New Member - Level Kit Advice

[COUNTRY LIFE]

Hello all my fellow RAM Fanatics!

I've been researching a while about doing a leveling kit on my 09'. I looked at many different forums and decided to sign up for this forum and I'm looking for advice from your experience/knowledge.

1. 2" or 2-5" level kit? Do I have to put new shocks on?
2. I've seen a lot of people go with HBS, Rough Country, and Daystar brands, which is better/easier to install by myself?
3. Some of those level kits are either metal on metal or have the poly in the mix so metal isn't on metal. What's your opinions.

I saw another ram on here that I really liked with the following set-up and it looked SWEET! 2" level, 1.25 lift, 295/60/20. I might do the 1.25 lift later, but for now i plan on doing just the 2-2.5".

 

[1500ram12]

With the spacers no new shocks needed. A lot of people go with bilstein 5100's adjustable shocks, a bit more expensive. I have the Rough Country 2.5 /1.75 and was fairly easy to install. Took about 2.5 hours to do in the driveway

Sent from my Galaxy SIII

 

[quietpeen]

welcome to RF....2" will leave a slight rake, and 2.5" will get you closer to level.

 

[HLram]

Welcome again. I just installed Bilsteins on mine and the ride is great. A little bit firmer but sooooo much better on bumpy roads. It's amazing how much better it rides. I must have had really worn shocks. Only had 30,000 miles when I put them on but that doesnt mean the stockers werent already worn out. Point being that if you have an 09 you may already need shocks so you could kill two birds with one stone by getting the Bilsteins. Level and new shocks. Yes they are a little expensive but worth it. I set them at 2.1''. Had them put on so I cant testify to how difficult they are to install. My truck now has a half inch of rake to it. I got them from Matt at Moe's. Excellent shipping.

 

[chuck]

Welcome to the forum! I'm running the 2.5" Rough Country kit on my truck. If you go to my build thread (linked below) you can see some pictures of how it sits now. I still have a slight rake, but it's barely noticeable unless you're really looking.

 

[COUNTRY LIFE]

HLram,
What was the cost for the install of your bilsteins? You make a good point, i have 90k on my truck already. Just worried if i do the spacers then i'll have the noises everyone has mentioned when they hit bumps. Some guys siad they never had problems, but with my luck i'd rather be safe then sorry.

 

[COUNTRY LIFE]

Thanks everyone for your advice, looking forward to start making this truck my own!

 

[mattman_13]

Really anybody who can use a set of wrenches and a jack can put on a leveling kit. I'd go bilsteins and put them on yourself. The bilsteins will level but also carry over if you ever add any more lift to your truck. Also let you play with the rake and ETC.
Look up videos on youtube of level kit installs and just investigate around the truck. Def worth the time to save yourself the money.

 

[HLram]

HLram,
What was the cost for the install of your bilsteins? You make a good point, i have 90k on my truck already. Just worried if i do the spacers then i'll have the noises everyone has mentioned when they hit bumps. Some guys siad they never had problems, but with my luck i'd rather be safe then sorry.

It was just a little over 300 to have them installed at a local Discount Tire and Wheel (not the same as the nation wide stores). The shocks were a little over 400 for all four. A little expensive but really worth it to me. Good luck on ur decision.

 

[Williamw454]

Welcome,
If you have basic tools and air tools it took me 3 hrs to do bilsteins.. but if I did just a HBS leveling kit probably would have been 2hrs. I had to cut one of my spring compressors off the spring because it bent lol. (don't get a harbor freight one for more then one use) But very easy if your somewhat tech savy.