4th Gen Aggressive Suburban Highway-Warrior Build? (Tires/Wheels/Lift/Exhaust)

[Yak]

Hi All!

I drive a 2018 RAM 1500 4WD 5.7 Hemi Night-Edition Sport (Granite Crystal) (Sport hood), 3.21 axel-ratio with 20X8 stock black wheels and some bald 275/60R20 stock tires. I'm 5 years into my ownership and figure that if I'm going to mod/outfit my truck, now is the time to do it. I'm looking for as aggressive of a daily driver as I can go without sacrificing too much from the stock feel. Here is what I'm thinking for a build...

A few background notes:
- I don't drive often or far, mainly highways and the odd backroad, primarily a family hauler for 10-30 minute drives. 62000km in 5 years. My 5-year warranty expires tomorrow.
- I LOVE how the stock truck drives. Super smooth, responsive.
- I live in snowy Canada, and have to deal with snow ~4 months of the year. Snow-performance/safety is a priority.
- I like the default V8 Hemi sound. Would love to amplify it a little, add some throat/bass, without changing the note, adding rasp, waking up my neighbors)
- I'm not a big fan of my stock rake/stance. Would like to make my truck sit a little prouder/level, higher, and look aggressive, without sacrificing the fruits of a daily driver (quieter, smoother ride, better fuel mileage (not as important) ). I don't off-road or tow (at the moment).
- Looking for about 1" of poke from the body.

Mods:
- Lift: 2" Mopar Bilstein Front Suspension Lift.
- Tires: 285/65/R20 BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 (3 Peak Snow Rated version) (Also considering Falken Wildpeaks, Nitto EXO Grapplers )
- Wheels: 20x9 Offset: 0 (I haven't chosen exact model yet) ( my dealer recommended against a 20x10, citing that I'll need a 12.5" tire )
- Exhaust: Borla 2009-2022 Ram 1500 Cat-Back Exhaust System, TOURING sound level.
- Intake: Mopar Cold Air Intake (recommendations?)
- (Maybe) Body-color fender flares

Thoughts on how this build would look/ride, based on my criteria above?


Questions I have:
- My understanding is that this lift kit doesn't add/change the suspension in the rear. If I paid more for Bilsteins in the back, would it make my ride better? Would going to a 2.5" or 3" lift with updated suspension for all 4 wheels be recommended for smooth ride/optimal stance?
- I am targeting 285/65/R20 on 20x9 to gain the ~1" in height, and add some width, over stock, but to still keep it on the more conservative side for width/weight, and to avoid spreading out my pounds per inch too much and losing performance on ice/snow. I haven't seen too many setups with this tire - thoughts on how it will look?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice - much appreciated.
Yak

 

[Socalramfan]

Your definately in the right place. Now the only real thing to consider is how much do you want to spend $$$.

Lots of great threads in the forum covering all Pros and Cons of pretty much everything out there As well as pics showing examples

 

[RJL1]

Have you looked at the Readylift system? 4" system that retains the stock ride at a very good price point. Not an off road lift but when installed correctly looks and performs good.

A few members here have it and are pleased with it.

 

[LeeD]

You might want to consider the Borla Touring cat back system if you only want slightly louder better sound. It will be much louder for the rear seat passengers so consider that too. I have the touring system and if in the back when the truck drops out of overdrive on the high it is fairly loud.

 

[sskoczen1]

