Well, Vash TOLD ME, time to think about lifting the truck ... what kits / tires?

[aigel]

So, if you recall, I bought this RAM Ecodiesel in 2015:
EcoDiesel 3.0 V6 / RAM
It served me well, coming up on 60k miles, no major issues.

This weekend I went to the high sierra on a 4x4 "Jeep Trail" - that's what the map said. It was not a tough trail in terms of climbing or steep drop offs - it was in the middle of a wide valley close to the treeline but it had a LOT of BIG rocks and boulders and it was washed out. The truck took it very well in terms of getting through, however, even with careful maneuvering, it bottomed out a couple times on the sides, earning me a couple scrapes and dents in the side skirts.

I find myself hiking and fishing out of places that are fairly remote these days. I think before long this thing has to gain some ground clearance. Currently at stock height with 17 inch wheels and 265/70/17 tires.

I was thinking lifting it 2.5". Then go with tires that are a bit bigger next time I have to buy tires. Would be good to keep the stock 17" wheels. Note that these trucks come with 20" as an option and that could probably be picked up used for not too much. Most kits look to have upper control arms to keep the geometry. I take it I could keep the stock shocks.

Questions:
- What are good lift kit brands for this make / model? Is ReadyLift a good company?
- What tires would I put on 17" wheels
- What are my options to put on 20" wheels

My thought is that I'd lift it first and see how starved the tires are. I would get 2.5" with the suspension lift and if I get a bit bigger tires, I could get another inch of ground clearance. That's all I felt was needed on this trail. I could go higher lift and bigger wheels/tires, but carrying a camper and doing long distance drives, I do worry about high CG and fuel mileage.

TIA!

George

Edit: If you read this far - VASH said the truck needed lifting right when I bought it!

[craigster59]

Funny, I just got back from Monache Meadows Saturday. Took the 4x4 trail in, took 3 hours. Boulders and ruts everywhere. We went in an F-150 4x4 (not mine) and it did great. No lift except a front end level and BFG KO2's.

You can get a cheaper Rough Country lift or spend bigger bucks on King and others. I think for what you're doing you don't need beefier A-arms but maybe some BFG KO2's and good Bilstein shocks Don't know what gauge the skid plates are under the truck but you could always upgrade those for peace of mind. Aftermarket parts for those trucks should be plentiful.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by aigel

.....

Edit: If you read this far - VASH said the truck needed lifting right when I bought it!

So I read all the way through this to see what vash wuz up to....

I say lower it!

That should get Cliff riled up enough to post

[aigel]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Funny, I just got back from Monache Meadows Saturday. Took the 4x4 trail in, took 3 hours. Boulders and ruts everywhere. We went in an F-150 4x4 (not mine) and it did great. No lift except a front end level and BFG KO2's.

You can get a cheaper Rough Country lift or spend bigger bucks on King and others. I think for what you're doing you don't need beefier A-arms but maybe some BFG KO2's and good Bilstein shocks Don't know what gauge the skid plates are under the truck but you could always upgrade those for peace of mind. Aftermarket parts for those trucks should be plentiful.

Thanks Craig! I have the BFG already. So who makes a good lift kit for 2-3"?

The skid plates are sub par - I dented the transmission plate long time ago. Probably should buy one of those too. The engine one looks fine, but I will check it more closely.

This is a long term project. I would like to wait until the truck is out of warranty, but at current rate of driving, that's another 3 years as I mostly use the truck for play and commute by bicycle ... probably will bite the bullet before next summer's hiking / fishing season.

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by KC911

So I read all the way through this to see what vash wuz up to....

I say lower it!

That should get Cliff riled up enough to post

Haha!

Where is the old bastage anyway? It is bow season in many CA zones, I was expecting a post by now on mountain gear and weight loss!

G

[look 171]

George, I am not sure if the extra 2.5" is really going to save you from more dings on the side of your truck. As soon as I brought my 4 runner home, the first thing I did was install a set of good side sliders to protect my rockers and door. That was the first thing I always ding up when I used to go out into the dirt. I have not gone out into the dirt in a long time. Problem with that is it will lower the ground clearance a tiny little bit but you can just crash the rocks and slide over them. Makes an ugly sound but you get used to it

[aigel]

Jeff - wow, that is something I didn't know about. Rock Sliders ... makes sense. I think it will allow me to do some nice quick body work to cover up the existing dings, maybe apply a rough paint and then put the sliders on. Not a lot of selection for the Ram 1500, it ain't no Jeep, but definitely the way to go, especially if I get it up a couple inches!

