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Leveling Kit

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SilentJoe

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I have a 21 Ram 2500 6.4. I do not like the forward rake, however I understand the need. I have been looking at doing a leveling kit, however do not want to break bank. I have heard mixed reviews on Rough Country, being that it is a hard plastic puck rather than metal. Anyone have issues or positives regarding Rough Country? Also, not sure if I like the aspect of using the shock extension brackets. I would rather just get new shocks, at least up front.

Also, I do not plan on loading it up or towing anything other than maybe a travel trailer in the future. If I level it, will this go against having a forward rake and squat the truck while towing? It would be under 10,000 pounds tow wise.
 
I don’t necessarily care for the factory rake either. I think it looks worse at times depending on the parking situation as odd as that sounds.

I haven’t looked much into leveling kits but RC is a pretty big name. I know that doesn’t always equal quality so maybe someone here will chime in with an alternative brand.

Some have gone another route and ordered lowering coils for the rear. I have Timbergrove bags on the rear of my truck to aid in the towing of our 5er. I don’t need the truck any taller so the lowering coils seem like the way to go for me.

Good luck in your venture. Keep us posted.


Sent from me
 
whitexc said:
I don’t necessarily care for the factory rake either. I think it looks worse at times depending on the parking situation as odd as that sounds.

I haven’t looked much into leveling kits but RC is a pretty big name. I know that doesn’t always equal quality so maybe someone here will chime in with an alternative brand.

Some have gone another route and ordered lowering coils for the rear. I have Timbergrove bags on the rear of my truck to aid in the towing of our 5er. I don’t need the truck any taller so the lowering coils seem like the way to go for me.

Good luck in your venture. Keep us posted.


Sent from me
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Thanks for the reply. I completely agree with how it looks to where you park!!
 
Plenty of threads on this for you to browse but for just a small front level there is nothing wrong with a spacer. Definitly suggest measuring your truck and finding out how much level you actually want. Don thuren has a good video about it on YouTube.

I went with a 1” traxada on mine. Nice quality steel piece. Plenty of companies make them. The 2” bds was also quality but too much lift and nose high on my truck.

the factory shocks suck so you might as well get longer shocks

Always run the risk of being nose high towing with a leveled truck. Thats what the rake is there for.
 
When I originally leveled my 3500 I used the zone off-road leveling spacer. It’s steel. I used their shock spacer until I eventually swapped that for fox shocks.
 
I've used Zone Offroad in the past, and they make great stuff. I've also used a plethora of the spacer blocks that sit on top of the spring (or coil pack depending on application). Nothing wrong with those either.
This time around I went with Bilstein springs/struts because I didn't like the way the strut extension is mounted on these trucks. I got 2" of gain out of it, and I'm sitting completely level. I don't like the idea of the truck squatting when I load it, but that is a side effect of leveling. A few hundred pounds doesn't do anything, but if your loading a few thousand, it'll sag. I ordered some airbag helpers for the rear to be able to air up as needed and take the squat out for the times I load heavy. I've done those before with other leveled trucks, and it works out pretty well.

The Bilstein kit (46-268655) was $487 and an adjustable track bar (I got for free) are typically about $150 - $200.
Install can be done in your driveway with basic hand tools and 2 jacks. Nothing special needed to get it done.

Bilstein installed 2 resize.jpg
 
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I had this kit on my 2019. It’s adjustable. Pics unloaded and loaded
 

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1” front level
With and without 1000lb tongue weight

*I have sumo springs in the rear and it is teetering on being dead level/slightly nose high when towing.

IMO 1” is perfect and I recommend against 2” level if you tow. Gather other people’s opinions and form your own from their experience.

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That's a solid recommendation. If you tow regularly, dead level is probably not the way to go. Although adding airbags is an option to take the sag out when you load it if you're set on being level when empty.
 
I bought my truck with 35x12.5s and a level. I bought it to tow a fifth wheel. I added airbags (Airlift 7500XL) to my truck to level it back with the load. I upgraded my trailer (21,000#) and took off the 35s and rear spacers to go back to stock tire size. Still couldn't get it quite level at 100psi in the bags. So I just took off my RC 2.5" spacer and went back to stock. Haven't towed with it as I just took it off yesterday, but will get it re-aligned this week. It is towing far more often than not, so it just didn't make sense to keep it leveled imo. Now the spacers are sitting in the corner. BTW, they are metal, not plastic, in case anyone cares.

I sure miss the way it looked when I bought it, though. It was nice.
 
Don't do spacers cost of springs is very comparable and ride quality is way better. I would recommend 1-1.5in level, 2in seems to put you level unloaded.
 
Dinky503 said:
Don't do spacers cost of springs is very comparable and ride quality is way better. I would recommend 1-1.5in level, 2in seems to put you level unloaded.
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Yes but to clarify The springs ride better because they’re softer not because they’re superior. Every single aftermarket spring for these trucks that I’m aware of is softer.
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
Yes but to clarify The springs ride better because they’re softer not because they’re superior. Every single aftermarket spring for these trucks that I’m aware of is softer.
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That is true 100% and if your going to spend money might as well make it ride better?
 
Dinky503 said:
That is true 100% and if you’re going to spend money might as well make it ride better?
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Probably many people do want that.

I was happy with the way my truck rode. I’m one of the few that thinks it’s a comfortable riding truck. I didn’t want to change out my rear springs for a softer set with less payload and I didn’t want to mismatch soft springs in the front and heavy factory springs in the rear.

For me the spacer was a perfect answer. Factory springs but 1” taller.

Would I put spacer lift on a jeep with long arms? No. I would want every ounce of useable travel. But, even without front and rear swaybars I'm not pushing the limits of travel with the setup I have.
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
Probably many people do want that.

I was happy with the way my truck rode. I’m one of the few that thinks it’s a comfortable riding truck. I didn’t want to change out my rear springs for a softer set with less payload and I didn’t want to mismatch soft springs in the front and heavy factory springs in the rear.

For me the spacer was a perfect answer. Factory springs but 1” taller.

Would I put spacer lift on a jeep with long arms? No. I would want every ounce of useable travel. But, even without front and rear swaybars I'm not pushing the limits of travel with the setup I have.
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I would never touch the rear of a 2500 definitely a loss in pay load. My 3500 rode pretty good but after doing the active sway bar and front springs it was night and day. I did do the rear and had to install air bags because of lost payload. Max towing i am at 20,300lbs and ive had 18,643 behind it and 110% rock solid. that is a 3500 vs 2500 though.
 
Airbags don't increase your payload. They actually decrease it.
 
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