I had an 18 just like yours and recently upgraded to a 19 Limited. I did a lot of homework and my goals were very similar to yours. I read just about all you could possibly read about suspension for these trucks and messaged with guys that have had the best (king) suspension. Guys are going to talk crap and parrot what they have read but I would go with the 2” Rough Country struts. They are just under $350 for the pair and come ready to roll. If you go Billstein or some of the others you have to compress springs and all that. The gentleman whom I corresponded with the most has had every coilover you can imagine and he landed on the Rough Country and at the time had them for over a year and loves the ride smooth as stock and a little better off road. Rear shocks you can get Billstein, Fox or check our the adjustable Ranchos. Rancho is not the coolest brand but they are 150psi and have 9 settings to meet your desired ride needs. You might consider progressive springs like Carli or Icon in the rear. For the exhaust go with a muffler and tips. I have the Black Widow 350 I think and it’s just right. I kept the resonators but plan on removing them. There are nice 5” tips for $130-$150 can’t recall off the top of my head but get them off. Amazon. You can also pick up a Borla Attack muffler or Sportsman and be good. If you want the full exhaust go with Corsa trust me it’s mean but costs about $1700. You have other option for front coilovers Belltech came out with some that look like a bargain. From what I have gathered people think Coilovers give a plush ride and that is not always true. I can hear guys now saying Rough Country is trash Billstein all day and that is great but I literally researched and entire summer and they are hit or miss. Some like some say they ride rough. These RC loaded struts will be perfect for what your trying to do. They have 3” as well but then you need UACs . Good luck.

 

[Yak]

Thanks for the info/advice/suggestions, All!

I'm narrowing my build to the following:

- Tires: 285/65/R20 BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 (3 Peak Snow Rated version)
- Wheels: 20x9 Offset: 1 Fuel Militias (Black)
- Exhaust: Borla 2009-2022 Ram 1500 Cat-Back Exhaust System, TOURING sound level.
- Intake: Mopar Cold Air Intake

For the Lift/Level, I decided on the 4" SST LIFT KIT - DODGE RAM 1500 4WD 2009-2022 with Bilstein Rear Shocks (69-1041 - https://www.readylift.com/4-sst-lift-kit-dodge-ram-1500-4wd-2009-2022-with-bilstein-rear-shocks.html )

As mentioned above, I don't plan to be off-roading at all, and I'm mainly hauling around kids, so I'm deciding to pay the little extra for the 4" SST Lift with the added Bilsteins. Not sure if they'll make a big difference ( or no difference, or a negative difference ), but my rear shocks are stock and 5 years old now - I figure it won't hurt?

Lastly, my question is - if I'm replacing my back shocks with Bilsteins, should I upgrade my front shocks at the same time ( are shocks like guitar strings - should you change them all at the same time? ). If so, do I go with similar Bilstein 5100s in the front, or do I need to go 6100 series?

The Readylift webpage says:
"You can now upgrade your factory front struts to a Bilstein 5100 series replacement body - 24-187367 - This Bilstein is adjustable. If you choose to upgrade, the front strut must be set to the 0 or factory setting to be used with the 4" lift kit".

Thoughts? Is this advised? I'm more concerned with the ride quality than the cost - already going into the pockets.

- Yak

 

[danielmid]

That SST lift is strut and preload spacers for the front, I don't think you're going to like that ride at 4" lift.

@Quick_Shifter any experience with the SST kit?

 

[Fediej]

Wider Wheels Plus more aggressive Tires Plus lift kit equals worse fuel mileage. The ride and handling characteristics will not be the same as stock, but that doesn't mean you won't like it. The Freer flowing exhaust may help a little bit with your fuel economy but chances are you're going to like the sound so much you'll be heavier on the throttle anyway. Just food for thought. Not trying to talk you out of your project, it'll sure look and sound cool.

 

[Patola]

Yak, are you a leafs fan? I'm an internet lurker and I've seen the same username on blog sites.

Anyways, I noticed you kinda described the mods on my truck and I thought I'd finally register lol.

Here's a description of what I've done, I'll take some pictures after work. Everything was done after my warranty and stock tires wore out.

1. Flowmaster outlaw exhaust
2. Bilsteins on all 4 corners, 2.1" level
3. 285-65 r20 KO2s on stock rims
4. Vararam air grabber

 

[Quick_Shifter]

That SST lift is strut and preload spacers for the front, I don't think you're going to like that ride at 4" lift.

@Quick_Shifter any experience with the SST kit?

Yes as long as they are installed properly the ready lifts kits are really nice