Bilstein vs Mopar vs ReadyLift

[BigBucks21]

Hello all, long time lurker that just purchased a new 21' Laramie, Crew, Night Edition, 5.7, 4wd, Non-ORP. I couldn't be happier with the truck but I'm interested in a couple mods to make it even better and would appreciate some of your guys feedback.

I'm planning on new rims & tires along with a suspension lift/level. I'm planning a 20" x 9" rims with a +1 offset as I don't want the tires to stick out beyond the fenders. I'm deciding between (2) tires sizes. 285/65R20 or the 35x12.50. I'm not going to be doing any off-roading and use the truck primarily to pull my 6000lb boat.

I've read through a ton of posts regarding suspension options. There are obviously many opinions out there but for smaller lifts/levels it seems to me that the most popular options are the Bilstein, Mopar and ReadyLift. I currently have a 2.75" rake. I'd like to end up with ~1" rake overall. My idea is to raise the rear about 1" for a little more room with the larger tires (strictly for aesthetics). Mathematically, with a 1" raise to the rear and ~1" rake overall, I would need to raise the front about 2.75". Maintaining a comfortable ride is very important to me. I seem to be gravitating to the Bilstein setup, primarily as it will provide me with some flexibility to adjust the front to exactly what I want but I am definitely open to suggestions.

My first question, If I want to lift the rear by an 1" would it be better to go with ORP springs or to add a 1" puck?

My second question, would it be best to add the ORP springs to the front along with the adjustment of the Bilstein 5100? I understand that I would not "need" to add the ORP springs as the Bilsteins are adjustable up to 2.6". My though was that by adding the ORP springs in the front I could reduce the clip # and the pre-load of the shock. Would this setup (with ORP springs) provide me with a better ride quality than no ORP spring and a higher clip number/preload on the Bilsteins to get to the lift I want?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Jdon]

I have searched and searched.... What I gather is that everything about the truck that you currently love will be worse after a lift or level... Except the look. The more I think about it, it seems like a hell of a price to pay for letting strangers see you in a higher truck. Loss of 25% fuel economy, increased noise vibration and harshness.. This is what I tell myself when I am trying to decide... Also alot of money to essentially make the truck worse.

 

[vincentw56]

I have searched and searched.... What I gather is that everything about the truck that you currently love will be worse after a lift or level... Except the look. The more I think about it, it seems like a hell of a price to pay for letting strangers see you in a higher truck. Loss of 25% fuel economy, increased noise vibration and harshness.. This is what I tell myself when I am trying to decide... Also alot of money to essentially make the truck worse.

That's what I'm thinking too. I like the look of the bigger tires and the lift, but I don't do much off road. So why spend the money to make it ride worse.

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[ErnestRocks19]

I had the readylift. It rode ok but not an offroad suspension. If you want any off-road capabilities you’d want to add the billstein shocks. Recently upgraded to the fabtech 3” coilover.

https://amzn.to/3bqNmoy

 

[wiendog]

I think you are right in thinking the ORP springs and less other lift would be your best bet .You will get approximately 1 inch front and back with the ORP springs .And for sure the ORP springs in the rear vs the spacer for that inch.I have stock springs and 2 inch spacer front now my self.and ready lift spacer only in front no preload and there UCA that set up sucks.Waiting for 6 months on some Fox 2.5 coilovers for the front and I am putting fox 2.5 in the rear with ORP in the rear and a 1 inch spacer rear.Fox is atleast 6 months behind to fill orders. For what ever it is worth.

 

[BigBucks21]

I think you are right in thinking the ORP springs and less other lift would be your best bet .You will get approximately 1 inch front and back with the ORP springs .And for sure the ORP springs in the rear vs the spacer for that inch.I have stock springs and 2 inch spacer front now my self.and ready lift spacer only in front no preload and there UCA that set up sucks.Waiting for 6 months on some Fox 2.5 coilovers for the front and I am putting fox 2.5 in the rear with ORP in the rear and a 1 inch spacer rear.Fox is atleast 6 months behind to fill orders. For what ever it is worth.

Thanks for the feedback. Seems like you are as concerned about ride quality as I am. Just curious, why you are specifically interested in the Fox 2.5 setup? I also looked at the BDS 4" lift. Great reviews on that setup. I'm probably "splitting hairs here a bit" but it just seems like a bit taller of a lift than I want.

