The '03 Dodge 3500 4WD came...
The '03 Dodge 3500 4WD came in with a 2-inch leveling kit in the front. This is a spacer that fits between the coil spring and the upper spring pocket.
If you're deciding on a 6-inch lift kit for your '03-and-newer eight-lug Dodge, you may want to investigate Superlift's Dodge lift kits. Our installation should give you a good idea of ride quality, alignment, steering geometry, how and where the components fit the chassis, and just how far that first step up to the cab is now.
The '03-and-up eight-lug 4WD Dodge pickups have relatively simple suspension systems using coil springs in the front and leaf springs at the rear. This time-tested straight-axlehousing approach in both the front and rear makes this installation easier than some of the more complicated suspension systems. With Superlift's 6-inch kit, your truck will retain its ride qualities and the steering geometry, and the kit is alignment-friendly. The Superlift brand has been around since 1975, so you are dealing with a very reputable company.
The 6-inch Superlift kit is...
The 6-inch Superlift kit is designed to make the truck sit level. Longer front coil springs and rear blocks achieve the stance. The truck sits on American Eagle 102 aluminum 17-inch wheels with a 5-inch backspace and 35X12.50-17 tires.
The complete 6-inch lift kit (PN K760) covers the '03-'05 2500 and 3500 Dodge diesel 3/4- and 1-ton pickups and V-10 models, while the '06-'07 Dodge diesel 2500 and 3500 3/4- and 1-ton pickups (they have the same suspension) use PN K823. The only differences between the two kits are in the transmission drop bracket (PN K823 lowers the trans about 1 inch, giving the driveline a more favorable angle to the rearend) and the coil-spring wire diameter (based on vehicle weight).
This installation on an '03 Dodge 3500 1-ton with a Cummins turbodiesel engine was performed by Coos Bay Off-Road in Coos Bay, Oregon, where it seems everybody wants to drive a lifted truck. Before the Superlift 6-inch installation, the truck had a 2-inch leveling kit in the front, simply a 2-inch spacer on the top of the front coil springs (which were removed).
The installation started with replacing the front coil springs and shocks with the taller Superlift coil springs and longer, gas-filled shocks. Since cross steering is used in this vehicle, a new front track-bar bracket, which lowered the mounting point, was installed along with a 2-inch dropped pitman arm on the steering box. While the old Dodge tie rod was mounted in the top of the pitman arm, the Superlift's dropped pitman arm mounted the tie rod from the bottom for an additional 1-inch drop.
Superlift kit PN K760, used...
Superlift kit PN K760, used on this '03 Dodge, also fits '03-'05 2500 and 3500 3/4- and 1-ton diesels and V-10s, while '06-'07 Dodges use PN K823.
Looking at the frontend with...
Looking at the frontend with only the wheels removed, you can see the front track bar and tie rod parallel with each other pointing toward the upper right. The track bar gets a new lower bracket and the tie rod, which connects to the steering-box drag link and will need to be adjusted to center the steering wheel when the chassis is lifted away from the suspension.
Looking at the left front,...
Looking at the left front, just to the rear of the caliper, the two control arms connect between the front differential and the frame. These will be replaced with new, longer tubular arms. At the top of the coil spring, the 2-inch spacer that leveled the truck is visible.
The old spring was 18 1/2...
The old spring was 18 1/2 inches long and the new one is 23 1/2 inches. The new, stronger spring will keep the truck to the 6-inch lift specs.
Notice at the top of the spring...
Notice at the top of the spring pocket, the coil nests in a rubber cup, insulating the suspension vibration from the body.
The new pitman arm has an...
The new pitman arm has an additional 2-inch drop over the old arm from the steering box.