[HemiTick57]

Good evening,

I would like to begin by saying I am quite the newbie when it comes to suspension, so sorry for any stupid questions. Looking at various websites, I noticed that the front struts options for the 2011 model with RWD and 5.7 engine are limited when it comes to the Pursuit compared to the R/T. For example, the Bilstein B6 would fit the R/T but not the Pursuit. Why is that? I was unable to clear this up from other threads. Any help or direction would be appreciated.

 

[HemiTick57]

Is it a possibility that part websites such as Summit just list that the Bilstein B6 and other similar models would not fit the Pursuit simply because it is not listed as “severe duty” or “severe service” etc.?

 

[HemiLonestar]

Quite likely, since the only difference suspension wise is the front strut (spring/shock combo) and sway bar size.

 

[HemiTick57]

Quite likely, since the only difference suspension wise is the front strut (spring/shock combo) and sway bar size.

After shopping around the Bilstein B6 looks like the best option for me. Now I wonder if it will fit with the stock pursuit spring. I did however learn most importantly (and unfortunately) to not wait until the strut is damaged to replace them.

 

[GertFrobe]

They’ll fit.

Having said that, I would suggest getting a set of SRT springs for the car to replace the Pursuit ones. They will lower it a little to get rid of some of that wheel well gap, thereby improving the looks, and with the Bilstein shocks/struts thrown in, they will firm up the ride and reduce body roll around corners.

Win-win!

 

[HemiTick57]

They’ll fit.

Having said that, I would suggest getting a set of SRT springs for the car to replace the Pursuit ones. They will lower it a little to get rid of some of that wheel well gap, thereby improving the looks, and with the Bilstein shocks/struts thrown in, they will firm up the ride and reduce body roll around corners.

Win-win!

I’ll look into that, thanks for the tip. Is that your current setup?

 

[HemiTick57]

Quite likely, since the only difference suspension wise is the front strut (spring/shock combo) and sway bar size.

They’ll fit.

Having said that, I would suggest getting a set of SRT springs for the car to replace the Pursuit ones. They will lower it a little to get rid of some of that wheel well gap, thereby improving the looks, and with the Bilstein shocks/struts thrown in, they will firm up the ride and reduce body roll around corners.

Win-win!

Also thank you both for your input.

 

[GertFrobe]

I’ll look into that, thanks for the tip. Is that your current setup?

My 2012 has the Bilsteins and some Eibach springs, but I had a 2011 Challenger on which I swapped the stock springs and shocks/struts for some SRT springs and Bilstein dampers, and I loved the way that upgrade affected the car’s looks and ride. Improved both by a significant amount, no doubt.

 

[HemiTick57]

My 2012 has the Bilsteins and some Eibach springs, but I had a 2011 Challenger on which I swapped the stock springs and shocks/struts for some SRT springs and Bilstein dampers, and I loved the way that upgrade affected the car’s looks and ride. Improved both by a significant amount, no doubt.

It would without a doubt make it look better, but I am unsure if I would want to go any lower since this is my daily, and roads and inclined driveways can be rough at times.

 

[GertFrobe]

It would without a doubt make it look better, but I am unsure if I would want to go any lower since this is my daily, and roads and inclined driveways can be rough at times.

The SRT springs dropped my Challenger about an inch in the front and close to an inch in back, between 3/4” and 1. A Pursuit Charger sits up so high to begin with, a set of SRT springs would probably drop it a bit more than an inch in front and a full inch in back I’m thinking.

Normal daily driving duties shouldn’t suffer too much from that, not like they would with these Eibachs I’ve got now. I’ve best the underside of this car to death from being so low, but that’s not going to be nearly the case with some stock SRT springs.

 

[HemiTick57]

The SRT springs dropped my Challenger about an inch in the front and close to an inch in back, between 3/4” and 1. A Pursuit Charger sits up so high to begin with, a set of SRT springs would probably drop it a bit more than an inch in front and a full inch in back I’m thinking.

Normal daily driving duties shouldn’t suffer too much from that, not like they would with these Eibachs I’ve got now. I’ve best the underside of this car to death from being so low, but that’s not going to be nearly the case with some stock SRT springs.

Gotcha. I’ll look around and see what I find. The current priority is the front struts since one is now broken. I am aware that it is best practice to install the new spring at the same time, but what are your thoughts at replacing them at a later time? Would it not make much of a difference in terms of wear? Other factors I’m not taking into account? I am also under the impression that the rear self leveling struts need special consideration when replacing?

 

[GertFrobe]

Gotcha. I’ll look around and see what I find. The current priority is the front struts since one is now broken. I am aware that it is best practice to install the new spring at the same time, but what are your thoughts at replacing them at a later time? Would it not make much of a difference in terms of wear? Other factors I’m not taking into account? I am also under the impression that the rear self leveling struts need special consideration when replacing?

