Valvoline.com

High-Rise Construction

Installing a lift kit on a Dodge Ram

Setting up a vehicle for going off-road is like playing with dominoes. Tip over one, and suddenly you've got a whole lineup of things to handle. Going to bigger tires is a good example. When you throw on a set of 33- or 35-inch knobbies, you should plan on lifting the suspension. And that's just the beginning. You also may need to trim the fenders, along with changing the gear ratio in the axles and adding air lockers—and those projects turn into another game of dominoes altogether.

Moving Up

In addition to creating a better looking 4x4, the obvious reason for installing a lift kit with larger tires is to add more ground clearance and achieve better traction. That's where a 4-inch lift really comes in handy. In this case, we followed the installation of a suspension package for an '02 Dodge Ram 1500. This particular kit from Rancho allows for the use of 35-inch tires and alignment to OE specs. It was developed using a 35-inch tire on a 17x8-inch wheel with five inches of backspacing.

Keep in mind that while a lift kit can enhance the off-road performance of your vehicle, it will handle differently, both on and off-road. Use care during abrupt maneuvers to prevent loss of control or a rollover. Also, before installing this system, make sure the alignment is to factory specs and that the frame is sound, with no cracks, damage or corrosion.

Basic Bolt

This project is just about an all-day deal (if you haven't done this sort of job before, it may take a bit longer). Overall, the install is basically a bolt-on process, with no welding or cutting required (we did do a bit of grinding, though). Be sure to use thread-locking compound to all bolts during installation. The exhaust system did not need to be modified (except for a bit of bending to clear the driveshaft, or you can have an exhaust shop splice in a new piece if tubing).

As for tools and equipment, you will need a lift or jackstands, along with a well-stocked toolbox and a fair amount of mechanical experience. It also helps to have an extra pair of hands to help lift some of the bulkier pieces into place, such as the one-piece, MIG-welded subframe. But doing a project with your buddies is all part of the fun, right? Just promise to take them with you when you're ready to head for those off-road trails.