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Dodge Ram 1994-2008: Lowering Modifications

Here are a few ways that you can achieve that low-profile look on your Dodge Ram truck.

By Jennifer Heuertz - August 3, 2015

This article applies to the Dodge Ram 2nd and 3rd generation (1994-2008)

So you want to drop your Ram and do a little low-riding. How low do you want to go, and how much work are you willing to do? Here we will go over some of the lowering options, from simple to difficult, to help you decide how you want to modify your ride.

Front Suspension Lowering

It might seem simple to lower your front end using one of the following methods, but before you undertake the task, you need to make sure that your truck will still drive properly with its new height. Depending on how low you go, it may be necessary to replace other suspension components as well as rearranging some front end parts. You may even need to replace your tires to prevent them from scraping the fenders. Always do your research before you undertake a project of this nature!

Figure 1. Lowered SRT10 Ram.

Lowering Springs

DIY Cost – $125-$200 for a set of springs

Professional Cost – $225-$500 for parts and labor

Skill Level – Moderate; you will need special tools, such a coil spring compressor, to perform this replacement at home.

Purchasing new springs can get you anywhere from one to four inches of dropped height. If you are going to lower more than an inch, there's likely going to be other aspects of the suspension and front end that will need modifying to accommodate the lowered ride height. Typically, aftermarket shocks are needed to compensate for those who live for the low life. Recommended for drivers who want to drop their truck 1-4 inches.

Rear Suspension Lowering

You have a few options when it comes to dropping the rear of your Ram, from simple (axle flip) to more complex (replacing the suspension blocks). The method you choose will determine the amount of money you spend and the amount of work you do. As mentioned above, always do your research to find out if there are any other parts of the truck that you will have to modify in order to go low.

Figure 2. Ram with a leveling kit.

Leaf Shackles/Leaf Springs

DIY Cost – $15-$300

Professional Cost – $150-$600

Skill Level – Easy to Moderate; depending on model, there may be more extensive dismantling involved.

The rear suspension of your Dodge Ram utilizes leaf springs to control body motions. If you want to modify the suspension based on the leafs, there are two common ways to handle it: the leaf spring itself; or the shackle that mounts the spring to the chassis.

The shackles are the cheapest and simplest method of lowering your suspension. It isn't going to be a dramatic drop (two inches max), but replacing your stock parts with shorter replacement shackles is an inexpensive way to get that low profile you're looking for. Combine aftermarket shackles with lowering leafs, and the rear of your truck will be sitting pretty. Recommended for drivers who want to lower their trucks for a cheaper price.

Featured Video: How to Replace Leaf Springs

Suspension Blocks

DIY Cost – $100-$200

Professional Cost – $300-$600

Skill Level – Easy to Moderate; depending on model, there may be more extensive dismantling involved.

"Blocks" refer to the mounts between the chassis and the suspension. Similar to the aforementioned leaf shackles, by changing the size of the mounts, you change the height of the chassis as it sits on the suspension. Removing or replacing the suspension blocks on your truck could give you a between 1-6 inches of drop. Recommended for drivers who want to lower their truck 1-6 inches.

Axle Flip

DIY Cost – $150-$300

Professional Cost – $350-$600

Skill Level – Moderate; there is a lot of dismantling involved with this mod.

To lose some height on your truck, you can do what is called an "axle flip." This involves swapping the positions of the axle and leaf springs. This can achieve about 2-3 inches of drop. You will need to purchase an axle flip kit, like the one shown here. Being that this involves the leaf springs, this modification is for the rear of the vehicle only. Recommended for drivers who want to lower their truck 2-3 inches.

Pro Tip

It is important for your safety that the suspension functions properly. Always make sure that you modify or replace any other components necessary to keep the vehicle balanced and aligned. You may need to replace your tires with another size, which may mean you will also need to replace parts of the drivetrain. Do your research—don't just swap out a part and expect your truck to function the same way!

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