Lift kit vs. Level Kit..Educate me please.

[Gamefish27]

I purchased a new 2012 1500 Laramie 4WD in January with the HEMI 5.7. The 2012 definitely seems lower than my 2006 1500. I would like to either get a lift kit installed or a leveling kit. My truck currently has the stock 19" wheels with P275/60R20 tires. I want to give it more of a rugged look but also want to try to maintain as much of the factory ride as possible as I use this truck daily and do a lot of highway driving.

I am not very mechanical and would have a shop do the work, but I need an education of what I would need and how much I should plan on spending, currently I am budgeting for $5K.

Thanks!

 

[4x4Hemi]

Levelling kit can either be a spacer ontop of your strut assembly raising it as much as 2.5 inches, or a levelling shock such bilstein 5100 raising it maximum of 2.8 inches.

the spacer levelling kit can cause a harsher ride to some, but to others its perfectly fine, where as bilsteins can improve ride. but thats just some peoples opinions.

Levelling kits are always cheaper, 250 bucks for bilstein 5100 shocks then maybe 500 for install. They allow you to fit up to 35 inch tires if you get different wheels with proper backspacing

Lift kit is alot more indepth and takes alot more work, most lift kits use a drop bracket to keep factory ride im pretty sure. you can get a lift kit up to 6 inches. but you could also use bilstein 5100s ontop of the lift kit to give you around 8 inches.

lift kits are much more expensive, around 2500-3000 installed price. and you will need new tires on that for sure or else youd look funny

5000 bucks is plenty for either option

 

[Gamefish27]

Thanks for the information 4X4 Hemi.

 

[4x4Hemi]

No problem.

im no expert so im sure more people will offer more knowledge for ya!

just depends on how big you want your truck really

 

[h2oman]

Levelling kit can either be a spacer ontop of your strut assembly raising it as much as 2.5 inches, or a levelling shock such bilstein 5100 raising it maximum of 2.8 inches.

the spacer levelling kit can cause a harsher ride to some, but to others its perfectly fine, where as bilsteins can improve ride. but thats just some peoples opinions.

Levelling kits are always cheaper, 250 bucks for bilstein 5100 shocks then maybe 500 for install. They allow you to fit up to 35 inch tires if you get different wheels with proper backspacing

Lift kit is alot more indepth and takes alot more work, most lift kits use a drop bracket to keep factory ride im pretty sure. you can get a lift kit up to 6 inches. but you could also use bilstein 5100s ontop of the lift kit to give you around 8 inches.

lift kits are much more expensive, around 2500-3000 installed price. and you will need new tires on that for sure or else youd look funny

5000 bucks is plenty for either option

This is a pretty good summation.

 

[jake09]

Yep like said above pretty much.
Just depends on how high you want the truck since you have a 5k budget

 

[Gamefish27]

Thanks jake09 and h20man.

 

[fastNugly]

5k will get you a sweet looking truck.
Another addition is, if you level now and have thoughts of lifting in a year, go with Bilsteins as they are useable with a lift kit vs a level kit which will have to be removed.
That's thinking long term and progression or phases as some do here

 

[Gamefish27]

Hey everyone. Thanks for all of the information. I think I am leaning towards the Rancho 4" suspension and their adjustable shocks with some 33" BFG A/T tires. I can't go as high as a 6" due to some clearance restrictions I have.

-Has anyone had any issues with the 4" Rancho suspension?

-Do I need to have my gears changes with 33" tires?

-Do I need to get a steering stabilizer?

Thanks again!!

 

[jake09]

Rancho is a good kit.
You can run up to 35" tires and be fine on that lift and not regear
You don't "need" a steering stabilizer

 

[carcandy]

Just my opinion, but you could fit 33's with no lift at all. In fact, I think if you originally have 20" wheels you'll have 33's from the factory. If you're going to do a 4" lift I would definitely go with 35's. It might look unproportional with 33's and 4" of lift.

Again just my opinion.

 

[Black Mamba]

hello everyone im new to the forum. i own a 2013 Ram 1500 2WD, i was wanting to lift it or level it out but anyways i was wanting to slap some 35's on it. originally i wanted a 4" lift but if a leveling kit can fit 35's without any problems then i might reconsider. if anybody has any photos to help me decide that will be greatly appreciated

 

[White Beauty]

hello everyone im new to the forum. i own a 2013 Ram 1500 2WD, i was wanting to lift it or level it out but anyways i was wanting to slap some 35's on it. originally i wanted a 4" lift but if a leveling kit can fit 35's without any problems then i might reconsider. if anybody has any photos to help me decide that will be greatly appreciated

Look in my albums. I have a 2011 with 2.5inch level and 35's. With proper rim offset the 35x12.5 work great.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4

 

[Black Mamba]

did you do all round 2.5 lift or just the front?

 

[JJCampos93]

did you do all round 2.5 lift or just the front?

Leveling kit is just the front unless you want to lower it than you level the rear

 

[Black Mamba]

well i have 2WD for sure i want a lift(4in) or a leveling kit. problem is i cant find a lift for it because its not 4x4. any suggestions

 

[White Beauty]

theres other threads on here for 2wd lifts, you need spindles for the front (can get in 3inch) add that with a 2.5inch level kit total of 5.5 inch for front, then add a 2.5inch rear spacer to bring the back up to a level appearance.

 

[Black Mamba]

i might just do that. thanks for the help

found a 4.5 spindle lift:http://maxtracsuspension.com/product/02-13-dodge-ram-1500-2wd-4-5-lift-spindles/

 

[White Beauty]

i might just do that. thanks for the help

found a 4.5 spindle lift:02-13 DODGE RAM 1500 2WD 4.5″ Lift Spindles | Maxtrac Suspension

you will want something for the rear, adding 4.5inch to the front will make the rear end look sagged. maybe measure what your trucks ground to fender is now, figure out what the front would be with the 4.5inch and then make the rear either perfectly level or maybe .5inch higher so when a full tank of fuel is in it it will appear level.