Thanks,

George

[look 171]

Originally Posted by aigel

Jeff - wow, that is something I didn't know about. Rock Sliders ... makes sense. I think it will allow me to do some nice quick body work to cover up the existing dings, maybe apply a rough paint and then put the sliders on. Not a lot of selection for the Ram 1500, it ain't no Jeep, but definitely the way to go, especially if I get it up a couple inches!

Thanks,

George

There are those surf bars. Those aint it, stay away from them. I forget who made mine, but they are cheap. cost me about 900 bucks for the pair but worth it in the long run (if I ever et out to play again).

[look 171]

Here you go, George.

They make a pretty good product.
https://white-knuckleoffroad.com/product/ram-1500-gas-diesel-2014-2018-rock-sliders/

[flipper35]

For off road I would keep the 17" tires and rims.

[craigster59]

Definitely sliders. We dropped on a boulder going in and only had the factory sidesteps on the truck. Bent them up where you couldn't open the doors on the passenger side.

Fortunately there were a few of us (ahem) portly individuals who could bounce on them until they bent back in place.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by flipper35

For off road I would keep the 17" tires and rims.

This. Get the 20s if you wan to drive fast to the mall.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by look 171

Here you go, George.

They make a pretty good product.
https://white-knuckleoffroad.com/product/ram-1500-gas-diesel-2014-2018-rock-sliders/

Those look rugged. 120 lbs each!

Thanks for the wheels input. Will stay with 17s. Currently 265/70/17, maybe I can go with 275 next time once I have a 2" lift and gain some circumference without rubbing.

G

[cabmandone]

I believe the lift kit you're looking for is called a Ford Raptor.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I believe the lift kit you're looking for is called a Ford Raptor.

Haha - slide in camper in that? And what is the fuel mileage again?

I did look at the Raptor - briefly ...

G

[rfuerst911sc]

I had many a Jeep back in the day but no expert. A vehicle should be well setup for 90 percent of the driving you do . I say that to suggest stay reasonable with your off road mods . In my opinion you should be able to gain at least an inch in tire diameter with the existing 17 " wheels . Then a modest 2 " - 3 " suspension or body lift . If you go body lift you keep the stock suspension settings and alignment . Maybe add better shocks and then go use it . Also remember to adjust the length of the truck nutz hanging off the hitch😁

[KFC911]

^^^^ I thought you wuz sposed to adjust those truck nutz before and after every drive?

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by aigel

Haha - slide in camper in that? And what is the fuel mileage again?

I did look at the Raptor - briefly ...

G

It's all mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter!

[look 171]

Originally Posted by aigel

Those look rugged. 120 lbs each!

Thanks for the wheels input. Will stay with 17s. Currently 265/70/17, maybe I can go with 275 next time once I have a 2" lift and gain some circumference without rubbing.

G

That aint no sport car, so a little weight is welcome because its going up again a big rock and its gotta hold up the truck. You wouldn't even feel the weight.

I have 285 on my Chevy diesel and that's about as big as I actually want to go. I should have gotten 275, because I don't like the fat tire look. I don't off road ( couple of trails to camp sites with the family is all its goo for, and snow)that because its way too long. Crew cab, 8' bed.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I had many a Jeep back in the day but no expert. A vehicle should be well setup for 90 percent of the driving you do . I say that to suggest stay reasonable with your off road mods . In my opinion you should be able to gain at least an inch in tire diameter with the existing 17 " wheels . Then a modest 2 " - 3 " suspension or body lift . If you go body lift you keep the stock suspension settings and alignment . Maybe add better shocks and then go use it . Also remember to adjust the length of the truck nutz hanging off the hitch😁

Great advice, definitely don't want to mess up the truck for the driving that it most sees. This was the first time I had issues off road, granted I haven't been to the High Sierra much but i'd like to return to spots that are less traveled. That's the nice thing about the truck camper. You can roll into camp anywhere and be ready to sleep in comfort in 2 minutes.

G