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Introduction
With increased performance capabilities, the Ram 1500 is one of the most popular trucks on the market today. It is a great truck for those who need to haul heavier cargo, off-road in difficult terrains, and travel long distances. Investing in a 4 or 6 inch lift for your Ram 1500 can further enhance its performance and make it an even better option for you.
A 4 inch lift gives slightly improved ground clearance and allows more room for larger tires while still offering a comfortable ride. A 6 inch lift is a much greater investment that typically requires more extensive modification but provides additional benefits including being able to accommodate bigger tires, higher ground clearance, and additional towing capacity. Additionally, both lifts provide the ability to have increased stability when going offroad due to their higher profile and put less stress on your suspension system.
Overall, many people choose the 4 inch lift because it offers an improved profile without a huge investment while still providing plenty of options for customizing your vehicle with larger wheels/tires and some added accessories such as bull bars or light bars. For those looking for something more extreme with increased capabilities for offroading then the 6 inch option may be worth considering due to its advantages even if there is a much larger upfront cost associated with such an investment.
Benefits of a 4-inch Lift
A 4-inch lift is a great way to add extra clearance and increase your vehicles off-road capabilities. With a 4-inch lift, you can fit larger tires, allowing for enhanced traction and improved grip in off-road conditions. Additionally, it provides the opportunity to improve the aesthetics of your vehicle with the added height and better ground clearance. This gives your truck a more rugged look while also providing superior protection from debris or obstacles. Lastly, with some aftermarket shocks, springs, and other related components – your ride quality can be enhanced too, providing greater control over bumps and ruts on any terrain.
Drawbacks of a 4-inch Lift
A 4-inch lift on a Ram 1500 will still leave the truck with an increased ride height, improved ground clearance and a large, beefy stance. However, there are some drawbacks to using a 4-inch lift. A 4-inch lift is not technically high enough to fit bigger tires, so it can limit your options when it comes to selecting an aftermarket tire size. Additionally, while the suspension geometry of your truck is improved as compared to stock, it’s still slightly less optimized than when using bigger lifts kits that also include adjustable control arms which further improve handling and driving comfort. Furthermore, a 4-inch lift does not give your truck the same aggressive and eye-catching look as a taller 6-inch kit can provide. Finally, you may run into issues with bump stop clearance — if the suspension has dropped too far in travel due to shocks being limited by the designated mount points set from the factory.
Advantages of a 6-inch Lift
A 6-inch lift for a Ram 1500 offers an impressive increase in vehicle height and greater ground clearance, making off-road driving more enjoyable. The additional height also allows you to fit larger tires, up to 35 inches in diameter, giving you increased traction and power over more challenging terrain. The larger tires offer better grip on wet surfaces, allowing you to make sharper turns in slippery conditions with more confidence. Furthermore, the extra ground clearance can help prevent damage to the undercarriage of your vehicle — such as scrapes or dents — when travelling over rough terrain. Additionally, the increased height of a 6-inch lift provides greater visibility on the highway and improved aesthetics that are sure to turn heads.
Disadvantages of a 6-inch Lift
1. Cost: A 6-inch lift typically costs more than a 4-inch lift. It is also likely to require more parts and modifications, which can add to the total cost.
2. Handling: A 6-inch lift will change the ride and handling of your RAM 1500; it will be much harder to turn corners, much rougher over bumps, and may feel unstable at high speeds.
3. Installation Difficulty: Installing a 6-inch lift on your RAM 1500 is likely to be far more complicated and difficult than installing a 4-inch lift due to its additional components, as well as its extensive mechanical work requirements.
4. Warranty: Any changes made to your RAM 1500’s suspension or other related systems could void the warranty that comes with your vehicle purchase. Additionally, any aftermarket parts you install are not covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty in the case of any future malfunctions or defects.
Installation Tips for Each Lift
RAM 1500 4 Inch Lift:
A 4 inch lift for a RAM 1500 is an ideal way to increase ground clearance and maintain the factory ride quality. When installing a 4 inch lift, it’s important to make sure to have quality shocks, steering components, and strut or coil spacers for adequate height and stability. Additionally, if you decide to choose a higher 2.5-inch billet aluminum spacer-style lift kit with custom brake line brackets, then you must use wheel spacers or extended wheel studs due to increased backspacing of 7 inches or more. Finally, when adjusting the caster angle be sure not to exceed six degrees as this would lead to premature tire wear and instability in everyday driving conditions.
