Spacers versus "real" lift: 2500 4x4

[RAM_Designs]

Considering I will be doing absolutely zero off-roading (also drive 90% highway miles) and just want a taller looking truck with slightly larger tires, is there anything inherently wrong with just doing a simple spacer in the front (and possibly back) in order to attain that look? What are the 2500 4x4 gassers running for their spacer kits? I can't seem to find anything reasonably priced, compared to the 1/2 ton equivalent.

 

[1500ram12]

Most will tell you that spacers ruin the ride quality. The last 2 out of 3 trucks I've had I've used spacers and felt no real change in ride quality. Rough country sells a 2 or 2.5" (can't remember off hand) spacer for around $100. Hell bent steel runs around $150. I've been considering 2 different traxada (probably spelled wrong) kits. A 2.5 front 1" rear for around $250 or a 3.5 front 2" rear for around $350. Only problem with that one is you'll need adjustable Trac Bars which will push the kit closer to $1000 if you do front and rear adjustable Trac Bars. As far as whether to go spacers or actual lift really depends on budget. I didn't see what year your truck is but a 4th gen will clear 35's mounted on a set of aftermarket wheels with a +18mm offset and have just a little rubbing with no level.

Here is a pic of my truck stock height with 35's w/+18mm wheels before I should them.



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[Wandell]

I agree. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a spacer/leveling kit on a 2500. It all gets down to what you want. If stock ride quality/suspension performance and 35 inch tall tires on a "normal" wheel (not 12-14 inches wide) is all you want, a spacer/leveling kit would be perfect.

 

[RAMYOU]

if ur not going offroad, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using spacers. I think the main reason many people dont like spacers is bcoz it gives ur suspension zero additional down travel (a full longer spring would've given you more droop which equates to more suspension articulation that results in more tranction) while still giving you a stock ride ("stock ride" in most modern vehicles is biased towards driving on flat pavement - so generally not desirable for offroading). So, you CAN use spacers, but just remember that if you go over 2" spacer lift, you're probably going to need longer trackbar or trackbar drop bracket. Also drag link needs to stay relatively parallel to your trackbar so you "might" also have to get a new (drop) pitman arm..

 

[homebrew]

im concidering the tuff country level/lift becasue it comes with a trac bar relocation bracket and a drop pitman arm. The whole kit with shocks is around 500.

 

[RAM_Designs]

Appreciate the responses...with stock suspension I'm looking at 2.25" of rake. I definitely do not want it to be level, want to maintain at least 1" of rake, so looks like I will need to do 1" rear spacers as well and have plenty of room for 35's. I won't be doing anything crazy, wheel wise...18x9 +12 to +18, something to keep it reasonably tight to the truck. I did 17x9 +18 on my 1500 and liked the stance afterwards.

 

[old_hat]

I put the 2" hellbent spacers and 35's on stock wheels. The ride is still great. The front is a tad lower than back. Picture is deceiving since my driveway is sloped.

 

[RAM_Designs]

^^Looks nice, I found some 1.75" spacers...might do that with some 1" rears and call it a day.

 

[old_hat]

^^Looks nice, I found some 1.75" spacers...might do that with some 1" rears and call it a day.

Which 1" rears are you going with?... I'd be interested in that myself.

 

[homebrew]

old_hat how off is your front axle?

 

[DannyMK2]

as long as you run shock extenders or longer shocks there should be no change in ride quality. Keep it to a max of 2" and you should have no issues.

 

[old_hat]

^^^ Used the shock extenders that came with the HBS kit. Worked out great. Truck has no pull to one side or the other. I'm sure the 2" leveling kit caused the axle to move both to the drivers side and rearward, really haven't noticed it. Steering wheel was off maybe 1/2", but corrected with the alignment. centered now.

I've put over 4K miles on the truck since. including a 2600 round trip. Rode great. I did lose about 2 MPG with 35's vs factory.

 

[homebrew]

old hat do you know about how much your tires weigh? you lost 2 mpg after the tires and the level or just the tires?

 

[old_hat]

old hat do you know about how much your tires weigh? you lost 2 mpg after the tires and the level or just the tires?

Didn't weigh the exact weight, but shipping listed each tire at 71lb. Didn't lose the mpg till I put the tires on, not from the level. Also may add, the speedo is about 5mph off. The stealer wants to charge for the software needed to adjust the speedo. So I just left as is.

 

[homebrew]

im looking at the toyo AT II's, I like that tire. I havent be able to find it in a 35, closest I found was a metric size which was just under 35in. Its a 10ply tire and weighed in at 65 lbs I believe. Thinking og going with a bully tuner to adjust the speedo and to use as a monitor.