I put a 2 inch leveling kit on my new 2009 dodge ram 1500 and now I get a vibration in 4 high. The dealership replaced all the axles, and checked the drive shaft and that didn't fix the problem. They have no idea how to fix it, so they told me to "just not use 4 wheel drive!" I need the extra 2 inch clearance for my snow plow (and obviously I need to use my 4x4.) I took the lift kit off, had it re-aligned, and it still shakes in 4 wheel drive, but not as much as it does with the lift. So is there any way to get rid of the vibration in the front end? I read somewhere that there is a problem with the CV-joints (that they aren't able to handle the angle of the axles.) Kore makes CV joints that are $2400 that may fix the problem. But that would not only cost a lot, but also void the lifetime warranty I have on the truck. Any suggestions?

 

I would say that you voided the warranty when you put the plow on. Any front end problem can be associated with a plow. The trans and transfer case, plowing. Same with the front and rear end. Only thing you might get warrantied is the motor. That is what I was told if I put a plow on.

 

With the weight of the plow on the front, your truck should be an inch or two lower. I don't see this being a CV angle issue. If they give you a hard time about the powertrain warranty, just use the 'It is rated to tow 9k+ lbs,' excuse. You can't say that towing at or near the maximum limits is worse than plowing or putting on a lift.

 

Plowing and towing have nothing to do with eachother. 1500's are not intended to plow, as clearly stated in the owners manual. I don't understand why anyone would buy a $40k 1/2 ton to plow with. I have a 3/4 ton just for this purpose. I know my dealer would void every suspension component, and transmission warranty if I were plowing with my truck - not worth it at all. I paid $2500 with a plow for my beater plow truck, and a broken transmission or destroyed front end components will easily add up to $2500.

Aside from my little rant there - the problem enlies in the rack & pinion from what I have read. Some trucks have this problem and others dont. I have read that there is a little nylon gear inside the rack that cannot stay stable with the additional 2". I have also read of people destroying front half-shafts with a level kit. I am probably just going to wait and put the 4" mopar lift on it.

 

Would the truck look anemic if I did the 4'' Mopar lift with the stock 20'' rims and tires?

 

Personally, I think it looks great. There are a couple guys with sports that are running that setup and that is what I intend to go with.