Front springs JTSVP vs Belltech

[Srt10650]

Been driving the truck for a few days now and couldn’t be happier with everything. Bumps that would hit the bump stops no longer hit, the sweet spot is 10psi to run when you don’t have anything in the bed. I haven’t measured it, but with 10psi truck looks the same height. I highly recommend bags in the rear if you lower your truck and still want to use it as a truck. Sure I could’ve c notched it and depending on how low I would’ve had to cut the bed for the dog house. But the downside to that is I wouldn’t have been able to use my bed anymore if I did the dog house in the bed. I could’ve done a under bed c notch, but I didn’t want to cut up my frame. Overall it has been a lot of work but well worth it, my suspension is pretty much complete. Now on to other mods. I will post part numbers and prices later this week for anyone trying to get a ballpark of what parts/funds are needed.

 

[Srt10650]

Just got these shock extenders in today. When you lower a truck, it changes the position and angle of the rear shocks. These will fix that issue. Pretty much 95% done with my suspension, I say 95% because I still haven’t installed my front upper and lower control arms energy suspension polyurethane bushings. They’re just in my garage collecting dust, lol. When I replaced the upper control arms they had new stock moog bushings and I really didn’t want to mess with them. The plan is to buy another set and install them on the new ones when I have some time. Once completed install them and install the lower ones as well. Really tired of having the truck down in the driveway, just really want to drive it and enjoy it. I’ll post some pictures when installed.

 

[AMS3]

Just got these shock extenders in today. When you lower a truck, it changes the position and angle of the rear shocks. These will fix that issue. Pretty much 95% done with my suspension, I say 95% because I still haven’t installed my front upper and lower control arms energy suspension polyurethane bushings. They’re just in my garage collecting dust, lol. When I replaced the upper control arms they had new stock moog bushings and I really didn’t want to mess with them. The plan is to buy another set and install them on the new ones when I have some time. Once completed install them and install the lower ones as well. Really tired of having the truck down in the driveway, just really want to drive it and enjoy it. I’ll post some pictures when installed.

I forget the brand of lowering kit I have, but it came with everything. Surprised yours didn't. When I had the camber/castor bushings added to the front due to the lowering, they squeaked real bad, even if I opened the door. Had to shave about an 1/8 inch off of the metal housings. No more squeaky nonsense.

 

[Srt10650]

I forget the brand of lowering kit I have, but it came with everything. Surprised yours didn't. When I had the camber/castor bushings added to the front due to the lowering, they squeaked real bad, even if I opened the door. Had to shave about an 1/8 inch off of the metal housings. No more squeaky nonsense.

No, i pieced my kit together. I’m using Belltech Components, I have RC front springs and a flip kit in the rear. I searched a couple different kits for an 05 Dodge Ram and the only one that seems to have the shock extenders is the McGaughys kit. Below are a couple of pictures from the kits, McGaughys’s Kit, Belltech Kit, DJM Kit, Ground Force kit, and Max Trac Kit. I couldn’t find a picture of the JTSVP lowering kit, but I doubt they have shock extenders since they use the Belltech rear flip kit(which I have).

 

[AMS3]

No, i pieced my kit together. I’m using Belltech Components, I have RC front springs and a flip kit in the rear. I searched a couple different kits for an 05 Dodge Ram and the only one that seems to have the shock extenders is the McGaughys kit. Below are a couple of pictures from the kits, McGaughys’s Kit, Belltech Kit, DJM Kit, Ground Force kit, and Max Trac Kit. I couldn’t find a picture of the JTSVP lowering kit, but I doubt they have shock extenders since they use the Belltech rear flip kit(which I have).

McGaughy is the brand I used, 2.5 front, 5.0 rear, or 4.5 rear, don't remember. Looks good though, has a forward rake to it. So was it cheaper to piece meal the parts?

 

[Srt10650]

McGaughy is the brand I used, 2.5 front, 5.0 rear, or 4.5 rear, don't remember. Looks good though, has a forward rake to it. So was it cheaper to piece meal the parts?

Just added the prices for Belltech rear flip kit, Belltech RC front springs, McGaughy shock extenders, Energy suspension front bump stops and Prothane suspension rear bump stops. Basically what the McGaughys kit comes with and the total for all those parts was $428.07. It’s about the same price for the Belltech as well.

 

[Srt10650]

Tried to install the shock extenders the other day and they will not work with my Hotchkis rear sway bar. They interfere with the rear sway bar mount. The hotchkis rear sway bar does not bolt up to the stock sway bar mount holes, I tried but the sway bar endlinks don’t line up straight up and down. I used the instructions of a fellow member to mount the Hotchkis sway bars, link below. I did a little search and all rear sway bars are not bolt on. This includes OEM RC rear sway bar, Hotchkis rear sway bar, Belltech rear sway bar, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Addco rear sway bar. You either need to drill holes on the frame rail for the sway bar endlinks/mounts or for the sway bar mounts on the differential. I should be able to modify the shock extenders a little bit and should be able to work. I’ll keep you guys posted.

https://www.vtcoa.com/posts/769831

 

