Ram 2500 Lift Kits and Leveling Kits by Year

A Ram 2500 lift kit can be a pair of front coil spacers that takes out the factory rake, or a 6-inch system with new springs, radius arm brackets, a dropped pitman arm and driveline parts. On a 3/4-ton truck, what fits depends on the year, diesel or gas, coil spring or factory air rear, and sometimes whether you have a Power Wagon or a 3500.

Short answer: Start with your model year and your rear suspension. For 2003–2012 trucks, ICON lists 2.5- and 4.5-inch systems for both the 2500 and 3500. For a 2014–2026 Ram 2500 4WD diesel, ICON sells 2.5- and 4.5-inch systems in coil spring and OEM air ride versions. For a simple front level on a 2019–2026 truck, ReadyLIFT lists 1.5- and 1.75-inch kits with room for a 35-inch tire. For 37s, look at the 4.5- and 6-inch kits.

Leveling kit, lift kit or ride upgrade: what each one does

A coil spring Ram 2500 typically sits lower in front than in back from the factory, which leaves room for the rear to squat with a trailer or a load. There are three ways to change that. Our leveling kit vs lift kit guide covers the basics.

Leveling kit. Front coil spacers or taller front coil springs raise the front 1.5 to 1.75 inches. ReadyLIFT says its coil spring kits ride better than spacers.
Lift kit. 2.5 to 6 inches, with new springs or spacers front and rear (blocks on leaf spring trucks), plus drop brackets, track bar brackets, a dropped pitman arm and, on some 2019–2024 kits, a transmission crossmember and transfer case clocking ring.
Ride and steering upgrades. ICON's higher stages step up the shocks at the same height; its shock pairs and Ultimate Front End Kits are about damping and steering.

Option	Front lift (as listed)	What changes	Where it fits
Front leveling kit	1.5–1.75 in	Coil spacers or front coil springs	Level stance, up to 35 in tires
SST spacer lift	3 or 4.5 in front, 1–2.5 in rear	Coil spacers, rear spacers or blocks	Keeping factory springs
ICON 2.5 in system	2.5 in	Dual rate coils and ICON shocks; most stages add an adjustable track bar	Ride quality with a level stance
4.5 in system	4.5 in	Springs, brackets, shocks	35s to 37s, depending on the kit
6 in kit	6 in front, 3.5–4 in rear	Springs, radius arm drops, pitman arm	37-inch tires

Ram 2500 lift kits by generation

Starting with the 2014 model year, the Ram 2500 switched from rear leaf springs to rear coil springs, with factory rear air springs available on some trucks, while the Ram 3500 kept rear leaf springs. That fits with how ReadyLIFT lists its rear block kits: the 3500 from 2003 to 2026, but the 2500 only through 2013.

2003–2008 Ram 2500 and 3500

ICON lists 4.5-inch Stage 1 to 5 systems for 2003–2008 Ram 2500/3500 4WD. Stage 1 includes dual rate coils, tubular steel upper and lower links, a forged pitman arm, a track bar drop bracket, rear 2.5-inch blocks with U-bolts and 2.0 Aluminum Series shocks. ICON's 2.5-inch Stage 1 to 5 systems cover 2003–2012 Ram 2500/3500 4WD, and ReadyLIFT's 3-inch front SST kits cover 2003–2013 Ram 2500 and 3500 4WD.

2009–2013 Ram 2500 (2009–2012 Ram 3500)

ICON's 4.5-inch Stage 1 to 5 systems for these years list 2009–2012 Ram 2500/3500 but, unlike ICON's other Ram HD systems, do not name a drivetrain; confirm with us. For a 2013 Ram 2500, ICON's systems stop at 2012, but its rear block kits, 4.5-inch box kit and 2009–2013 Ultimate Front End Kit list it; those parts list the 3500 only through 2012. ReadyLIFT's SST kits list both trucks through 2013.

For the rear, ICON's billet aluminum 1- and 2.5-inch block kits fit 2003–2013 Ram 2500 and 2003–2012 Ram 3500 4WD, with U-bolts sold separately. ReadyLIFT's cast iron 1- and 2-inch blocks include longer U-bolts and list 2003–2013 Ram 2500 4WD and 2003–2026 Ram 3500 4WD, single rear wheel, non-camper trucks.

2014–2018 Ram 2500

ICON's 2014–2026 systems (below) start here. ReadyLIFT's 1.75-inch leveling kit lists 2013–2018 Ram 2500/3500 4WD; ReadyLIFT says shock extensions are not compatible with this truck. Its 3-inch front, 1-inch rear SST kit lists 2014–2018 Ram 2500 4WD, and the 4.5-inch front, 2.5-inch rear SST kit is diesel only and not for Auto-Ride or Power Wagon trucks. The 6-inch kits come with Falcon 1.1, Bilstein 5125 or SST3000 shocks for 2014–2018 Ram 2500 4WD diesel short bed trucks. Rear coil spacers run from 1 to 3.5 inches.

