Well I finally installed my Bilstein shocks and adjusted the torsion bars with the new torsion keys installed. The truck looks great, the front shocks don't top out anymore, and I actually get a smoother (less harsh) ride with the Bilsteins on all four corners. No more drifting between lanes when I ride over rough roads either. I couldn't be happier with the results. The shocks were a little expensive but I feel it's definately worth it. I can easily fit 35's on it though i'm only going with 33's. I recommend the torsion key/Bilstein shock leveling lift for alot cheaper alternative to lifting your truck.

 

You going to post some pics????????

I want to do this to my 05, but kinda waiting to see what other people are doing.

<edit> oh yea, did you get it aligned afterwards and was there any issues with the keys as far as the alignment? Did you install the keys or did you have someone else?

 

Yes I had my truck aligned, the tech said it was only slightly off (camber) but it could have been that way from the factory as he has seen that before. I had a shop install the torsion keys but I did the shocks myself. Once I take some pics and figure out how to attach them ( i'm not very computer litterate) I'll post them. I can adjust the torsion bars even further if I want to but it's level now so i'm happy with it. A friend of mine is doing the same thing to his truck. The only difference is he is installing 1" lift blocks in the rear, then he's going to adjust his torsion bars a little higher in the front to level it. He wants that extra 1" of lift all the way around. The rear Bilsteins can handle the extra 1" even though there the stock size.

 

Do you have the 5100 blisteins? And if you don't mind me asking what did they run you? Thanks, glad to hear your happy with them. I'm planning on doing the same to my truck.

 

No I have the heavy dutys, they do not make a shock to fit the front in the 5100 series. Not for just a 1' to 3" lift anyway. Only stock or 4" and higher lifts. You have to order the correct part# for the front shocks because the stock # for our trucks doesn't give you the extended range for the lift. The shocks you have to order are part# B462129. Bilstein does not show this # in their catalog for our trucks but trust me they fit. I actually beleive there for the older Dodge trucks. You can order the stock part#'s for the rear if you
want to replace all of your shocks like i did. I paid $159.00 for the fronts through Ben Pilla Speed shop but i'm sure you can get them cheaper online. I wanted mine the next day

 

Good for you and thanks for the report! I've always been well pleased with Bilsteins in other applications.

Enjoy!

 

mpd. Thanks for the info. I just thought the heavy dutys would make the front end ride a little stiff,but you said they ride great. That's good to hear!

 

I thought the same thing about the Heavy Dutys but there not stiff at all. They really help stop the rear end from "wandering" when riding over bumby roads.

 

I hate for this to sound like a dumb newbie question but my '05 does not have torsion bars. Just standard springs. Did they design them two different ways? The front rake is driving me nuts..........



EDIT: Ok, nevermind, search works wonders [sm=bangbang.gif]

 

No there is no torsion bars on 2wd rams. The 2 wd has coil spring front suspensions. Daystar makes coil spring spacers you can install between the spring and the upper mount to level the truck out.