[AMS3]

Tried to install the shock extenders the other day and they will not work with my Hotchkis rear sway bar. They interfere with the rear sway bar mount. The hotchkis rear sway bar does not bolt up to the stock sway bar mount holes, I tried but the sway bar endlinks don’t line up straight up and down. I used the instructions of a fellow member to mount the Hotchkis sway bars, link below. I did a little search and all rear sway bars are not bolt on. This includes OEM RC rear sway bar, Hotchkis rear sway bar, Belltech rear sway bar, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Addco rear sway bar. You either need to drill holes on the frame rail for the sway bar endlinks/mounts or for the sway bar mounts on the differential. I should be able to modify the shock extenders a little bit and should be able to work. I’ll keep you guys posted.

https://www.vtcoa.com/posts/769831

Hate to hear that. I'm glad you said this, I was thinking about getting a rear sway bar with the brand you mentioned. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Kiwi SRT10]

Tried to install the shock extenders the other day and they will not work with my Hotchkis rear sway bar. They interfere with the rear sway bar mount. The hotchkis rear sway bar does not bolt up to the stock sway bar mount holes, I tried but the sway bar endlinks don’t line up straight up and down. I used the instructions of a fellow member to mount the Hotchkis sway bars, link below. I did a little search and all rear sway bars are not bolt on. This includes OEM RC rear sway bar, Hotchkis rear sway bar, Belltech rear sway bar, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Addco rear sway bar. You either need to drill holes on the frame rail for the sway bar endlinks/mounts or for the sway bar mounts on the differential. I should be able to modify the shock extenders a little bit and should be able to work. I’ll keep you guys posted.

https://www.vtcoa.com/posts/769831

What a lot of work well done. Very interesting, great photos too

 

[Srt10650]

What a lot of work well done. Very interesting, great photos too

Thanks.

 

[Srt10650]

Haven’t had time to add/work on the shock extenders. But recently bought a used lowering by ground force, for a pretty cheap price. The kit came with front springs, rear shackles, and shock extenders. Also came with the plates and bolts(for the lowering blocks/saddles). Kit was incomplete, but came with the things that was worth the price. Thinking about installing the ground force rear shock extenders and seeing how they work for my application. Worst comes to worst I’ll just have to modify 1 set. Below are pictures or the McGaughys and Ground Force shock extenders.

 

[Srt10650]

Been a few years, but back at it. I was never really pleased with the bumpstops I added when I lowered it because only 1 bolt was securing it. So decided to give the Belltech bump stop relocation bracket another try. The bumpstops the kit came with were too big after I did the drop. So I put in a shorter ones and got more travel, here are the pictures before for comparison. Stock on the far left, the one the kit came with in the middle and the one I added a few years back on the right.

 

[Srt10650]

For comparison this is the one I replaced the other one with. Far right(yellow) is the one the kit came with, middle with brass colored bracket is the one I put on a few years back and far left with black bracket is the one I replace it with. They’re shorter than the ones I replaced it with a few years back so it gave me some more suspension travel.

 

[Srt10650]

Here’s the bumpstops installed. The brackets do not touch the brake lines, it’s just the angle of the picture.

 

[Srt10650]

These are what the brackets look like, if anyone is interested let me know and I can try and get a parts list/price together.

 

[Srt10650]

Don’t know if this is in the suspension category, but wanted to address some of the play in the intermediate shaft bushing. Far left you can see the bushing without turning, then next to it on the right I’m turning the steering wheel and you can see the play. Next to that is the bushing installed. Haven’t driven the truck yet to give some feedback.

 

[VIPR PWR]

Don’t know if this is in the suspension category, but wanted to address some of the play in the intermediate shaft bushing. Far left you can see the bushing without turning, then next to it on the right I’m turning the steering wheel and you can see the play. Next to that is the bushing installed. Haven’t driven the truck yet to give some feedback.

Is that from just wear and tear ? Wondering if its a common problem .. is the bushing a factory replacement ?
Heck you would think that would never wear out !

I take it thats the shaft retaining pin !

 

[Srt10650]

Is that from just wear and tear ? Wondering if its a common problem .. is the bushing a factory replacement ?
Heck you would think that would never wear out !

Imtake it thats the shaft retaining pin !

Yes it uses a rubber bushing that degrades over time, leading to loose, sloppy, and wandering steering. This is a fix and upgrade since it wouldn’t degrade(aluminum). Common problem on 2003-2018 Dodge Ram 1500/ 2500/ 3500/ 4500. Pretty easy to replace, just hammer in.

 

[VIPR PWR]

Yes it uses a rubber bushing that degrades over time, leading to loose, sloppy, and wandering steering. This is a fix and upgrade since it wouldn’t degrade(aluminum). Common problem on 2003-2018 Dodge Ram 1500/ 2500/ 3500/ 4500. Pretty easy to replace, just hammer in.

Dealer item or any part store / online ?

 

[Srt10650]

Dealer item or any part store / online ?

I bought mine from cj off road, but just a quick google search and you’ll find it. Should be around $20-$30.