Replacement shock absorbers on a 4-corner air-suspension Ram.

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

looking to replace rear shocks soon on my 19' limited what bilstein option do i have ? im not comfortable enought yet to disect my front air bags but would love to hear more about it maybe even a video on how its done...

 

[E.Hands]

Don't be intimidated. If you are mechanically inclined, have plenty of tools and a cool place to work. It isn't very difficult.
It's a great upgrade over the worn down, weak control of the factory shocks and sway bar. I really liked the tighter control I gained.
I adjusted the Hellwig to the inner, tightest setting and haven't gone back to the middle setting.
But at this point I'm starting to wonder if going with the 5100 series shocks and the 1-1/4" rear sway bar would be any more harsh.
If I am not mistaken the 5100's have multiple ring grooves, so perhaps the raising the front snap ring would level the truck?
It would be interesting to find out. But it will have to wait until after I change the tires to Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2

​

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Don't be intimidated. If you are mechanically inclined, have plenty of tools and a cool place to work. It isn't very difficult.
It's a great upgrade over the worn down, weak control of the factory shocks and sway bar. I really liked the tighter control I gained.
I adjusted the Hellwig to the inner, tightest setting and haven't gone back to the middle setting.
But at this point I'm starting to wonder if going with the 5100 series shocks and the 1-1/4" rear sway bar would be any more harsh.
If I am not mistaken the 5100's have multiple ring grooves, so perhaps the raising the front snap ring would level the truck?
It would be interesting to find out. But it will have to wait until after I change the tires to Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2

​

What shocks do you recommend for the rears? I thinks it’s due time my trucks at 96k and riding a little rough.

 

[Farmertan]

What shocks do you recommend for the rears? I thinks it’s due time my trucks at 96k and riding a little

I have a 4th gen Longhorn 4x4 with air suspension, 175k miles. Two years ago I replaced the rear shocks with Bilstein 5100s (B8) They work well. I also had a shop replace my leaky rear air bags with Arnot bags.) Now my front shocks are shot and I am searching the forums to find out what kind of shock to install. So far, it seems like the Bilstein 4600 will work.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Just to confirm this is what you are using to replace the rears correct?

 

[E.Hands]

Just to confirm this is what you are using to replace the rears correct?
View attachment 187551

Looks correct. But that pic doesn't show a part number?
Let us know how you like them.

 

[E.Hands]

Thanks for posting all this. Do you have the part number from the original front Mopar shock you pulled out of the airbag? I'm contemplating going with the Bilstein vs the factory Mopar shocks and trying to identify the part number I would need for the front on the Mopars is a bit of a pain.

Any update on how the ride is compared to stock with the Bilsteins?

I would definitely upgrade to Bilstein's over Mopar just for the longevity alone, then benefit from improved valving.
In addition if you off road or have increased the unsprung weight by adding larger tires, then I would suggest the 5100 series.

 

[GSD222]

I would definitely upgrade to Bilstein's over Mopar just for the longevity alone, then benefit from improved valving.
In addition if you off road or have increased the unsprung weight by adding larger tires, then I would suggest the 5100 series.

Thanks for the pics. Was curious if Mopar had a different part number for the shock inside the airbag but suspected they wouldn't. Talked to the parts department at a dealer a few days ago to get the rear shock part number you posted there (68262591AC) and asked them the difference between that and the 68262590ACs, and of course they didn't know anything except that the 2591s are for the air suspension. Buddy offered me a set of basically new 2590s for free so that's why I was curious, but my application is essentially the same as yours (all highway and no offroad) so probably going with the 4600s.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I am more than happy with the 4600's on the rear and am sure I'll be even happier once the matching fronts show up.
I pondered the 5100's briefly as I could have sworn I ran them on one of my previous 1500's but all my receipts showed I purchased 4600's.

I'm still waiting for my OEM fronts to ship but I did receive the Bilstein 24-329132 for testing purposes. The groove width matches one of my cutters perfectly so now I just need to see what it's going to take to chuck it up in the lathe.

FYI, when I purchased the OEM Bilstein front shocks, the dealer put a pause on my order stating that they were not a direct fit for my VIN and asked if I was intentionally modifying my vehicle. I believe the Bilstein's are OEM for the 4x4 Rebels but are they really considered a modification on a 2wd? Regardless, I plowed forward knowing they would work.

 

[E.Hands]

Thanks for the pics. Was curious if Mopar had a different part number for the shock inside the airbag but suspected they wouldn't. Talked to the parts department at a dealer a few days ago to get the rear shock part number you posted there (68262591AC) and asked them the difference between that and the 68262590ACs, and of course they didn't know anything except that the 2591s are for the air suspension. Buddy offered me a set of basically new 2590s for free so that's why I was curious, but my application is essentially the same as yours (all highway and no offroad) so probably going with the 4600s.

Let us know if your factory shocks are still holding pressure when you take them off.
One of my rears had no pressure at all.

 

[GSD222]

Let us know if your factory shocks are still holding pressure when you take them off.
One of my rears had no pressure at all.

Definitely. I plan on taking pics as well to hopefully add to what you've posted here already. I have another post here about air suspension leaking issues that I've been having and as a DIYer there aren't many resources out there as of now with a lot of these trucks still under factory warranty. I'm used to working on older Land Cruisers (down to owning 1 now), and one of the great things about working on them is all the information from DIYers online who have figured out things that I'd never think of.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Both of my rears were holding pressure still but, they retracted when I disconnected them from the truck which is an absolute first for me.
This really makes me question the valving differences in the shocks meant for air ride suspension. which is why I ordered the w/o air-ride shock so I can side by side comparisons of all 3 shocks while I have things apart.

 

[Farmertan]

Those are the 5100s I used in the rear.

Just to confirm this is what you are using to replace the rears correct?

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Those are the 5100s I used in the rear.

How would you say they feel compared to stock? Do you have a lift or level? Also I seen on your last response you said you put those shocks on a 4th gen are 4th and 5th gen identical?

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

4600's and 5100's are the same, except coating and 5100's add extra travel. Same valving though, right from Bilstein tech.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Good article on the subtle differences between the two.

Bilstein 4600 vs 5100 Series Shocks - The Subtle Differences

The Bilstein 4600 series is the industry standard for factory replacement shock absorbers for trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. The famous yellow shock has led the way in stock replacement shocks absorbers, utilizing their famous monotube design that increases vehicle control both on and off-road (if...

www.shocksurplus.com

 

[E.Hands]

Every pound that you add to your wheel/tire combination, equals more inertial that the shock has to control.
Let that sink in.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Every pound that you add to your wheel/tire combination, equals more inertial that the shock has to control.
Let that sink in.

So if I have 35’s what’s better for the rear 4600 or 5100???

 

[Loganator456]

@E. Hands, any more feedback on the swap? Any modifications necessary like it seems was required (shims) on the 4th gens? I'm looking at swapping 5100's on my front shocks since I've got 5100s on my rears already. Part number I'm looking at is 24-300872. Replacing the rears really helped the ride at 106k miles on my Limited. Now I'm realizing my fronts need swapped pretty bad. Hoping the extra grooves on the fronts will keep me away from needing to purchase the special ones with the groove machined in that special spot.

 

[E.Hands]

So if I have 35’s what’s better for the rear 4600 or 5100???

I see those listed as a 74 pound tire, stock size Michelin is listed as 39 pounds.
You are asking the stock shock to deal with a lot more load.
So picture how much force is needed to change the direction of 39 pounds at arms length. Now double that weight and change direction with it.
I would go with the higher dampening.