Quality stock-height front struts I can install myself on my 2019 Laramie 1500 4x4

[Cajuntec]

I'm looking to replace my factory front struts. I don't want a lift. I'm not a off-roader. This is my daily driver truck that I use for hunting / towing a boat. I saw several ads and suggestions for Bilstein B8 5100's, using stock springs. But I don't have access to a spring compressor, and I'm an amateur at this, so I don't want to hurt myself doing it. So I need something already assembled, couple hundred dollars or so each (not couple thousand each) that I can install myself. I've watched the vids. I have the tools. I know I can do this. I was thinking of Rancho's and saw so many negative reviews on them, I crossed them off the list.

Any suggestions on what to buy?

All the best,
Glenn

 

[msnyder1112]

RC has the m1 adjustable struts that go from 0 to 2 inches. Preloaded with the coil.
Very easy to install. With some pretty common tools.

Check out americantrucks.com for other options.

 

[boogielander]

pretty sure there are 5100s that come with everything installed and preset. you can ask the seller to preset it at stock height.
OR
you can take out everything, take them to a shop, pay them to swap the spring over
OR
you can go rent a spring compressor from Autozone or Orielly or something and do it.

but ultimately, as a friendly precaution, not sure what's your skill level or if you have done this before, but as someone who's in the business... i'm just gonna say I've seen way too many YouTube Technical College Graduates thinking it's just a few bolts and nuts only to find out they popped the axle out or pulled the ABS line while doing it, or some weird noise developed after. Then they gotta pay us to fix their mistakes. if you have zero experience and are only relying on YouTube Technical College, you might want to rethink or have a back up plan first.

 

[Scram1500]

If youre keeping stock height get some pre assembled 4600's. I talked with Bilstein customer support a while back and the only difference between 4600 and 5100 is ride height adjustment, and color/finish

Bilstein 4600 Front Coilovers with Mopar Coils for 2019-2024 Ram 1500 2WD/4WD New Body

Bilstein 4600 Front Coilovers with OE Replacement Coils for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Ram 1500 2WD/4WD New Body Part: B46R19C Need matching rear sh

www.suspensionlifts.com

 

[msnyder1112]

pretty sure there are 5100s that come with everything installed and preset. you can ask the seller to preset it at stock height.
OR
you can take out everything, take them to a shop, pay them to swap the spring over
OR
you can go rent a spring compressor from Autozone or Orielly or something and do it.

but ultimately, as a friendly precaution, not sure what's your skill level or if you have done this before, but as someone who's in the business... i'm just gonna say I've seen way too many YouTube Technical College Graduates thinking it's just a few bolts and nuts only to find out they popped the axle out or pulled the ABS line while doing it, or some weird noise developed after. Then they gotta pay us to fix their mistakes. if you have zero experience and are only relying on YouTube Technical College, you might want to rethink or have a back up plan first.

I respectfully disagree. YouTube is a great resource to learn how to be self sufficient.
I strongly advocate to learn how to diy what you can and RAM suspensions are not hard.

Pop the tie rod off. Remove the brake assembly and hang. Disconnect abs wire. Disconnect and seperate uca . Remove strut from lca. Unbolt strut from the top. Remove strut. Reinstall.

Youtube can visualize this easy process and give some best practices.

 

[boogielander]

I respectfully disagree. YouTube is a great resource to learn how to be self sufficient.
I strongly advocate to learn how to diy what you can and RAM suspensions are not hard.

Pop the tie rod off. Remove the brake assembly and hang. Disconnect abs wire. Disconnect and seperate uca . Remove strut from lca. Unbolt strut from the top. Remove strut. Reinstall.

Youtube can visualize this easy process and give some best practices.

you're not reading my message fully. it is a great resource to learn, but nothing beats having experience or someone with experience to guide through the process and I recommend him to rethink or have a back up plan first since I've seen how things can go wrong with YouTube Technical College. there's really nothing to agree with disagree with here, it's a fact and not an opinion that things CAN and DO go wrong with inexperienced people. im not saying he shouldn't tackle it and learn, but saying if he's flying solo with no experience, he should find a friend who has done it before to help him.

there are extra unnecessary steps with your DIY instructions already, you don't need to pop the tie rod nor remove the brake. if you are doing that to prevent axle from popping out, then you will also need to loosen the axle nut so the knuckle/ spindle can move without pulling the axle. but even then, you won't even need to touch the brake. sure, you can take those extra steps as precautions, but anyone with lots of hands on experience can save you some time avoiding those unnecessary steps and not make mistakes.

 

[boogielander]

If youre keeping stock height get some pre assembled 4600's. I talked with Bilstein customer support a while back and the only difference between 4600 and 5100 is ride height adjustment, and color/finish

Bilstein 4600 Front Coilovers with Mopar Coils for 2019-2024 Ram 1500 2WD/4WD New Body

Bilstein 4600 Front Coilovers with OE Replacement Coils for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Ram 1500 2WD/4WD New Body Part: B46R19C Need matching rear sh

www.suspensionlifts.com

4600s are what the ORP comes with also.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I respectfully disagree. YouTube is a great resource to learn how to be self sufficient.
I strongly advocate to learn how to diy what you can and RAM suspensions are not hard.

