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Dodge Ram 2009-Present: Lift Kits Review

Which truck lift system is the best for your Dodge Ram? Here are a few popular choices to make your purchasing decision a little easier.

By Jeffrey Smith - July 27, 2015

This article applies to the Dodge Ram 1500 (2009-Present).

Most Dodge Ram owners prefer to be on top, which could be the reason why they purchased a truck. There are many ways to raise your truck. Some are cheap, others more expensive. However, lifting your truck isn't something you want to cut corners with. A lift kit is the proper, professional way to lift your truck. There are a number of kits out there, and each brand offers multiple height options. Once you've determined how how you want to go, all you need to do is get there.

Lift Kits
Rough Country
Mopar
BDS
Rancho
Price
 $1,200 $3,100 $2,300 $1,700
Height
 5" 4" 6" 4"
Driving Conditions
 Street Off road Street, no load Street, off road racing
Warranty
 Lifetime limited Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime
Best Quality: Mopar

Best Value: Rough Country

Rough Country

Price – $1,200

Height –5"

Performance – Handles like stock, some vibration at 70+ mph

Driving Conditions –Street

Warranty – Lifetime

The Rough Country lifts for the 4th gen Rams have gotten pretty good reviews for an inexpensive lift option. They aren't really designed for off road as they are for the mere aesthetics of a raised truck. They do a good job at leveling, but additional spacers may need to be added if heavy loads are a regular event for your truck. Many owners complain about vibrations with lifts above 2.5" in general, but not too many have voiced frustrations with it at lower speeds. However, some vibration may be present at highway travel of 70 mph and up. Recommended for the daily driver who is interested in the look of a taller ride with the same handling as a stock truck.

Mopar

Price – $3,100

Height – 4

Performance – Great for carrying heavy loads

Driving Conditions – Off road

Warranty – Limited lifetime

Mopar is considered THE brand for premium lift kits for the Ram truck. This particular lift kit does not work for 2013 air ride models. For the off road enthusiast, this is your best bet, though you will pay a premium price for it. It comes with Bilstein high performance shocks which are also considered the top pick among Ram owners. Although these are especially made for the off road driver, they are very adept at handling heavy loads making this a great all purpose lift kit. Recommended for the off road enthusiast without sacrificing the load carrying ability of your truck.

BDS

Price – $2,300

Height –6"

Performance – Stiff, street but without upgraded rear, not for heavy loads

Driving Conditions –Street , no load

Warranty – Lifetime

The BDS lift kit is probably the best option to go with if you are looking for a very high 6" lift. Using the standard blocks gives the rear end a very stiff ride. Many owners are very happy with this setup if they are looking for that mean, tall look. You will have to upgrade the rear end if you are looking for hauling heavy loads or towing, which will add to the cost of this package. The install is much more difficult than any of the other packages listed. Recommended for the daily driver who wants a very tall ride for the looks of it and not for hauling or towing heavy loads.

Rancho

Price – $1,700

Height – 4"

Performance – Adept at being a crossover condition suspension

Driving Conditions – Street and off road racing

Warranty – Lifetime

Rancho has been around for about 50 years and their quality consistently gets compared to that of BDS at a fraction of the price. One of the biggest selling points with Rancho is that they allow the use of factory wheels with their setup. Many happy customers will swear by their product at a very good price point. They also have a lifetime warranty, and their product is known to last even through some brutal driving. Recommended for an all-around experience of a daily driver plus off road capabilities.

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