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.

 

[danielmid]

33s will fit without a lift and are smaller than what comes on the stock 20s. With the 4" lift 33s will look small I'd think.

For a lift kit either @Quick_Shifter or @Nick@GotExhaust will be the best source, likely BDS 6" turned down with the best shock option in the kit that you can afford. But including install in the budget might change that recommendation.

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

I recommend Zone 4" kit with the Fox rear shocks and we can discuss some front strut options. Problem is a lift with stock 17" wheels. I am pretty sure none of them work with stock 17's.

 

[olyelr]

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.

6 speed? Huhhhhhh?? You mean 8?

 

[westcoasting]

6 speed? Huhhhhhh?? You mean 8?

Maybe it’s a Canada thing… I have an 18 with the 6 speed.

 

[Wild one]

6 speed? Huhhhhhh?? You mean 8?

Canada is/was FCA's dumping ground for the RFE 6 speed,you could still get a 6 speed lower trim level truck in Canada up till either 19 or 20.

 

[olyelr]

Maybe it’s a Canada thing… I have an 18 with the 6 speed.

Canada is/was FCA's dumping ground for the RFE 6 speed,you could still get a 6 speed lower trim level truck in Canada up till either 19 or 20.

OMG thats fawking TERRIBLE! Lol what the heck!

 

[CalDad14]

Trust, it's a 6-speed. It's the only way I could get the column shifter. I hated/hate the knob shifter on the dash. All 8-speed 1500's come w/knob shifter only(atleast in Canada). And yes, I made a mistake, I should've went w/the 8-speed.

 

[olyelr]

Trust, it's a 6-speed. It's the only way I could get the column shifter. I hated/hate the knob shifter on the dash. All 8-speed 1500's come w/knob shifter only(atleast in Canada). And yes, I made a mistake, I should've went w/the 8-speed.

I cant believe they still offered the 6 speed. I had no idea.

I have a power wagon with the 6 speed and hate it. My 1500 has the 8 speed and i really enjoy that. The knob took me just a few days to get used to…now i wish my power wagon had a knob instead of the lever.

 

[Franks]

Bang for buck, I’m really happy with the eibach pro kit I bought from Nick. 2” up front and 1” in the rear with a small increase in payload capacity. New struts and springs up front, new coils and springs in the back. The truck rides better than stock. Saving some money there, you could put it towards the tires and maybe new wheels. I found a mint set of sport wheels with decent tires for $800 US.

If I were to complain about anything I’d say that set at the supposed 2.75 of lift, I only got 2 inches up front. I’m curious what setting it on the 2nd notch would actually yield lift wise. (If anyone wants to chime in, I did get zone UPC’s installed). Directions claim 3.5 on the 2nd notch. I’m guessing in reality, 2.75.

I kept the stock 275 60 20’s. (33 x 10.8) next time around I’m going with nitto recon grapplers because it’s one of the few 275 65 20 (34x10.8) that’s not a 60 pound E rated beast. My trucks primary job is to haul, at most, three dirt bikes, or some home improvement materials. Id imagine a trailer under 5k wouldn’t phase them either.

The shifter knob gets me every Monday morning after driving my ram all weekend and then getting into my work truck, F250. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it!