Bilstein 5100 vs. Rancho Quick Struts
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 116
From: St James, Missouri
Mine went on today. Set them on 5. Rides better than the old ones with the lift block thats for sure. Getting an alignment saturday. Also found a torn seal on the 4wd actuator so theres another part I had to put on. 1 actuator 1 outer tie rod and 2 sway bar links later this thing better be good for awhile lol
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 116
From: St James, Missouri
Had a clunking noise which was the sway bar links. There are 2 different designs depending on build date for 04 but mine are L shaped. One had horizontal movement when moving the sway bar at the end by the link the other had vertical. The outer tie rod had movement when shaking the tire/wheel assembly side to side.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 547
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INSTALLED! Took about 3 hours in part due to having to do some order verification mid-project. Removed OE struts and noticed, with the spacers (2" AS) they were about 1"+ longer than the new ones. ??? Apparently the new springs are stiffer than the OE, thus they can still give the same lift. I measured the vehicle height immediately after dropping off stands and found it to be 1/4" taller. Will measure again tomorrow after sufficient time to get settled. Left setting on the factory set "5" which is supposed to be similar to the the 5000 series shocks. Getting real anxious to put matching shocks on the rear sooner rather than later.
Noticed that the OE/spacer setup had some witness marks from the contact with the other suspension componets, obviously caused by resulting geometry. This geoetry also made it difficult to use a socket wrench to remove the upper ball joint nut. All of the geometry appeared much better with the Rancho struts installed.
Noticed that the OE/spacer setup had some witness marks from the contact with the other suspension componets, obviously caused by resulting geometry. This geoetry also made it difficult to use a socket wrench to remove the upper ball joint nut. All of the geometry appeared much better with the Rancho struts installed.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
I like the struts so far. After settling in, the truck height dropped a mere 1/4" from the 2"AS spacer setup. Only issue now is the alignment (separate post). Real anxious to replace rears with matching shocks.
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Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: RVA
Mind posting up some measurements?
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 547
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Well it looked pretty level before the swap, and with only 1/4" lowering now, I cannot discern a visual difference. Looks good IMHO. Maybe will take a pic this weekend if the weather clears up any.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 116
From: St James, Missouri
I did about the same as you tooldad I went from a 2.5 inch HBS kit to the quicklifts. Cant really tell a difference in height but I did have the broken coil and I did not measure it. I have mine set on 5 as well. Ordered some rs5000s for the back today using my 31.50 gift certificate and an online redeem code they were 61.48 delivered to my door. Ok to my work the UPS man doesnt like my 90 pound dog lol
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