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Lowering of a 3500 Limited.

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RamSnob

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I have a 4x4 3500 limited on order that will primarily be used for towing our 5th Wheel. I would have preferred to order a 4x2 but was told that there will be no Limited 4x2's built in the foreseeable future. The 4x4 adds about 2" to a truck that is already taller than we would like., but we ordered anyway because the Limited features outweighed the height issue for us. The question I now have is...Aare there some aftermarket treatments for lowering the overall height (~80") without sacrificing weight ratings, overall safety, etc. In case it's not obvious, I'm not a truck subject matter expert, just a short retiree with a short wife and a 5th wheel that is also too tall.

btw, this will be our 3rd HD Ram and our 1st 4x2.
 
Are you trying to lower the front or the rear?

Did you order the auto-level suspension?
 
Yes I did order auto leveling air suspension and I had it on my previous 3500 limited. I am looking to lower both front and rear independent of the auto level
 
Not a lot you can do to lower the rear. The auto-level rear is already lower than the standard spring 2wd trucks. It will also drop another inch in alternate ride height when the payload is sufficient.

As for the front, I’m not sure how much you could lower it and not effect ride by bottoming out too easily, which they already do at stock height and why I installed sumo springs. The 2wd suspension is pretty much the same, but they don’t have the differential clearance to worry about and can go lower.

Your best bet is probably to leave the suspension alone and get some good running boards.
 
Without googling myself and seeing if there are any lowering kits I would guess there aren’t many options.

Having lifted or lowered every single truck I have ever owned I will say it can get more complicated to lower a truck than to lift one.

I would say leave it alone for the least frustrating experience.
 
My build comes with the power retracting running boards. We've had those on our previous 4x2 limited so we are comfortable with those. Just hope the 5th wheel will ride close to level. I'm sure the Alt Trailer height feature will help. Thanks, for the reply's
 
Just put tiny wheels and tires on it, problem solved.
 
I did consider the possibility of changing to 18" wheels and see what tires I can find that has similar load rating. with 3'-4' diameter reduction. I don't think I'd do it just to save 2" to hit the 78" 4x2 height.
 
jbartner said:
I did consider the possibility of changing to 18" wheels and see what tires I can find that has similar load rating. with 3'-4' diameter reduction. I don't think I'd do it just to save 2" to hit the 78" 4x2 height.
Click to expand...

You won’t find a smaller tire with sufficient load rating, and drop 2” would mean a 4” shorter tire and thats pretty small and would simply look horrendous.

Only the front is 2” lower, the rear is the same on 2wd and 4wd auto-level trucks. That means the cab isn’t the full 2” lower.

If your previous truck was also auto-level the 5th wheel will ride the same. If it was the standard suspension the new truck will ride lower in the rear.
 
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