I have a 1997 ram 1500 5.2 5spd manual extended cab 6foot bed 4x4. I wan wanting to do the biggest lift I can with out spending money out the ***. So I am wanting reviews and personal preferences on lifts and how the cost and product coincide. Please have pictures

 

What's your price limit? And your purpose for the lift? How big of tire do you want?

 

And what gears do you currently have in there?

 

Your post shows u have 3inch body lift. And your running 35/12.50/16.5 from this point you going to spend lots of money those 35s are as big as u can go on a half ton truck. Like HeyYou said what's gears do u have now

 

I can advise you not to do what I did. I bought a rough country 5" lift for my 2001 1500, for a bit under a grand. I was not happy at all. The ride couldn't be any more stiff. I ate through a few ball joints, and eventually replaced my leaf and springs for skyjacker "soft ride". I won't say the ride is "soft", but it is night and day different. I also ended up replacing the shocks with some fox shocks. If I would have done it right the first time, it would have been cheaper in the long run.

Also, pay attention to the nickle and dime stuff... Does it come with a stabilizing bar? Dual stabilizers?

My point is, it's good to have a budget, but if you go too far to the low end, it will cost you more later.

Just something to consider.

The skyjacker kit, that I technically have (with tough country welded metal parts) cost's about 1600 without shocks, ad 1900 with. But that at least gives you the option of picking your shocks and saving money.

 

I just got mine done at a shop about 4500 later. I did a rough country 5.5 lift. I had installed a dual steering stabalizer, new ball joints all around, new track bar, new ujoints, and had the driveshaft redone to accommodate the lift. As well as new 15 inch pro comp rims and 35 bfg kos. I paid a lot of labor but i got it done right at a very reputable 4x4 shop and no expense was spared. The ride is perfect and the alignment is perfect as well. Ill be throwing in 4:56 gears in the next few months to finish off the job. If you can do it yourself youll say money and might wanna go with skyjacker or fabtech. Just make sure your other suspension parts are sound before installing the lift or your in for some issues down the road. I've got more money into this truck then i care to admit.

 

The largest you can go with stock components is 6" with 35s. After that, the wallet fairy comes at night and steals all your money. I have the same rig as you except a 99 and all I can handle are 285s (32s) so I hope you have at least 3.92 gears from factory. If you want to go bigger, then Dana 60s are in your future plus major gears and probably a NV4500. If you want to bigger still, then remove the body and start welding your own tube frame to fit Rockwells....

 

here a lift pic 4 ya.2500 progressive rate moog coils,hell bent 2'' spacer,DT PRO FAB track bar and drop bracket,topguz end links,solid steel steering brace,2500 hd cross over steering,all hyperflex bushings...for a 4.5 lift

 

That the third-gen style track bar?

 

no its not.designed specifically for the 2gen.3gen has a bend in it and the frame bracket has no drop..only good up to a 3'' lift.