2019–2026 Ram 2500

None of these ReadyLIFT kits list the Power Wagon as a fit. For leveling, the 1.75-inch spacer kit lists 2019–2026 Ram 2500 and 3500 4WD. The 1.5-inch coil spring kits list diesel 4WD trucks: one keeps the factory shocks and lists the 3500 too, and two 2500-only versions add Falcon 1.1 or 2.1 shocks. For lift, there are 3-inch coil spring and SST kits, a 4.5-inch front, 2.5-inch rear SST kit, 4.5-inch coil spring kits for 2019–2024 and three 6-inch kits for 2019–2024. The 3-inch SST2.1, 6-inch Falcon and 6-inch MAX3.3 kits are listed for the Standard Output Cummins only.

ICON stages, box kits and Ultimate Front End kits

ICON sells its Ram HD systems in stages. Within a lift height, each stage mainly steps up the shocks.

Stage	2003–2012, 2.5 in	2014–2026 diesel, 2.5 in	2014–2026 diesel, 4.5 in
Stage 1	2.0 internal reservoir shocks	2.0 Aluminum Series shocks, adjustable track bar	2.0 Aluminum Series shocks
Stage 2	2.0 remote reservoir shocks, adjustable track bar	2.0 remote reservoir shocks	2.5 remote reservoir shocks
Stage 3	Adds front steel upper and lower links	2.5 reservoir shocks	2.5 remote reservoir with CDC valve
Stage 4	2.5 V.S. shocks, tubular links	2.5 reservoir with CDCV	2.5 remote reservoir with CDC valve
Stage 5	2.5 shocks with CDCV	Not listed	Not listed

CDCV is ICON's Compression Damping Control valve, adjusted with a knob. The 4.5-inch Stage 3 and Stage 4 listings describe the same core parts, so ask us about the difference. On coil spring trucks, ICON also offers Performance versions of the 2014–2026 Stage 3 and Stage 4 with triple-rate rear coil springs; ICON aims them at owners who want more off-road capability without heavy towing or hauling.

Box kits. The ICON 2014–2026 Ram 2500 4.5 in Lift Box Kit centers on radius arm drop brackets, sway bar parts and rear bump stop spacers; ICON says it adds 2 inches of rear lift with the stock rear coil or air springs. The 2003–2013 box kit is a track bar drop bracket and bump stop set for trucks that already have an ICON 4.5-inch system.

Ultimate Front End Kits. Stage 1 pairs Dynatrac HD upper and lower ball joints with an ICON 2.0 Aluminum Series steering stabilizer. Stage 2 adds an adjustable front track bar. ICON says they address loose steering, inconsistent tracking and uneven tire wear. Versions cover 2009–2013 Ram 2500 and 2009–2012 Ram 3500 4WD, and 2014–2026 Ram 2500/3500 4WD.

Diesel or gas, coil springs or factory air

Diesel vs gas. Every ICON 2014–2026 Ram 2500 system is listed for diesel, and most ReadyLIFT coil spring, 4.5-inch and 6-inch kits are diesel only. Some kits, including the ReadyLIFT 1.75-inch leveling kits, 3-inch front, 1-inch rear SST kits, rear spacers and the ICON box kit, do not name an engine. For a gas truck, confirm with us first.

Coil spring vs OEM air ride. Some 2014–2026 Ram 2500s left the factory with rear air springs instead of rear coils. ICON builds "w/ OEM Air Ride" versions of its 2.5- and 4.5-inch Stage 1 to 4 systems and says they keep the factory air ride working. On the 2.5-inch versions, ICON also says the parts locate the airbags to prevent over-travel damage. For its 2.5-inch air ride systems, ICON lists the optional ICON 2014–2026 Ram 2500 2 in Rear Air Ride Sensor Linkage Kit for a rear height from stock to 2 inches over stock.

ReadyLIFT's 1.5-inch coil spring leveling kits note that air suspension trucks are leveled from the factory and would be over-lifted, and most of its 2019-and-newer lift kits are listed as not compatible with factory air or the Auto Level helper bags. Its rear spacer kit for 3- to 6-inch lifts is an add-on for its LOGIQ air spring kit, not a stand-alone lift.

Tire sizes and what to check before you order

Wheel width and offset matter as much as lift height, so read our wheel offset and backspacing guide before buying wheels.

Leveling kits. 35-inch max; the Falcon 1.5-inch kits list 35x12.50 on a 20x9 at 0 offset.
3-inch kits. 35 inches, except the 2019–2024 3-inch front, 1-inch rear SST, which lists 37 inches on a 0 offset wheel.
4.5-inch. ICON says 35s with no modifications on 2003–2012 trucks. ReadyLIFT lists up to 37 inches for its SST and 2019–2024 coil spring kits.
6-inch. 37x13.50 on 9.5-inch wide wheels for 2014–2018; 37x12.50 on 9-inch wheels at +01 to +18 offset for the MAX3.3.

