Keep it simple. It's a phrase we've all heard countless times. Though not as often as we'd like, every now and then there's a new product that actually lets you do just that. Tuff Country, a staple in the off-road industry known for its wide range of heavy-duty lift kits, introduced a radius-arm conversion for the '03-'08 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4 that is about as user-friendly as they come. Designed to work with lift heights ranging from 0 to 6 inches, the kit is completely bolt-on and made with lower adjustment sleeves so you can fine-tune your Ram's caster without ever having to unbolt the arms.
We headed to Off Road Unlimited to install the new Tuff Country conversion along with one of the company's 6-inch E-Z Ride lift kits. ORU was the perfect place to take our massive 3/4-ton, as years of experience with everything from its legendary GM solid-axle conversions to its full line of aftermarket parts made installing the lift kit a breeze. Using a hydraulic vehicle lift and power tools will generally make your life easier and the install go faster, but a home install is feasible and, with the proper tools, can be knocked out in a weekend with time to spare.
Xtreme Traction
More lift means more room for our 37x12.50 Pro Comp Xtreme Mud Terrains. Wrapped around 17x8 Pro Comp Xtreme Alloys, the new tire-and-wheel package made the truck look good and perform great. Built with a beefy tread stagger, the tires stayed quiet on the highway and did a great job churning through the desert dirt and rocks.
1. In order for the new Tuff...
1. In order for the new Tuff Country radius control arms to fit in place, the original control-arm brackets need to be removed. We found the cutting torch to be a clean and effective tool for cutting, but a Sawzall or cutting wheel can also do the trick. Then, with the transmission crossmember supported, install the control-arm brackets and shims using the four holes found on each side of the crossmember. The radius-arm conversion only requires the drilling of two additional holes per side.
2. To help increase articulation...
2. To help increase articulation and soak up vibration, each control arm is fitted with greaseable flex joints at the top, while bushings are used at the axle. One feature that will make life easier when it comes time to adjust the caster is the built-in adjustment sleeve at the bottom of the arm. This design allows you to change the length of the lower arm without disconnecting it from the truck
3. The Tuff Country E-Z Ride...
3. The Tuff Country E-Z Ride coils provided the Mega Cab with 6 inches of lift up front, while a set of sway-bar drop brackets is used to address the newfound height. Though the factory brake lines are plenty long, we suggest upgrading to a set of steel braided lines if you plan on spending serious time off road.
4. Controlling the side-to-side...
4. Controlling the side-to-side movement of the 3/4-ton is a beefy track-bar bracket made to work with the factory track bar. And to make sure that it's a bumpsteer-free drive, a drop pitman arm is used to put the frontend geometry back in check.
5. A mild lift block secured...
5. A mild lift block secured by new U-bolts is used to achieve rear lift. A block retains the factory spring rate and payload, keeping the 3/4-ton the workhorse that it was meant to be. Also included in the kit are four Tuff Country E-Z Ride shocks used to keep the ride smooth when the terrain gets rough.
Tuff Arms
Installing a lift kit should always be a fun and good learning experience. With all the triple bypass shocks, crazy multilink suspensions, and over-the-top lift-kit pricing, it's nice to see a simple yet effective suspension system that almost any wheeling enthusiast can install. Made for the weekend wheeler and the guy that needs to keep his truck the workhorse it was intended to be, Tuff Country's new radius-arm conversion accompanied with the company's 6-inch E-Z Ride lift is a great way to convert your 3/4- or 1-ton Dodge into more than just an everyday pavement pounder.