I just got done installing a 2" Trail Master Leveling Kit p/n DL222 on my 07 1500 2wd. I won't go into the how to becuase it's been covered. In my search of this forum I wasn't able to find reliable answers to my questions. So here is a rundown of what works and doesn't work on a 2wd Ram....

First: 2wd 1500 have relatively the same front suspensions from 94-08. The coils are the same diameter so coil spacers should work on all years. There are few
leveling kits or shocks listed to fit 06-08 2wd's - just get parts to fit a 02-05.

Second: You MUST get longer shocks on a 2"+ coil spacer. I would probably recommend longer shocks on a 1.5" spacer too. I had to have someone stand on the front bumper to get the stock shocks back in - they wont work. The only shocks I found to work are Rancho RS5000's p/n RS5279. They are for a 2500/3500 2wd but they work and are exactly 2" longer than stock. These should work on all 94-08 1500 2wd's.

Third: 1.5" Spacers probably won't level your truck out. In fact, my 2" spacers did not fully level my truck out. I got exactly 2" (with out stock isolators - just the new spacers). DO NOT install the isolators with the spacers. The spacers are designed to REPLACE the stock isolators. I know there are 2.5" spacers out there, but I would not recommend them. With the 2" spacers, my upper control arms are touching the spring bucket with the truck in the air and have minimal clearance with the truck on the ground. 2.5" may be too much, spindles would be better. I had a hell of a time getting the 2" spacers in and I seriously doubt I would have been able to get 2.5s in.

Fourth: You are gonna need coil spring compressors. I used a loaner set from Advance Auto Parts. They were a bitch to use, and I had to get creative. I took one apart and put it through the hole in the top of the spring bucket where the shocks mount, then let it grab one of the coils from the inside of the spring, this did two things: It held the spring and spacer up into the spring bucket, and it compressed the spring. I used the second compressor on the outside of the spring to further compress the spring. I also had to jack the truck up pretty high so that I could push the lower control arm down far enough to get the bottom of the spring into the control arm bucket. If you have your control arm held to the ground and can't get the spring in, jack the truck up a little higher. Be patient and get creative with your tools!

Fifth: You MUST get an alignment. I have read posts on this forum that advise people not to get an alignment if it doesn't pull left or right. Thats dumb. Get an alignment, but not until you're happy with the results and everything is correct. I almost decided to go back to stock because I had so much trouble and was worried about f'ing up my truck.

One More: You need to have as much weight on the front end as possible. Trying to squeeze the springs and spacers in and get the upper ball joint back with the knuckle is hard to do when jacking up the lower control arm just jacks the whole truck up. Consider where the weight is concentrated: If you're working on the drivers side and it is a lot higher than the pass side, then most of the weigh it on the pass side. Also, with the front end way up in the air, a lot of weight is shifted to the rear tires, try jacking the rear up too. Be careful, always use jackstands, use your head; I won't be responsible if your truck falls on it.

 

Do the shocks keep the suspension from being overextended? If they do, longer shocks could mean bent suspension parts, broken brake lines, and funny tire wear.

 

No, the shocks aren't designed to support the suspension. That's why you need longer shocks, becuase with stock shocks and a leveling kit, your shocks are fully extended when the truck is sitting on the ground, and when you go over a bump, they limit the suspension from fully extending, thus the tires can come off the ground.

 

so are the stock shocks on the 2500/3500 2wd longer than the stock on the 1500?

 

anyone?

 

I've not encountered a shock problem at all. I put a 2 1/2" level kit on my truck last fall. I asked at the time if I needed longer shocks. "Nope, these will be fine." was the answer. I've had no problems at all and these are the original shocks at now 95K.

 

these shocks are listed for 2500/3500 2wds with 0-4" of lift, if you compare the lengths of these shocks to stock shocks they are 2" longer. I think the RS5279's are like 16" vs. 14" on the stock ones.

as for you Mike, I am surprised you haven't had any probs with a 2.5" kit. I have heard of 07 2wds having problems with the shocks, it's possible that from 94-08 there have been several different shocks used, and yours work. My stock shocks were fully extended and I had to have someone sit on my bumper to get them to go back in with my spacers.

 

According to the tech support at performancelifts.com, using more than a 1" coil spacer will seriously degrade the ride quality. Just get a 4" CST spindle and a 1" block out back. That will level it out, plus an inch for extra tire clearance. $800

 

i have a 02 2wd and i have the 2.5" spacer and i need new shocks. when you go over speed bumps its pretty bad. the guy at the place i go to said i had 2 options with the rancho 5000's. there was 1 that was 2" longer un compressed and 1" longer compressed, which wouldnt be enough. and one that was 3" longer compressed and 4" longuer uncompressed, which is too long. so your telling me that RS5279 would be perfect for me? im also worried about the upper control arm hitting the shock bucket...what do i do?

 

ok....I just replaced my shocks with the Bilstien F4-BE5-C603-HO (for stock replacement of the 2500/3500 shocks) and they are working GREAT!!! Just an FYI.