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Bilstein 5100 + RRO 2.5" lift completed.

65K views 120 replies 35 participants last post by  jclay 
#1 ·
Figured since its kind of a unique setup (for now), it deserved its own thread.

Previously, I was running the RRO 2.5" spacer lift kit on my 2015 and 33s. Great setup, very very happy with it. Very capable and a great look. However, I was having issues with my OEM shocks. Nivomat load leveling shocks in rear were replaced once already, and the fronts were starting to give me some hell, creaking and such... so I upgraded to Bilstein 5100s all the way around. Ride height adjustable up front, and standard rears.

WOW.

Very impressed with the look, and the MUCH better ride quality both on and off road. The Front shocks I went with offer adjustments of
0.5", 0.75". 1.25", and 1.75"

I chose to set them at the minimum 0.5" and add them to my 2.5 spacer setup for a total of 3" front lift. Any more, and bad things will happen. Im happy with the end result, the CV angle is acceptable, and I feel that longevity will be just fine. Ill be the first to let you know if it doesnt, as this rig gets off road as much as possible.

For Jeeps with Nivomat load leveling shocks in rear, you do need to get the following parts from Jeep/Mopar to convert to a standard shock
Shock mount plate P/# 05181844AA
Shock Absorber shield / bellow P/# 68029592AC
Shock mount P/# 68029590AF
Bumper jounce P/# 68029591AC

Glad to answer any questions you may have. For now, heres a quick front view of the Jeep comin down the road and a couple pics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrf5SBv4_18">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrf5SBv4_18" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350">
 

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#4 ·
So, my initial impressions are definitely good. Ive got 300 miles on the setup, including 60+ offroad this weekend in a variety of conditions climbing from the AZ Valley to Crown King at 7500+ feet, all off road. It did very well. The Bilsteins certainly make the rough stuff smoother. More predictable and less clunky feeling.

After all that, I feel like if the suspension was going to "settle" at all...it has.
Final measurements:

37.5" ground to fender at all 4 corners. This makes me happy. This is with 1/2 tank of gas and my big ass 33"spare in the back.
my lowest point of ground clearance is at the control arm of course, its 10.2".

It feels great, it looks great and im very pleased. Heres me parked next to my exact model.

 
#10 ·
Yes, OE springs. For you, id recommend just doing the Bilstein 5100s all around. You will end up with better shocks, obviously and you can adjust the front up 1.75" which will level things out. The rears stay static. Youll improve ride, and looks and easily put on a 32.
 
#12 ·
First of all I want to say Beautiful Jeep! It looks amazing! Is it possible to just get the Bilstein's without the RRO 2.5, and still get some sort of a lift? I just want to be 100% sure before I get to excited haha!

Hopefully I can lift my 2012 WK2 soon!:)
 
#14 ·
How's your clearance now with the 33" tires and 3" lift? Is it still pretty tight or did it open up some space?
 
#15 ·
no issues at all, even at 2.5 only. My offset was dead on for a non rub situation. at 3" I have no rub, whatsoever in any circumstance. even with all weight on a front wheel while turned when offroading. its a solid setup!

Im actually contimplating a 295/60-20 (34.1) or goin to a full 35 soon. These options obviously will require some handy work...but I have it planned out and its not too terriible.
 
#16 ·
That would be awesome! Looking forward to seeing that progression.
 
#17 ·
Any issues with the upper ball joints? I talked to a local dealer about installing the RRO 2.5" lift and they said they wouldn't do it unless I also had the RRO UCA's to go with it. Apparently they've had some issues with the ball joint failing with the kit and then they were getting stuck replacing them. :(
 
#19 · (Edited)
Thanks for the info...not sure if I'll get the UCA's or not. Haven't been too impressed with the Jeep dealerships or their expertise lately, but would like the install warrantied. Strongly just considering selling the RRO lift and doing the Bilstein 5100's, but don't really want to mess with swapping the Nivomat setup to do it right.

Then the OME setup keeps coming up, but I don't really need a setup that robust so hard to justify the cost. I actually want to retain .5-1" more height in the rear as I like a slight hint of rake and don't want it squatting when I pull the boat...though that's not a regular thing.

So...Did you have the Nivomats before? If so did you go to the standard non-SLS spring or use a TJ spacer to level the rear with the 1.75 notch? Seems like it will be .75" lower if you don't do one of these, from the other threads, when converting the rear. If you keep the Nivomat setup, and just do the fronts w/1.75 setup, it appears to be perfectly level..
 
