Dodge owners are a tough crowd, just like the trucks they drive. They want options, particularly when it comes to improving their trucks for the things they like to do. Half-ton RAM owners seem to have been forgotten by some manufacturers when it comes to manufacturing a healthy lift kit. Skyjacker is here to change that with their new Skyjacker 6'' 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD lift kit designed for half-ton 1500 series RAM pickups.
The system includes dropped center cross members to lower the control arms, front drive axle assembly and torsion bars along with new spindles (steering arms) which together increases the ride height and suspension travel while providing the owner with the option to install larger tires which enhances the increase in ground clearance that off roaders demand. The kit also includes new rear leaf springs along with Skyjacker shocks, longer links and all the necessary hardware. You'll even find a trick skid plate included to protect your front suspension when taking that Dodge out into areas you couldn't before.
Of course this isn't something that most of you will try in your driveway, though it wouldn't be impossible to achieve. Skyjacker recommends the services of a good installation facility familiar with how to properly install a full suspension lift kit such as this six-inch system. In the following steps we will show briefly some of the major steps that the Skyjacker staff and Mike at Rhino Linings of Delaware, performed on this 2003 Dodge RAM so you can get a good idea of exactly what the kit consists of and the type of modifications that made to give the Dodge a much taller stance, not to mention making it look really cool!
SKYJACKERŪ
Skyjacker Suspensions
P. O. Box 1678
West Monroe, LA 71294-1678
Phone: (318) 388-0816
FAX: (318) 388-2608
Thanks To:
Rhino Linings of Delaware
841 Old Baltimore Pike
Newark, DE 19702
302-368-4660
 Here is the meat and potatoes of the Skyjacker Dodge 1500 4WD lift system which includes new brackets, cross members, lift spindles, rear leaf springs, end links and all necessary hardware to get the job done. |  First thing to do with any suspension modifications is to secure the vehicle on a quality lift so that the following work can be done safely. |  Disassembly of the front suspension is the first step starting with removal of the sway bar end links along with the factory shocks. |
 |  The upper ball joint is loosened, but not removed. Never remove the upper ball joint nut until you are ready to remove the spindle and brake assembly. |  The tie rod ends must be removed from the steering arm knuckle. |
 With all hardware removed or loosened, the upper control arm is lifted off the factory spindle so the spindle assembly can be removed from the suspension. |  Here is a side-by-side comparison of the Skyjacker spindle on the left and the factory spindle assembly on the right. The hub assembly and brake rotor will be removed from the factory spindle and installed into the new Skyjacker spindle which aids in the six inch suspension lift. |  The lower control arms must be removed from the stock cross member so that a new dropped cross member can be installed. |
 |  An integral part of this system are the dropped control arm cross members that Skyjacker engineered as part of the total suspension lift package. The front and rear cross members attach to the factory cross members using the factory control arm mounting locations. |  Not only are the suspension components dropped via the new cross members, but the front differential must be removed in order for the supplied differential drop brackets can be install which moves the axle assembly down along with the suspension to retain the correct suspension geometry. |
 Here we see the Skyjacker staff reinstalling the front differential and drop down brackets. |  With the differential installed, the rear control arm drop down cross member is installed. This shot gives you a good look at the meat of the front suspension lift. |  Along with new front cross members, the kit includes a new torsion bar cross member that replaces the factory version to bring the torsions down back into factory alignment with the front suspension. |
 A new, longer bump stop relocation tube is installed along with a new urethane bump stop. The Skyjacker shocks are also installed at this point. |  Next comes the installation of the hub and spindle assembly. |  Here is a good look at the front suspension fit with the Skyjacker lift spindle, extended sway bar end links and shocks. |
 To finalize the front end work, the tie rod is attached to the spindle, followed by checking all hardware to make sure they are torqued to specification. |  To add strength as well as off road protection, Skyjacker included this trick skid plate assembly with the kit. |  A view from the rear forward shows the drop down control arm cross members and how they lower the front suspension down, which equates to lifting the truck up. Final touches in this area are to install the torsion bars. |
 Addressing the suspension modifications in the rear is much easier. The system requires the exchange of the leaf spring packs to raise the back of the truck up to match the front. |  First items to be removed are the factory shocks which will be replaced with new Skyjacker versions. |  With some help to support the leaf spring pack, the u-bolts are removed and the eye bolts for the front hanger and rear shackle are unbolted in order to remove the leaf springs. |
 The new Skyjacker leaf spring pack is designed to provide the necessary increase in vehicle height without sacrificing ride quality. |  The new leaf spring pack installed directly in place of the stock assembly using the provided new u-bolts and hardware. |  With the longer Skyjacker shocks installed, here we see the completed rear suspension lift assembly which means, this truck is just about ready to take out to the local dirt trails to be put to the test. |
 |  Here is a shot of the finished truck with a new set of wheels and tires added onto it. |  On the trail, the Ram performed with greater agility making use of the larger tires, increased ride height and improved suspension travel. |
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