Levelling Kit Advice/Options

[GraniteSport]

Hey all,

I’m about to order a new set of tires for my truck and have been debating upsizing a bit and keeping stock height, or upsizing a bit more and adding a levelling kit.

Just curious what the Ram community advises when it comes to levelling. I know people say the front end suspension components on Rams tend to be a common repair down the road even if kept stock, and it’s part of the reason I pulled the trigger to trade in my 2016 sport for my 2021.

I spoke with a local shop and when I mentioned levelling he tried pushing me toward the SST, or any other levelling kit that replaces the UCA. Is he just trying to upsell or will I run into some serious rapid wearing of front end suspension components if I just go with say readylift or rough country preload spacers?

I should also mention, I do carry a tools a lot and may end up with a small enclosed trailer down the road so to avoid reverse rake I enquired about putting spacers on the rear too.

So will I regret doing a basic cost effective spacer style lift versus an SST? Any brands you can suggest that offer front and rear spacers? Or should I just bump up to a tire size that will fit on stock ride height

 

[theblet]

I did these, then did an alignment. No complaints. If you are planning a lot of off-roading I’d go a different route

https://a.co/d/jjdGQGr

 

[GraniteSport]

ya definitely not planning any serious off-roading. I’m a contractor and may ocassionallu be on new construction jobs where there isn’t a paved driveway so may deal with some mud.. but the level is simply for visual appeal and increased tire size

 

[PurpleRT]

If your going above 2”…. Then control arms are recommended (mopar has a set for 2” lift, or there’s beefier options like readylift), below that not necessary because the cv axle angle is still good.), the front end doesn’t wear anymore then any other truck thats is high on miles or deals with rougher terrain. You can use the spacer/preload kits or go the adjustable height struts like Bilstein 5100s or Eibach choice is yours.


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[Shots]

..... I spoke with a local shop and when I mentioned levelling he tried pushing me toward the SST, or any other levelling kit that replaces the UCA. Is he just trying to upsell or will I run into some serious rapid wearing of front end suspension components if I just go with say readylift or rough country preload spacers?

I should also mention, I do carry a tools a lot and may end up with a small enclosed trailer down the road so to avoid reverse rake I enquired about putting spacers on the rear too....

I installed a Motofab kit on my truck. I did 2.5" on the front with 1.5" on the rear because I too wanted to keep some rake. I probably could have used a 1" spacer for the rear, but I erred on the side of caution. Better to have it too high, than too short I guess.
Anyway. I also ordered the Mopar UCA's mentioned by PurpleRT. I ended up not putting them on, but instead decided to keep them as replacement parts for when the stock set wore out. I couldn't see the point in trashing a perfectly good set because they may wear out faster. Why not just wait until they were worn out, then trash them.
As a result, I've been running with a 2.5" kit on the stock UCA's for over a year now. The angles aren't that extreme and so far I have no signs of premature wear. I suspect the companies that are promoting UCA's are either doing it out of an abundance of caution, are trying to be completely thorough, or maybe they are trying to upsell. I like to think they're just trying to "do it right."

Long story short, you should be fine without replacing the UCA's. Even if they do wear out faster you can replace them when that happens instead of preemptively.

 

[theblet]

ya definitely not planning any serious off-roading. I’m a contractor and may ocassionallu be on new construction jobs where there isn’t a paved driveway so may deal with some mud.. but the level is simply for visual appeal and increased tire size

You’ll be fine with the moto fab 2”. No need for UCA’s for your application. 2.5” will be a little nose high.

 

[Shots]

Yes, 2.5 would definitely be nose high if you don't add anything to the back.
It seems that when these trucks measure level, they don't look it.

 

[mk2019ORP]

I ordered (no ship date yet) the Carli Commuter with the HD coils. Would put me 2-2.5” over stock front (1-1.5 over ORP) and about 1-1.25 rear under constant load of about 500lbs. I have a decked drawer system and topper with tools, recovery gear, etc. kit is a little on the pricier side but I did a ton of research and that’s where I landed. Seems like it may be suitable for you as well, but sadly I can’t give you any real world experience just yet. Hopefully it will ship soon and I can come back with some feedback good or bad.

 

[frisby5]

If your going above 2”…. Then control arms are recommended (mopar has a set for 2” lift, or there’s beefier options like readylift), below that not necessary because the cv axle angle is still good.), the front end doesn’t wear anymore then any other truck thats is high on miles or deals with rougher terrain. You can use the spacer/preload kits or go the adjustable height struts like Bilstein 5100s or Eibach choice is yours.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

If your going above 2”…. Then control arms are recommended (mopar has a set for 2” lift, or there’s beefier options like readylift), below that not necessary because the cv axle angle is still good.), the front end doesn’t wear anymore then any other truck thats is high on miles or deals with rougher terrain. You can use the spacer/preload kits or go the adjustable height struts like Bilstein 5100s or Eibach choice is yours.


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Do you know the , Mopar p# for the CA by chance ? Im doing a 2 inch lift on my truck.

 

[PurpleRT]

Do you know the , Mopar p# for the CA by chance ? Im doing a 2 inch lift on my truck.

