Ram 1500 Lift Alignment, Tires and Truck Service

A lift or leveling kit raises the front, which changes camber, toe and caster. Bigger tires usually follow. Without an alignment, the tires start wearing unevenly right away, and steering can feel vague or wander on the 15.

What we check on a lifted Ram:

1. Tie rod ends, ball joints and control arm bushings for wear
2. Before-alignment angles, printed
3. Whether the factory adjusters can reach spec at the new height
4. Tire clearance at full steering lock
5. Driveline angles for vibration at speed

If camber or caster cannot be corrected with stock parts, we show the printout at the adjuster limit and explain options. See wheel alignment.

Many Ram 1500s offer an air suspension that changes ride height. Before lifting the truck or aligning it, the system has to be placed in the correct service or alignment mode, as described in the owner's manual. Skipping that step can cause the suspension to move while the truck is on the lift, which is unsafe and ruins alignment readings.

Signs of an air suspension problem:

• The truck sits lower at one corner after parking
• The compressor runs often or for a long time
• Warning messages about ride height

We inspect for leaks and explain what we find. Our suspension, shocks and struts page covers suspension diagnosis.

Ram 1500 wheel sizes range widely by trim, and off-road trims come with all-terrain tires. The door placard lists the minimum load index and speed rating. If you tow or carry heavy payload, an LT tire with a higher load range may be a better fit.

Larger tires change the effective gearing, so acceleration and speedometer accuracy both shift.

Heavier tires and trailers put more heat into brakes. We measure pads and rotors, check fluid, and photograph the results. After a towing season or a lift with larger tires, a brake inspection is a smart step.

Before towing, we check the receiver, ball, pin, safety chain points and trailer lights. See hitch and tow package inspection.

Depending on the year, a Ram 1500 may have a V8, a V6, a turbocharged inline-six, or a diesel in some years. Some versions add a mild-hybrid system with a separate battery. We confirm which you have and use the correct oil specification.

On 4WD Rams, front and rear differentials and the transfer case need fluid checks, more often with towing or off-road use. A lift can change driveline angles and cause vibration, which we check on the road. See differential, drivetrain and 4WD.

A Ram used for towing, job sites or trail trips needs shorter intervals than one that only commutes. Towing, dusty roads, short trips and summer heat all count as severe use in most maintenance guides. Set your schedule by the hardest work the truck does, not the easiest day it has.

Rams with the mild-hybrid system carry an extra battery and a belt-driven motor generator that takes the place of a conventional alternator on those builds. We inspect that belt and the 12-volt battery at routine visits. If a job involves the mild-hybrid battery itself, we follow Ram's procedure or tell you it belongs with a dealer or specialist.

We write the next due items on your invoice, so the truck's schedule is never a guess. Our towing and hauling page covers trailer prep in more depth.

Used Rams are everywhere, and many have towed, been lifted or worked hard. A careful look at tires, suspension, driveline and records tells you more than the odometer. We check what is visible and measurable, then explain what it means for your first year of ownership.

A used Ram 1500 checklist:

• Ride height at each corner on air suspension trucks, after the truck has been parked a while
• Lift quality: known-brand parts, proper hardware, no rubbing at full steering lock
• Tire load range that suits how you plan to use the truck
• Hitch receiver wear and trailer wiring, which hint at how often it towed
• Ticking at cold start: on some V8 years, owners have traced a tick to exhaust manifold bolts or valvetrain parts. A tick needs a real diagnosis, not a guess.
• Seepage at the differentials and transfer case on 4WD trucks
• Stored codes, even with no warning light on the dash

Bring any records the seller has. A pre-purchase inspection includes photos and a road test. It is not a warranty and cannot promise that nothing will fail later. Look up open recalls with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (opens in a new tab).