I have recently been looking at some 2" leveling kits for my 05 Ram and wondered a.) What are the best ones available for the money and b.) Besides the levelers, do I need to do anything with the sway bar so I don't have any problems with steering and/or alignment? If something does need done to the sway bar what companies make products for this application? I'm having a hard time finding the right parts.

 

with a two inch, i dont think you need to replace a thing.....wel lat least i havn't on the last two trucks i ut them on....factory shocks still work with them too. anything over 2 i would look into it. i guess a realignment never hurts, but i didn't and have not noticed anything in about 2,xxx miles. i went with the topguncuztomz spacers, cant beat them for 79 dollars. i think the website is topguncustomz.com

 

I would get longer shocks if you go offroad a lot.. They are not recommended but the factory shocks will bottom out really fast..

Shane

 

I'm assuming that you have already installed the leveling kit on your truck so my next question is have you experienced any "death wobble"? I read a few posts earlier and everyone seemed to experience it after adding the leveling kit. Should I expect that once I install the leveling kit?

 

I agree with Shane. If you're traveling on rougher roads you'll notice it's a bit rougher. The longer, better shocks are a good investment in my opinion.

I did go ahead and get the drop bar brackets for the stabilizer bar to put it back in the OEM position after installing the leveling kit. I purchased mine from Top Gun Customz as well.

 

The simple answer is no, you should not expect it. I agree with the above posts. If you do a 2" levelling kit, I would change the shocks just in case and get the front end realigned. The caster and, I believe, toe are affected by the lift.

I have read a lot of posts about DW, and there is no consistency to the cause. Some did a drop on the stabilizer bar, some replaced tires, some had ball joint issues, and some were due to the levelling kit. generally speaking, many people have installed 2" levelling kits with no problems at all.

Personally I am a fan of replacement springs instead of spacers. You can get Superlift levelling springs for around $250, or look at the variety of kits out there that are more technically developed for performance (Kore, Lorenz, Thuren).

 

Also, I think BFG AT's have been known to cause the DW haven't they?
DO a search on DW, I think you'll just end up more confused though!

 

i just did ALOT of research before finally deciding on my 2" hellbent steel leveling kit $100., bilstein 5100 front shocks $150., and bds extended bumpstops $40.

i researched this alot before deciding on anything, also spoke w/ don thuren as well. BTW, he is offering a 2" steel spacer kit w/ his adjustable trackbar for $450. that was a little pricey for me and i also didnt like the heim ends on the tracbar because they will need to be replaced after they wear.

here is what i learned from several expert sources: 1- if you like the ride of your stock springs, then your better off just adding spacers because most aftermarket springs do end up sagging. 2- a steel spacer is stronger/better than a poly or billet aluminum spacer especially if your gonna add any weight to the front of the truck or do much offroading. 3- the most important "problem" caused by a leveling kit is that it pulls the axle to the drivers side about 3/8". to correct this you either need an adjustable tracbar, a 2" drop bracket, or a 3/8" longer trackbar (custom). i chose not to address the problem just yet because im still trying to locate a 2" trackbar drop bracket. 4- the sway bar will change angle slightly, but this will not affect the way it functions. you do not have to address this, but if it would make you feel better, they offer 2" drop brackets or 2" longer end links.
5- the factory shocks WILL top out and go bad. an aftermarket shock w/ extra travel is the fix. 6- the factory bumpstops are no longer adequite because when the suspension travels they will allow the coil spring to compress more than it was designed for and will damage the spring. the fix is aftermarket extended bumpstops. 7- an alignment WILL be needed afterwards. the caster will be affected negatively by the 2" lift and will be uneven do to the trackbar being too short and pulling the axle over. the toe may also be affected.

i researched this over the past few months before finally ordering parts and doing the install myself. everything worked out great and the truck rides the same as before. i was also there under the truck on the alignment rack and i definately recommend an alignment, if for no other reason than to even out the caster to avoid any chance of death wobble.

 

"...if you like the ride of your stock springs, then your better off just adding spacers because most aftermarket springs do end up sagging."

Hmmm, I always thought the factory springs sag and the after market tend to keep things up there?

 

i believe pretty much all of the springs will sag over time. the thing with the spacers, it doesn't affect the spring rate, so ride won't change. some aftermarket springs you buy will ride better, some will ride worse. on my old 1500, i've had 4 or 5 combos of springs/spacers. i found that a good shock made the most difference, the bilsteins will be nice. i have a 2" spacer on the truck now, no DW. the end links need to be longer, or put the spacer in for the bar mounts.

 

I wouldn't waste money on an alignment unless you're getting death wobble. You can check and adjust the toe yourself for free in about 10 minutes.

A quality aftermarket spring won't settle or sag anymore than the stock springs.

With a bushed trackbar you will have to replace it or rebuild it, if that's even possible, as frequently as rebuilding the heim. An you can rebuild a heim for about $30.

Changing the geometry of the sway bar WILL affect it's operation. I suggest it not be overlooked.

 

Just curious how you check your toe in ten minutes?

 

You can check it in 1 minute. It only takes ten to adjust it!


JCenter the wheel, grab a hand tape and measure between the inside sidewalls at both the front and rear of the tire. If you want to be real accurate project a couple lines out 50 and 75 feet from the front of the tires using the outside tire face, make a couple marks then measure between them.

 

Just had the steel topguncustomz 2" units put in yesterday with the Lorenz Industries sway bar spacers. Definitely had the alignment done as when the offroad installer went thru the #'s it was way off after the install especially on caster and toe. I have 285 BFG's and it seems to ride great now. While in there he said the ball joints looked like new. Bilstein 5100's are next on the list but the current ride isn't much different then before.

 

Hey everybody I really appreciate all of the information you guys have offered up. Ghost Ram, it looks like you have really done your homework on this subject, thanks for sharing all of your findings. It looks like my simple 2" leveling kit became slightly more complicated, but then again I'd rather do it right then end up wobbling all over the road. Hopefully I can get this and a few other modifications done before the 2007 Indiana Diesel Nationals. Anyone else headed that way on June 2 and 3?