I paid the extra money and bought the readylift level kit for my 05 ram 1500 and i bought new bilstein 4600 series shocks. The readylift people say i dont need longer shocks on my 05 ram 1500 but i see some guys saying they run rancho 9000 series bc they are 1" longer. Should i buy shock extenders or am i fine without them. The people at bilstein also told me that a level kit will ruin my truck (front end components) is that true with the readylift kit?

 

Leveling kits will not ruin front end although it will make it ride more rough because the front end will be more stiff. I would go with the 1" longer shocks.

 

So can i just buy $20 shock extenders or do i have to buy all new shocks?

 

You can do either one. For a long time I ran shock extenders. But when I needed new shocks I orders longer ones

 

Thanks. Readylift says stock size shocks are fine to use, will it hurt or ruin the bilsteins if i use an extender? The level raised the front 2"

 

It will not hurt or ruin them. They will just be compressed a bit more but also be allowed to extend more if needed

 

Why not go with Bilstein 5100 self-leveling shocks in the front? Very surprised no one recommended on here. Level kits from what I have been told on here and from several mechanics that it will not ruin but wear out front end parts quicker. I was going to put in a level kit in my 08 1500 till I did more research on this.

 

I put a 2 1/2" level kit on mine. Still using stock-length shocks.

 

before 06 we have Torsion Bars for 4x4 or Coil and shock for 4x2. We don't get to just change our coilovers unfortunately.

But I run lift and level and body lift and my front end is all set. Has been for 3 years with minor maintenance. It's the power steering that will kill you once you bump up tire size

 

Oh that makes sense yea my buddy has an 2005 1500 and now that I think about it his setup is different than mine