Any way to lower a '14 Ram 3500?

[Mike_E_]

Hi there,

Well, we just took possession of a townhouse and would't ya' know it....our '14 Ram 3500 is about an inch too tall to get into the garage 😞

I do remember when test driving it I asked the salesman why the newer trucks are so flipping tall? He told me that because a lot of folks want to put 35's on their trucks they decided to build them with that capability from the factory.

So......wondering if there is any way for me to lower my truck?
And no, I don't want to "slam" it down, just hoping to get it into my new garage.

Cheers,

Mike.
And just a note: it is a sellers market here where I live, so you pretty much have to act immediately if you want to buy a place, so when I eyeballed the garage it looked like it was OK.
So close.....

[1stgenfarmboy]

wouldn't it be a more practical option to raise the door header a little ? ?

so you can keep your truck like it should be,

[Mike_E_]

mkirsch wrote:
Why can't you park in the driveway?

I've never understood this whole "gotta fit in the garage" thing. Is it driven by the HOA or something? If so, consider moving.

The driveway unfortunately is too short. 😞
There is street parking right behind us, so once all of my 'move-in projects' are complete I'm going to scout it out.

[mkirsch]

Why can't you park in the driveway?

I've never understood this whole "gotta fit in the garage" thing. Is it driven by the HOA or something? If so, consider moving.

[bucky]

Mega cab wasn't available in the 05 and earlier model years. Headlights changed in 2006.

[FishOnOne]

Grit dog wrote:

sch911 wrote:
Sure they did on Velocity Network - Bitchin Rides

Yeah! Slammed duallies just have something about them that's cool!

That thing looks like a joke... I'm surprised its not the mega cab!

[Mike_E_]

Well, after having a good look at things today after I finished my marathon of interior painting it looks like even if I could get the truck in height-wise there wouldn't be much room to get by it.
We had my wife's CRV in there and it was a bit of a squeeze to get around, so the beast would be even squishier.
It's a long garage made for two cars to fit in one behind the other, so the far end is going to be my workshop and storage area once I build some shelves....tomorrow's activity.
So, if it's too hard to make it to that area I'd just more and more ticked off with myself as time goes by.

Looks like I'll be looking for some storage somewhere or have a look around the neighbourhood for some street parking.

Ahhhh, the joys of down-sizing 🙂

Mike

[alboy]

PUT some weight in the box should drop a inch or more.

[Grit_dog]

Mike E. wrote:
"OP......
What is the exact truck model? (other then '14 Ram 3500) "

It's 4X4 SXT (ST with a few goodies) short box.

And the lowest point of my garage opening is 78".

Well if it's a ST then it already has 17" wheels I think. You could downsize the tires to get you about an inch or so.
No easy way to lower the front. If the rear has a spacer block, remove it or can remove the main leaf (reduces capacity though).
78" seems low for a standard 7' garage door opening. Anything you can do about that?
What's in the way at the low point?

[Grit_dog]

sch911 wrote:
Sure they did on Velocity Network - Bitchin Rides

Yeah! Slammed duallies just have something about them that's cool!

[Mike_E_]

"OP......
What is the exact truck model? (other then '14 Ram 3500) "

It's 4X4 SXT (ST with a few goodies) short box.

And the lowest point of my garage opening is 78".

[sch911]

Sure they did on Velocity Network - Bitchin Rides

[goducks10]

Tyler0215 wrote:
Salesmen are great at making stuff up if they don't know. There is no practical reason trucks are getting higher.
Trucks are getting higher because people want a TRUCK.

I'm guessing they're getting higher so they can have higher payloads. Seems like it might be hard to get the springs dialed in for a heavy load and still keep the rear lower. Deeper beds don't help.

[jus2shy]

Trucks have gotten taller because of beefier frames, taller engine packaging, and taller cab requirements to keep people happy. The tire spaces are also a bit bigger because most trucks already come with 33" or 34" tires from the factory (275/70R18's or 275/65R20's respectively). You need those bigger tires to meet those bigger payload numbers they love to market.

And as for lowering, generally speaking an inch won't do much harm, especially since you have a solid front axle on your Ram. Only things you will most likely need is an adjustable track bar, someone to fab shorter springs, and possibly a shock with a shorter stroke length to match (maybe, but I don't think it's needed for an inch). Are you sure your truck is an inch too tall? I have a pretty low garage and can get my truck in my home. The only thing that hits is the antennae. My problem is that my garage is just too shallow.

[OldSmokey]

Mike E. wrote:
Hi there,

Well, we just took possession of a townhouse and would't ya' know it....our '14 Ram 3500 is about an inch too tall to get into the garage 😞

I do remember when test driving it I asked the salesman why the newer trucks are so flipping tall? He told me that because a lot of folks want to put 35's on their trucks they decided to build them with that capability from the factory.

So......wondering if there is any way for me to lower my truck?
And no, I don't want to "slam" it down, just hoping to get it into my new garage.

Cheers,

Mike.
And just a note: it is a sellers market here where I live, so you pretty much have to act immediately if you want to buy a place, so when I eyeballed the garage it looked like it was OK.
So close.....

I replaced the coil springs front an rear on my 2500 with airbags and some better shocks. now I can raise or lower to my hearts content..