Should I go with a leveling kit or a lift kit?.Suggestions?

[DJMky]

First off thanks for such a awesome site. I've been looking for a site like this for a while now. Very excited to share ideas and just chat with fellow Dodge owners.
Here is my dilema and I am hoping you guys can steer me the right way. I have a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 and I've been saving and buying as I go. So far I've purchased new 35 X 12.5 X 17 BFG Mud Terrains, along with new 17" wheels. Now I'm to the lifting portion and I'm a little confused.
Obviously I have to raise it to fit my 35's but I've heard various opinions.
I have heard that I can simply do. 2.5" or 3" leveling kit and do a 3" body lift and I wil be fine. And some say that I have to do a 6" suspension lift for this setup to work. Im Sure it would be a lot cheaper to do the first because I've called around and the shops in this area want $900-$1300 labor just to install the lift.
My truck is mainly going to be a run Around town truck, maybe pull the Sea Doos but that's about it. If it ever does go off road it won't be hardcore because the wife will be livid if I muddy up the driveway lol...
What do you guys think I should do? (Getting rid of the wife is not a financially viable option at this time)..... Thanks guys!!!

 

[rustydagger]

I have 2" Rancho heavy duty leveling struts on my front and AIR LIFT 60818 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit on my rear end. This provides a nice solid ride and extra stiffness while I'm hauling things. I run I love the way it looks but also, i'm 6' tall and i can barely hop into the seat(no step rails yet). So that may be something to consider. I'm still on stock tires, but i plan on either 305's or 315's when the time comes. I don't see why blocks wouldn't work fine. but i think 35's may still be close to rubbing on the upper control arm. especially with them being 12.5 wide. What is the offset on the new rims you got? you would probably need a negative offset.

+1 vote for dumping the wife!

 

[DJMky]

I just checked the box of my wheels and they state the following. Don't know too much about this stuff but these are what the local off road shop recommended.

Size 17 X 8.5
PCD 5 X 5.5
HUB 107.95 MM
ET 0 MM

I remember when I ordered them he recommended 0 offset so is that what I have?

 

[Sacredsouls]

Yes that is what you have. The first is obviously overall size of the rim. The second is bolt pattern the third is the hub bore in the center and the last is offset.

Being that it is a stock size wheel with the offset of 0 which stock is +19 that is 3/4" of an inch outboard you should be ok. Maybe a 1/4" spacer to get you out a little further but that is about all I would think.

I know the 4th gens are a level will fit 35's I ain't sure about the 3rd gens tho.y buddy has a 3rd with a 6" lift and 35's and has quite a bit of clearance.

Hope this helps.