Leveling kit advice please

Jlm02a3094 · July 20, 2015

So I'm about to purchase this kit:

http://bds-suspension.com/kit-customizer?kid=714H

I have read great reviews about BDS and decided it's the right one for me. My question is about the rear shock upgrade option. I can either stick with the stock ranchos, upgrade to BDS 5500's, or upgrade to Fox 2.0's. I am on pavement 95% of the time so ride quality is important to me. The roads are pretty rough up here though.

Which option would be best for someone like me?

Thanks

Josh

nadrojcote · July 20, 2015

Honestly a leveling kit is a leveling kit, this one requires more work as its a top hat style, but its not going to be any better because its BDS. Stock rear shocks will be fine with a leveling kit. If you want an upgrade get bilstein 5100's or rancho quicklifts. Unless you want to spend more money then you can get a good set of coil overs for the front.

Jlm02a3094 · July 20, 2015

Honestly a leveling kit is a leveling kit, this one requires more work as its a top hat style, but its not going to be any better because its BDS. Stock rear shocks will be fine with a leveling kit. If you want an upgrade get bilstein 5100's or rancho quicklifts. Unless you want to spend more money then you can get a good set of coil overs for the front.

Thanks for the input. What would be the best option if money were no object? The coil over route? I'm only interested in leveling the front about 2". Is there a particular brand of coil overs you'd recommend?

Thanks

Josh

nadrojcote · July 20, 2015

Cheapest option is a leveling kit.

Middle of the road is a billy 5100's/ rancho quicklifts. Soon to be released bilstein 6112's will be better.

Best option is a coil over kit from companies like fox/icon/king etc. I havent looked into them much to recommend one. I personally have had a leveling kit and removed it after about a week. Installed quicklifts/9000xls in the rear for 2" lift up front and adjustable dampening all around. They ride better than stock, but I think I want to go with 6112's down the road because of the softer spring they use.

jeff_94 · July 20, 2015

I'd say what was already suggested which is the bilstein 5100 leveling shocks. You can adjust them, to lift the front 1.85" and the ride will be better in my opinion. The are decent priced too at around 200 for the front pair and 350 if you want all new front and rear

Jlm02a3094 · July 20, 2015

I'd say what was already suggested which is the bilstein 5100 leveling shocks. You can adjust them, to lift the front 1.85" and the ride will be better in my opinion. The are decent priced too at around 200 for the front pair and 350 if you want all new front and rear

Thanks for the advice. I did some more research and I think you guys are both correct. I just placed the order for 2 Bilstein 5100 (24-238304). I will also replace the rears with Bilsteins but I need to figure out the part number.

Thanks so much

Josh

jeff_94 · July 21, 2015

Thanks for the advice. I did some more research and I think you guys are both correct. I just placed the order for 2 Bilstein 5100 (24-238304). I will also replace the rears with Bilsteins but I need to figure out the part number.

Thanks so much

Josh

Its the best way to level at a decent price. The rear shocks are part # 33-238319 You can order at suspensionconnection.com and they have 10off100 20off200 30off300 right now. Let me know what you think after. They were back ordered when I leveled mine so I used a spacer. Just ordered my bilsteins and they should be here tomorrow so I can get rid of the spacer.

Jlm02a3094 · July 21, 2015

Its the best way to level at a decent price. The rear shocks are part # 33-238319 You can order at suspensionconnection.com and they have 10off100 20off200 30off300 right now. Let me know what you think after. They were back ordered when I leveled mine so I used a spacer. Just ordered my bilsteins and they should be here tomorrow so I can get rid of the spacer.

I found 24-238298, why is that different than the part number you provided? Is yours for the Bilstein 5100 and mine for the Bilstein 4600? What's the difference between the 2? Which would you recommend for this project? I don't plan on lifting the rear at all.

Thanks

Josh

jeff_94 · July 21, 2015

The part number I listed is for the 5100. the rear shocks will not lift the rear at all only the fronts will and they have to be the 5100 in the front because they are adjustable. there is no big difference on internal components between the series just the outside looks. So I would go with the 5100 in the rear as well because they look better being zinc coated with a brushed look vs the yellow 4600s. The way they describe the difference is the 4600 are really meant for stock height trucks with no modifications where as the 5100 are meant for leveling and lifted applications.

Jlm02a3094 · July 21, 2015

The part number I listed is for the 5100. the rear shocks will not lift the rear at all only the fronts will and they have to be the 5100 in the front because they are adjustable. there is no big difference on internal components between the series just the outside looks. So I would go with the 5100 in the rear as well because they look better being zinc coated with a brushed look vs the yellow 4600s. The way they describe the difference is the 4600 are really meant for stock height trucks with no modifications where as the 5100 are meant for leveling and lifted applications.

Excellent info, thank you.

Josh

nadrojcote · July 21, 2015

the rear 5100's allow for an extra inch of lift in the rear I believe as well

Habs · July 21, 2015

So... If I went with Bilstein, the MAX I can lift the front is 1.85" and the rear 1", correct?

So if I wanted more of a lift (2.5"), I'd be better off going with a level kit, since you can't combine a level + bilsteins... correct?

nadrojcote · July 22, 2015

If you want more more of a lift you should really be going with a lift kit so you're not maxing out all your stock suspension components.

Jlm02a3094 · July 23, 2015

Just an update, my order for the front bilsteins was cancelled and refunded today. They said they're still on back order. Does anyone know of a place to get 2 of these? Bilstein 24-238304

Thanks

Josh