Dodge W200 4x4 Lift Kit Install

We started the suspension install (one end at a time), removing the front tires and setting the frame on jackstands, unloading the suspension and hanging the axle......

......The U-bolts were loosened, and the bolts in the front spring hangers were removed. Lifting a solid axle leaf-sprung old Dodge is the same as it is for an old Chevy.....

.....Rancho sent us a pair of 4-inch replacement front leaves and new U-bolts to secure the front axle to the suspension. U-bolts are supposed to be a one-time-use product, so try to replace the U-bolts every time you remove the axle or swap springs.

Once we had the new Rancho leaves in, we noticed that the severely short front factory shackles were limiting the travel.
A pair of Offroad Design shackles were a little longer and much more heavy duty, ensuring we'd have more travel and never bend another shackle.
Remember that when using longer shackles, you'll lift your truck about half the length difference of the old shackle compared to the new shackle (in other words, a 2-inch longer shackle will give you a 1-inch lift).

The rear of our Dodge already had a factory block, and we did not order new rear leaf springs (dumb idea), so we opted for a simple add-a-leaf to get an extra couple inches out of the rear to level it out with the front 4-inch lift. We've had good luck in the past with putting add-a-leafs in newer truck spring packs so we didn't think it'd be a big deal. Big mistake! These rough rider rear leaves that came on the back of old Dodges are already terrible, and adding the extra leaf made it even worse! Either replace the rear leaf spring of your Dodge, or ditch the factory block for a longer block.

We used Rancho 9000X shocks in the front and rear so we could someday add the Rancho in-cab shock controller. They helped with the ride in the front and the adjustability is nice, but that rear leaf setup was so awful that it wouldn't have mattered what shocks we had on the back.

Now that the truck was back on its supporting suspension, we started on the shocks. From being friendly with old Dodge guys, we learned that the Rancho Chevy triple shock hoop can be used fairly easily on the old Dodges......

......Once you trim the bracket a little and remove the rearmost shock tabs, it makes a great dual shock bracket for the Dodges......

......Rancho doesn't really have a shock application for a Chevy triple shock hoop on a Dodge, so you'll have to do some measuring and order yourself the correct length shocks. We got some 9-inch travel RS9000Xs in with our 4-inch lift.

While ordering up the Rancho suspension, we opted to make our Dodge a little easier to drive on the highway with a Rancho universal steering stabilizer kit. It comes with the shock and the brackets needed to clamp around the axle and the tie rod.

Rancho also had some stainless braided brake lines available, and it's always a good idea to replace your old rubber brake lines whether your truck is old or new.

To deal with the added height, we corrected the steering using a simple steering arm block. These sell at your local 4x4 shop for around $50 and come with longer studs to screw into the axle knuckle, but we wouldn't do it this way again on our own truck. Instead we'd buy a replacement steering arm meant for a 4-inch lift. A replacement steering arm is only a few bucks more, and it's definitely a better way to go.

How Did It Go?
Well, it's as stiff as a brick! We learned quickly to have our seatbelts on over even the smallest of bumps, or else we'd almost snap our necks on the ceiling of the cab. It actually wasn't too bad off-road, but the factory leaves combined with the add-a-leafs barely let the rear suspension move at all. In fact, we think the 35-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers flexed more than the rear end did. Even still, this truck turned out awesome, and we'll probably end up replacing the rear leaf springs at a later time.