Leveling But Ball Joint Issue

[valleyfreak45]

i want to level my truck but have just a few more questions. I want to take the cheapest route but more important the best for the truck. I hear that leveling kits increase angles and kill ball joints and other parts. true? if so do bilstein leveling shocks do that? i will pay the price for the shocks if not. Also does anyone have the exact true height of the tallest setting on Bilstein 5100? thanks guys

[FarmerDave]

Yes the bilstein leveling shocks will shorten ball joint life. All leveling kits will to some extent.

[ArkansasHellRaiser]

i want to level my truck but have just a few more questions. I want to take the cheapest route but more important the best for the truck. I hear that leveling kits increase angles and kill ball joints and other parts. true? if so do bilstein leveling shocks do that? i will pay the price for the shocks if not. Also does anyone have the exact true height of the tallest setting on Bilstein 5100? thanks guys

stop worrying about ball joint life, i had one on my ford for 3 years and 60,000 miles and i never had a problem. the people on here that talk about it say it because it's a rumor. i have yet to see someone who has experienced that as a problem

[valleyfreak45]

So there is no difference in wearn tearn on ball joints between the two?

[valleyfreak45]

Also which sits higher?

[Matt_]

So there is no difference in wearn tearn on ball joints between the two?

 

yes, there is 100% a difference in wear & tear on the balljoints and other components when you're running a leveling kit. anyone who says otherwise is not familiar with mechanical joint designs and how suspension systems control/transfer loads.

 

WITH THAT SAID

just because you put on a leveling kit does not mean your front end is going to fall apart. keep it at 2" max and it should hold up relatively fine.

[valleyfreak45]

Matt I was waiting for you to answer, I meant a difference between bilstein 5100 level shocks and the convential leveling kit, is there?

[Matt_]

Matt I was waiting for you to answer, I meant a difference between bilstein 5100 level shocks and the convential leveling kit, is there?

 

Nope. The main benefit with the 5100s is that you can set your ride height to different increments... some guys just want to bring their front up .75 or 1.25" which they allow for.

 

Also, the 5100s are a more offroad oriented shock absorber... it will make your truck ride a bit more firm. Some prefer the "soft/floaty" oem feel, others like it more firm/responsive. It's all in personal preference and what you use the truck for.

[valleyfreak45]

sounds like i should just go with the convential leveling kit, which do you recommend? i here a lot about RC level kit, any good?

[Matt_]

If i was buying a leveling spacer, id get the RC kit that goes on the lower coil body mount.

[ArkansasHellRaiser]

sounds like i should just go with the convential leveling kit, which do you recommend? i here a lot about RC level kit, any good?

 

rc is cheap. it's widely sold around here and many wish they would've went with another brand, i'd go with readylift unless you just want to go cheap a 2" leveling kit will put just as much of a strain on your ball joints as a 2.5" there isn't enough to make a huge difference.

[valleyfreak45]

I can not come to finally decision keeping throwing out your opinions and pros and cons

[FarmerDave]

Get whichever kit gives you the lift you want, you only live once.

[valleyfreak45]

Cheapest and best way for the truck to fit the biggest tire on 18s on the truck

[Matt_]

Cheapest and best way for the truck to fit the biggest tire on 18s on the truck

 

A 2" spacer. Doesn't matter which one, they ALL do the same thing. Doesn't matter if there's one spacer on the bottom, one spacer on the top, or one spacer on the top AND one spacer on the bottom. End result is the same.