 

[puba08]

ORP springs with Bilsteins or Eibachs are the least expensive options that won’t sacrifice the ride vs the BDS 4” lift. Though I do not know if the ORP rear shocks are longer due to the 1” taller spring. I would not use a puck at all.
I have the ORP and the Eibachs on my truck and it still rides like a Cadillac.
I can’t answer for gas mileage, as I could care less about it....it’s a truck. Level it, slap some 34/35’s on there and enjoy it!


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[BigBucks21]

ORP springs with Bilsteins or Eibachs are the least expensive options that won’t sacrifice the ride vs the BDS 4” lift. Though I do not know if the ORP rear shocks are longer due to the 1” taller spring. I would not use a puck at all.
I have the ORP and the Eibachs on my truck and it still rides like a Cadillac.
I can’t answer for gas mileage, as I could care less about it....it’s a truck. Level it, slap some 34/35’s on there and enjoy it!


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Glad to hear you like your Eibach's. I was looking at those as well. What setting did you use on the front with your ORP?

 

[puba08]

Glad to hear you like your Eibach's. I was looking at those as well. What setting did you use on the front with your ORP?

1.8” with the ORP it’s just about 3”.


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[wiendog]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems like you are as concerned about ride quality as I am. Just curious, why you are specifically interested in the Fox 2.5 setup? I also looked at the BDS 4" lift. Great reviews on that setup. I'm probably "splitting hairs here a bit" but it just seems like a bit taller of a lift than I want.

I went around and around this truck 2019 Laramie Quad Cab 4X4 has been the hardest truck to lift or level. I have had a 2000 and 2006 simple easy to just level and lift . This truck ruined the UCA with just a 2.5 inch front lift.Then I went for the Mopar lift.4 months and more trips to the dealer then I can count.That kit in the end they decided was not for the quad cab only crew.They bought it back .I then installed the ready lift with out the preload spacer for about an inch of lift front and 2 rear.It just rides like crap all kinds of clunking noises in front going over speed bumps and big dips.So when Fox came out with their 2.5 coil overs I decided to go with one of the best I was torn between Fox and Kings. Little did I know between the Pandemic and Fox moving from Cal. to Georgia they would fall over 6 months behind.There is my long and boring story.

 

[JbVt]

1.8” with the ORP it’s just about 3”.


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Puba, what are you cv angles looking like with this setup? Did you swap UCAs? I've been waiting for the bilstein 5100s for a while now and looks like it is going to be a long time before any come available. Think I'm going to give Eibach a shot.

 

[imin269]

Hi All, I ordered a 21 1500 Laramie 4X4 Crew Cab with 6.4 Bed and a 5.7 E Torque Hemi. Ordered on Jan 4 and took delivery on Feb 10. It's a killer truck, just what I expected. It didn't however look very tuff sitting in stock form so I started searching the forums for ideas to see what was available to make it sit higher and accommodate larger tires. It's always hard when you're just going off of reading and not being able to put eyes on one done. . I wanted to keep it simple and retain a factory look, that was the goal anyhow. I wanted the largest tires I could install that would not rub at all and would fit under the truck in the spare postion. I've done trucks in the past that I had to carry around the spare in my bed and that sucked. After taking measurements I found the tire, it was a Falken Wildpeak AT3 285 75 18. It's right at 34.25 and could not have been any bigger and 1/8' larger. It actually doesnt fit, not inflated anyhow. I have to run it flat under there, it clears the track bar by about 3/8". So then I opted for the Mopar 2" lift, found 5ea Ram Rebel take off wheels and then installed Amp Research steps. The tires lifted the truck about 1.5" alone. Then the Mopar Kit raised the front exactly 2.5" and the rear 2". I did order my truck with the Off Road Package, so I suppose it came with the front springs that make the truck stand taller. The pictures below are before and after. Install was this weekend and went pretty smooth. Kit was complete and instructions where clear. Rides just like it did stock, just looks a lot cooler now.

 

[SquillyP]

Would u have to get front and rear ORP springs? Or could u just get the front springs with the eibachs front struts?