Noob questions on "little lift kits"

[BillSchroeder5842]

RAM noob here, but a car guy for a long time....

I just picked up my 2018 RAM 1500 Laramie with FWD. I'd like to put a 2-3 "little" lift kit on the truck however I don't want to sacrifice any driveability, warranties, mechanical....etc. Simply, I'd like to raise the truck for aesthetics as I really don't plan on taking it off road. I'm going to leave the OEM tire and wheels on the truck.

I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and would like a solid shop to do the work.

Any recommendations on kits and or installation companies? I checked with Grapevine Dodge and they wanted 3k for a 2" OEM kit.... that seemed super expensive.

BTW.... Here are my other toys; 2004 Corvette Z06 Commemorative and a 1991 Corvette ZR1. Both pretty rare cars.

Thanks for your help!

 

[crazykid1994]

Leveling kit and rear spacer is all you need. I installed bilstein 5100 front leveling struts set to 2” and no rear spacer. I’m almost perfectly level. They go up to 2.8” and then just install rear spacers if you want. I’m on stock size tires

 

[Ricks Ram]

RAM noob here, but a car guy for a long time....

I just picked up my 2018 RAM 1500 Laramie with FWD. I'd like to put a 2-3 "little" lift kit on the truck however I don't want to sacrifice any driveability, warranties, mechanical....etc. Simply, I'd like to raise the truck for aesthetics as I really don't plan on taking it off road. I'm going to leave the OEM tire and wheels on the truck.

I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and would like a solid shop to do the work.

Any recommendations on kits and or installation companies? I checked with Grapevine Dodge and they wanted 3k for a 2" OEM kit.... that seemed super expensive.

BTW.... Here are my other toys; 2004 Corvette Z06 Commemorative and a 1991 Corvette ZR1. Both pretty rare cars.

Thanks for your help!

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If your looking for around 2" to 3" lift I reccomend the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks. As long as you don't have the air ride suspension. You can adjust it to the lift you want up to 2.8". Your suspension geometry will stay the same and your ride quality will still be excellent. Do not run a spacer to raise the front of your truck with stock suspension. You can cause damage to your upper A arm ball joints. There are several write ups on the Bilstein 5100 shocks in the 4th gen DIY section. It is one of the preferred way to put a small lift to level on these trucks. I have installed them on several trucks including mine and they work great. I even kept them after I installed my 6" BDS lift so I can fine tune my ride height. You can also buy them for the rear of the truck and the rear shock will accommodate up to 1" of lift so you can adjust your trucks stance to where you want it. It's ok to lift the back with up to 1" with a spacer if you chose. You can get a set of 4 for around $360 to $400 depending on where you buy them. All the 4th gen Rams including your 18 take the same part number even if it shows they only fit up to a 16 or a 17. They are slow to update the fitment catalog.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[buddy guy]

Leveling kit and rear spacer is all you need. I installed bilstein 5100 front leveling struts set to 2” and no rear spacer. I’m almost perfectly level. They go up to 2.8” and then just install rear spacers if you want. I’m on stock size tires

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damn...thats my truck tomorrow after i get Billy's installed at 2.1! looking good reaffirms this bundle of money i'm spending for a look. lol

 

[BillSchroeder5842]

Thanks Rick, so All I need is a set of the Bilsteins I recommend? Is it that simple?

 

[buddy guy]

do the Billy's first. if you like how the level looks, call it a day. if you think it's nose up a bit or you want a touch of rake cheapest solution is to add a small spacer to the rear coils and you can do it yourself if you like to save money and drink beers

 

[JHayez1911]

RAM noob here, but a car guy for a long time....

I just picked up my 2018 RAM 1500 Laramie with FWD. I'd like to put a 2-3 "little" lift kit on the truck however I don't want to sacrifice any driveability, warranties, mechanical....etc. Simply, I'd like to raise the truck for aesthetics as I really don't plan on taking it off road. I'm going to leave the OEM tire and wheels on the truck.

I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and would like a solid shop to do the work.

Any recommendations on kits and or installation companies? I checked with Grapevine Dodge and they wanted 3k for a 2" OEM kit.... that seemed super expensive.

BTW.... Here are my other toys; 2004 Corvette Z06 Commemorative and a 1991 Corvette ZR1. Both pretty rare cars.

Thanks for your help!

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Got a shop about 45 mins away in Allen that did mine.

 

[jasonw]

I wasn't happy with the ride quality of Bilsteins after install, even after several thousand miles. Way too close to OEM. Also, their top bushings can make some interesting squeaks.

I decided to spend the money on the Fox 2.0 coil overs. Way easier install, and got a 1.5" lift to boot. Just a very slight rake now.

 

[Addicted2fishing]

Welcome! Congrats on The Ram.

There are a lot of options. Most popular seems to the the bilstein set to 2.1 or 2.8 and maybe a rear spacer.

Also, if you look under 4th Gen, and the “lifted” category you’ll see a lot of information and you can spend hours reading in there lol.


Tiped on ifone using Tapatalk and auto correct. Can’t you tell?

 

[gdawg55]

I did Bils at 2.1 and was left with about 1/2" rake....looked pretty good. I then added a 1.5" body lift and it really looks good now. Ride is a little more stiff than stock, but not bad at all. Still on stock wheels and tires.....for now.

 

[BillSchroeder5842]

I did Bils at 2.1 and was left with about 1/2" rake....looked pretty good. I then added a 1.5" body lift and it really looks good now. Ride is a little more stiff than stock, but not bad at all. Still on stock wheels and tires.....for now.

Huh... So a set of adjustables is all it takes? Seems pretty straight forward.

 

[gdawg55]

Huh... So a set of adjustables is all it takes? Seems pretty straight forward.

Yep....all you need are some Bilstein 5100's up front or you can step up to the 6112 for even better performance. I put Bils on all four corners.....adjustable up front and standard on rear.

 

[buddy guy]

depends on how you define the performnce. arent the 6112s firmer? tradeoff on ride?

 

[buddy guy]

https://www.shocksurplus.com/pages/bilstein-6112-or-5100-shocks-know-before-you-buy

so maybe ride isn't an issue but read on another forum minimum lift of the 6112's is 2.5 inches meaning new uca's pretty much are needed, and substantial price difference between shock difference and 6112 having new coil springs as well.for the OP it seems to me you need to decide if it's a 2" or 3" you want. over at 3" you start to diverge from many 2" solutions to the beginning of the bigger boys club. new ucas, something needed in the rear as well. and great expense of course. i got 2" out of the Billy's I put on yesterday. nothing had to be done in the back, no new UCAs needed. 2 hours to replace, then a wheel alignment and its done. i wanted inexpensive but safe, reliable and quality 2" (not spacers to lift up front..or body lifts)