I am looking to lift my '97 2wd ram 1500 anywhere from 2 - 5 inches. I really don't want to spend more than $1,000, so the cheaper I can get this done, the better. From what I have been reading, I think I want to go with a suspension lift.


What options do I have?

Also, if anyone has pictures of their 2wd lifted, I would like to see those.

 

What kind of lift setups does everyone have?
I know... most of you probably drop your 2wd trucks, but how many of you lift yours?

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I noticed there are a couple of different kits available on ebay. Are these any good?
- budget springs and shocks kit

- spindles & shocks kit

- spacers and add-a-leaf kits

I'm not sure which direction to go so any advise would be appreciated. Also, on the budget springs and shocks kit listed above it says that new shocks are not needed in the rear since it is only a 1" lift. Is this correct or would I be better off replacing the rear shocks ?

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i know you dont want to hear this.. but lifting a 2wd isnt very useful.

you cant go real mudding with it like a 4wd.

yeah it may look good, but is it really worth it if you only have a 2wd?

 

I hope you buy a **** pot full of idler arms because the steering angles created by lifting a 2wd truck destroy the week steering components of a 2wd truck...

However, back to your question:::::::FABTECH all the way. They initiated, researched and perfect the 2wd lift kits and have been doing it for years...

Had one on another 2wd dodge in (94 work truck) and it looked and rode decent, but those sterring components just don't measure up~~~~

My 2 cents and goodluck

 

Sinister, I realize lifting a 2wd truck isn't very practical, but I'm not into mudding or off-roading. I hardly ever drive off the hard pavement. I just like to sit up high, even if I have to sacrifice some handling to do so. I would have a 4x4 if I could afford one, but I got such a steal on this truck 2 years ago... Almost 4k under blue book value!


Red Tonka, I just saw the pictures of your beast of a truck... That is one AWESOME machine! I don't think my home owners association would even let me park a truck like yours in my drive way, lol!! .... This is the first I have heard anything about steering components being a problem. Thanks for the warning. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from becoming a frequent problem?

 

I used a 3" spindle lift with 1.5" blocks in the rear. Spindles raised the front 3" and the blocks leveled the truck out. The spindle lift alowed me to keep the factory springs and stering geometry. However, you will have to get larger wheels (18's , 20's) or 16's with different backspacing. The spindle lifts work by relocating the front wheel spindle lower on the steering knuckles which moves the center line down. Red Tonka is right when he states Fabtech is the way to go, I bought a cheaper brand and had a hell of a time getting them on. The only problems I've experienced with the steering linkage is worn out pitman arm due to the larger tires and wheels I installed. I installed my lift for the same reason you are, it's looks really good, and I hunt down in south Texas. We have a 12 mile dirt road from the highway to our place. With all the gas/oil rigs that travel in and out of the ranches down there, it is almost a given that something will be knocked off if the truck is factory height or lowered. Another benefit is that I do not have to jack the truck up to change the oil and filter anymore. Just slide under and take care of business! Anyway, hope this helps you make your decission. I have pics of the truck in my gallery, but don't know how to attach them in this reply. The wheels are 18's, and I don't remember the metric size of the tires, but they messure out to 32". Had 33's BFG's, but milage sucked so I changed them out.

 

i basically have the same thing as the thread started and seem to be looking for the same thing for the same reasons. I live in the san jose, ca area. i have a 97 1500 dodge ram 5.2 V8 with 16' rims and 33' tires... the front is lower by 2 inches by the factory... i want to get about a 3 inch suspension lift just for height purposes only. Any help would be awesome. Here is what im working with.

[IMG]local://upfiles/52101/01B0F9483E434B8B87CAE1D835132192.jpg[/IMG]

 

Here is a pick of my truck that has the 3" spindle lift from fabtech. I have 295/75/16 tires on it, which are basically 34x11.5x16.

Hope this helps everyone.

Brad

[IMG]local://upfiles/30099/8ABF434E1E344499B64CF2AD46BCEB5B.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/30099/BB8145B382744770B05485E8C4F6A8E3.jpg[/IMG]

 

how good are them terra grapplers maybe i should get those, i was really interested in a 295/75/16 not a 285

 

You dodge doesn't look any higher than my stock height. I will take a picture from the side view like yours to compair. i have 285/75/16 Mud tires on mine, with stock height.