Advice on starting a build.

[CalDad14]

2017 Ram 1500 SLT, 5.7, 6-speed, 4×4, CC, SB, 3.92Gears, Camper Shell(Canopy). Bone Stock! Just over 32,000kms.

Purchased truck brand new, March 2017. My ride quality has really declined over the last 12 - 14 months. Confident that it's the tires(original, from factory). Possible rear sway bar bushing is worn.

Currently shopping for new tires. Would like to lift the truck then get tires. Not trying to run the Baja or conquer Moab. My FIL has 2007 PW, my BIL has 2013 PW. So, I have a little bit of "keeping up with the PW's" going on!

We do summer camping where I tow a small camper(<5000lbs), tackle the occasional trail, harvest trees, haul water. We also do winter picnics.

Don't have a ton of $ to spend. Would like to keep it under $5,000.00 CA. including install.

Want to go 4" lift max. Give me a bit more clearance along with some piece of mind in the snow. You never know what lies just beneath that fluffy white stuff! I'd like to use my stock 17" rims as well.

I've had a couple sit downs with some off-road shops in town. I get different answers/recommendations from each place. 33"'s will look goofy w/a 4" lift, if I do a full "lift kit" then I need to upgrade my hubs too, etc???.... Even got an estimate from the dealership I bought the truck from and the cost was astronomical, >$12,000.00!!!

Again, I'd like to lift the rear 2" - 3", then match the front. I'd like to keep the "geometry" of my truck as true as possible. I know once I "lift" my truck it won't ever be perfect, but I'd like to try. I'd like new/upgraded struts & shocks. Possibly HD coils(when I tow, I'm usually maxed out on my "payload capacity"). I'd also like to replace/upgrade all bushings in regards to the steering & suspension. I'd like to run a 33" × 12.50 on my factory 17" rims.

I've researched AEV. They seem to focus their efforts toward Chrysler products, which I like. For every good thing I hear about Fab tech, ask a different "specialists" and they'll tell you everything bad about it!?!

If someone smarter than me might be able to provide some ideas? Give me a starting point with the basics of what I'm after. I would really appreciate it. Thanks to all.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Everyone is going to have their thoughts on this. I like your thinking.

My vote is a 2" front lift. It's a mild lift but it wont kill your front suspension, CVs, ball joints ..and fuel economy (much). Tires ...consider 33's for starters. Start small. One guy here said every mod he made he lost 1mpg ..till it got real expensive to drive his truck daily ..LOL. That's something to keep in mind. Go to a tire shop and roll a couple 33's out next to your truck. See what 35's look like. Don't go too aggressive. When you go bigger then yer overstressing already 'at their limit' front wheel bearings and truck gets to be less stable more prone to breakage. Since you're in Canada, put some rust-protection in your budget. (if you haven't already). Bilstein shocks/lift are real popular and you can't go wrong with Bilstein quality. But others here have a better handle on specific parts. You might want to go over to the "Performance" part of the 4th gen forum too. I myself would avoid things like cold-air-intake and the like. But that's me. I like those stainless steel wheel opening moldings!! Get some running boards or step rails.

Note: Speaking of Moab, some of the 'best' trails in Moab in terms of stunning scenery and overall family fun, IMO are trails which are among the easieast to drive. Nor are they likely to tear your rig up. Heck you could do them in a stock Ram if you took off the front air dam. But a little front lift would be ideal. It's fun to watch these guys online crawl over rocks, (and it's fun to do), but the reality is, you don't *need* a really high-lifted truck or super large tires to have great fun on Moab trails. I've done some difficult trails, but in terms of scenic beauty, exciting canyon drop-off's, trails like Long Canyon Trail and White Rim Trail ..and others (Onion Creek, Gemini Bridges, Eye-of-the-Whale, Schafer Canyon, etc) can be done in a stock vehicle. The point is, you can have a lot of fun and get to many off-the-beaten-path places in a moderately modified truck (which are already quite capable from the factory) such as you're thinking.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Same applies to the majority of Colorado trails.

I did Black Bear Pass in a rented 1995 bone stock Chevy Blazer, (the small one)! LOL
(in the rain!)