Howdy, this is my first post and I hope it's not a repeat I did a search but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I've owned nothing but Fords my whole life, and just this past Thursday I bought a '97 Ram 1500 ext. cab short bed 4x4. I like the look but it looks bone stock without a lift or anything, the tires on their are too small L295 and I was wondering if anybody knew what size I could fit on the truck without any rubbing when I turn, at the height it sits at now. I would like to lift it in the near future when I pay the truck off, but I have a few questions on that as well. What is the prefered lift kit for Ram's? I like the Skyjacker lifts I've seen but I hear they tend to sag alot more than others. Also If I was to put on between a 4" and 6" lift, would I need new gears for the rear end, and would the drive line still be alright, or would I need a longer one to reach. I'm pretty new at this and this is my first 4x4 that I plan on lifting and doing any real work with, so I would appreciate any help I can get. I will post some picture and show you the wheels and tires that I just want to replace so badly. Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

welcome to DF! you basic the exact same truck as me and i have a 5in skyjacker. i think skjacker fixed there sagging problems. the size you have on there is really the biggest you can run. they really should be rubbing consitering there like 33's. unless you ment 265.

 

Maybe it is 265. It was really dark out when I was trying to read them and I was using a lighter to read lol. I am pretty sure they are actually 265, and they just look really small to me. I am gonna do measuring today to figure out what size wheels and tires I have anyways. But I believe they are atleast 16" American Racing wheels that in my opinion looks like mexi crap on this truck. To me it really looks like I could fit like 33" under this without any rubbing, and aren't the 265's around 31" tires. They are just to narrow for my taste and make the truck look odd. I want wide beefy tires that'll give it that meaner look while still giving me good traction. I can always see what they have to offer in the Les Scwab used tires section. You can usually pick up 4 tires with around 80% tread for about $50 a tire. Today is the installing of my all Alpine stereo system out of my old '88 Bronco. This should really pound in the dodge considering it's a much smaller cab than a full-size bronco.

 

I *think* you don't have to extend your drive shafts unless you go about 5". Also, you said "If I was to put on between a 4" and 6" lift, would I need new gears for the rear end". You make it sound like you'd need new gears because you lifted it. the lift itself has something to do with gears or doesn't affect them. The tire size is what matters, and obviously a bigger tire size with a lift. 3.92-4.10s with 33's or 4.56 with 35's I'd say.

 

x2 and i dont think you need new driveshafts unless your running 8+ inches of lift. i got seven in the front now and no binding. you can also clearness them to make them work. just remember there going to were out 3 times as fast with that angle.

 

I emailed my local offroad shop, that everyone in this part of Washington uses, and here are the suggestions and price quotes he gave me, do the prices seem pretty good?


Hi ryan I would suggest the skyjacker class 11 kit I have a 99 and love my
kit it rides better than it did from factory. You can either do front and
rear springs or front springs and blocks and add a leafs.

Skyjacker 5" lift class 11 with rear springs $ 1495.00
shocks $ 40.00 x 6
shipping$ 150.00

Skyjacer 5" lift class 11 without rear springs $1149.95
shocks $40.00 x 6
shipping $95.00

 

That seems like alot to me. Theres totaly some cheaper options out there from Skyjacker. I mean good god, I think I saw a 7" Long Arm kit from Skyjacker online for like $1200.

 

I will agree that that seems a bit pricy....id check around online for some better prices...unless thats the price installed?

 

He didn't specify if that was installed, if it is than I'd probably take it. But I emailed him back last night to ask if that was labor included but I have a feeling that is just for the parts.

 

I really don't think that has anything to do with installation. How could the lift be installed if theres a shipping charge on it?