How much more wear does 3 inch lift cause on 2500

[Aftershock00]

Hello fellas, I need some insight from those more knowledgeable and I did a search but couldn't find what I'm looking for...I currently have a mint condition 08 ram 2500 Cummins Laramie 4x4 with 70k miles on it. Last fall I installed a 3" lift using thuren springs and other respectable brand components for track bar, control arms, etc. I am going to be in the market for a new truck within 6 months (after my wedding)and the plan is to buy a 2018 2500 Laramie Cummins 4wd. I plan on keeping this truck for 8 to ten years, and it will not be my daily driver so it'll be used less than 10k miles per year. The truck is used as more of a toy/weekend getaways/side jobs/motorcycle carrier to the track/towing RV kind of way. I'm not hauling 40 ft lowboys like some of you guys on the regular like some of you guys. The truck sees about 80% highway and 20 % dirt road/snow/light off roading to hunting spots.

My questions for you guys is I love the look of the 3" lift, but wanted to know realistically how bad it is for the truck wear and tear wise. I think it's clear that I don't NEED any lift, but I do prefer one as I think it gives the truck a sexy stance, has better visibility driving on highway , and with a quality kit can actually improve the ride over stock. I'll probably be putting 34's on it as 35's just seem like too much rotating mass and increased wear. That's pretty much what I have now 33.8 nitto terra grappler g2


With 10" lifts out there, I always just assumed a measly 3" level/lift was so mild/inconsequential as far as increased strain and wear and tear, but now I'm second guessing myself.


So set me straight fellas. How does a 2" level or 3" lift affect drivetrain and front end/chassis as far as strain, wear and tear, durability, and longevity???


I still want to be able to put the pedal to the floor every once in a while and enjoy it like a hot rod , and it still want to haul or tow something that is decently in its towing capability range. I don't want my new truck to feel like a sloppy w%ore in four years (40k miles)because the parts wore out prematurely .



Ps, I would get getting a carli, thuren, or bds kit, so it'd be done right.

 

[BarryG]

While I cant speak to the newer ones but my 01 had the Carli Pintop kit on it and I don't feel it hurt the longevity of it at all. I just sold it a few months ago with 350k on it. I wasn't going through ball joints , tires (typically 50-60k a set), ujoints etc any faster than previous to the kit. I didn't feel those items were an issue previous to the kit while some went through ball joints every 60k I replaced my oem at 180k then again at around 300k and even then they weren't shot but I had to replace a front axle seal and an outer axle joint figured if everything was apart that far I might as well do them. I know the 2nd gens aren't quite the same as the 3rd gens or even moreso the 4th gens. However I would put another Carli kit on in a minute if it wasnt for the fact that the truck rides as high or a bit higher than my old one (at least at the tailgate) with the kit on it and my trailer cant take it. I have already lifted the trailer a couple inches via a sub frame and am putting on larger tires to get it up to 6ish inches of bed rail clearance. My new truck is a 3500 with a payload of well over 4k and the fifth wheel just doesn't squat the truck like it did on my 01 2500.

 

[AEdelheit]

The track bar and steering joints are the only components that should really have more stress on them as they are at a steeper angle then stock. Items like ball joints wont really see any increased wear from the lift itself but if you do larger tires or wheels with less offset that is where the added stress will come from thought you can do that even at stock height.

 

[GrantP]

Agreed on the offset of the wheels, that is critical. I run the stock 17x8 aluminum wheels, hubcentric and work perfect. A quality suspension (I'm not sure I'd include BDS in that group) and proper wheel choice isn't going to increase wear on anything to any noticeable degree.

BTW, You might want to buy that new truck BEFORE you get married. :-laf

 

[CMB]

GrantP,

If you don't mind me asking- why wouldn't you include BDS in the list? I'm only asking because I am currently running the 3 inch coil over kit. Kit came with adjustable track bar. The kit has been installed for about 2 years, problem free.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[AEdelheit]

Well BDS is owned by Sport truck USA along with Zone and Fox so its more a mass produced product with high profit being the bottom line as opposed to smaller companies where quality usually comes first. Curious why you went with a coil over kit in the first place? It sounds cool but in reality is usually much more money while reducing actual wheel travel at the 3" lift height.

 

[CMB]

Well, it's a long story. When I purchased the truck in 2015 it had roughly 35k on it and still wore the stock factory tires. I was actually shopping for a car for the wife when we came across this truck. The price was right and it had all the signs of a lightly used vehicle. I had read about the concerns with steering geometry with this model. Please keep in mind this is way before I even knew about TDR. After discussing the deal I took a few days to process. I had read good things about BDS (PROBABLY ALL MARKETING SCHEMES) but I also liked the life time warranty. I called BDS just to get a feel for the type of company they are. It was a great conversation. I called the dealer back and asked them to through in the BDS 3" coil over kit - this will ease my mind regarding the steering geometry issues. I also asked them to through in a set of 35" KO2s.

Yes of course, the cost had to remain the same. I was told no way at first. Then a few days later I got the call. Now I am a proud owner of a 4th Gen with the extras as requested.

I've had the truck off-road @ Ocala and your typical dirt roads and honestly I love it. I went with the CO version mainly because of adjustability on the preload but compression and rebound is nice to. Coming from a moto-cross back ground it just seemed right. Let's face it, this is a 1 Ton truck not a rock crawler or a jeep. I never found a situation where I said "man I wish I had more travel".

Off Road it handles like a dream. Very predictable. I wouldn't change a thing.

Sorry for rambling- On lunch brake :-laf