I plan to crank the torsion bars on my 2004 QC 1500 4X4 SLT soon. I've read numerous posts about the pros/cons of doing this. And, I've also read that in some cases, people suggest you order an aftermarket shock that is sized for a stock 2004 Ram 1500 since the longer travel range of the aftermarket shock supposedly still makes up for the torsion bar crank and that the shock travel range isn't affected all that much when cranking it up. In other cases, people suggest ordering a longer shock for a 2001 2nd generation Offroad model Ram.

I'm looking at either the Rancho 9000s or the Bilsteins - depends on what I can get them for based on my budget. I plan to crank the torsion bars up about 1 1/2 inches.

Based on that, do you suggest just ordering the standard Ranchos or Bilsteins for a 2004 Ram, or should I get longer than standard?

Appreciate any feedback from folks who have done the same to their trucks.

 

Anyone? Hoping to figure this out soon as my local dealer is having a sale on shocks.

 

Well I just checked into this today. After calling Rancho, Bilstein, and Pro Comp, this is what they told me. Rancho does not have a shock for a 1.5" to 3" lift in the front. The stock size shocks won't work and the 4" lift shocks will bottom out. They have nothing at this time as per the Tech. Pro Comp told me the same,(except their shocks are for a 5" lift). Bilstein however does make shocks for this application in their 5100 series shocks. Their front shocks work from 0 to 3" of lift. The rear shocks work from 0 to 1.5" of lift. There a little expensive though. Best price i've found so far is $74.95 each. Hope this helps.

 

CORRECTION, After noticing a descrepancy with the part# while ordering my Bilstein shocks, I called Keith the Bilstein Rep back. The part#'s for the shocks used with the 0 to 3" lifted trucks in front only work on trucks up to 2001. He does not have shocks for our trucks with the leveled front end. He did however, give me a phone # for their offroad tech in CA. Bilstein has 5125 shock with 1" more travel then stock. This shock might work for what we need. I'll contact him asap to see if this would work.

 

UPDATE, After speaking to a Tech. at truxxx.com he guaranteed me that the Bilstein HD would work on our trucks. The part#'s do not correspond to our year trucks though. They are for the older Dodge's. The part# for the front is B46-2129. I just ordered these and will respond once I receive and install them.

 

Just out of curiosity, had anyone installed a 4 inck lift shock on there Dodge with just the leveling in the front? There are numerous posts in this forum with recommendations for Rancho, Bilstein, etc. I was just wondering if anyone has run into a problem with the shocks bottoming out with the longer shocks. And vice versa with stock height Ranchos or Bilsteins with the leveled front end. The techs from the manufacturers are pretty adamant that you must use the right shock.

 

Thanks for the updates. Are you running the Truxxx torsion keys? Supposedly, from what I've read, if you are, the part numbers from the Truxxx website or techs. work fine.

I'm not planning on running the keys, just want to crank the bolts to get perhaps 1 1/2 inches of lift. For this set up I've heard two different things: 1) That you can just order stock replacement shocks from Bilstein or Rancho and that due to the fact that they tend to have longer travel then the stock Dodge factory shocks that they will be fine, plus supposedly, due to where the stock shocks are bolted 1 1/2 inches of torsion bar crank will not exactly equal the need to have a shock 1 1/2 inches longer than stock. And, 2) I've also heard the opposite, which is that with 1 1/2 to 2 inches of lift you have to order a Bilstein or Rancho that is longer than the stock specification. I'm guessing that with or without the Truxxx keys that my situation would be similar to yours.

Sure is confusing, though. I just want to make sure I don't get stuck with the wrong ones.

 

Yes I bought my keys from them. I ordered the Bilsteins that they advertised on their website after speaking to their tech. I received the fronts but i'm still waiting on the rears to come in. I figured I would change all of them together. My stock shocks top out over potholes and bumps but every truck may not be the same.

 

Just wondering how you made out with the shocks? I am about to do the leveling on my ram.