I am thinking about doing the leveling kit on the front of my 03, I am also going to do a full front end bushings, ball joints, panhard, etc rebuild.

Will the spacers change the geometry to a point where it will cause premature failure to bushings, end links, steering etc...???

Do I need exetended sway bar links with the standard leveling kit spacers? I am already goign with bilstens capable fo the 2" lift.

Is the leveling kit worth it? does towing/hauling without air bags with the kit casue too much rear sag and headlight issues?

 

My truck came with spacers so Ive seen the last 33k miles. No idea if spacers cause premature wear. I wouldn't rule it out at least to a small degree with the constant geometry tweak under there.

My truck came with the stock sway bar end links. They did get bent up with normal daily driving. I installed Maxx links extended ends. They still get pulled around as evidence of them sitting off center (can't remember when I put them on). At least 20k.

Hauling with a level kit and no rear bags will squat the truck a bit. I don't have any complaints about the headlights loaded or not. I have always run the truck at night with the fogs on so I've always had good illumination. The truck is tall anyway and headlights are up in people's faces, loaded or unloaded. Can't adjust the headlights for every situation.

If you're towing regularly, I'd suggest considering bags. I think that'd be the ideal setup for the truck.

If you are installing a leveling kit of any kind, I recommend instead of a track bar rebuild you get an upgraded adjustable trackbar. I believe my lack of an adjustable track bar under my truck is why my sway bar end links, even the extended ones, get pulled around.

If I was in your shoes (at the verge of deciding spacers or coils) I can't yell "coils!" loud enough. The spacers are nothing special, but I have no frame of reference for what a stock truck feels like. I want coils for the ride feel adjustment. I do have Bilstein 5100s on the front.

 

what I am thinking of doing with my 06 also.. had same questions, ive read some that say a 2" and even a 2.5" are ok but don't go over 2.5" with out replacing other components. I just want to make sure if I go 2'' I wont be screwing up other stuff later on!

 

Leveling pucks are fine, but I wouldn't go taller than 2". At 2.5" you really should have an adjustable trackbar, and it doesn't look any better- rides and handles worse.

 

I might be the oddball here but I installed the 2" spacers early on and have not replaced any front end components and I am approaching 170k miles.

So, the factory puts the rake in the truck so it levels as you load it. Leveling before the load means you squat in the back and the headlights go up. So you have to address that.

With a tow behind trailer and weight distribution hitch and springs, it is not an issue. With a 5th wheel/gooseneck/heavy bed load then you have issues and air bags or timbrens become necessary.

If you have a 5er or gooseneck that is heavy and is the primary use for your truck, then I wouldn't level. The Ram is a tall truck stock as it is (compare to chevy) and stock helps keep things a couple inches lower and helps the tow profile. However, if this is not the case, then level away and I would use coils to do it instead of spacers.

 

My truck was 2" lower on right front. I installed the TuffTruk spring things in mine (2wd) and raised it a bit over 2&1/2". Looks like it should. Just need an alignment. $196.00 shipped.

 

I did a 2 inch leveling kit on my 04.. running 35 inch toyos and towing a lance truck camper and a 24ft boat and or 18ft car hauler.. no headlight issues.. maybe minor adjustments. I added air lift 5000 bags due to sag w loaded truck camper and boat.. but had to use an extend tongue to clear the back of the camper/boat. No weird tire wear, but did step down to 285/70/17 E rated revo 2s just for fuel mileage.. ran those for 60k and went back to a set of 35 toyos. The ride quality sucked when empty and had to play the air up and down game forever. I also changed ever front end component due to death wobble at the same time.. even added the steering stiffener brace, steering box, tie rods, ball joints, drag links... even replaced the hub assys. That **** scared me. but I did it all at once around 175k miles, now around 240k and its still like new.. also added the blistein steering damper back then too. It tows great, haven't had any issues.

 

Thanks guys, Rough Rountry has 2" coils for close to what the spacers are going for, $179 as of today on their site. spacers are like $130 so I am going that route. will do bags at some point espcecially once back on the farm and stick the goose ball in. Looks like its 50/50 on early wear out, think Ill stick with stock stuff at first and see. I called rough country and the guy (in between yawns at 1030pct class act) said that as long as you get an alignment and re adjust the bushings to new ride height that there isnt any premature wear. trac bars and end links add up. if I had dough sure and even throw on Carli or dynatrac ball joints but cash sure doesnt travel as far as used to. (thanks gubmnet)

 

Might check out http://www.topguncustomz.com/ or http://www.hellbentsteel.com/ for better pricing on spacers.