Pop the tie rod off. Remove the brake assembly and hang. Disconnect abs wire. Disconnect and seperate uca . Remove strut from lca. Unbolt strut from the top. Remove strut. Reinstall.

Youtube can visualize this easy process and give some best practices.

I will say, that if you have no mechanical ability, YouTube will only help you so much. You need a basic understanding of how suspension works, and how to use the tools especially when talking about spring compressor for struts

 

[boogielander]

I will say, that if you have no mechanical ability, YouTube will only help you so much. You need a basic understanding of how suspension works, and how to use the tools especially when talking about spring compressor for struts

this

 

[Cajuntec]

I’m fairly mechanically inclined. Not trying to sound more experienced than I am. Figuring out how things work is just something I’ve been good at since a young age. I’ve made mistakes, and learned from them. But I can generally judge my limitations very well. Changing out the struts is something I’m confident I can do. Compressing the springs is not, but only due to tool limitations.

I plan to do this at the same time I’m also changing out front wheel bearings and CV shafts, so those are coming out anyway.

I live in a location that I trust my own abilities over that of the local places. Two dealerships have messed up repairs / maintenance items, and one even left parts disconnected, laying on top of my engine. A local “truck shop” I stopped at seemed like it was run by teenagers who were only interested in helping those who wanted lifted trucks with tons of performance mods. Thats why I do my own work when I can.

All the best,
Glenn

 

[HSKR R/T]

I’m fairly mechanically inclined. Not trying to sound more experienced than I am. Figuring out how things work is just something I’ve been good at since a young age. I’ve made mistakes, and learned from them. But I can generally judge my limitations very well. Changing out the struts is something I’m confident I can do. Compressing the springs is not, but only due to tool limitations.

I plan to do this at the same time I’m also changing out front wheel bearings and CV shafts, so those are coming out anyway.

I live in a location that I trust my own abilities over that of the local places. Two dealerships have messed up repairs / maintenance items, and one even left parts disconnected, laying on top of my engine. A local “truck shop” I stopped at seemed like it was run by teenagers who were only interested in helping those who wanted lifted trucks with tons of performance mods. Thats why I do my own work when I can.

All the best,
Glenn

It's not hard to do struts yourself, if you know how to turn a wrench. And spring compressor can be dangerous if not done properly, but if you are good at figuring things out, it's really not too bad. And you can "rent" them from AutoZone or Oriellys for free. Pay a deposit that you get back when you return them.

 

[msnyder1112]

you're not reading my message fully. it is a great resource to learn, but nothing beats having experience or someone with experience to guide through the process and I recommend him to rethink or have a back up plan first since I've seen how things can go wrong with YouTube Technical College. there's really nothing to agree with disagree with here, it's a fact and not an opinion that things CAN and DO go wrong with inexperienced people. im not saying he shouldn't tackle it and learn, but saying if he's flying solo with no experience, he should find a friend who has done it before to help him.

there are extra unnecessary steps with your DIY instructions already, you don't need to pop the tie rod nor remove the brake. if you are doing that to prevent axle from popping out, then you will also need to loosen the axle nut so the knuckle/ spindle can move without pulling the axle. but even then, you won't even need to touch the brake. sure, you can take those extra steps as precautions, but anyone with lots of hands on experience can save you some time avoiding those unnecessary steps and not make mistakes.

I disagree on “rethinking” doing it himself. Its not rocket science. He sneezy men

I’m fairly mechanically inclined. Not trying to sound more experienced than I am. Figuring out how things work is just something I’ve been good at since a young age. I’ve made mistakes, and learned from them. But I can generally judge my limitations very well. Changing out the struts is something I’m confident I can do. Compressing the springs is not, but only due to tool limitations.

I plan to do this at the same time I’m also changing out front wheel bearings and CV shafts, so those are coming out anyway.

I live in a location that I trust my own abilities over that of the local places. Two dealerships have messed up repairs / maintenance items, and one even left parts disconnected, laying on top of my engine. A local “truck shop” I stopped at seemed like it was run by teenagers who were only interested in helping those who wanted lifted trucks with tons of performance mods. Thats why I do my own work when I can.

All the best,
Glenn

i don’t blame you. I’m not that experienced either and would prefer a loaded pair to install.
I did both sides cv axles by myself with the help of YouTube in about 4 hours. That included putting in new uca and lca. I used a cv puller i got on amazon for 40 bucks. Worked great.

Believe it or not, there are some good resources here.

 

[boogielander]

I’m fairly mechanically inclined. Not trying to sound more experienced than I am. Figuring out how things work is just something I’ve been good at since a young age. I’ve made mistakes, and learned from them. But I can generally judge my limitations very well. Changing out the struts is something I’m confident I can do. Compressing the springs is not, but only due to tool limitations.

I plan to do this at the same time I’m also changing out front wheel bearings and CV shafts, so those are coming out anyway.

I live in a location that I trust my own abilities over that of the local places. Two dealerships have messed up repairs / maintenance items, and one even left parts disconnected, laying on top of my engine. A local “truck shop” I stopped at seemed like it was run by teenagers who were only interested in helping those who wanted lifted trucks with tons of performance mods. Thats why I do my own work when I can.

All the best,
Glenn

if you're mechanically inclined then you are gonna be just fine! good luck and have fun!
the spring just rent the compressor from the parts store and you'll be ok.
go get it done!