I'm pretty sure that he meant a few hours of YOUR time. Not at a shop. Remember, he installed his own. Anywho, that mechanic you talked to is smoking butt-crack. My truck rides great; very similar to stock. I have yet to experience death wobble. I live in So. Cal. which means that I've had to slam on the binders several times. I've even ran over things on the freeway that had fallen off trucks doing 70+...no DW. Oh yeah, the part numbers you listed for the bilsteins are advertised as being for Dodge Rams with 0-2" of lift. So, yes, they will work with no leveling kit.

 

Dont be scared all of your life. I had never done anything on the front end of a truck before and put mine on in 2 hours with a buddy who had the same experience as me. The 2 hours even included beer breaks. It is not hard at all. Just follow the instructions for the kit and you will be fine. If you brek something take into the dealer for warrenty work

 

Remember I am pretty much suspension inclined. I can do Intake, exhaust, brakes but as soon as something serious comes up, i'd have to pay to get it done right. So figure about $200 for someone to do this job which 2" IMO isnt worth it. Plus I think the slight(barely noticable) nose drive looks good ways, has a sense of a MEAN LOOK. Which I still dont think there is an even nose dive

 

Ok, OK , OK Viking! Hold up on this!! If you remember I got my HBS installed for $100, and it rode crappy with my worn out BFG's and stock shocks!

....Well that didnt last long, I will give you the full report! I got 2" longer 5100's for the front, and 2 stock bilsteins in the rear! I used that link you sent me. Anyway, Im taking it to 4wheel parts this week sometime, installing my H2's, 5100's, and getting the alignment done correctly! So I can give you a full ride report later, with pic's hopefully. Should be soon, or as soon as I can get it into the shop!

 

I put the 2" leveling kit on mine and the other day while looking and cleaning under the truck I noticed that the 2 posts that hold the sway bars are bent.. I think I am going to replace them and put some blocks/spacers on the front sway bar mounts.

looks like I must have topped out the suspension and the shafts on the end bent (tops back toward the firewall...

Gerry

 

So all you have installed are the spacers right now?

1. How does it ride compared to stock with the stock shocks?
2. Is it really leveled or is the front slighlty taller?

 

I have the 2" revtek kit with the stock shocks. I had the dealer do the install and with the alignment and the kit I paid $390. I kept the stock shocks and couldnt tell a difference in the ride, just could see a little more of the hood from the inside is all. I personally think it makes all the differance in the world as far as looks go. I put on the 35's and it beefed it right out, looks alot meaner and the rear end is still a hair higher. I would have done the install myself but had no place to do it, if you can do that nice a job on your bedliner this won't be a problem.

 

Are you happy with your Cooper Discover STT tires in the snow? How are they compared to BFG's ALL-TERRAIN in the snow? $400 for 2" is still NOT worth it IMO. Think about it, $400 for just 2" of very slight lift in the front or $1000 for a 6" with everything else included....control arms, shocks, springs.....etc

 

You keep comparing apples and oranges. $400 installed for a 2" kit and you think you can get a 6" kit installed for $1000?

Apples to apples:

2" kit = $100 = $50/inch (installed yourself)
6" kit = $1000-$1500 = $167-$250/inch (intalled yourself)

I have a $100 invested in my 2" kit, trust me it is worth it!

 

ok, please post pics of your trucks STOCK and with a 2" leveling kit. I want to see the difference

 

Love the coopers in the snow, it has been awhile since I ran the AT's from what I recall they did decent. I have alwyas relied on momentum in the deep stuff. I think all terrains tend to clump up and fill the treads with snow while a mud terrain will keep itself cleaned out a bit better and keep grabbing. The coopers are siped and do pretty good on the ice I only had one pucker moment last winter and they got stopped in time. I think the AT's will do a bit better on the ice but these are 7000# trucks after all I do alot of snow machiening in the winter and was able to drag my trailer through 2' of fresh snow at will. Was able to take off in 2wd most of the time too

 

Before......







After........









My driveway has a slight incline, so make sure to notice the angle of the truck with the concrete slope. I think the 2'' makes a BIG difference. In the first pic, (to me) the truck looks like it is pointing down at the ground in the front even though it is on essentially level ground.

 

Hey TexasCTD,

Do you still have your long nerf bars laying around? Want to get rid of them? I notice you went with steps instead so just curious

Thanks
Jesse

 

Nope, sorry. I had them sold before I took them off the truck.

IF you want to get some like them..........they are stainless steel wheel to wheel "Tech Tubes". Tech Tubes is the brand name, so you might do a search on ebay or someplace. I bought mine from the Earl Owen truck accesories place in Dallas, TX. They are a nice product, I just wanted to go in a different direction with the "look" of the truck.

 

will do.

thanks