The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 For all you folks that like trucks that ride a bit higher than the rest.......this threads for you. So I just bought a dodge 1500 4x4 with 20inch rims and am wanting to lift it some. Will a leveling kit make it look taller than the average 4x4 or do I need to get a lift kit? I don't want anything nuts, but I do want it to be higher than average. I also don't want to spend a ton of money. Any recommendations for either kit, as well as AT Tires, and cool rims would be appreciated. I've never had a truck I could lift and fix up. This is my first 4x4, so I'm kinda excited. I want it looking sharp before it reaches Alaska this summer. Heres the specs: 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4x4 It's got a hemi! 20 inch Rims Factory Exhaust at the moment. Oh and jet black in color. Anything else yall need to know before making a recommendation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I like the look of the Nitto Mud Grappler tires with the XD Badlands wheels. Of course these aren't AT. I would go with a 3" lift kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I have never had a truck with a kit on it but I found this site that you may be interested in http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/all_lift_kits.html?mv_pc=yahoo_all_lift_kits The parts themselve dont appear to be outrageous in price, but having them installed I think is gonna cost you. Unless of course your going to do it yourself. As far as tires and rims. I have had several sets of BFG Mud Terrains, and have heard good things about their AT's as well. I personally dont like shiny ghetto rims. I like ones like these. http://www.ehobbies.com/hpi3061.html?utm_source=hpi3061&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=froogle http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/1992fordf150rides/ig/1992-Ford-F150-OPffroad-Photos/Canadian-Dragonslayer-s-1992-.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I like the blackout (murder) look too: This is the Nitto Mud Grappler with a XD Rockstar rim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I hate blackouts....I do like the rim you posted first the Corey... Looks like wheels and rubber for aroun $2300 bucks. Definitely gonna have to wait til I start back on the line a few weeks lol. Thats not exactly cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phredator Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Something to think on. While lifting it may be cool there comes a 'tipping' point where you are making your truck worse for offroad action. Especially if you get it off the flatlands and into the Rockies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelund79 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I've had many friends stationed in Alaska over the years. If you want a different look, stay with the leveling kit, suspension lifts take its toll on a drivetrain with mostly concrete driving-I believe Revtek makes a good one for our truck(i've got the same truck in silver that I bought new). For the time, invest in a decent all terrain tire-BF Goodrich, Richard Cepek, Nitto, etc. 4wheel and other 4x4 mags will give you a wealth of info on wheels/tires, lifts, etc. Enjoy your ride, mine just cranked 56k this morning after dropping of my oldest at school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I hate blackouts.... I use to not like them either until I saw a jet black Chevy 4x4 with them on it. You're right about the price tho, they are pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I know the new Chevy/GMC trucks have McPherson strut suspension in the front instead of the ole torsion bar setup in the 06 and older trucks. They sell a 2" front leveling kit which are two blocks that go on top of the strut towers to raise the front 2", giving it more of a level stance. If you want to go any higher than that you'll need to buy a lift kit. If it has torsion bars you can get adjustable torsion keys to lift the front, and different leaf spring shackles for the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 The more I research the more I find this is gonna get expensive.......instead of all at once I think I may string it out over a years time lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Here's a pic of my '02. I put a 5" Rough Country suspension lift, 17X10 Mickey Thompson wheels and 35" Mickey Thompson MTZ tires on it. All together i had about $2500 in it, and actually sold the factory wheels and tires for $600 so it really cost me about $1900. I bought everything from Top Gun Customs and did the work myself. Unfortunatley I had to sell it last spring. I have actually put a lift on every truck i've ever had since I was 16, with exception of my current ride. If you're on a budget a leveling kit or body lift will work fine. The only issue with a leveling kit on a torsion suspension is that it puts you're c.v. axles at more of an angle, and if you use the 4 wheel drive much it will cause them to fail prematurely. You shouldn't have too many problems if you drive it normal and keep it on the road.