Would a 3 inch leveling kit be to much strain on a 97 2wd or would it be better to go with a 2.5? Another question should I go with steel or aluminum? Thanks in advance

 

for the price of a 2wd 4" lift with the spindles and everything, that's gonna give you the best bang for your buck and effort.

 

what brand would you suggest?

 

Any amount of lift over stock will shorten your front ends life quicker. With just a leveling kit, your front end will have about 2/3 its life, and with it leveled and bigger tires about 1/3 its original life.

 

Rough country make a good 3in kit. If you use 3" spacers up front your ride will be absolutely hell too.

 

I had rcx spindles on my old 97 2wd for over 4.5 years without any problems. I never had to replace anything on the front end. I think the rcx and fabtech are great brands to get spindles from. Rough country's shocks suck though, I'd look into some bilsteins to go with them.

 

^ agreed. Stick with ProComp or Fabtech. Buy a kit with the shocks included so you get the full warranty.

 

Would a 3 inch spindle be as much strain as spacers or? Sorry I'm just getting into trucks!

 

No a spindle lift doesnt change the front suspension geometry like a level kit will.

 

Or compress the spring limiting up travel