RAM 1500 6 Inch Lift:
When installing a 6 inch lifted suspension into your RAM 1500 there are several important things to consider. To ensure proper height and rigidity you will need good-quality shocks and steering stabilizers as well as larger blocks or plates in the rear (depending on model). If planning on using upsized tires (33in approximately) then it would be wise to also upgrade your rims with at least 10” width for strength and support against sidewall punctures/rolls. Additionally, when adjusting your camber angle be sure not to exceed three degrees due maladjustments could result in excessive tire wear in everyday use. Finally, when drilling holes into your frame remember that extra reinforcement is always recommended due to the heavier weight required by larger lifts
Face-off
When it comes to upgrading your Ram 1500, more Americans are rejecting traditional factory suspensions in favor of aftermarket lift kits. Two of the most popular models for Ram 1500s are the 4-inch and 6-inch lifts. While these two may sound similar, there are big differences between them.
In terms of function and performance, a 6-inch lift offers much more than its 4-inch counterpart. The extra 2 inches add a significantly improved ground clearance, allowing off road enthusiasts to drive through harsher terrain while protecting their undercarriage from obstacles and hazards. Since your ride will be higher off the ground, a 6-inch lift also provides superior suspension articulation, meaning your tires have superior grip on difficult surfaces like mud and snow. As an added bonus, it comes with steel skid plates that guard against damage caused during rocky treks. Plus, you can fit larger tires if you decide to go that route!
On the flip side however, a 4-inch lift kit is much easier to install as it requires fewer modifications than its bigger brother does; especially if you already own a lifted version of the Ram 1500 since some of the parts will already be modified. In addition, a 4-inch lift can look great and with shorter components, it won’t weigh down your vehicle as much either. And if you’re less interested in conquering challenging off road tracks but instead want better handling and control on highways or city roads – then this smaller size is more ideal for you too!
Overall both sizes have their pros and cons in terms of performance and installation but depending on what level of customization you’re after they’re both good options when determining which is best suited for your lifestyle needs!
Cost Comparison of Lift Kits
A 4 inch lift kit for a Ram 1500 costs anywhere from $800 to $2,000 when purchased through an aftermarket vendor or car parts store. By comparison, a 6 inch lift kit can cost twice as much. It typically runs between $1,500 and $3,000 or more depending on the components included in the kit.
Beyond the increased cost, there are several drawbacks to consider when selecting a higher-than-average Truck lift kit. Namely, they may require additional add-on parts, like stabilizers and other components needed to keep the truck in balance and support its heavier load rating. And while larger lifts tend to attract more attention with their dramatic look on the streets, such lift kits typically require additional power and torque from your engine—which mean higher fuel costs over time. Additionally, taller suspensions can increase braking distance by as much as 20%, posing a safety hazard on busy roads or highways where high speeds are common.
Other Factors to Consider Before Purchasing
One of the first factors to consider when deciding between a 4 inch lift and 6 inch lift for your Ram 1500 is the type of terrain you are looking to drive in. If you plan on off-roading or taking your vehicle through muddy roads, then the 6 inch lift will provide more ground clearance and help protect your vehicle from any potential hazards. On the other hand, if you are mostly driving on paved roads, then a 4 inch lift should be sufficient; it may even offer better stability than a 6 inch lift due to reduced ground clearance. Another consideration is ride comfort; in general larger lifts result in rougher rides due to increased suspension stiffness. Finally, cost can be another determining factor as larger lifts tend to be more expensive due to increased complexity and modification requirements. Ultimately it depends on your preferences and how often use your Ram 1500; make sure to do plenty of research before settling on one particular size.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to deciding which lift kit option is best for your needs and preferences on the RAM 1500, there are a few things to consider. A 4-inch lift kit might be ideal if you want to increase the ground clearance of your vehicle and don’t require significant modifications. This is also beneficial if you primarily use your truck for regular highway driving as it still offers a comfortable ride even with the additional 4 inches of clearance.
However, if you’re looking for more off-roading capabilities or need heavy-duty suspension for hauling heavy loads with the RAM 1500, then the 6-inch lift may be better suited. The added height from the 6-inch option will ensure plenty of ground clearance when climbing over obstacles while also providing improved stability when towing and carrying larger loads due to its higher center of gravity. Additionally, this option allows you to change out shock absorbers and anti-sway bars depending on how you will use your truck. Ultimately, it’s important to think about what kind of terrain and activities you might enjoy doing with your RAM 1500 before deciding between the two lift kits.
