Tires/lift/level?? confused!

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richard8

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So new here today...been really looking for a set up for my 11 Ram 1500 Bighorn.
I have decided on 275/65/20 tires, original rims..just have not decided on make of tire.. I just love the look of a mud tire like toyo mt..nitto mt but in reality I use truck mostly in winter and mud tires may be overkill. Looking at all terrain I guess like Mickey T Baja atzp3..now this where I get confused..sooo many mixed reviews about levelling kits.vs body lift vs. Suspension lift, billsteins etc..etc
So recommendations for a little ride height but it would be nice to hear from users thar have put on some miles like 20 000 instead of "3500 so far and no problems" not being bold fellas...just hate doing things twice..
Many thanks
 

Rzrman328

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Welcome...

If I was going for a little ride height increase I'd simply install the bilsteins 5100's. Many members on here have installed these with success and love them.

Plus they go for around a couple hundred bucks for the set...good bang for your buck.
 
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richard8

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Hey thanks.
I'll search more info about them.
 

R.L.K.

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I just installed the Bilstein 5100s set @ max +2.8" and I really like them ! Pretty easy DIY , I also installed the Mevotech UCA'S with greasable ball joint, also an easy DIY ! The Bilsteins ride better than stock !
GOOD LUCK!

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Almost perfectly level , 1/4 " higher in the rear . I'm fine with that , can't even tell by the eyeball test !


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eridd

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I just installed the Bilstein 5100s set @ max +2.8" and I really like them ! Pretty easy DIY , I also installed the Mevotech UCA'S with greasable ball joint, also an easy DIY ! The Bilsteins ride better than stock !
GOOD LUCK!

a0fbb3d221c602dab201b4d836ace788.jpg


e1c7bcd0493f6081065df5d337e2956b.jpg


Almost perfectly level , 1/4 " higher in the rear . I'm fine with that , can't even tell by the eyeball test !


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Nice work!
 

MADDOG

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I put almost 140K miles on a simple front spacer 2" level kit and never had a problem.

I didn't want to lift the truck, I just wanted to fit a larger diameter tire on 18" wheels.
 

sbuko213

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Haven't installed my Bils yet, but I got mine for $220 from Moe's. Definitely an inexpensive way of doing this.
 

RAM_Designs

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I put almost 140K miles on a simple front spacer 2" level kit and never had a problem.

I didn't want to lift the truck, I just wanted to fit a larger diameter tire on 18" wheels.

That's exactly what I'm going for, for the time being. I'm hoping I can fit 33's with a simple 1" spacer up front...my stock 265/70/17's are 31.6", so 33" should be doable and fill up some of that wheel well...hoping it looks good for what it is.
 

chipmaker

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With Bils you can fit 35s and have a great ride...
 

RAM_Designs

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With Bils you can fit 35s and have a great ride...

I don't want to go with that much lift in the front, I like my trucks to have a noticeable rake from back to front, keep it more aggressive looking to me. I think I'm going to just go with the 1" spacer for a while and see what I want to do when it's time for new tires. Might just go with a 4" spindle lift and 3" lift in the back.
 

gassersarentdead

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Never heard noticeable rake and aggressive put together. You can buy a ****** spacer or spend a small amount more and have adjustable bilistens with a lifetime warranty. It's a no brainer, yet people still buy spacers.
 

RAM_Designs

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Never heard noticeable rake and aggressive put together. You can buy a ****** spacer or spend a small amount more and have adjustable bilistens with a lifetime warranty. It's a no brainer, yet people still buy spacers.

Rake and aggressive go hand in hand. Old school muscle cars...rake. Also, I have a 2wd, so there aren't any adjustable shocks for mine anyways, right?
 

gassersarentdead

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Rake and aggressive go hand in hand. Old school muscle cars...rake. Also, I have a 2wd, so there aren't any adjustable shocks for mine anyways, right?

A new dodge ram isn't an old school muscle car though.
 

R.L.K.

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This would've been nice to watch before I installed my bilsteins ... My install of the bills and UCA'S, went fine , but for anyone that doesn't normally do this type of work on your vehicles , this video shows just how simple it is .
This video will save you $$ and WILL GIVE MOST THE CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO INSTALL YOUR BILSTEINS YOURSELF !
If you want to change the UCAS AS well ,if you look at it it's only two more bolts once the upper ball joint is disconnected !


I posted a link to the above 18 min video in 4th Gen DIY .


Hope this helps someone out !
 
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xrsman

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I've got 2" spacers on my truck and have 16,000 kms on without issue. My last truck (2011 ram) had spacers and I put 40,000 kms on without issue.

My next one will have bilsteins.

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quietpeen

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You can fit 33" tires without lifting/ leveling the front at all. I have hellbent steel 2" spacers on for several years now with no issues and barely noticeable ride difference
 
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richard8

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Well some good literature here..thanks..
So I ordered some Bilsteins 5100 for the front..but I do want some rake. I've been reading mixed reviews about rear spacers....so....what do you all think about using bilsteins in the rear to get it up higher.
Im usually carrying or hauling something and want to eventually get some air bags in my rear coils but not sure if air bag will work if I have spacers.
I dont want truck levelled cause when I carry something I dont always want my nose in the air..
 

BigChief

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That's exactly what I'm going for, for the time being. I'm hoping I can fit 33's with a simple 1" spacer up front...my stock 265/70/17's are 31.6", so 33" should be doable and fill up some of that wheel well...hoping it looks good for what it is.
Stock suspension Sport owner here and I have:
275/60R20 tires which = 33" X 10.83" with an R20.
So, 33" will fit with no mods.
Tire Height Calculator
 
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