2' rake? to rake or not.

[Lorenzo136]

interested in raising front up 2 inches from stock whats best way and economical, not towing or off roading at all, will it affect drivability at all, thx in advance foe any advice. L.

 

[healthyrx]

Looks like you may have a 4th gen ram based on your info, but you posted in the 5th gen section. Might get more accurate responses if you post in the 4th gen ram section. But generally speaking, you want to avoid the spacer lift kits as they often cause more problems than they solve and they trash your ride quality.
Bilstein b8 5100 front shocks are height adjustable from stock height to a max of 2.8" lift in the front and are the go to for most who just want a modest lift up front. New shocks only and you reuse the oem front spring. I also like to get new KYB top hats for that stuff because they're $30 each side and add lots of peace of mind.

The bilstein 5100s for 4th gens are on amazon for $118 each right now. Set them to 2.1" not 2.8" lift and you wont need to replace your UCAs to get your alignment back in spec

 

[Trailmaker]

If I started off with a level truck, then my tail would be dragging the ground after I finished my build out. Then I would be forced to lift the rear or add bags. I always preferred rake. But I mostly use my trucks as trucks, so hauling and towing is always in the cards for me. Lifted is fine but I would keep the rake, for my truck uses for sure. To answer the question in the title.

 

[Lorenzo136]

thanks for responding gents, what are top-hats actually? tho not to seem ignorant, I'm new to full size pick ups etc.

 

[healthyrx]

If you go the bilstein route, you get just shock absorbers and then have to disassemble your OEM setup to take the spring, and spring perch from that to transfer to the new bilstein shocks. The top hat is the assembly that holds the spring onto the shock from the top side and allows you to install the entire strut as one piece back into the truck. I believe it has some rubber isolators and a metal plate as well as the bolts that secure the shock to the truck and the rubber isolators get worn down over time and taking them off to reuse from an old truck is just asking for noises or other problems down the road so with as cheap as they are it saves a lot of future headache to buy new ones.
Here is the item from tire rack

https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=KYB&model=Strut+%26+Shock+Mount&group=Strut+%26+Shock+Mount&partNum=SM5580&autoMake=RAM&autoModel=1500+4WD&autoYear=2013&autoModClar=Crew+Cab

It’s the red circled area in this picture which are from the lifted struts I just took off of my truck to be replaced with the icon coilovers next to them

 

[Dinky]

If you level it right the ride will be better than spacers. Bilstein 5100 are a good route but new springs and shocks to fix that height would be the best. If you don't tow and or off road I would suggest maybe a 1.75in leveling kit or 1.5 it will leave some rake in case you do need it.

 

[Lorenzo136]

thanks gents!