new grille, 50 inch light bar for the roof, new leds for the interior, and then of course the Bilstein 5100 series to replace the current level kit I have on it. So my question is with these new shocks set at 2.8 do I need to run a 1 inch spacer on the rear? I've been looking through a few threads on here and haven't seen anything definitive. Also do you guys recommend new UCAs (Mevotechs) as I have read that the level messes the stock ones up. Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[Troops141]

I have the Bilsteins in the front set to 2.1 and it still has about 1/4" rake to the front. Set to 2.8, your front will be slightly higher than the rear so you'll need blocks, unless you like the look of the front being higher.. Some people on here have got the Mevotechs as a precaution and others have stayed stock and had no issues. It can't hurt to get them, I'll probably switch mine out when my tires burn up since you're suppose to get an alignment after installing UCAs and I don't want to pay to have that done again since I just did it with the Bilstein install.

 

[Thunderhorse]

IMHO the Bilsteins at 2.8 make the truck look nose high without any rear lift, so I would recommend either getting the spacer blocks or going with the 2.1 setting.

I would also recommend looking at the Zone UCAs vs Mevotech.

Yes they are more expensive, but IMHO they are much higher quality and much beefier than the Mevotechs. I have read a few accounts of the ball joints locking up on the Mevotechs after just a few thousand miles.

FWIW I will be getting Bilsteins put in at 1.4 along with Zone UCAs and Tuftruck 1223V progressive rear coil springs at some point. I have all the parts, but I don't have the time to take the truck in and get them installed. If you're going to 2.8 you should definitely get new UCAs

 

[HarboredRam]

Northern Mich. Setup

I have my 5100's at 2.1 and everything else is stock.... Never had a single issue, and I use my truck for travel, daily work, and getting lost in the woods. I've got an 1.5 body kit from Zone in front of me, waiting on some Dick Cepek extreme country 35"s due in later today along with a 1" Top Gun Customz rear coil spacer. I plan on setting the 5100's to 2.8 and installing everything else. I'll keep updates on my progress. I still need to add a few pics of the truck as it is. Hopefully you can get a plan together before your stateside. And thank you for your service!

 

[TexasHemi121]

HarboredRam,

Can you let us know how things have gone for you with that setup (Bilstein's @ 2.8 & 1" rear spacer) and post those pics? Any issues with your stock UCAs so far?

 

[cartgreg]

Hello, I got bilsteins at 2.8", fabtech UCAs, and 1" rear spacers installed a year and a half ago. No mechanical problems at all. Only problem is when I have more than maybe 800 lbs in the bed. It looks like I'm doing a wheelie. If I could do it over again I would get 2" spacers in the rear or at least stiffer springs with 1.5" spacers. I will be buying stiffer springs soon.

I wanted to insert or attach some pictures but was unable...

 

[Maurice303]

I have my set to 2.8 with no rear spacers and mine sits perfect. However, when I tow my TT, I do notice a bit of a sag. My tongue weight is about 700lbs.

 

[jev425]

I have my set to 2.8 with no rear spacers and mine sits perfect. However, when I tow my TT, I do notice a bit of a sag. My tongue weight is about 700lbs.

https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/60818/

Not sure if you've looked into these. I am about to buy them:smileup:

 

[Maurice303]

Yeap, I have the airlift 1000 bags aired up to 35 psi and still sags. I guess my options are to live with it or get stiffer springs.

 

[2012Sport]

This is my plan exactly. Parts are in Bound. I used the 1.5 Top Gunz customs on my 12 sport and it was perfect. Now for my 14 I am trying the same with Zone uppers and probly another 1.25 body lift later in the year. The top gunz spacer seemed to rattle around int he mount though so I am trying a company that uses billet instead. Time will tell I guess...

 

[Midnightsun]

I currently have my 5100's set at 2.1 and am planning on getting them up to 2.8 while replacing the UCA's. However, I also plan on putting a 4' or 6' lift in the coming year, but definitely need the height in the front today.

Has anybody removed their 5100's and re set them? I originally had mine done in a shop but have full mechanical aptitude to do it myself. My constraint is time.