Lifting a 2WD

[slo2010]

About to lift my 2005 Ram 1500 2wd, But I need help with the rear. I think i have the front figured out. 4" lift spindles ($400 shipped) and 3" front coil spacer (~$80 shipped). Now I working on the rear. I've heard blocks are not the best way to lift the rear, but after looking this is seeming like my only option to get 4" in the rear. what would be the ideal recommendation for lifting the rear?

Just recently got this truck. Will post before and after pics once done.

Thanks!

 

[usaf2006]

Not sure but couldn't you do 2" block and 2" lift shackles?
Not sure if that'd be any different than 4" blocks. Maybe less horizontal stress on the u bolts.

 

[DTECH]

If your going for a 7" lift I would look into the maxtrac spindle with either a 2.5" spacer or coil, I have a buddy that ran a 3" spacer and the ride was not all that great..im running just the 4.5" spindle up front and as for the rear im in the same situation as I dont want to use blocks and have been looking at an add a leaf and shackles...for now I may just go with a 1" block and shackle as from what im hearing the add a leaf will make the rear ride suffer

 

[usaf2006]

The ad a leaf will be a little stiffer to my understanding. You could get lift springs for $250-300 if I remember correctly.

 

[slo2010]

Thanks for the input guys. Appreciate it.

I am pretty sure I am going with these spindles on ebay: 2002 2014 Dodge RAM 1500 2WD 4" inch Lift Spindles 02 14 02 08 09 12 13 14 | eBay

I have bought some of their lift spindles for my chevy which i sold before getting my dodge. Had no issues on them. Price is $140 cheaper than the Maxtracs. Thinking i might add some Bilstein shocks with the savings. Appear very similar to the CST design.

On the 3" spacer is it just the 3" spacer that causes the rough ride? Or the total combined height of a 4.5" spindle and 3" spacer? I was thinking of going 4" spindles + 3 Inch spacers. With the Bilsteins, it should help the ride right?

 

[slo2010]

I may look into replacing the leaf springs over the add a leaf if I can get them for around that price. Thanks!

 

[Ramunit]

On my 2wd 05 have a Rough Country cross member lift with 6" spindles, coils and 3" tapered blocks in the rear. I've had zero issues with using blocks in the rear over years of service.

 

[DTECH]

On the 3" spacer is it just the 3" spacer that causes the rough ride? Or the total combined height of a 4.5" spindle and 3" spacer? I was thinking of going 4" spindles + 3 Inch spacers. With the Bilsteins, it should help the ride right?[/QUOTE]


Its the spacer thats the problem not the spindle..the spindle keeps everything in stock geometry and lowers the hub location to achieve the lift but keep the stock ride...the extra $140 would give you extended braided brake lines and another half inch lift then you can throw a 2.5" spring or spacer..but its really depends on what you do with the truck. On the 02-05 you may not need the extened lines. If you off road alot to keep from the upper a arm from contacting the spring bucket its recomended you keep the stock length shocks. I know from my buddies 08 ram as his ride became rough and was clunking when he would go over any large bump...

You can do a large spacer with stock shocks but the ride will suffer but with no clunk over large bumps. Or do the spcer with extened shocks and the ride will be smoother but with the chance of clunking if taken off road..some have gone as far as putting limiting straps to hold up the suspension while the the suspension is in downward travel..

 

[slo2010]

Ok that makes sense. I guess I will go with a 2.5" spacer then. Will give me 6.5" up front. Would you recommend going with 3" or 4" block in the rear?

And nope, from my understanding I shouldn't need brake lines. I think it was 2006+ models that require this with the spindles.

Not bad for a full lift. Roughly ~$525 or so. Will be a little more if i add the new shocks. I wont be doing much offroading in this. I've got a 4x4 I take out when going offroad.

 

[EWC88]

Must ask this just because I want to lift my 2wd, why did you pick lift spindles and not a full suspension lift?