I'm running the 5100's also. Now on both my Jeep and the new truck. Have had them on other rigs in the past too. Have also run the Rancho 9000's on previous rigs and agree with the assessment that they seem to have slipped a bit. Either that, or the Bilsteins are just better and make it seem like the Rancho's have slipped by comparison.
Drove the new truck about 60 mile of dirt across the North Slope road yesterday. I'm in love... I'm sure it isn't anymore plush of a ride, or even as plush as something like Marty's GC, or perhaps a Taco or other newish half ton. But compared to my old 3/4 ton diesel, it was like floating on a cloud. I loved, loved, loved it! The Bilstein 5100's performed admirably as they always have - firm without being harsh, excellent damping control which is especially noticeable and appreciated on washboard at speed. Not being a reservoir shock, they will fade if you pound the rough stuff long enough, but being monotube, and gas, they go longer without fading than any twin tube I've ever run. And the aluminum mono body dissipates the heat quickly if given half a chance to cool.
Art, you asked about the leveling fronts... I would guess they are available for the Taco application too. They are a replacement front shock, that allows a couple inches of ride height adjustment via the coilover spring seat. I raised the front of my new truck 2" with them, to give a little more room for the tires and get the front air dam a couple inches higher off the ground. Some guys just don't like the look of the factory rake on a truck and use them simply to get a more level stance. I see rake as being functional, not particularly interested in what it looks like, so used rear spacers to add some rake back to the new truck after the leveling shocks went on the front.
But you mention wanting to do some towing, while not wanting to actually beef up the spring rate. I'd look into an airbag kit for the Taco. I just installed those in the new truck too. Since the Taco has rear leafs and the Ram has rear coils, the type of air bag setup will be different, but I'd bet there are kits for the application out there. The air bags allow you to effectively add spring rate and rear ride height only when you need and want it. Then deflate (or mostly deflate) them when you want the factory ride back. They are pretty robust and foolproof, well proven solution to what I think you are describing.
Of course, I'd do both - the Bilsteins and the air bags.
- DAA
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Not even close. My Hemi's spuncky but I don't like the throttle sensitivity. I do like the QD II t/c & LS at both ends (3.73) tho. It ain't no Atlas and Detroit's, but they work respectably well. BFG KM2's help a little more with the traction also.
Couldn't find room for OBA so I carry the "air compressor bag".
Thanks to Udink for the great campsite location on Sand Mountain outside St. George.:twothumbs: 
