Cheers everyone,

my 2004 RAM 1500 AWD (permanent 4x4 with electric controlled transfer case) is still on somewhat stock height.
I want to lift it a little higher though and checked the torsion bar keys. There is still plenty of thread left to crank them up.
From what I roughly estimated it should be right enough for me.
But what are the downsides/disadvantages doing this?
Any drivetrain issues?
And would there be alternatives?
Thanks a lot!!

Many greetings!

 

You can generally get about 2" of lift from just cranking up the torsion bar keys. (jack the truck up, take the weight off the front tires, before you tight those fellers though, else, they tend to break. ) Start going much further than that, and you start getting bumpy ride, and broken parts..... (balljoints, axles, etc.) Might want to get an alignment afterwards as well.

 

OK, thanks a lot.
So 2" should be fine?
If I want to go higher, what options would I have, especially in the front?
Rear seems simple in comparison.

 

Body lift or a suspension lift that relocates the torsion bars. Comes with taller knuckles, and usually a kit to lower the front diff as well to maintain proper geometry. Rear is usually blocks but if you can go with lift leafs that's better, less potential for axle wrap.

 

Thanks for that info.
Can you name a company/kit for the torsion bar relocation? At the moment I can't imagine how that would look like.
Yeah, at the rear I'd go with extra leafs instead of blocks I think.

 

Here's the Rough Country kit with some quick annotations.


The kit basically lowers the mounting points for the torsion bar crossmember, and both lower control arms. From there you install the supplied knuckles that are taller to make up the difference.

 

Oh I see, so basically you lower the lower control arms so the car sits higher. With the front differential drop you won't run into trouble with drive shafts etc.?
But looks expensive and a looooot of work involved...

 

I used aftermarket reindexed keys for my 4x4 OffRoad. Worked very well for about 2.5-3 inches of lift, taller tires. Only problems, no Bilsteins for this configuration, so I pulled an off the shelf Bilstein from the catalogue and had my machinist friend turn some aluminum bushings. Here is a link:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ein-5100s.html
The other problem is ate a couple front axle CV joints over the last couple years. Some of which, no doubt my fault. Stick/slip churning the front tires uphill in deep snow at my place and general hard off road use. Bought an axle replacement with a slip yoke for length, see how this works out, not enough miles yet.
So, the reconfigure geometry of the kit above likely the best answer. These trucks like their GM A-arm counterparts not friendly to lots of lift. Also, no room for front tire chains. Straight axle the best period for serious work/usage.