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My first mod, Leveling kit.

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Old 01-17-2009 | 12:50 AM
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Default My first mod, Leveling kit.

05 QuadCab 4x4, 20" wheels which I will probably find someone to trade me for 17" to put 35's on.

For my first mod I want to level this thing, Mind you not lift, my goal is Just to level.

So a couple questions to those have done this.

How high do I need to lift the front to make it look level, 2", 2.5", 3" I don't know how to find this out.

What is involved in doing this, just a spacer, new shocks, etc?

Did you lose mileage due to more wind resistance?

And also 1 more question regarding the tires.

Will an 17" wheels off of another RAM work, Or do I need to specify that it is a 4 wheel drive?

Thanks folks.
 

Last edited by traker1001; 01-17-2009 at 01:14 AM.
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Old 01-17-2009 | 02:03 AM
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Searching is your best friend at this point.

Read here first:

Questions about Lifts
https://dodgeforum.com/m_1062477/...tm.htm#1106714

Second search for leveling kits here and you'll read up on many options. The popular vote is Top Gun Customz and the torsion bar keys not spacers since you have an IFS. Or you could crank up your torsion bars. Read up and you'll be good to go.

For the wheels the obvious is make sure it's the same bolt pattern first. With 35x12.50's you'll need spacers with stock rims or new rims with less backspacing in order to not rub while at full lock.
 
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Old 01-17-2009 | 08:52 AM
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there's a few threads on here for that 2.5 front leveling, do a thread search and good luck.
 
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Old 01-17-2009 | 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by myslvr
Searching is your best friend at this point.

Read here first:

Questions about Lifts
https://dodgeforum.com/m_1062477/...tm.htm#1106714

Second search for leveling kits here and you'll read up on many options. The popular vote is Top Gun Customz and the torsion bar keys not spacers since you have an IFS. Or you could crank up your torsion bars. Read up and you'll be good to go.

For the wheels the obvious is make sure it's the same bolt pattern first. With 35x12.50's you'll need spacers with stock rims or new rims with less backspacing in order to not rub while at full lock.

Actually, instead of giving a link to the post of mine you gave (which is a bit more '06+ Coil Over specific) this would be a better one to use:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/off-roa...uck-101-a.html

Also, you are confusing the issue a bit, yes he has Torsion Bars, but Coil Overs are STILL AN IFS FRONT END.

If you opt to not spend the money on the leveling keys and do the torsion bar crank (do a search on how to do it, there should be a bunch of posts including several of mine), you need roughly 2.25" to level it perfectly, but the higher you go, the stiffer you'll make the ride quality.

As far as wheels go, anything off a Dodge 1500, dating at least back through the second gens will work as the bolt pattern is 5 on 5.5, just make sure the wheel is at least 17" as 3rd Gens have bigger brake setups than the second gens did.

And yes, you'll fit 35's with just a level, but you'll need every bit of 4.5" of backspacing which a stock wheel will not provide you with, so you'd seriously need to consider spacers. Also 35s on a level does not give much room to flex while off-road. If I was going to take it off-road with just a level, I'd opt for a slightly smaller tire...
 

Last edited by HammerZ71; 01-17-2009 at 09:10 AM.
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Old 01-17-2009 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by HammerZ71
Actually, instead of giving a link to the post of mine you gave (which is a bit more '06+ Coil Over specific) this would be a better one to use:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/off-roa...uck-101-a.html

Also, you are confusing the issue a bit, yes he has Torsion Bars, but Coil Overs are STILL AN IFS FRONT END.

If you opt to not spend the money on the leveling keys and do the torsion bar crank (do a search on how to do it, there should be a bunch of posts including several of mine), you need roughly 2.25" to level it perfectly, but the higher you go, the stiffer you'll make the ride quality.

As far as wheels go, anything off a Dodge 1500, dating at least back through the second gens will work as the bolt pattern is 5 on 5.5, just make sure the wheel is at least 17" as 3rd Gens have bigger brake setups than the second gens did.

