Truck: 06 Ram 1500 4x4 QC 5.7L 73k miles

I am no stranger to the search function but could not find my answer by that means. If it has been posted, I apologize, but please post the link and not "try searching"., etc. thanks!

Problem: It seems difficult to find a sole lower shock bushing for the front end. Is a new LCA the only way? If not, what does a press entail; can it be done on the vehicle?

Background: I wish to replace the existing front shocks (dealer installed KYBs (hate em) @ 60k due to factorys leaking) with bilstien 5100s. Looking around under the truck I see the lower portion of the lower shock bushings are a bit compressed/ dryrotted). So, if doing the shocks, it makes sense to do those bushings. The LCAs are about $93 apiece (raybestos) on amazon, which include new lower balljoint, lower shock bushing, and of course LCA bushings. All of which could use replacement Im sure (Michigan/Ohio truck, mostly bumpy roads). Since an alignment is already in the future, anybody have concern with replacing the whole LCA? I imagine the LCA mounting bolts would be a pain (thought they dont look terrible). Pics are of a LCA bushing (IMG_1721) and lower shock bushing (IMG_1717). LCAs do not show too much wear, so if a lower shock bushing exists for ~$10ea. and a press is easy to buy/make and use (with the LCA on the truck) then I'd rather go that route. If the LCA has to come off the truck, then Ill just buy new LCAs. Uppers look great, BTW.

Just looking for opinions here, thanks (for not being bothered by my excessive parenthesis use)!

 

Any input, guys? Thanks!

 

The new shocks will come with new bushings.

 

It looks like the 3/4+ ton trucks have a lower bushing included as part of the shock, but 1/2 ton uses a clevis mount which does not come with a new bushing. I am looking at bilstien 5100s specifically - can anyone who has installed them confirm they come with the bushing? Thanks.

 

New shocks always come with bushings. I had a 1500 before this truck, put monroe reflexs on it. The pics you have look like lower control arm bushings

 

One is a LCA, the other is the lower shock bushing, as noted in the original post.

Received the new Bilstein 5100s today. No bushings provided. I'm just going to try them on the existing bushings in the LCAs. A little more research tells me that these bushings are a PITA to source, let alone fit/install in the LCA.