2" Leveling kit on 2020 RAM Big Horn and the resulting front diff and CV drive shafts damage at 119,000 miles

[troutcommando]

I purchased a new 2020 1500 BigHorn and within a month a mechanic (nephew) installed rear airbags and a 2" leveling lit to run slightly larger 32-33 inch tires than the factory 31s. A few weeks ago I had it the shop for a yearly inspection along with servicing the the engine oil change, diffs, transfercase, and transmission fluid change spark plug change. I also asked him to find the "clunking" sound heard when driving on gravel and dirt forest roads. My mechanic (who I have used and fully trust) for over 20 years called and said the front CV shafts and diff hubs where totally shot and it was due to my running the factory non-extended CV axles after lifting the truck. He also suspected internal diff damage or excessive wear on the shaft that drives the pasesnger side axle disconnect/outer stub assemble. After pulling the diff he called and asked me to come and look at the excessively worn internal shaft that will also need to be replaced. So at this point, both outer diff stubs, an internal diff shaft (passenger side), and new extended CV joints will need to be replaced. This will not be an inexpensive repair...probably $3K-$3.5 when done. To compound the issue are part shortages for RAM front diff internal parts from Stelantis, specifically the needed shaft part for my diff. Our local RAM dealer says the factory 125K warranty will not cover this repair as I had the truck lifted/modified and did not install the extended CV shafts...my bad for not investigating the 2" lift a bit more before installing back in early 2020. I don't drive my truck hard and typically baby it when in 4 wheel drive...it has everything to do with the changed geometry of adding the 2" leveling lift.

Bottom line: Leave your truck suspension stock. If adding a 2" or higher lift, make sure you investigate the details with a knowlegable mechanic. Buy a new truck with a factory lift that comes with the factory extended CV shafts that will be covered under the factory extended warranty. My truck may look more rugged with the leveling lift kit, 32-33" tires, but in reality' it has cost me more money when buying tires, additional lost fuel economy, and now expensive reapirs to the front diff and replacement CV drive shafts. My truck before this was a 2005 Chevy Silverado 4x4 purchased used with 77K miles that I sold after 300K miles after buying the new 2020 RAM. I really enjoy driving the RAM (more power, great 8sp tranny, excellent towing capability) however the maintenance and repair cost for the RAM is now 4X at 117K miles than the stock Chevy Silverado driven to 300K miles.

 

[frisby5]

What leveling kit did you use ?

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

Mopar doesn't sell an extended CV axles. Trakmotive does, but 2" isn't much. Also wondering, did you go with leveling struts or garbage spacers for the level?

There's a reason many don't recommend spacers.

 

[troutcommando]

Unfortunately I did not research the 2" lift puck solution as my nephew mechanic said it was any easy upgrade and installed it along with an air bag system in the rear for towing. If I had taken this to my regular mechanic he would talked me out of installing a lift kit (like he did on my 2005 Chevy) or he would have reccommended a far better lift kit option which he installs on RAM trucks. My mistatke for being stupid about this in 2020 and now 119K miles later I am paying the price for it.

 

[troutcommando]

What leveling kit did you use ?

Sorry, I don't recall the puck kit purchased for the lift.

 

[troutcommando]

What leveling kit did you use ?

I looked it up on my Amazon: MotoFabLifts DR-3F-2R - 3 inch Front And 2 inch Rear Lift Kit​

 

[frisby5]

I have seen people having issues with using puck lifts vs coil shock lifts. I did a coil over lift on mine to level out.

 

[boogielander]

oh yeah the motofap spacer lift.
the stock CV can handle 2" no problem at all. When looking at it at ride height the angle shouldn't be too drastic. The only time when the CV angle is drastic is when you're over extending from lifting big time (ie, 4" without diff drop or when your truck is up in the air at full droop, though that itself wouldn't be damaging unless your tires happen to be turning. by then, you should hear clicking and that means your CV is binding. That is TOTALLY NORMAL to happen when turning the wheels when truck is up in the air)

of my years building offroad/ overland/ expedition trucks with IFS platforms across different brands (and Jeeps too but that's not the point), usually bad things happen more often with spacer lifts than coilovers. Never really ran/ seen issues with coilovers under 3" lift. at 2" i really don't think you need extended CV just yet, unless your front end takes flight a lot when the wheels are spinning (aka, taking jumps).