(which I tend to not do.) A suspension lift kit includes brackets to keep all of the steering and suspension in closer spec. to what it was from the factory, so the ride and handling stay pretty much the same, with the exception of the higher center of gravity. Let me know if you need anything man, this stuff is kinda my thing....hence my screen name.:turned: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 A big price difference I'm seeing in the 20 inch tires and rims....holy crap! Same setup you have mudrunner is 2560.00 on just your wheels and tires alone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I would say on that truck you will want to do a lift kit. Leveling kit wont do nearly as much as you would want. I would say a 4-5 inch kit would be good for you and top it off with some American racing rims and I would highly recomend the Super Swamper Thornbird Tires. Probably with a lift like that in 35" x 14.5". They are an aggresive tire with awesome side lugs and yet the tread pattern is tight enough they wont wear down fast at all. Otherwise I will go with everyone else and recomend the Nitto mud grappler. -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 A big price difference I'm seeing in the 20 inch tires and rims....holy crap! Same setup you have mudrunner is 2560.00 on just your wheels and tires alone! I would not get 20's simply because of the price of the tires alone. I had thought about keeping the factory wheels on mine and just buying some 35's, but tires alone were about $400 a piece. I got the new 17's with tires, mounted and balance, for around $1400 ($350 a piece) all total from topguncustomz.com, and I think the lift kit was around a grand. Pretty sad when you can get tires and aluminum wheels both for 17's cheaper than you can get just tires for the 20's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Is 17-18 inch rims too small for a lifted truck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Not at all, my lifted blazer had 15 inch rims with 35 inch mud tires. The smaller the rim, the bigger the tire looks. I would say 17-18" rim is what you want. -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I was thinking about giving my 2000 Z71 about 3-4 cranks on the torsion bars to pick the front end up a bit. I dont know that I would get the torsion bar keys to lift it up higher, I think your better off to just buy a suspension lift and do it right if you are going to go that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Looks like prices went up a bit since I did I mine 3 years ago. They have the lift listed at $1200 now, some decent 17" wheels are around $150 each, and some 35" Pro Comp AT's or Mickey Thompson ATZ's are around $260/tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Looks like prices went up a bit since I did I mine 3 years ago. They have the lift listed at $1200 now, some decent 17" wheels are around $150 each, and some 35" Pro Comp AT's or Mickey Thompson ATZ's are around $260/tire. So i'm looking at 2000$ prolly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Yea, roughly about that. All this would be about $2900, but like I mentioned earlier, you can get decent money out of your factory wheels and tires. One thing to keep in mind also is that if you don't install it yourself, labor is going to be fairly high. I put mine on myself in a day and a half in my garage, but I have done a few lift kits and have a few specialty tools. Another option is a 3" body lift. They have a Performance Accesories kit listed at $388 and it includes bumper brackets so it still looks good. These are a little easier to install, but will still probably take 7 or 8 hours. You could fit a set of 33" tires on without any clearance issues. This could probably be done with tires and wheels for $2000. If your going to have to pay someone to install it then a leveling kit may be the way to go, just be careful when in 4 wheel drive because, like I said before, you're c.v. joints in the front axle will break due to the steeper angle. I became a pro at changing them on a Chevy I had due to this issue. For a street truck that doesn't go off road much and doesn't get abused a 2" leveling kit and some nice 33 inch tires will do fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Another option is a 3" body lift. NO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Ben lets hear your expertise on this....can you get me setup cheaper? I'm all for opinions here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Well, The bigger the wheel the bigger the price tag for the tires, generally speaking. I have not done a lift kit or leveling kit in so long. My knowledge and expertise is in custom stuff. If it was mine and I had a couple grand to throw at it, I would go a totally different route than you. I would do coilovers, links, and Allied Beadlock wheels with some 40" Iroks, lower it 2 inches and cut the fenders. But, I know you are not going that route and I know what you want. I would just do a leveling kit, and run some gun metal color wheels. I prefer dark over bling in the wheel department, but that is all up to you. I would also run a 17 over a 20. I also dont know about AT tires. To me they are all the same. When I was at the shop I put every single brand on customers trucks and rigs and I hated them all. There is only one goodyear I would ever run and that is the AT/S. The only problem is they stopped making them last year. The Silent armor looks like them but is not the same tire. I would also never own a set of BFG A/Ts. However I have run BFG's in the 40 inch flavor. Their Krawlers. I also ran Interco Iroks. But both of those tires you are not going to run. What I would do is run the dog piss out of it how it sits. Once you start to play with it and mess with the suspension, it will never be the same and start costing more money. If you really wanted to do something, do the leveling kit, not the full lift kit. Also, either keep the 20s you have on it now or sell them and get 17s and run whatever your local tire shop has on sale in a M/T or A/T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Ben lets hear your expertise on this....can you get me setup cheaper? I'm all for opinions here! If i was closer and if you could meet me in North Carolina, I could save you 100% of the labor and 30% or so on tires and wheels. You're 8 months late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 LOL, thanks Benji Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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