The ICON 2014–2026 listings do not give a tire size, so ask us before picking tires. Before you order any kit, check:

Model and end year. Several ICON parts list the 2500 through 2013 but the 3500 only through 2012.
Engine. Diesel or gas, and on some 2019–2024 kits, the Standard Output Cummins.
Rear suspension. Coil springs or factory air.
Packages. Power Wagon, Snow Prep/Ambulance and camper packages are excluded on many kits.
Cab and bed. The 2014–2018 6-inch kits list short bed trucks, and ReadyLIFT says single cab trucks are not validated on several kits.
Extras. ICON block kits need separate U-bolts, and the ReadyLIFT 3.5-inch rear spacer requires longer rear shocks.

After the install: alignment, warranty, towing and state laws

Alignment. Plan on an alignment after any lift or level, and ReadyLIFT recommends a headlamp aim check too. An adjustable track bar lets the shop center the front axle.
Factory warranty. A lift generally should not void the whole factory warranty, but a dealer may deny a claim on a part it believes the lift affected. Ask your dealer before you install and keep your receipts.
Towing and payload. A lift does not raise your factory ratings. ReadyLIFT's 3-inch SST2.1 rear shocks have Sport, Moderate Tow/Haul and Heavy Tow/Haul settings.
State rules. Lift, bumper and headlight height rules vary by state, and ReadyLIFT notes that stacking spacers or blocks may be illegal in some states. Check your state first.

Building out the rest of the truck? See our Ram 2500 accessories guide, or the Ram 1500 lift kit guide for the half-ton.

What NVMOS carries

Our Ram HD suspension comes mainly from ICON Vehicle Dynamics and ReadyLIFT. A few places to start:

2003–2013 Ram 2500 and 3500

2014–2026 Ram 2500 4WD diesel (ICON)

2013–2018 Ram 2500 (ReadyLIFT)

2019–2026 Ram 2500 (ReadyLIFT)

Browse by category: RAM 2500/3500, Leveling Kits, 2.5 in Lift Kits, 3–3.5 in Lift Kits, 4–5 in Lift Kits, 5.5 in and up Lift Kits, Steering Stabilizers and all Lift Kits. You can also shop by vehicle, check current lead times and read our vendor warranty policies.

Shop Ram 2500/3500 parts →

Shop lift kits →

Frequently asked questions

What size lift do I need for 35-inch tires on a Ram 2500?

It depends on the year. ReadyLIFT lists up to a 35-inch tire for its leveling kits on 2013–2026 trucks and its 3-inch SST kits on 2003–2018 trucks. ICON says its 4.5-inch systems for 2003–2012 trucks fit 35s with no modifications. Check the listed wheel width and offset too.

Do the ICON 2014–2026 Ram 2500 systems fit a Ram 3500?

Not as listed. ICON lists its 2014–2026 2.5- and 4.5-inch systems for the Ram 2500 4WD diesel only. Among the ICON parts in this guide, only the Ultimate Front End Kits list the 2014–2026 Ram 3500. ICON's 2003–2012 systems list both trucks.

Can I lift a Ram 2500 with factory rear air suspension?

Yes, with the right kit. ICON sells its 2014–2026 Ram 2500 4WD diesel systems in OEM air ride versions that ICON says keep the factory air ride working. Most ReadyLIFT lift kits for these trucks are listed as not compatible with factory air.

Are there lift kits for a gas Ram 2500?

Fewer than for the diesel. The ICON 2014–2026 systems and most ReadyLIFT spring kits are diesel only. Some spacer kits, such as the ReadyLIFT 1.75-inch leveling kits, do not name an engine. Call us to confirm before ordering for a gas truck.

Will a leveling kit change my towing or payload ratings?

No. A leveling kit or lift does not raise your factory ratings. Leveling the front takes away some of the room the truck had for rear squat, which is why some owners add a rear spacer.

What is the ICON Ultimate Front End Kit?

A steering upgrade, not a lift. Stage 1 includes Dynatrac HD upper and lower ball joints and an ICON 2.0 Aluminum Series steering stabilizer. Stage 2 adds an adjustable front track bar.

Do I need an alignment after lifting a Ram 2500?

Yes, plan on one. Any change in ride height changes the front end geometry, and ReadyLIFT recommends an alignment and headlamp aim check after installing several of its kits. Have it done right after the install.

Not sure what fits your truck? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.

October 13, 2026 — NVMOS

Tags: Buying Guide Diesel ICON Vehicle Dynamics Leveling Kits Lift Kits Ram 2500 Ram 3500 ReadyLIFT Suspension

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Ram 2500 Lift Kits and Leveling Kits: A Buying Guide by Year