Will leveling truck height in front, reduce my MPG’s?

[kthaxton]

Mark, the Bilstein’s 5100 and higher models have three or four groves in their upper bodies, and with an added snap ring, they rest the spring on (and I am simplifying it a lot), on the spring cup, the result is an elevated pose. Which is what you really want. Spacer blocks basically rob total travel from the shock to lift the front end.

I have 5100's on mine, there are no grooves, no adjustments. They are a shock (a damper, as the Brits more accurately call them), not a spring, they do not carry or support the weight of the truck, they merely dampen the movement of the spring.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

That is true of some models, but not for these trucks.

Those style leveling kits are for coil-over shocks, which we don’t use.

The spring and shock don’t touch on any Ram HD truck.

With the weight of the Cummins on these front ends I don't imagine a coil-over shock would even hold up.

 

[gerrylp]

I have 5100's on mine, there are no grooves, no adjustments. They are a shock (a damper, as the Brits more accurately call them), not a spring, they do not carry or support the weight of the truck, they merely dampen the movement of the spring.

Thaxton,

Perhaps a slightly different model or set up for a Dodge? The 5100 is the series. These were no different from the ones I installed on my daughter’s 2007 Tacoma TRD. Here is a pic of the ones I had placed in my Silverado.
GerryLP

 

[AH64ID]

View attachment 113028
Thaxton,

Perhaps a slightly different model or set up for a Dodge? The 5100 is the series. These were no different from the ones I installed on my daughter’s 2007 Tacoma TRD. Here is a pic of the ones I had placed in my Silverado.
GerryLP

Not even close to the style suspension on these trucks.

As stated, no coil-overs on Dodge/Ram HD trucks.

 

[kthaxton]

Here is a 5100 for our trucks. As stated, it is a shock, not a coilover shock which is a coil spring AND a shock.

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[gerrylp]

Ok. Forgive me, but I am total virgin to Dodge truck’s. I guess I was wrong. I was wondering how the truck’s option of 5,500 lbs front axle would translate to the shocks. But I appreciate the clarification. So if someone were to want to level the truck, how would you recommend they go about it?...is the only option spacer blocks?

P.s. I noticed your avatar. I am a retired DOD civilian. I was running a T700 engine section for the USAF, and I have worked the H-53 Pavelow’s and H-53 D’s in the Marines. The C130 engine was my last process before retiring.

GerryLP

 

[kthaxton]

You can level with a spacer or a new coil spring.

 

[gerrylp]

Ouch. That just bumper the upgrade bill up. Lol. Ok. Good info! Thanks again. Maybe I can use my one month beer supply funds to get them. Lol

 

[AEdelheit]

With the weight of the Cummins on these front ends I don't imagine a coil-over shock would even hold up.

They hold up the same its more a matter of the fabrication quality of the mounts, I know some guys running them. Coilovers on Trophy trucks have a lot of motion ratio and see way more load then our trucks could ever make but its also a lot of money to do it right with no real benefit.

 

[gerrylp]

Thaxton,

I misunderstood the spacer portion. So spacers for the springs. If you guys can refer me to a few good aftermarket parts suppliers, I’d appreciate it. Thanks

GerryLP

 

[GrantP]

Thaxton,

I misunderstood the spacer portion. So spacers for the springs. If you guys can refer me to a few good aftermarket parts suppliers, I’d appreciate it. Thanks

GerryLP

Coils would be preferable over spacers. Check out Carli and Thuren.

 

[AH64ID]

I’m a big fan of the T700. I’ve flown with 701’s, 701C’s, and 701D/CC’s. I’ll get to fly full up 701D’s this summer.


With the suspension style of 03-12 a 2” spacer makes for a stiff ride, and the coil options usually want more than 2” lift to get a good ride.

On my 05 I ran a 1” Top Gunz Customs spacer that was much better riding than the 2” spacer that was on the truck when I bought it.

So I’d recommend a 1” spacer, or a 3” coil.

 

[gerrylp]

Awesome. Thanks for the tip. I have been in the fence on the leveling question. The truck has air bags in the rear (presumably because of the fifth wheel hitch), and so in one side, I can afford to level the truck, but on the other, do I want to spend more on diesel fuel? Lmao

We were upgrading the USAF T701C to Deltas when I was retiring. A corvette friend of mine, has his eldest flying H60’s Deltas. Real good story. This kid was pounding the ground in Iraq, and after two tours, he got selected and graduated top of his helicopter pilot class.

GerryLP

 

[AEdelheit]

I’m a big fan of the T700. I’ve flown with 701’s, 701C’s, and 701D/CC’s. I’ll get to fly full up 701D’s this summer.


With the suspension style of 03-12 a 2” spacer makes for a stiff ride, and the coil options usually want more than 2” lift to get a good ride.

On my 05 I ran a 1” Top Gunz Customs spacer that was much better riding than the 2” spacer that was on the truck when I bought it.

So I’d recommend a 1” spacer, or a 3” coil.

Thuren makes a 2" soft ride coil.

 

[AH64ID]

Thuren makes a 2" soft ride coil.

Nice. I don’t recall those from my research, but that was a few years back.

 

[gerrylp]

Thuren makes a 2" soft ride coil.

Does “soft ride” means “stock feel?” Thanks

GerryLP

 

[AEdelheit]

Its a little softer then stock, not for people with huge slide in campers and a plow hanging off the front at the same time but great for all other uses. Its about 60 in/lbs lighter rate then the stock coils.

Does “soft ride” means “stock feel?” Thanks

GerryLP

 

[gerrylp]

Its a little softer then stock, not for people with huge slide in campers and a plow hanging off the front at the same time but great for all other uses. Its about 60 in/lbs lighter rate then the stock coils.

I see. I think I will do the spring spacers, for now. The new shocks will accommodate the additional travel or distance created by the spacers.

Just dropped off the driveshaft at the driveshaft shop for replacing the u joints. They squeak in reverse. Smh

GerryLP

 

[GrantP]

I see. I think I will do the spring spacers, for now.
GerryLP

So you're going to waste money on spacers so you can do it correctly with springs later? If budget is a concern then you might as well just leave it stock and do it right when you are ready. @AEdelheit suggestion is a good one, spacers are only cosmetic.

 

[kthaxton]

spacers are only cosmetic.

Isn't that why most people level their trucks? The slight improvement in ground clearance is nice, and spacer provides that too.