Thanks for the great write up installed a set of these of my 2011 1500 today, trucks looks so much better plus i put in a 1'' rear spacer from top gunz custom as well. Installation was so much easier with this write up.
Just got to get the front end aligned now, Thanks again for the great write up.

 

Can anyone speak for the ride quality on these? I have a plow on mine and need to stiffen up the front when its on. Was thinking rancho s? I was looking for adjustable ride, not hight.

 

No problem, at least it's helping some people out there! Definitely get the front end aligned as soon as possible.

 

I personally like the ride quality much better... It stiffened up the front end of the truck, in my honest opinion. I have mine set at the 2.8” setting. If your not looking for height adjustable, I believe bilstein makes regular 5100's that aren't height adjustable. Don't quote me on that 100% though.

 

Like mikey said it does stiffen up the ride i like it alot better i also have mine set at the 2.8 setting.

 

Thanks for the write up and pics !!
My 5100's came in and will be diving into this project tomorrow I think.

Any thoughts on using spring compressors BEFORE removing the assy to avoid taking extra parts off? Will this give enough clearance to "slide" everything out?

 

I dont know if you installed yet...but good luck. It's a fun little project, but can be a pain in the ***. I wouldnt connect the spring compressor until you have the whole front strut out. If you don't have a wall mount compressor be extra careful using a portable one...bc when you put the extended strut in you have to compress it quite a bit more. If I didn't have access to a wall mount I would of drove it to a shop and had them compress it.

good luck. post pics when done.

 

Anyone have any tips on getting that bolt out of the LCA (step 7in OP)?

I have the strut wiggling around, only held on by that bolt, been hitting it with a hammer and PB blaster, the bolt wiggles back and forth about an 1/8 turn each way, but it will not slide out of the LCA and strut at all.

 

If it helps any, it looks like the bolt is stuck in the bushing in the LCA? I can now spin the bolt, with a breaker bar, but the entire bushing spins with the bolt inside if the LCA too. Not sure how to get the damn thing out of the bushing.

 

Are you using an impact gun? That's the best option honestly. Keep the impact gun on there and keep going. Mine came right off. Where I had the problem was getting the nut off the top of the strut rod itself. That one kicked my ****. Let me know if an impact gun works at all.