I can get the Fabtech for $1600, $300 to install, the Pro Comp for $1500, $400 to install. The 3" PA body lift is $400 but they want $650 to install. So it is cheaper than the suspension lifts and if I went this way I could also afford the wheels I want too. If I go with the suspension lift, I won't be able to afford the tires I want (35" Cooper STT's) and the wheels I want (18" XD Hoss in Black). So I would run the 35" Coopers on my stock 20's. Which I think would look pretty good also. I can't decide. Any thoughts out there! Thanks guys!

 

my other option is keep it the way it is now (2.5" Readylift), just get new tires, probably 33" Cooper STT's and get a CAI and maybe new exhaust?

 

I can't believe you are getting quotes where it costs more to do the body lift. I've installed both and there is A LOT more work involved in a suspension lift install, especially on an IFS truck!
The body lift install quote is high, you should find a place to do it for around $400, but average prices for a suspension lift install usually run about $800 and up. Something doesn't sound right there. A body lift produces a hard ride off road and you'll also experience a good bit of body roll. Even though the Fabtech and Pro Comp kits are at the lower or "bargain" end of the suspension lift scale, they are both adequate kits and will handle much better than a body lift.

If this is more for looks, the body lift will be ok, for any serious off-roading, you're gonna want to look at the suspension lifts.
There is also nothing wrong with the level kit and 33's if you don't need any more ground clearance than that...

 

Well, a suspension lift is always better than a body lift. Both those suspension kits are reputable company's. I would say go with the suspension, and save up for your rims and tires. Your stockers will look fine for now. Or even stock rims with bigger meats.

Also, that body lift quote is a little high, around here they are 350-450 for install.

 

it all depends on what you plan to do with your truck. if you go offroad, you would prob be better off with the suspension lift. If you just want it lifted for looks and bigger tires, than throw a 3in body lift on it and combined with your leveling kit, you will havea 5.5 lift in the front which is all you are going to get with a procomp or fabtech lift because even though they say they are 6in lifts, they are really on 5-5.5. The BDS 6in lift is really the only true 6in lift out there for the 06-08 1500's. I have seen the performance accessories 3in body lift for $350.00 and you should be able to get it installed for $350-$500 as mentioned above. That is the route I personally am going to go. You can fit up to a 36" tire on your stock 20's with that set up. Check our Romeosoldier's ram. He just put a 3in body lift, 2.5in leveling kit and 36" iroks on his factory 20's with 1 1/4 spacers and tires dont rub at all and his truck looks freakin awesome! By the way, the cheapest price I have found to put a suspension lift on my truck was $800-$1000. Make sure wherever you go, they are reputable. Hope this looooonnnnnggg message helps!

 

I can also get the Rancho 4" for $1500 with the 5000 shocks included. I know the Hammer likes his! But dont you have the 9000's?

 

Yea, when I got mine a little over 2 years ago, 4 Wheel Parts was running a deal for around $1700 with RS900X's and free shipping included. The kits for the newer coil over Dodge's are a little less expensive than the torsion bar truck kits. The 5000 is still a great shock, I had them on my '98 1500 and liked them. My 9000's are dialed in on 5 (setting are adjustable from 0-9) and I've never touched them after day one. If you really want the 9000's check and see if they'll switch for a little more cash.
I think the Rancho handles better than any I've ridden in or driven. But none of the suspension kits were bad.

 

I got the same quote on prices for a body lift this weekend, 400 for the kit and 600 for install as they said it was time consuming to do. Plus I have heard from a few people that the suspension lifts are not cheap to install either, I would guess 500-600 minimum, maybe more. I do think that if you go 33's that you don't need to lift more, it would look fine now. Plus if you do a suspension lift now wouldn't your level kit be thrown away money? I am going though the same decision right now with mine and I did the level kit last weekend with the Rancho 5000's all around, but I haven't done the wheels and tires yet and I originally wanted to do 35's, which I think I could get away with, but I know it would look a hell of a lot better with another 3 inches of lift if I had 35's on it. So I am kind of stuck in the middle too.

 

Guys, if you plan on doing body lifts, do it yourself. You could do it with two people, in the driveway with little more than jack stands, jack, air and power tools. I've done two of my own trucks and helped three others install body lifts. (I'd not attempt a suspensionkit unless you had access to a lift, if I didn't have access to a lift, I don't think I could have done the suspension kit on my current truck)
The only real issue you'll have is not pinching or pulling out any lines or cables (been there, done that), and the PA kit has everything including the bumper relocation brackets except the well liners which I would recommend.
Having installed both, I still can't understand how anyone could charge around the same price for both installs. The suspension kit on an IFS truck easily takes twice as long to install...

 

I double checked yesterday, and my local guy will do the suspension install for $300, $1600 for the Fabtech. He also said he may be able to get the "blue" components for me, which would be cool since my truck is blue. Another outfit told me that they aren't doing the "blue" anymore because of powder coating costs. They said the "blue" is just for demos. I also double checked on the body kit install and all three places wanted 500-600 to do it. If I go with the PA I have decided to try and do it myself. $1900 for the Fabtech installed sounds very tempting to me though! Oh yeah, Hoss or the XD Spy?