Best Shocks & Lift Options for the Ram 1500 (Mesa, AZ)
The Ram 1500 is one of the smoothest-riding half-tons on the road, and a big reason for that is its coil-spring rear end — a setup almost no other truck in its class uses. That same design is exactly why lifting a Ram 1500 the right way matters. We install and align these every week here in the East Valley, and this guide walks you through what actually works, tier by tier, without the guesswork.
Why Get It Installed at Underdog?
- 400+ Five-Star Google Reviews
- 38+ Years of Off-Road Experience
- Authorized ICON, FOX, Bilstein, OME & King Installer
- No Spacer Lifts — Ever
- Alignment Included on Every Install
What’s Specific About the Ram 1500
Most half-ton pickups run leaf springs out back. The Ram 1500 doesn’t. Since the 2009 redesign, and continuing through the current DT-generation trucks (2019 and up), Ram has used a five-link coil-spring rear suspension. Up front, it’s an independent setup with upper and lower control arms and coil springs. That combination is what gives the 1500 its car-like ride — and it also changes how you approach a lift compared to a Tacoma, an F-150, or a Silverado.
The coil rear is a gift — treat it right
Because the rear rides on coils, you get a naturally supple ride and easy, predictable lift options. But the rear is located by a track bar and control links, so once you add height you want components that keep that geometry in check rather than just jacking the truck up and calling it done.
Watch for factory air suspension
Many Ram 1500s — especially Laramie, Longhorn, Limited and some Rebel trucks — came with optional four-corner air ride. Air-equipped trucks need different parts than coil trucks, and not every kit on the market is air-compatible. This is the single biggest thing we check before quoting a Ram 1500. Give us your trim or VIN and we’ll confirm exactly what fits.
Upper control arms after a bigger front lift
On the independent front end, small levels are usually fine on the factory arms. Once you push front lift height up, ball-joint and alignment angles get steep — that’s when aftermarket upper control arms earn their keep, restoring proper geometry and letting us dial in a clean alignment. We’ll tell you honestly whether your build needs them.
Rebel and TRX are their own thing
The off-road Rebel already sits a bit taller with a mild factory bump, and the TRX runs a purpose-built Bilstein remote-reservoir setup from the factory. Both can still be upgraded, but the right path looks different than a standard 1500 — worth a conversation before you buy parts.
Ram 1500 Shock & Lift Options by Tier
Here’s how we generally group the setups we install on coil-sprung Ram 1500s, from a simple level to a full desert-ready build. We list tiers, not prices — the right pick depends on your trim, tire goal, and how you actually use the truck. Air-suspension trucks are quoted separately.
| Setup | Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bilstein 5100 Leveling Shocks | Entry | Clearing the factory rake and fitting a modest larger tire on a daily driver. |
| OME Nitrocharger Sport + Coils | Value | Owners who want improved control and a mild lift with a proven, comfortable spring. |
| Bilstein 6112 / 5160 | Mid | A balanced front coilover + rear shock combo with adjustable front height. |
| Fox 2.0 IFP Kit | Mid | Noticeably better damping on washboard and dirt roads without going overboard. |
| Fox 2.5 Performance Series (DSC) | Overland | Loaded rigs and higher-speed dirt where you want adjustability and reservoir cooling. |
| ICON 2.5 VS Stage Kit | Overland | A matched, tunable system for owners building a serious all-around Ram. |
| King 2.5 Remote Reservoir | Premium | Desert running and sustained heat — top-shelf damping and rebuildable. |
| ICON 2.5 w/ CDCV | Premium | The most refined ride-and-control package with compression adjustability. |
| Aftermarket Upper Control Arms (add-on) | Mid | Correcting geometry on any build that runs a taller front lift. |
| Air-Ride Compatible Package | Premium | Trucks with factory four-corner air suspension — quoted to your specific setup. |
Our Take on Each Setup
We run these brands on our own trucks and install them across the East Valley all year. Here’s the straight talk on where each one shines.
Bilstein 5100 & 6112/5160
The dependable starting point for a Ram 1500.
