2.5” level. Spacer or strut?

[NorinRadd]

2011 1500. Its my first IFS vehicle. Ive always has solid axle trucks/jeeps.

I’ve seen and read a lot about leveling kits causing certain front end parts to malfunction. I’d assume the angles would throw things out of whack above 3”. But not with 2.5” level. I guess those peoples parts were ready to go anyways and the level made it more noticeable. Who the hell has to do a diff drop or change arms to accommodate 2”. Thats pathetic

Anyways. Should I do leveling struts or spacers. Is one better for the truck?

 

[Quick_Shifter]

What are your ground to fender measurements now? (Center of wheel well)

 

[Quick_Shifter]

But to answer your question a strut is better than a spacer. There are a lot of spacers out there some a decent others are rubbish so your better off doing Eibach, Bilstein, or Rancho.

 

[NorinRadd]

What are your ground to fender measurements now? (Center of wheel well)

Shouldn’t I be measuring axle to fender? The center of wheel well is kind of a weird ballpark area.

Center of centercap to fender is 20.5 in front and 24 in rear when on level ground.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Shouldn’t I be measuring axle to fender? The center of wheel well is kind of a weird ballpark area.

Center of centercap to fender is 20.5 in front and 24 in rear when on level ground.

From the ground to fender at the center of your wheel well is a weird ballpark area? I said that so you didn’t give me ground to the bottom of your fender or below your headlight.

 

[audiophile]

I installed a Rough Country 2.5" lift kit. Started at 36.25" center of front WW and 38" center of rear WW. After install it went to 39" all the way around. Top photo is before, bottom is after. Added LT285/70/17 up from LT265/70/17 stock.

2016 1500 Outdoorsman 4X4 5.7L
2.5" Rough Country Lift
LT285/70/17 Nexen Roadian AT
DZ Tailgate Assist
Westin Nerf Bars
Lund Tonneau Cover
Dirty floor mats and a clean soul............

 

[BrewCrew]

Get the Bilstein 5100's ....several others on this forum have used them (myself included) with outstanding results.

When i installed the Bilsteins i went ahead and installed some new Ready Lift UCA's to avoid any issues with the OEM ball joints. ALOT of people have installed the Bilsteins without having to replace the UCAs, but i wanted to be proactive.

 

[BigRed4x4]

I installed bil's at 2.1 with 80k miles. At 100k I had to replace the lower ball joints and at 112k I replaced the uppers.

My buddy installed the 2" spacers at 30k miles and has had no ball joint issues and he's at 85k miles now.

Take that for what it's worth...

 

[Scooterewski]

What are your ground to fender measurements now? (Center of wheel well)

What are the measurements of a stock 2014 1500 4x4.. my curiosity, I guess

 

[Josh88]

Id personally go with the strut, I have a 3" spacer on mine, my angles are actually good, but it rides stiff,

 

[ilovemyramlaremie]

Bilstine 5100 strut. No brainer

 

[FlaSeadude]

I went with the Bilsteins set at 2.8 and am very happy with the stance and the ride. The photo was taken the day of the install so I expect the front to settle a little...

 

[crissco51]

2016 Ram 1500 4x4. I had the basic 6” lift from Rough Country but have recently been upgrading parts. I added the bilstein 5100s set at 2.8” and have the 4” strut spacer on top from rough country (didn’t put 2” preload spacer that comes with kit). I also put a set of JBA Offroad uniball UCAs on also. Also deleted the rear coil spacer in back with bds coil springs (ended up giving 2” of additional lift in rear). Ive now got roughly a 2” rake in the front which is ok with me. Also put Bilstein reservoir shocks on the rear and they have about 13” of travel. But now ive noticed a squeak from the front end and my camber has become negative about 100 miles after alignment. I also have a 3” body lift and I’m running 38x13.5R18 Toyo MTs. Wheels are 18x9 w/-12 offset. Ive got full wheel lock with no rub or scrub. Any suggestions on that squeak?

 

[Kapt]

I have 2 1/2" spacers on mine. Rides exactly the same as it did before I out them on. Either one you go with you'll have to get it realigned afterwards. Don't forget that part

 

[Ratket]

2011 1500. Its my first IFS vehicle. Ive always has solid axle trucks/jeeps.

I’ve seen and read a lot about leveling kits causing certain front end parts to malfunction. I’d assume the angles would throw things out of whack above 3”. But not with 2.5” level. I guess those peoples parts were ready to go anyways and the level made it more noticeable. Who the hell has to do a diff drop or change arms to accommodate 2”. Thats pathetic

Anyways. Should I do leveling struts or spacers. Is one better for the truck?

2 whee drive or 4 wheel drive?

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

Leveling struts are better. Which ones will depend on what you plan to do with the truck. Also aftermarket UCA's would be recommended.