From over the decades of helping people and building my own trucks, every time you put a 3” lift in it ends up going to 5” in about a year or sooner, the same goes for tires. Gas mileage should NOT be a factor here, big tires+ big lift = crappie gas mileage. One change on the truck leads to many more.

Tires and rims $1500
Gears and install $2000 and up
Lift kit $500 and up
Motor parts mods, the sky’s the limit

 

There's a limit?

 

Over 14 years years of owning this truck my stack of receipts are about sky high. LOL, I have yet to find the limit.LOL

 

I think I have had the truck for six months or so, and my stack of receipts is already too high....... I overpaid for mine...... Oh well. Live and learn. Hopefully....

 

I paid over $42,000+ new, I think I have about another $15,000 in replacement parts/ upgrades into it over the years. It will never be sold!!

 

$42,000? Sounds like a 2011 truck price. I would bet more like $32K in 1996. Matter of fact I just saw a 2011 2500 4x4 qc for $43K on the lot. Im pretty sure my truck (1994 dodge ram 1500 4xx4 slt reg cab long bed) was in the 25K range new (if that much). This motor trend page sorta proves my point. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...slt/index.html I do have the original window sticker but it is at home and I am 4 hours away at school. I guess if you have the window sticker to prove it then you did but that seems really really high for that truck.

 

Damn Merc thats alot of money for back then, guess it has to do with the Canada price difference, my dad paid 26k for my truck in 96 but its 2wd

 

Ahhh, your right. I didn't notice that he was in Canada. That would explain the seemingly outrageous price. I am sorry Merc for being an A$$.

 

It’s ok, It’s not your average 2nd gen, My truck is loaded to the hilt with mopar options, every one possible like power sun roof, keyless entry, mopar running boards,wood grain dash, leather, every box I could check I did and more . What is now almost stock on the new trucks was all an opt back in 96. I have priced out a new truck in Canada with all the stuff I have it would be well over $50,000

 

Ok, I am going to speak from my personal experience here. I just put a 3" lift from TGC on last month with the intention on buying 33" tires and new rims for Xmas. Instead of 33" tires, I am now purchasing 35's and upgrading the lift to 5" next month. Just save yourself the money and go with 35's and whatever gear choice you feel is appropriate. You bought a truck, throw gas mileage out the window and just go with the lift and tires you want. No matter what you do, do not skimp on the lift. LIke I said I bought the TGC kit with coli spacers, rear blocks and new lower control arms. I took it to the alignment shop and it wouldn't pass. Some issues were the shop's fault for being incompetent. My steering geometry is all out of whack, due to the lack of a track bar relocation bracket, drop pitman arm, and sway bar drop brackets not being included with the kit. I was told that this kit was complete and I wouldn't need any of this stuff. I am finding out now that I do need it. All I am saying is don't take the cheap way out, because now I need to fix my 3" kit so I don't screw something up and then replace most of it to go with the 5". Like Merc said earlier in this post cheap and lift do not belong in the same sentence.