And yes, you'll fit 35's with just a level, but you'll need every bit of 4.5" of backspacing which a stock wheel will not provide you with, so you'd seriously need to consider spacers. Also 35s on a level does not give much room to flex while off-road. If I was going to take it off-road with just a level, I'd opt for a slightly smaller tire...
+1^ I cranked my T-bars on my 05 and went with 33's. I decided to just do that for now cuz I'm planning on new gears,bigger tires and a lift kit in the future. Like Hammer and others said, just do a search for the leveling kits and cranking tortion bars and you will find all you need to know.
 
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Old 01-17-2009 | 02:18 PM
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Well, I did a search and did find alot of information, Not fully comprehending all of it and not sure what did and didn't pertain to my new truck I was hoping folks would clarify things about my 05 specifically.

I don't like the idea about the torsion bars because My ride seems pretty stiff already. Infact it seems so stiff that I actually thought of replacing the shocks. My 94 F-150 had a smoother ride.

When I said 17" wheels and 35's, I should have said, 17" wheels and larger tires, To prevent rubbing maybe 33's with 17" wheels.

I don't really offroad and rarely (But do sometimes) haul or pull heavy loads. This is the first 4x4 truck I have evera had, So who knows what I may do though. So my goal is to strike a ballance between a nice looking daily driver, Something that can pull things out of ditches (For family most specifically) and maybe be capable of some light duty offroading.

I do appreciate evetyones help.
 
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Old 01-17-2009 | 02:23 PM
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If you think that it's stiff at the stock height, don't do the torsion bar crank or the keys! But I'll tell you, either you have a problem or your Furd had the suspension of a Honda Civic, because you are the first person I've heard think that his 1500 was stiff or harsh at the stock height, ever! Don't ever think about buying an SFA truck then!!!
Leave it alone, get a set of aftermarket 17" wheels with a 4.5" backspacing, put a nice set of 33x12.5x17 A/T tires on it and call it a day...
 

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Old 01-17-2009 | 03:09 PM
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Woaa, Hammer, I wasn't trying to hit a nerve. First maybe I should have mentioned that When I had bought ford, the guy who owned it before had leveled it and replaced all the shocks and springs, So effectivly they were all new. Please remeber the dodge is a used one with 23K miles on it.

It really seems that you can feel every bump on the road in the front end but not from the back. So I am actually wondering if dodge didn't miss something during there inspection of the vehicle. Or maybe its just that I am used to the ford, and I need to get used to the dodge. The ford was my only driver for many many years.

I really do like the new truck, It just seems that I can feel alot more road in the front.

Also please remeber the cab positioning is different from where my old truck was.
 

Last edited by traker1001; 01-17-2009 at 03:34 PM.
  #9  
Old 01-17-2009 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by traker1001
Woaa, Hammer, I wasn't trying to hit a nerve. First maybe I should have mentioned that When I had bought ford, the guy who owned it before had leveled it and replaced all the shocks and springs, So effectivly they were all new. Please remeber the dodge is a used one with 23K miles on it.

It really seems that you can feel every bump on the road in the front end but not from the back. So I am actually wondering if dodge didn't miss something during there inspection of the vehicle. Or maybe its just that I am used to the ford, and I need to get used to the dodge. The ford was my only driver for many many years.

I really do like the new truck, It just seems that I can feel alot more road in the front.

Also please remeber the cab positioning is different from where my old truck was.
You didn't hit a nerve at all, I guess for those not used to me, I come out a little gruff. It was not meant in a negative way at all, my only point was that if YOU thought your ride was harsh or stiff now, ANY type of leveling would really make it more so.
If you like or even don't mind the "rake" or front end down look, then there is no reason to level it at all to fit 33's. You'll just need the backspacing of an aftermarket wheel to fit the 12.5" width with no rubbing issues on the a-arm at full turn.
There would be nothing wrong with that type setup for a more aggressive stance and a truck that is capable of mile off-roading.
Also, if you ditched the stock shocks and went with a good set of Rancho's or Bilstein's, you'd see the ride quality improve dramatically as well as being more stable when you did venture off the pavement...
 
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Old 01-17-2009 | 09:01 PM
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I don't like the rake look and would like to lift it. After resaerching I think I may go with spacers. However I am not clear on something, Rather than spacers wouldn't it be better just to get bigger springs?

I think I may go with this kit.

http://www.teakatrucks.com/05-08-Dod...-kc09105bk.htm
 

Last edited by traker1001; 01-17-2009 at 09:26 PM.


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