First, where can it go?
Most national forest OHV trails in the Ozarks are for ATVs, UTVs and bikes. Full-size trucks go to private ORV parks, St. Joe's tailings area and forest roads open to them on the MVUM. See where to ride.
Lift geometry
On a solid-axle Ram, lifting moves the front axle: the track bar pulls it off center, and the control arms change caster. Suspension makers recommend an adjustable track bar and longer or adjustable arms to put it back. Dodge Off Road sells suspension kits by generation, such as the 2nd gen 3-inch long arm kit, the 3rd gen 3-inch kit, the 4th gen 3-inch kit and the 3rd/4th gen 6-inch kit.
Long arms
Long arms change angles less through the suspension's travel. See long arms: 2nd gen double adjustable, 2nd gen extreme, 3rd/4th gen double adjustable and 5th gen.
Steering and track bars
Bigger tires and rocks add steering load. See the steering and track bar page.
Rear: air bags and traction bars
Air bags help level a truck carrying gear or towing the trailer to the park. Air Lift and NHTSA guidance both say they do not raise load ratings. Dodge Off Road makes 2nd gen and 3rd/4th gen air bag kits, 2nd gen and 3rd/4th gen traction bars, and rear lift shackles.
Tires and gearing
Taller tires make the speedometer read slow and lower effective gearing. Plan to recalibrate.
Recovery points and gear
Rated front and rear recovery points, plus the kit on the recovery gear page.
Plan the lift
For lift planning by Ram generation, see our sister site Dodge Ram Suspension, and Dodge Off Road's install guides.
Where this comes from
- Carli Suspension: 1994-1998 Dodge extended control arms
- Thuren Fabrication: 1994-2002 2500/3500, building your suspension
- BDS Suspension: Radius arm vs 4-link
- Torque King IDN-121: 1994-2013 Dodge Ram 5-link coil spring identification
- Air Lift: User guide AD-938 (air springs do not increase load capacity, PDF)
- NHTSA interpretation 8079: GVWR and vehicle alterations
- Offroaders.com: Tires, gears, MPH and RPM
- HowStuffWorks: Speedometer calibration
- 4WD Council: Guidelines for safe use of vehicle recovery straps (PDF)
Last reviewed 2026-10-19. General information only: the official site and posted rules always come first.