I'm new to this forum, but I've tried reading previous threads for advice. I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Quadcab 5.9L (my dad bought it brand new) and I'm planning a trip to Moab, UT to do some light off roading. My dad put on a leveling kit (I think its a 2.5"), 18" wheels, and 33" tires. I'm going to replace the front suspension (MOOG tie rods, track bar, etc.) along with new shocks all the way around. I like the way that the tires fit in the wheel wells, but I don't like how the bed sags a little. I've made a few trips to Fat Bob's Garage, and they've given me too options - Option #1 is an AAL (it says it will raise it 2 inches) and then replace the shocks along with the front suspension. Option #2 is the Rough Country 3" Lift Kit and then the front suspension parts. I REALLY don't want the rear tires to look tiny in the wheel wells.... Any advice? Pictures would help me tons!

 

The bed looks like it sags more cause the front is raised. Just throw those 2" aal's under there and be done. It'll also help with payload, somebody on here said it actually lowered the payload on there's but I have no idea how adding an extra leaf dropped the amount of weight they could put in the bed? It's a little bigger than yours but for a front to back rake difference, here's mine. It's 7" in front and 6" in the back. So the front is still 1" higher. You'd only be .5" but your rear springs have dropped some over time so it should have a similar rake.

 

FYI those are 35's.

 

go big or go home....i would rather get new springs...You figure your springs have been in there for 13+ years so aal 's are a temporaey fix...and will always ride ruff

 

That's true but springs are pricey.

 

why not just replace the oem leaf spring brackets with these like I ordered?.... same ride quality and same load capacity as oem.... they are the same as oem only shorter to raise the rear leafs in the back... they make them for 1/2 to 2" of lift... I actually have a set of belltech 1/2" lift rear ones I bought from summit by mistake when looking for the 2" lift ones I'm lookin to sell cheap if anyone is interested...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310177734441...84.m1497.l2649

 

Since you contemplating this for offroading in Moab, then you really want to RETAIN articulation in that back end. The springs have already become worked such that they will articulate much much better. Getting new springs or AAL will just stiffen that up and effectively mess your articulation up. Don't do it.

Get a reverse shackle flip kit. BDS, ruff stuff, etc. You can adjust it for height.

 

I was going to put a couple pictures of mine (2.5" coil spacer in the front, 2" AAL, 33" tires) but then I saw the articulation comment and remembered a little video I got a while back that shows the height as well as articulation. I extended the front shocks with threaded rod and a coupling nut, I haven't relocated the rear shock mounts yet but I will some day. The add a leaf did stiffen up the rear end a good bit but I don't believe it hurt articulation. The add a leaf does reduce sagging with a load in the bed significantly. Some day I'm going to get actual lift springs but they are expensive. Then again, I might go with those lift shackles, hmm...
I would go with the 3" kit if I were you, 33" tires will look good with it and it should be a smoother ride. Does that kit come with new front springs and a big block for the rear?
Anyway, on to the video clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBOu-...ature=youtu.be

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I decided to go with the AAL and plan on getting it all done next weekend. My truck does pretty well in our mountains up here on the rough roads, and I'm not looking to get too serious with off roading. I just love camping and hiking and need to be able to get to those out of the way spots. Since I've never been to Moab we decided to make this trip about hiking this time and just do a little off roading to see how the truck handles, then see if I need to make some changes - maybe take out the coils spacer and just replace with bigger coils. @Sheriff420 I believe the kit comes with new coils and an AAL but I'd have to check. I'd like to see some pictures of your truck still if you got any.

 

I have plenty, I'm sort of fond of my truck. Here are some pictures.