Ok, lets say money is not a factor in this question. I want to raise the front 2 in, is it better to use a spacer or spend the money and use the blistein 5100 shocks to raise the front?

Which option will give me a better ride?

I know the spacers would be the least inexpensive way to go, but I am most concerned with the ride. I do very little offroad and mostly highway driving.

Thoughts???

 

whos doing the install? you=spacer that bolts to top of strut. shop=bilsteins.

 

It appears to be a horse a piece. The spacer adds to the top of the shock, while the Bilstein is longer at the bottom. The only difference seems to be that by swapping in Bilsteins you get a better shock which gives a better ride.

 

I currently have the spacer and NEED new shocks..My ride is sh$t...After some investigating and speaking to a guy at Bilstein, seems the way to go is removing the spacer and putting the 5100 all the way around and set the fronts to the 2" setting..Will save your ball joints etc in the long run..downside is you may have to have a shop install the front 5100 and of course an alignment (which will be needed if you do a spacer too)..

 

how would new shocks save your ball joints and stuff. it's just the same effect on them if you have a 2in. spacer.

 

If money is not a concern, go with the Bilsteins because the ride will be better. As was stated previously, lifting a truck with shocks or spacers will have the same effect on your ball joints.

I went with the AS 2" and my ride did not really change much.

KR-Texas

 

You DO NOT need a shop to put the shocks on for your. Go to any autoparts store near you and rent a coil spring compresser. Really easy to use and you dont have to pay the outrageous cost at a shop.

 

Like stated it wont make a difference on your ball joints with the spacer or bilsteins. Hes just trying to get you to buy them.. I just bought me a 2 front 5100s for my 05 for $200 from a member on here for a heck of a steal. but thats the only reason i got them.


I added a 2inch AS leveling kit and my ride did not change at all when i put it on. I personally dont mind having a little of a rough ride due to the fact that im running 37s . So if money is an issue keep the spacer and install it yourself. But if you want the bilsteins then get them. Well see if my ride changes at all when i get home and install my 5100s

 

I dont know about the set up on older trucks or spacers but New Body Style trucks front shock is a spring and shock unit. If you put the Blisteins on the 2" setting you WILL be compressing the springs 2" and will decrease your spring rates (stiffer) on the front which WILL change the ride.
Many have posted how difficult it is compressing the spring the extra 2" on the install.
Maybe the Lariats have softer front springs and it's a more noticeable change but I noticed a drastic ride change just adding 1" with the Blisteins...
My 4 shock install was $260 including the alignment.

 

No way i would pay 260 for install on shocks.... but if you dont have the tools then i guess you kinda have too

 

I have the billstein shocks set on 2" if i was you i would keep the spacers and install the billstein on the stock setting so you would get the best of both worlds because the billsteins compress the spring like was said earlier and beleve me it does ride more stiffer but smoother when you compress the springs

 

sorry for the threadjack, but are you running 37's with just a leveling kit?? If so can i see some pics.

 

$260 included the alignment and No, I didnt have the time, proper tools, desire or the knowledge...
All I had was the money.

 

Ya man... I will also be installing bilsteins to replace my front shocks now and leave the leveling kit

 

I paid $220 without an alignment for the two font shocks. The alignment was another $69. I have no interest in learning to use a spring compressor on one of these truck springs. I know I was being over charged, but most places did not even want to do it when I told them I wanted to change the height in the front.