I picked up last week a used 2013 RAM 1500 SLT with 83K miles for what appears to be a good price.

First night home we noticed some dripping on the floor but thought it was the AC unit condensation from talking with the dealer.

Over the weekend however when confirming this with a towel, I noticed another spot by the front passenger wheel and the shock had an oil sheen to it. Looking onlineappears to be oil.

I am waiting to hear back from the dealer to see if they will do anything about it, but if not, I am looking at some billsteins front and maybe rear.

My question is this, if I do just the fronts, either 4600HD or 5100s are there any issues running the stock rears?

As for picking between the 4600s and the 5100s, I don't plan to lift right away so want the stock ride height, I was told that the 5100s can do this no problem. Is that correct? The tech from billstein seemed to want to push me towards the 4600s if I wasnt' going to lift in say a month or so but that seems odd that it would matter how long to me?

 

You'll be fine with either one of them as Bilstein makes a great shock. The front will not affect the rear.

 

that white dodge in your pic looks like the one i bought!

So now the question is do I go 4600s versus 5100s. I like the look of the 5100s and I can get them for like $4 more than the 4600s. If they work fine like the 4600s for stock setup, I think I'll go with that. Just seems some confusion from what the billsteins rep said and what a few places that sell it said.

Also got contacted by the dealership. Not surprised by the response that its basically on me right now so I guess when it comes time for the wife to get a another vehicle we won't be going there. As I told them I don't have a problem that its used and I wasn't expecting new, however, considering it had a leak like this and no one mentioned it when I asked how the vehicle was is not good as at that point, your playing hot potato.

 

The 5100 should be a better shock for off roading, the 4600 is more of an all around shock. I would go 5100's. Had them on my last truck and loved them.

 

I went ahead and ordered the 5100s yesterday.

My only thing right now i am thinking is should I level or not. I am fine with the "rake" assuming that is what it is called (new guy here, first pickup) so no rush but still curious.

 

What shops install the 5100's? Dealer or ??

 

I installed the leveling kit from Hell Bent Steel, cost like $70 and a couple hours to install.

 

while shopping around I went to tirerack and put in my info to get the shocks. They pulled up installers for them but didn't list howmuch. I called the ones listed and some other places I thought would do it and went with one of the shops they listed. Actually came out cheaper than quoted as I didn't level the truck at all.

in the end, full 5100s all around installed was cheaper by about $60 than getting 2 OEM shocks from the dealer installed. Ride feels good and when you do see the shock body it looks trick.

Happy with purchase.

Now on to mud flaps and a tonneau cover.

 

Got a question on the 5100s. Do they make them for the 2wd and was there anything else needed to get the front level with the rear? I looked briefly and didn't see an application for the 2wd. Only the 4x4. I'm also guessing the install isn't to hard for someone who knows there way around a shop. Any advice? Also would an alignment be needed after bringing the front up? Thanks for the advice.

 

So it looks like the 5100s are not made for the 2wd sport. Looks like bilstein makes a heavy duty shock for the 2wd as well as the fox 2.0 performance series. Any thoughts. These both have good reviews. Does anyone know of a comparable adjustable shock that fits the 2wd? Thanks