Yep

68323530AA
68323531AA

MOPAR 2" Lift Kit Upper Control Arms Ram 1500 DT NEW OEM MOPAR | eBay

2019-2023 DODGE RAM DT. We follow Mopar's parts warranty policies and guidelines. We are unable to warranty parts for international orders. NEW BODY STYLE RAMS ONLY ( WILL NOT WORK ON CLASSIC DS BODY STYLE RAMS ).

www.ebay.com

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[HSKR R/T]

I'd personally steer clear of pre-lkad spacers for lift as it will effect the ride quality. For the front, I would use one of the options that replaces the front struts like Bilstien, Rough Country, Eibach.......

On my truck I have Bilstien 5100 struts in the front set for a 1.4" lift(on my BTS with off road package) and added Zone Off-road UCAs because I got them cheap off Facebook marketplace. The UCAs gave me an additional 1/2" lift in front. This made the truck sit perfectly level, which actually looked nose high at certain angles. I have since added a 1" rear spacer to give a little rake back. Also running 34" tall tires

 

[theblet]

Agree. Don’t use preload spacers, only the top hat ones.

 

[Av1]

I'd personally steer clear of pre-lkad spacers for lift as it will effect the ride quality. For the front, I would use one of the options that replaces the front struts like Bilstien, Rough Country, Eibach.......

On my truck I have Bilstien 5100 struts in the front set for a 1.4" lift(on my BTS with off road package) and added Zone Off-road UCAs because I got them cheap off Facebook marketplace. The UCAs gave me an additional 1/2" lift in front. This made the truck sit perfectly level, which actually looked nose high at certain angles. I have since added a 1" rear spacer to give a little rake back. Also running 34" tall tires View attachment 144487

I'm curious to know how UCA's give additional lift. How does that work?

 

[lapoolboy]

I'm curious to know how UCA's give additional lift. How does that work?

 

[Shots]

I'd personally steer clear of pre-lkad spacers for lift as it will effect the ride quality. For the front, I would use one of the options that replaces the front struts like Bilstien, Rough Country, Eibach.......
.... I have since added a 1" rear spacer to give a little rake back. Also running 34" tall tires View attachment 144487

Agree. Don’t use preload spacers, only the top hat ones.

I'll agree with that too.
I have no idea why they still make preload spacers when a top hat style spacer is available.
The problem is they're all marketed under the same names (leveling spacer, coil spacer, budget boost, etc) so you gotta look to make sure you're getting the style you want.
Another reason to avoid the preload style is because it's a lot more work to install them.
And don't bother with replacing the shocks/struts unless you're doing any serious off roading. The stock set is just fine unless you're really flexing the truck and using the full travel of the shocks/struts. In which case you can get the Bilsteins to provide the lift and avoid the spacers all together.

HSKR R/T, I think I've said it before but that's a good looking truck. I think we have similar heights, just done a different way.
I leveled with a spacer (top hat, not preload) using 2.5" on front and 1.5" on back. Running 35's on it now with no contact anywhere, even at full lock or during articulation (285 wide though, not the more common 12.5" FWIW).

 

[Shots]

I'm curious to know how UCA's give additional lift. How does that work?

I assume this was measured after the install and before driving to settle the suspension. Pretty much every time I've done suspension modification I get an extra 1/2" that goes away as soon as I drive it.

 

[frisby5]

Yep

68323530AA
68323531AA

MOPAR 2" Lift Kit Upper Control Arms Ram 1500 DT NEW OEM MOPAR | eBay

2019-2023 DODGE RAM DT. We follow Mopar's parts warranty policies and guidelines. We are unable to warranty parts for international orders. NEW BODY STYLE RAMS ONLY ( WILL NOT WORK ON CLASSIC DS BODY STYLE RAMS ).

www.ebay.com

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Thank you !

 

[frisby5]

Yep

68323530AA
68323531AA

MOPAR 2" Lift Kit Upper Control Arms Ram 1500 DT NEW OEM MOPAR | eBay

2019-2023 DODGE RAM DT. We follow Mopar's parts warranty policies and guidelines. We are unable to warranty parts for international orders. NEW BODY STYLE RAMS ONLY ( WILL NOT WORK ON CLASSIC DS BODY STYLE RAMS ).

www.ebay.com

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Do you think i should do the UCA even though its a 2 inch lift? Im doing RC 2in thx

 

[HSKR R/T]

I assume this was measured after the install and before driving to settle the suspension. Pretty much every time I've done suspension modification I get an extra 1/2" that goes away as soon as I drive it.

I'm curious to know how UCA's give additional lift. How does that work?

I can't tell you why I got an extra 1/2", I just know that's what happened after I installed them. And no, it never settled. If you install them and torque properly, there is no "settling" when changing UCAs. Most people torque them before putting weight in suspension. But you are supposed to do final torque after you have the load on them.

I have measured several times before and after install of all suspension components.

 

[PurpleRT]

Do you think i should do the UCA even though its a 2 inch lift? Im doing RC 2in thx

In my opinion.. I would those, Mopar control arms are rather cheap (price) to not to. Now when you get into the more expensive options like readylift, zone, rough country then you may reconsider.