So many conflicting thoughts: Bilstein 5100 vs Rough Country

[DocNash]

I’m looking to lift my 23 1500 Bighorn 4wd, non-ORG. I WANT either 35/12.5r18 or 285/75r18. The tire size isn’t really up for debate lol. How to get the clearance, now THAT is the debate.

Option 1: Bilstein 5100 (preassembled) at 2.6/highest clip front struts w/ Rough Country UCA’s, 5100 rear shocks + Eibach Pro Stage 1” lift springs.

Option 2: Rough Country 3.5” lift kit w/ N3 struts & Shocks

I had bilsteins on my 4th Gen. and LOVED the ride. I also had 35’s with that.

 

[boogielander]

You see RC you skip it. Simple as that.

Edit:
When I see RC I skip that option.

 

[DocNash]

You see RC you skip it. Simple as that.

Edit:
When I see RC I skip that option.

Fair enough lol thoughts on their UCA’s however?

 

[PurpleRT]

Bilstein 5100s for the front/rear, Readylifts UCA, Bilstein B12 springs for the rear. Suspension maxx endlinks

Fantastic ride quality, IMO its better to limit mixing parts from different manufs when it comes to suspension for the best ride quality since each of them are going to use their own products during the research and development stage. Either stick w/ Eibach completely minus the UCA or Bilsteins.


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[mplaramie]

I agree with @boogielander about anything RC and @PurpleRT about not trying to not mix brands to much.

Besides the tire size, how will you use your truck? If you stay on pavement and just want the look and tires, you can go with a simple Readylift 3.5 SST lift. Plan to hit some off road, then you can look at either the Bill's or Eibach Pro Kit (stage 2). Of course, the more you want to spend or do with your truck can drive you to the Icons, Fox, Kings, Carli, etc.

There are a ton of good choices. Just determine what is important and go from there. Good luck!

 

[DocNash]

I agree with @boogielander about anything RC and @PurpleRT about not trying to not mix brands to much.

Besides the tire size, how will you use your truck? If you stay on pavement and just want the look and tires, you can go with a simple Readylift 3.5 SST lift. Plan to hit some off road, then you can look at either the Bill's or Eibach Pro Kit (stage 2). Of course, the more you want to spend or do with your truck can drive you to the Icons, Fox, Kings, Carli, etc.

There are a ton of good choices. Just determine what is important and go from there. Good luck!

I won’t be limited to pavement. I won’t be doing the Baja or anything crazy, but driving off-road is likely. I noticed @PurpleRT mentioned end links. Not something I think gets talked about. More info?

 

[boogielander]

Fair enough lol thoughts on their UCA’s however?

there are plenty of UCA options out there. I'd get icon over RC, even though icon is considered (by me) to be a midrange brand over RC, a low range brand.

If you are hitting trails and you like to go fast (which you eventually will, I guarantee) maybe hold off and save up and shell out for 2.5 resi kits from Fox or King. I've blew my Bilsteins up after a summer of weekly wheeling ranging from crawling to high speed desert runs (and catching air a few times) on my previous rig. After that I just stick with 2.5" diameter shocks with resi. Less overheating on shocks.

For the least amount of homework/ research/ headache, just get the Carli Performance kit lol
Sure it's pricy but you don't have to worry about anything. Everything you will need is included in the kit and that kit will handle everything and anything you throw at it. Carli also has a post/ guide on how to fit 35s on their site.

 

[CalvinC]

If you are not a hard core wheeler, my only advice on UCAs is to forgo the uniball type and just get a ball joint type.

Uniball mainteance, noises and failures is just not worth it for the casual offroader.