To level or not to level... ?

[Justinator]

Hello,

This is my first time here and my first post. I own a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie. 4x4.

Now that winter has come full force I have discovered my stock truck with stock tires sucks in the snow and ice...

yesterday I purchased a new set of BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 tires. 275/60/R20. I gotta say I love these tires! They are handling the bad weather were having today like a champ!

Now here's the thing... I don't like how my Laramie sits so low in the front. I don't tow or haul anything... So I don't need to worry about leveling the truck in the sense that the truck sits the way it does in order to sit "level" while hooked up to a trailer or with a load in the bed.

I want to go with possibly a 2" leveling kit in the front so the deep snow doesn't bust up my plastic shroud on the bottom of my bumper.

Should I be aware of any problems that will come from installing a 2" leveling kit on the front of my truck?

Is it ok to go with a 2"? Can I go 3" or would that really be pushing the limits?
Any pointers from you experienced guys would be great.
This isn't a hobby of mine and I don't have cash to be sinking into my truck for broken parts so that's why I'm worried to go messing with it.

Thanks.

 

[Alex]

I got a 2.5" front/ 2" rear level 7000km ago, got it aligned and never had a problem. Absolutely love how it sits now, every time I get out I always look back and say "damn that's a sexy *****"

If I remember right the 12 and earlier trucks had a decent front end that can handle a level no problem, they changed it for the 13+ with weaker ball joints and such

 

[THETANK]

^^^why would they engineer newer trucks to have weaker balljoints etc??? Usually manufacturers upgrade as they go along re: stiffen the body 17% reduce roll 12% etc.

 

[Alex]

I forget where I heard it, but there's been a bunch of folks having balljoints fail fast when they level a 13+ 1500. I know they reworked the front end somehow, the stock parts just don't seem to be able to handle it

 

[Justinator]

So maybe I'll go for a 2.5" face lift? I'd love to go a little over 2" in the front if it's not a risky move...

 

[Alex]

I've got 2.5" front lift and I've read a lot of other folks saying they've got the same with no issues at all. Should be good to go

 

[BoldAdventure]

I have the 2.5 HBS setup on mine and love it. Just did an inspection tonight as I am installing Suspension Maxx end links and everything looks good. Have over 10,000 miles on mine. No problems yet.

I haven't done a rear spacer because I tow regularly, but I'm debating it. It will depend on a few factors, such as sag and if I get springs or not. Right now though, you can see in my sig, my truck towed still doesn't sag. And it's leveled. Love it!

For extra appeal I removed the lower black air dam. You'd be amazed how much it changes the appearance of the truck removed.

I think the next thing I'm going to do is 275/65/20 tires because these Goodyears blow monkey chunks.

 

[jforse]

I have been debating the same. I have been looking at the Rancho leveling struts for the front. I like the idea of the whole unit just bolting in. I just dont want to screw up the ride. I have also had people tell me since I have the transfer case with the "AUTO 4WD" option that a front level would cause vibrations.

 

[Alex]

I have the auto transfer case in mine and zero vibration. Not sure why some people get vibration and some don't, whether its an installation problem or just some trucks are weird. Very first thing I did after the alignment was done was stop on dry pavement with nobody near me, put it in 4WD and launch it hard. Buttery smooth

 

[Justinator]

Thanks for the feedback guys. By the way your trucks look great!
I just ordered a 2.5" leveling kit off ebay and I will have a mechanic install it when it arrives to ensure I don't mess it up

Boldadventure you mentioned about getting new tires... Well I have to say that I am very happy with my new BFGoodrich All Terrain KO2 tires. They look great but they perform amazing! I only had them a couple days now but so far I am dominating our snow and ice covered roads here in Nova Scotia.

 

[BoldAdventure]

So I'm running the HBS 2.5 right now, and we've been mildly offroad and used the Auto with no issues or vibrations.

If 2014StormTrooper gets back to me, I may be installing the Bilsteins 5100 soon. I originally choose the HBS because $65. But because this was my old rig >>Instagram << I think the Bilstein's are going to perform better off road with full articulation.

Again, I say go for it.

-----

Update: BFGoodrich All Terrain KO2 - I have seen these in stock size. For what they weight, I am going up one size to 34 inch tire. Should put me in line with my above goals, without going nuts, need to be able to tow safely and comfortably. But also want to have fun when we unhitch.

Enjoy your setup and welcome to the site BTW!

 

[RyanJM]

I had a 13 with the auto 4wd and a 2" level and can tell you at 2" I had no issue.

 

[jforse]

I had a 13 with the auto 4wd and a 2" level and can tell you at 2" I had no issue.

I'm glad to hear that. OP sorry for hijacking your thread!

 

[RyanJM]

Also I did little more than mildly off road with the 2" ready lift spacer and had no issue. I pushed it hard enough down a muddy rutted up trail to bend the wheel well liners out of place only running a 285/60r20 tire on it and tore up 2 Mopar molded mud flaps and that cheap plastic air dam thing under the front. So I can say 2" and auto should give you a issue unless you beat yours worse than I beat mine. You couldn't even tell what color it was the blue was covered in mud. Took removing the grill and a few pressure washer trips to clean the undercarriage. That grass and mud really get jammed in the rear axle shock mounts.

 

[sbuko213]

I'm gonna be getting the king coilovers soon to level the front, but I'll also be getting new UCA's because I want more travel.

 

[Sportznut]

I had a 13 with the auto 4wd and a 2" level and can tell you at 2" I had no issue.

How many miles did you put on after leveling?

Are ball joints covered under warranty if the truck is left stock?

 

[tripower]

Hello,

This is my first time here and my first post. I own a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie. 4x4.

Now that winter has come full force I have discovered my stock truck with stock tires sucks in the snow and ice...

yesterday I purchased a new set of BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 tires. 275/60/R20. I gotta say I love these tires! They are handling the bad weather were having today like a champ!

Now here's the thing... I don't like how my Laramie sits so low in the front. I don't tow or haul anything... So I don't need to worry about leveling the truck in the sense that the truck sits the way it does in order to sit "level" while hooked up to a trailer or with a load in the bed.

I want to go with possibly a 2" leveling kit in the front so the deep snow doesn't bust up my plastic shroud on the bottom of my bumper.

Should I be aware of any problems that will come from installing a 2" leveling kit on the front of my truck?

Is it ok to go with a 2"? Can I go 3" or would that really be pushing the limits?
Any pointers from you experienced guys would be great.
This isn't a hobby of mine and I don't have cash to be sinking into my truck for broken parts so that's why I'm worried to go messing with it.

Thanks.

Spacer lifts, where the spacer is all above the strut assembly, are the source of most of the leveling problems we see on 2013 and later trucks - I would avoid those given the other options available.

Install Bilstein 5100 leveling shocks at the 2.1" setting for a no compromise, reliable as stock setup. 2.8" if you are willing to chance 4x4 vibration that some trucks experience at that height. Or the Rancho QLL shocks, which will give you basically the same lift (2.25") for a little more money, but a complete unit (shock+spring) that's quicker to install.