Alright, 2 questions I have for you 1500 2WD guys...

First off, I would like to do a 2 or 2.5" level of the front for the obvious reason. However, I can only find the coil spacers due to having a 2WD, and I believe they are made by Truxx and DayStar. I've seen a lot of talk about the Bilstein 5100's, but they are only for 4x4. Question is, have you guys found a shock that will level the front end, instead of using coil spacers? And if not, are the coil spacers safe/reliable?

2nd Q: After doing hours of research on HID kits, I planned to order a lowbeam and fog kit (6000K, 35W) from RetroSolutions, since they are priced well + lifetime warranty, and have specific Ram kits. I have noticed though that many bash just getting the bulb kits because of light scatter, and obsess over getting projector headlights or the Angel Eyes to avoid the issue of blinding oncoming drivers. Is the HID bulb/ballast/relay kit going to be fine by itself, or is it worth it to get the whole headlight assembly?

Thanks for any input/suggestions you have!

 

66 views and nothin?? C'mon someone's gotta have ran into at least one of these two problems! haha

 

67.

Nah man just kidding. I'm looking for threads on HIDs for my new toy. Don't know crap on how to do it.

Good luck.

 

If coil spacers are your only bet, go for it. And for the HIDs, no need to buy the whole light assembly, just replace the factory bulb in the housing with the HID bulbs you bought.

 

First, there's no such thing as a shock that levels a 4x2, because the "shocks" everyone talks about to level the 4x4 are actually struts. This is how lift is achieved on the 4x4, and why it will never work on a strut-less 4x2. Second, while coil spacers are certainly an option for the 4x2, your best bet for leveling is the 3" lift spindle. You'll get an almost dead-on level after the alignment, and they're easier to install, IMO. Big plus for the spacers is how cheap they are, and I actually have a set of 2" spacers if you're interested in them.


Light scatter is a pretty big issue with HIDs in any reflection-based enclosure that was not designed for HIDs (like our trucks). However, installing just any ole projector housing off of ebay isn't going to help you out either. All of those cheap projector kits (including nearly every set of "angel eyes", which is merely a term for the illuminated halo surrounding the projector) will really hurt your light output and pattern, regardless of whether you use halogen or HID bulbs. If you care about not blinding passing motorists, you will need to retrofit proper HID projectors into your stock headlamp housing. This is neither easy nor cheap. That being said, it is not required for the use of HID bulbs. Some people just aim their headlamps a little towards the lower right, which will help with the glare for others, but doesn't do much for your nighttime visibility. What you choose is ultimately up to you and your budget or know-how.

 

Rough Country has a 3" in front and 1 1/2" in rear, using coil springs in the front and blocks in the rear. The kit also has shocks all the way around for less the $300.

 

I almost leveled mine, but then talking to the local pre-runner guy and friend who runs a pre-runner shop, he said he has seen way to many headaches of leveled 3rd gen rams and that you run the risk of having front end problems when ever you level our trucks. Just my input.

 

Hey thanks all for your suggestions and advice. I've decided against leveling it, just for the fact that I had a feeling in general that there'd be front end issues eventually if I did it, and I don't want any issues like that. Regarding HID's, I definitely want improved nighttime visibility, since the Sylvanias I put in just didn't cut it. However, I'd like to do it right and not take the easy way out, so I'll look around for projector housings for it.

 

Raising the front of our 4x2 Rams using the spindles causes absolutely no more stress on any front end component than stock. Using the coil spacers will adversely affect the truck eventually, especially for the '06+, but your ball joints and tierod ends will fail before that happens anyway. If you had a 4x4, then yes, any amount of lift will cause components to wear faster, especially the joints on the front axles.

 

For HIDs, go with jj at retro soln's. I've heard nothing but good. Not cheap, but definatley good!!