DatacomGuy

Thank you fellas.. I've read some of the instruction sheets and its not as bad as I thought. Not sure what i was expecting, but its totally do'able. Permanent, yes.. but not as scary as I expected.

I think we still need a faq. Something that details the different options from level to extreme, different brands and why one might cost $4K vs a simple $900 lift. Etc.

Now.. I still need to decide between 4 and 6". I originally thought just a level but i know it won't be enough. I really wish I could see a 4" and a 6" in person. Would really help me decide.

Florida_F150

I'm happy to help. Feel free to ask any questions.

I know you mentioned 12" wide wheels (I believe). That's like really REALLY wide. The tires don't need to match the wheel width (and generally don't). I run 12.5" wide tires on 18 x 9 wheels and that's perfectly normal. Are you looking for a deep-dish look with the wheels or some reason you're looking to run such a wide wheel?

As far as lift height, it sounds a little silly, but there's a pretty big difference between a 4" and 6" lift, even though it's only 2". Once you go to the 6" + level, you can mostly forget about parking garages (they're too low and you'll scrape your roof), car washes, etc. If you have a wife and / or kids, it can be high to get into (not a problem with steps of course, but just mentioning it). If you're looking to run 35's and you don't need the extra 2" for off-roading, or any other purpose, and you don't want to run 37" tires, 4" may be a more practical choice.

I have a 6" lift and love it. I wanted to run 37" tires for off-roading, I needed the extra clearance of the body / bumpers for the same reason, approach / departure angles etc., I pretty much never need to park my truck in a parking garage, so for me the 6" was the way to go. A 6" is a big truck. It's awesome. But it's not something you easily throw around the mall parking garage.

Here's some photos of mine to help with the visuals.

Florida_F150

Oh and to answer your question about price... in short, and I'm simplifying, the cost difference in lift kits is mostly due to how they lift the front of the truck.

The less expensive lifts add a spacer on top of your factory front struts. So the truck is lifted and higher, but you have the same stock suspension the truck came with (nothing wrong with going this route).

The expensive version removes your factory stock struts, and replaces them with high-end coilovers that match the height of your lift. You can expect this version to be about $1500 more expensive than the exact same version of the lift with spacers.

gintyfab

I can help with photos of your setup. 6" bds, 20x12, nitto ridge grapplers 35, you will have to trim 3 to 4 " of the front crash bar. Other than that and the crossmember section, it's bolt in. BDS's suspension parts were second to none. the fit and finish was perfect.
I don't think you would be able to fit that wheel and tire setup on a 4" lift unless you space out your front bumper.

2chains

@gintyfab thanks for the pics. Do you need to re-gear with the 20x12, nitto ridge grapplers 35?

gintyfab

Did I "need to" ... no, but because My truck had 3.31, I decided it would be better to regear them to 4.10. I have had to tow a dump trailer for a backyard project and quickly realized that there would have been no way it would have worked with the 3.31( or it would have put alot of strain on the trans.)

DatacomGuy

Huge help, THANK YOU. Off-roading will be very rare for me. There will be some, but definitely not why i want to lift. I really do like the look of the 6" but i do use the parking garages down town very so often. I'd just have to change my strategy downtown thats all. I'd imagine i'd be very happy with the 4", but I just dont want to end up regretting not going taller. I do have wife and kids, and although I have the factory running boards i'd probably need to swap for the amp power steps. I like the look of those anyway, tucked up underneath - they're just pricey. Given the wife/kids factor, 4" may be more practical.

I need to research some different looks on the wheels/tires. I do like the deep dish look a LOT (like gintyfab's ride) which is what drives that size choice for me - but with the right rim, a 20x9 might be fine. I definitely want 20". Would it be safe to assume a 20x9 is going to fit better/reduce trimming etc than a 20x12? That's the point of using a 9" instead of a 12" correct? Lighter too, i'd imagine although I guess most the weight is in the rubber anyway.

Makes perfect sense. The cheaper kit would suffice for my use than..

DatacomGuy

Absolutely beautiful. Nice color too! Ha.

Do you think a 20x9 with a 35x12.5x20 tire would fit better? I don't want to touch my front bumper.

jbisulca

I am in this boat. I had leveled my ram with 35's before, and upon delivery was immediately disappointed that I didn't go with a full lift.

Currently, I have a 18 XL SCREW with 5.0 with running boards and a family.

I have my lift scheduled for 6/21--- therefore my advice comes not from experience, but from the Truck Shop
6" Zone (BDS & Zone same company, parent company Fox Racing)
20X9 with 5" backspace.
- I wanted wider wheels, but not more than having to deal with rubbing. Backspaced 5" gave me a ton more wheel options and will put the wheels about 2"
35X12.50 R20 Ridge Grapplers
Will be cutting crash bars, and potentially rear of inner fender well plastic (although i hope this is very minimal)


I hope this helps

DatacomGuy

Very much so.. Please update the thread once you get it all done! Really want to see this.