Ram 1500 Lift Kits: Choosing by Platform, Drive and Air Suspension

This guide is for Ram 1500 owners choosing a lift kit. Three questions decide it: which Ram 1500 you have (2009-2018, 2019-and-later, or the Classic), whether it has air suspension, and whether it is 2WD or 4WD. Answer those and the list gets short quickly.

Which Ram 1500 do you have?

Our pages follow the platforms: 2019-2026 Ram 1500, 2009-2018 Ram 1500 and 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic. Do not shop by model year alone: the kit titles below pair the Classic with the older truck, as Rough Country lists the same kits for the 12-18 Ram 1500 and the 19-24 1500 Classic. A kit for the 2019-and-later truck is a different listing.

What to check before you choose

• Air suspension. Several kits are listed only for trucks without it. If your truck has factory air suspension, rule those out first.
• 2WD or 4WD. Some titles say 2WD/4WD, others 4WD only. A 2WD owner should only shortlist a kit whose title or fitment table names 2WD.
• TRX. At least one 2019-2024 kit excludes the TRX by name.
• Kit or component. A suspension lift raises ride height to clear larger tires; kits vary in what they include, so check the parts list. Some brands ship one kit as several boxes.

2019-2026 Ram 1500

ReadyLift 3.5" SST, 2WD/4WD

The ReadyLift Suspension Lift Kit, 3.5" Lift, SST, 2WD/4WD, 2019-2026 Ram 1500 (69-1935) is listed for select trims. ReadyLift says it provides 3.5" of front lift and 2" of rear lift, fits up to a 35" tall tire on a 20x9 wheel with 0 offset (0 offset is the minimum on a 9" wide wheel with a 35x12.50-20), is not for trucks with factory air suspension, and is not intended for off-road use or abuse. More on the ReadyLift Lift Kits page.

Rough Country 3.5", excluding TRX

The Rough Country 3.5" Lift Kit for 19-24 Ram 1500 2WD/4WD (Excluding TRX) adds 3.5 inches of suspension lift. Its title names both 2WD and 4WD and excludes the TRX. See the Rough Country Lift Kits page for the brand's other Ram kits.

BDS 5" kits ship in boxes

If you searched for a BDS lift kit, know how BDS sells them: a kit can ship as several component boxes that together make up the kit. The BDS Component Box for 5" Lift Kit, Coil, 2019-2022 Ram 1500 (BDS032508) is one of those boxes, not the whole kit. Check the product page for what else your kit needs, and browse BDS Suspension Lift Kits for the rest.

Skyjacker 3 In., 4WD without rear air ride

The Skyjacker 3 In. Suspension Lift Kit with Black MAX Shocks, 2019-2021 Ram 1500 (R1930PB) is titled for 4WD trucks without rear air ride. Skyjacker lists upper control arms, front strut spacers, rear coil spring spacers, bump stop spacers and Black MAX shocks, enough clearance for 33 In. tires, and a 100% bolt-on install with no cutting, welding or drilling, so the truck can go back to stock.

2009-2018 Ram 1500 and 2019-2024 Classic

The ReadyLift 4" Lift Kit Without Factory Air Suspension, 2009-2018 Ram 1500 (69-1040) includes tubular upper control arms and a spring pre-load spacer. ReadyLift says it lifts the front and rear while keeping a slight rake for towing or hauling, and that it is not for abusive off-road use.

For more height, the Rough Country 6" Lift Kit with NX3 Rear Shocks is titled for the 12-18 Ram 1500 and 19-24 1500 Classic, 4WD without air suspension. For less, the Rough Country 2.5" Lift Kit carries the same 12-18 Ram 1500 / 19-24 1500 Classic 4WD title. Everything here sits in the Truck Lift Kits category.

For Canadian owners

Before going taller, check your province's rules on lift height and tire size. We ship across Canada, priced in Canadian dollars, and the vehicle selector confirms your exact year and configuration.

FAQ

Is there a lift kit for a 2016 Ram 1500 2WD?

Start on the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 page. The Rough Country kits named here end in "4WD", and the ReadyLift 4" kit for 2009-2018 does not name a drive in its title, so check its fitment table for a 2WD truck or use the vehicle selector.

My Ram has air suspension. Can I use these kits?

Not the ones whose titles or maker notes exclude it: the ReadyLift 69-1935 and 69-1040, the Skyjacker 3 In. kit (without rear air ride) and the Rough Country 6" kit are all listed for trucks without air suspension.

Is a BDS component box a complete lift kit?

No. BDS kits can ship as several component boxes that together make up the kit. Check the product page to see which boxes your kit needs.

Do 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic kits match the new Ram 1500?

Do not assume so. The Rough Country kits in this guide pair the Classic with the 2012-2018 Ram 1500, not with the 2019-and-later truck. Shop the Classic page for a Classic and read each title.