Full breakdown
The 5100 leveling shocks are the honest entry point — they clear the factory rake, firm up body control, and let you step up a tire size without spending big. Move to the 6112 front coilover paired with 5160 reservoir rears and you get adjustable front height plus far better heat management on long dirt roads. For a daily-driven 1500 that sees weekend trails, this is a lot of truck for the money.
Old Man Emu (OME)
Comfort-first, load-friendly, road-proven.
Full breakdown
OME’s strength is a compliant, well-sorted ride with springs tuned for how the truck is actually loaded. On a coil-sprung Ram it’s an easy fit and a great pick for owners who tow, carry gear, or just want a plush, controlled feel on and off pavement. It’s not chasing high-speed desert performance — it’s chasing everyday livability, and it nails that.
Fox 2.0 & 2.5
The dirt-road sweet spot.
Full breakdown
Fox 2.0 kits transform how the Ram handles washboard and choppy fire roads — the difference is obvious the first time you drive it. Step up to the 2.5 Performance Series with DSC adjusters and remote reservoirs and you’ve got a truck that stays composed loaded down and at speed, with fade-resistant cooling for Arizona heat. This is where a lot of our overland customers land.
ICON Vehicle Dynamics
Engineered systems, dialed as a whole.
Full breakdown
ICON builds matched systems rather than one-off parts, so the shocks, springs and geometry are designed to work together. The 2.5 VS stage kits give you a serious all-around Ram, and the CDCV option adds compression adjustability for owners who want to fine-tune ride quality. Pair it with ICON’s upper control arms on a taller build and the whole front end comes together cleanly.
King 2.5 Remote Reservoir
The desert benchmark.
Full breakdown
When the priority is high-speed desert running and sustained heat, King is the top of the pile. The 2.5 remote-reservoir shocks deliver outstanding damping, resist fade lap after lap, and are fully rebuildable and tunable so the investment lasts for years. It’s premium for a reason — if you push your Ram hard in the open desert, nothing feels quite like it.
Upper Control Arms & Air-Ride Builds
The details that make a lift right.
Full breakdown
On any Ram 1500 running a taller front lift, aftermarket upper control arms restore correct ball-joint and alignment angles so the truck drives straight and wears tires evenly. And if your truck has factory four-corner air suspension, don’t assume a standard coil kit will bolt on — we build air-compatible packages sized to your exact setup. Bring us the trim and we’ll lay out the right path.
Ram 1500 Suspension FAQ
Do I just need a level, or a full lift?
If your goal is clearing the factory rake and fitting a slightly larger tire on a daily driver, a quality leveling setup is often all you need. If you want real trail clearance, bigger tires, and better damping on rough terrain, a matched lift kit is the way. We’ll help you match the build to how you actually use the truck.
Can I lift my Ram if it has air suspension?
Often yes — but the parts and approach are different, and not every kit is air-compatible. This is why we always confirm your trim or VIN first. We’ll never sell you a kit that fights your factory air system.
Will I need upper control arms?
Small levels usually run fine on the factory arms. Taller front lifts push the geometry to a point where aftermarket UCAs restore proper angles and a clean alignment. We’ll tell you honestly whether your specific height calls for them.
Is an alignment included?
Always. Every suspension install at Underdog includes a proper alignment — it’s the only way to protect your tires and make sure the truck drives right after the work. And we never install spacer lifts. Ever.
How long does the install take?
Most Ram 1500 shock and lift installs are a same-day or next-day job depending on the kit and any add-ons like control arms. Give us a call and we’ll give you a realistic timeline and get you booked.
Which brand is best for Arizona heat?
For sustained desert heat, reservoir shocks from Fox, ICON, and King manage temperature far better than standard dampers. If you spend real time running dirt at speed in the Valley, that cooling capacity is worth it — we run these setups ourselves.
Build Your Ram 1500 the Right Way
Rated 5.0 from 400+ Google reviews. Whether you’re leveling a daily driver or building a desert rig, we’ll get you on the right setup — installed clean, aligned, and done right the first time.
Learn more about our lift kit installation in Mesa, AZ.