I have a 1995 Ram 1500, 318 5.2, 2" Leveling kit, 4" Suspension, 35" BFG Mud Terrains, Stock 16" Alloy 5 lug dodge rims.
I have not put on the 35s yet, still running 31s.

I have read around and these are the things people are saying should be upgraded... brake upgrades, drivetrain, differential, replacement parts, shocks, steering linkage, drive shaft length, slip yoke, u-joint angel and brake lines.

If anyone could help me determine what I should REALLY get on a tight budget... Or what is MOST important to get first. I will continue to upgrade later on, I just don't have the money to do all of those thing. If you can please help I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

 

are you asking about upgrades that should be done for the new tires? or for the lift kit?
The lift should have come with any shocks or steering equipment you need. as for the tires, you dont NEED to do any of those things. You will experiance less life from things like your track bar and tierods, but you just replace those with better ones as it happens.
If you want to retain the same overall gear ratio, then you will need to compensate for the bigger tire by changing gears. Im running 4.10s with my 35s but my truck came from the factory with them, i think most 1500s had 3.55s.
If you want to find the right gear to match, use http://www.wallaceracing.com/Calculators.htm

 

Well To be 100% honest I have yet to tear down and really inspect what was put on this truck. Because I bought it with those upgrades on it. And, I may end up buying a new 5" susp. lift. And, I want to retain the longevity of as many parts as I can. Obviously brakes will go faster... Is a stock drivetrain going to make a big difference? And, What steering components would the lift kit come with?
Thanks for the reply

 

Also, what gear should I purchase?
I have never changed out a rear end gearing before.
And, where would the best place to purchase one be?

 

Depending on the kit you purchase, you may get a drop pitman arm, and/or a drop trackbar braket.
The only thing you will notice with the factory drivetrain will be the lack of power, and higher gear ratio (lower RPM on highway) due to the tire diameter increase. This is easily remedied by changing the final gear ratio. assuming you have a 3.55 gear now, you will come very close to the same performance if you install a 4.10 with the new tires. If you want a little more torque but less speed then you can go with a 4.56.
As for the best place to buy, thats up to you, it really depends on your resources.

 

With 35's you will want 4.56's. If you haven't done a gear swap before (and don't plan on buying the tools and learning how) then I suggest taking it to a place that specializes in setting up gears. And they should be able to get the gears for you.

 

Alright yeah that makes sense... I will be calling around but do you know a general area that I might be looking at for pricing?
Thank you

 

Alright, right now I am aiming for the 4:56 speed is not really something I am that interested in. Power is much more important to me. If I were to search for a drivetrain (I know a lot of you know some of the better sites to order parts) what would I look for exactly and do any of you have any good sites.
I appreciate all this help a lot.
Thank you

 

im assuming your talking about ring and pinion sets (rear gears) when you say "drivetrain". Most likely the easiest place to find them would be www.summitracing.com or www.jegs.com Both offer free shipping on most items in most states. Im also assuming you have a 9.25 rearend, so you would need to know that. i think someone else with a halfton could shed more light on specifices you will need to know about your rearend

 

Yeah, if he has a 1500, and hasn't done a custom axle swap, he has the 9.25 rear axle.