When you're looking in order to give your pickup truck a meaner position, finding a strong 99 dodge ram 2500 lift kit is generally the first thing on the particular to-do list. Generally there is just some thing about that second-gen body style that looks so much better when it's sitting a couple of inches higher off the floor. Whether you're rocking the particular 24-valve Cummins or even the V10 gasoline hog, these vehicles were built such as tanks, but the factory suspension can feel a bit tired after twenty-plus years on the road.
Lifting a 3/4-ton Dodge isn't simply about looking great at the nearby meet, though that's a nice perk. It's often about cleaning bigger tires with regard to off-roading or simply getting some much-needed ground clearance. Yet before you go out there and buy the first kit you see online, there are usually a few points you really should think about. These vehicles have a particular front-end setup that will can get fairly finicky in case you don't treat it right.
Why Even Consider a Lift?
Most men get a lift mainly because they wish to stick 35-inch and even 37-inch tires under the fenders. Stock height on a '99 Ram 2500 is alright, but it seems to have that "nose-down" rake from the factory. When you're hauling weighty trailers all day time, that rake acts a purpose, but with regard to a daily motorist or a weekend break warrior, it's not the very best look.
An excellent 99 dodge ram 2500 lift kit solves that. It amounts your truck plus gives you the area to run beefier rubber. Plus, let's be honest, these types of trucks are large. They deserve to sit high. Over and above the aesthetics, a brand new lift kit frequently replaces worn-out bushings and tired suspension springs, which can actually make the vehicle ride much better than it did in order to was sagging on 25-year-old components.
Leveling Kits vs. Full Suspension Lifts
This particular is the initial big decision you really. Are you simply trying to get rid associated with the rake, or even do you desire the entire truck in order to tower over visitors?
The Leveling Kit Route
If you're on a budget or just want to suit 33s or little 35s, a leveling kit is generally plenty. These usually consist of spacers that sit on top of your own front coils. It's a cheap way to get about 2 to 2. 5 inches of lift in the front side. Because the back will be already higher, the particular truck eventually ends up sitting down flat.
It's a simple evening project, but maintain in mind that will spacers don't modify your ride quality for the better. They just proceed the spring straight down. If your factory spring suspensions are already sagging, a person might be best looking at the kit that contains new, taller coils.
The entire Suspension Lift
In case you're looking at several inches, 5 inches, or even more, you're in full suspension lift place. These kits are usually more involved. A person aren't just taking a look at springs; you're taking a look at new control arms, track bar brackets, dropped pitman arms, and longer shocks.
A 5-inch 99 dodge ram 2500 lift kit can be quite much the nice spot for guys who wish to run 37s. It offers the pickup truck a massive presence. However, the greater you go, the more you need to worry about your driveline angles and steering geometry.
Dealing with the Notorious Death Wobble
If you've possessed a second-gen Ram for over a 7 days, you've probably noticed of the "Death Wobble. " It's that terrifying vibration that starts in the front end whenever you hit a bump at motorway speeds. Lifting these trucks can sometimes induce it in case you aren't careful.
When you install a 99 dodge ram 2500 lift kit , you're changing the angle of the particular track bar and the drag link. If those 2 aren't parallel, or even if your bushings are shot, you're likely to have a bad time.
That's exactly why I always suggest getting a kit that includes an changeable track bar. The particular factory track pub around the '99 versions is notorious intended for having a fragile ball-joint style finish that wears out there quickly. Switching in order to a heavy-duty flexible version with a solid bushing or a rod finish makes a planet of difference in how the vehicle tracks down the road.
Don't Forget the Shock absorbers
A great deal of guys spend all their money within the lift pads or springs plus then attempt to recycle their old shock absorbers or buy the least expensive ones available. Don't do that. Shocks are what actually control the trip.
The 2500 is the heavy truck, specifically with that heavy iron-block Cummins over the particular front axle. A person need a surprise that may handle that will weight. Something similar to the Bilstein 5100 series or a Fox 2. 0 is an excellent middle-ground. They aren't crazy expensive, but they'll keep the particular truck from jumping like a pogo stay each time you strike a pothole. When you opt for a cheap, generic white-body shock, don't end up being surprised when your own teeth rattle every time you drive to the supermarket.
Tires plus Wheels: What Fits?
Once you've got your 99 dodge ram 2500 lift kit installed, it's time for the fun part: tires.
- 2-inch lift/level: You can comfortably run 33s. Some men squeeze 35s in there using the ideal wheel offset, but you might get some rubbing upon the control arms when you switch the wheel completely.
- 3-inch lift: This is the particular sweet spot for 35-inch tires. It appears proportional and generally doesn't require any trimming.
- 5-inch lift and up: Now you're in 37-inch tire area. Just remember that will 37s are large. They're going to place more stress upon your ball bones, wheel bearings, and your brakes. You may also want to appear into re-gearing your axles if a person don't want the particular truck to experience like a slug.
Installation: DO-IT-YOURSELF or Shop?
Can you install a 99 dodge ram 2500 lift kit in your driveway? Absolutely. It's all bolt-on things in most cases. But, and this is really a large "but, " everything on these vehicles is heavy plus usually rusted.
You're heading to need the big floor jack, some heavy-duty jack port stands (don't believe in the cheap ones with a 7, 000-pound truck), plus a very large breaker bar. Expect in order to spend some quality time with the torch or some PB Blaster. These lower shock bolts and control left arm bolts love to seize in the steel sleeves of the bushings.
In the event that you aren't comfy wrestling with large suspension components, there's no shame within taking it to a local off-road store. They have the lifts and the air tools to get it required for a fraction associated with the time. Plus, they can do the alignment right after, which is 100% mandatory once you mess with the ride height.
Final Thoughts upon Maintenance
Once the kit is on as well as the pickup truck looks awesome, a person aren't quite completed. After about five hundred miles, you need to move back under presently there and retorque almost everything. Bolts can negotiate, and the final thing you would like is the control arm bolt backing out whilst you're cruising lower the highway.
Keep an vision on your u-joints too. Lifting the particular truck changes the angle of the driveshafts. If you notice a new vibration after the particular lift, it may be that your u-joints are crying for assist because they're being forced to work at a steeper angle than these were used to for the particular last 20 years.
In the end, putting a 99 dodge ram 2500 lift kit on the rig is usually one of the particular best ways in order to modernize the appearance and capability of a good iconic truck. Just do your homework, don't unintentionally avoid the steering components, plus enjoy the view from a several inches higher upward. It's a great deal more fun upward there.