#20 ·
I had nivomat yes.I replaced them (and converted to the non nivomat mounts) which was just a couple cheap parts.

If you do just bilstein, and take off your rro. ..you will only get 1.75 front and 0 rear. So...leveled only.

my setup with rro 2.5 plus Bilstein set at .5 front got me perfectly level (37.5 ground to fenderlip) all 4 corners and has me lifted 3 in the front and .5 in the rear. I did not (yet) use the tj spacers i have. I'm holding those for when I try the 35s (sooner than later).
 
#22 ·
I had nivomat yes.I replaced them (and converted to the non nivomat mounts) which was just a couple cheap parts. If you do just bilstein, and take off your rro. ..you will only get 1.75 front and 0 rear. So...leveled only. my setup with rro 2.5 plus Bilstein set at .5 front got me perfectly level (37.5 ground to fenderlip) all 4 corners and has me lifted 3 in the front and .5 in the rear. I did not (yet) use the tj spacers i have. I'm holding those for when I try the 35s (sooner than later).
Alludc love your ride man, I have the RRO level kit and have been delaying a lift for years because I hate the rake in them. So your saying the 2.5 RRO lift with the bilstein 5100 adjusted to .5 up on the front would lift and level the wk2? This is great
 
#21 ·
Just another update.

Ive put about 3000 miles on this rro+bilstein setup for far. 400 or so of those have been on varied terrain of off-road trails. Im still super impressed with the ride on and off the road. Comparing it to my leveled 12 on oem shocks (way better ride), comparing it to RRO and OEM shocks on my 15 (even better than it was when it was bone stock).

These Bilsteins are doing exactly what I had hoped for.
 
#26 ·
alludc,

Very impressed with your set up! I have a 2013 WK2 Laredo that I recently purchased and am planning out my build. I keep coming back to your set up as the look I want. Did you do the install yourself or have a shop do it? I'm in SE Mesa by the way... not very mechanically inclined so will plan on having a local shop do it.

Thanks for all the detailed write ups and photos.
 
#31 ·
I'm amazed you haven't had your upper ball joints fail with this setup because I measured droop travel before and after installing the Bilstein 5100s and I got 2" more droop travel with them. If you are running the bilsteins with the RRO spacers that would mean you could extend your wheel 4.5" further. Maybe not if you still have your sway bars on. I took mine off. I'm glad to hear you haven't had any problems. The sway bars might be saving you.

Also I set my Bilsteins at 1.25" of lift and it leveled the vehicle perfectly. I almost did the 1.75" setting but I'm glad I didn't because my front would have been higher than the back.
 

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#33 ·
I saw your list of mopar OEM items that are needed to switch out the load leveling shocks to the bilstein 5100s... is there a specific bilstein part # for the wk2 or am I just looking for the standard 5100 adjustable height shocks for the front? Hope that makes sense.
 
#34 ·
i saw your list of mopar oem items that are needed to switch out the load leveling shocks to the bilstein 5100s... Is there a specific bilstein part # for the wk2 or am i just looking for the standard 5100 adjustable height shocks for the front? Hope that makes sense.
24-225441 (2)
24-225434 (2)
 
#36 ·
Remember I got an additional 2" of droop travel on the fronts and .25" in back so if you jack up your jeep and don't get about 2.5" more than that, then your suspension is being hung up by the sway bar, and if you do get 2.5" more then that and aren't having issues then that would mean we can safely extend the fronts 4.5" further than stock without damaging the CVs and ball joints which would be really great to know.
 
#38 ·
Next time I have it up, I'll make a measure. It drops plenty when lifted, and while I'm playin offroad (which I do often). In all honesty , had I planned to get "flex"...I'd be in a solid axle jk with Kings and sway bar disconnects.
Have you ever pushed your rig to its lateral roll limit? I think you would be surprised with what this thing can do without all its tires on or near the ground.
 
#39 ·
I haven't lifted it enough. My tires get pushed up against the fenders with the bigger tires. I found out today. If my wheels are straight I might get another inch up into the fender.
 

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#41 ·
since its on this post, figure ill post it here as well...


my droop is 13.75 front and 14.25 rear measured from center of fenderlip to center of wheel edge (20" wheels), with sway bar attached.
 

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