No you can replace the springs later if so desired. It’s just a hassle to pull the strut and disassemble, swap springs, reassemble, then reinstall, but other than that there’s nothing wrong with running the new dampers inside the current springs for a while.

 

[HemiTick57]

No you can replace the springs later if so desired. It’s just a hassle to pull the strut and disassemble, swap springs, reassemble, then reinstall, but other than that there’s nothing wrong with running the new dampers inside the current springs for a while.

Great. That might be my plan then upon seeing how the new Bilsteins perform for a little while. What’s strange is that I’ve seen many say that the B6 keeps the same ride height, however others say it raises it. Perhaps it differs on the previous springs from either the pursuit, r/t or se etc.

 

[GertFrobe]

Great. That might be my plan then upon seeing how the new Bilsteins perform for a little while. What’s strange is that I’ve seen many say that the B6 keeps the same ride height, however others say it raises it. Perhaps it differs on the previous springs from either the pursuit, r/t or se etc.

As a general rule the damper won’t affect the ride height, that’s almost solely a function of the coil spring being used.

If there was any effect at all from running the Bilsteins in place of the stock Sachs dampers, I would expect the ride height to be reduced. But it would be a very small amount if any at all.

 

[HemiTick57]

As a general rule the damper won’t affect the ride height, that’s almost solely a function of the coil spring being used.

If there was any effect at all from running the Bilsteins in place of the stock Sachs dampers, I would expect the ride height to be reduced. But it would be a very small amount if any at all.

Good to know. I definitely already learned a lot on this journey so far. I’ll report back as it progresses. Thanks again.

 

[Callahan843]

The SRT springs dropped my Challenger about an inch in the front and close to an inch in back, between 3/4” and 1. A Pursuit Charger sits up so high to begin with, a set of SRT springs would probably drop it a bit more than an inch in front and a full inch in back I’m thinking.

Normal daily driving duties shouldn’t suffer too much from that, not like they would with these Eibachs I’ve got now. I’ve best the underside of this car to death from being so low, but that’s not going to be nearly the case with some stock SRT springs.

I’m interested to see your car and how low it is bc mine is lowered too

 

[GertFrobe]

I’m interested to see your car and how low it is bc mine is lowered too

I can take any corner at twice the posted speed and not lean an inch, but man o' man the undercarriage of The Bacon Hauler has taken some serious abuse! No more plastic belly pan, and the engine cradle is beat all to hell. I had to remove the two exhaust cross members because I was forever catching them on bumps and such. I even got high centered leaving a guy's house one night. Low is great for a lot of things, but really low can be a double edged sword!

Here’s a couple of my highlights (lowlights?) as recorded by my dashcam:

The Bacon Hauler vs a railroad crossing (NOTE: I was asleep in passenger seat while Mrs Frobe drove):

The Bacon Hauler vs a discarded brake drum:

The Bacon Hauler vs a parking lot exit:

The Bacon Hauler gets high centered (it’s not evident from the video but I really thought I was stuck and gonna need a tow truck here):

 

[Callahan843]

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I can take any corner at twice the posted speed and not lean an inch, but man o' man the undercarriage of The Bacon Hauler has taken some serious abuse! No more plastic belly pan, and the engine cradle is beat all to hell. I had to remove the two exhaust cross members because I was forever catching them on bumps and such. I even got high centered leaving a guy's house one night. Low is great for a lot of things, but really low can be a double edged sword!

Here’s a couple of my highlights (lowlights?) as recorded by my dashcam:

The Bacon Hauler vs a railroad crossing (NOTE: I was asleep in passenger seat while Mrs Frobe drove):

The Bacon Hauler vs a discarded brake drum:

The Bacon Hauler vs a parking lot exit:

The Bacon Hauler gets high centered (it’s not evident from the video but I really thought I was stuck and gonna need a tow truck here):

Lmao yeah I’ve definitely had my plastic cover underneath fly off already and I’ve definitely beat the undercarriage a few times on mine lol the best is when you’re leaving a parking lot and Everyone hears you scraping and you just watch their reactions

 

[HemiTick57]

Update
So they are now installed and I have been driving for a few days now. Ride quality is good and very similar feeling to the stock police struts before. One thing I did notice is that the height raised about an inch. I was told this is because the struts are new and will settle in a few months.

 

[GertFrobe]

Update
So they are now installed and I have been driving for a few days now. Ride quality is good and very similar feeling to the stock police struts before. One thing I did notice is that the height raised about an inch. I was told this is because the struts are new and will settle in a few months.

Odd…maybe the struts that got replaced were so worn out that they allowed sagging an inch lower than normal?

That’s about the only way I can think a new set would actually raise the ride height by a significant amount, given the springs were reused and only the shock/strut was replaced.

Definitely update the thread if the ride height changes further as you drive it more…