2004 Dodge Ram 1500

[Chase]

A set of 2” leveling spacers for a 2wd can be found for under $100 and are relatively simple to install. Be sure to have it aligned afterwards.

As far as wheels and tires...tons of options out there. One option to consider would be checking Craigslist and local Facebook buy and sell pages for factory takeoffs from newer Rams. All 1500’s from 02-18 have the same lug spacing so pick a set you like and run them. Most factory 17’s come with 265/70/17 tires which will fit fine (probably what you have now). If you find a set of 20’s, they will probably have 275/60/20 tires which are basically 33’s. They will fit fine if you level. The bigger/heavier the wheel/tire combo is, the more it will work your v6...but make the best of what you’ve got and enjoy your $900 truck.

Thank you haha I will try

 

[geektoad]

if you go bigger with tires, you would really really help yourself out with lower gears. being 2wd, that won't be too expensive either.

 

[drperry]

What does it have for gears right now?

You can probably clear 33s right now.... Definitely with a levelling kit.

That V6 is gutless in a Dakota, lol. You need more power.... Go with at least a 4.56 in the rear end to help with that.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[PenguinLTZ]

Agreed, a set of 4.56 gears would really make it driveable again, after some 33s

 

[Chase]

What does it have for gears right now?

You can probably clear 33s right now.... Definitely with a levelling kit.

That V6 is gutless in a Dakota, lol. You need more power.... Go with at least a 4.56 in the rear end to help with that.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Currently the truck is stock so whatever gears come stock. 3.55? I’m not too sure but from what you and everybody else says then I’m gonna trust you and if I go with the 2” level and put 33” then I will go for a 4.56 set of gears

 

[PenguinLTZ]

Currently the truck is stock so whatever gears come stock. 3.55? I’m not too sure but from what you and everybody else says then I’m gonna trust you and if I go with the 2” level and put 33” then I will go for a 4.56 set of gears

Find out what it has, either by looking at your pinion stamp, or just simply calling the dealer with your VIN. There are some on-line final drive calculators we can go to and find out what the best gear ratio is. 4.56 is very common for modern OD trans, and 33s, but it would be nice to be sure!

For instance, my Jeep has an OD 5 speed, and I have 4.88s with 33s, and can still do 75 mph. We want to get your highway speed in the meat of the cruising range of that engine.