2021 Ram 3500

The 2021 RAM 3500 is a hard-hitty, heavy-duty pickup truck. A max towing capacity of 37,100 lbs, payload capacity of up to 7680 lbs make this iteration one heck of a one-ton truck. Best towing is achieved with the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel I6, producing 420 horsepower and 1075 lb-ft of torque. All of this is routed through a heavy-duty AISIN AS69RC 6-speed automatic transmission. In terms of max payload, this comes with Ram 3500s equipped with the 6.4L HEMI V8 gas engine, pushing 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque through a TorqueFlite 8HP75 8-speed automatic.

Leveling the Front

From the factory, 2021 Ram 3500 pickup trucks have a factory rear bias, meaning the back of the truck is actually lifted higher than the front. When unloaded, this 2.5" difference in height is immediately obvious and many owners find this look distasteful. Eliminating the factory rake can be done with an aftermarket leveling kit.

• Available in 2.5" or 3" heights
• Basic kits utilizable simple coil spring spacers
• Complete kits include spacers and new shock absorbers
• Eliminate factory rake

Leveling kits that use just the spacers are the fastest and least expensive to install, however owners may notice an increase in ride harshness and accelerated front shock wear as now they are operating out of their intended range. Kits that feature both the leveling spacers and new shocks are of course more expensive, but make up for that fact due to the better ride.

Big Rig Lift

Lifting a 2021 RAM 3500 with a lift kit is all about gaining ground clearance and the super aggressive look that comes with it. Further, lifting your truck will let you stick bigger tires on it, further helping off-road ability. Entry level lift kits offer 1-2" of lift and will fit a 33" tire. This type of lift would be considered mild and intended for mainly street and mild trail duty. These smaller lifts can be accomplished by using spacers, which will increase ground clearance but not suspension travel. The next level up is a 3-5" lift. At the upper 5" limit of this range, kits will be comprised of spacers and blocks, new shocks and revised steering components and cross member braces. A 35" tire will fit quite comfortably without chance of rubbing. Finally, for those that want their Ram 3500 to tower over the road, a 6-8" lift will achieve exactly this. Be warned, however, these massive lift kits are not for the faint of heart. Due to such a huge lift, both steering components and drive line require drop brackets in order to retain proper geometric alignment. New springs up front and lift blocks in the rear will provide the gain in height, and specialty shock absorbers (which aren't always included) are needed in order to work with this new vehicle height. Expect massive ground clearance, big suspension travel and the ability to fit a 37" tire in the fender well.

Big Rig Look

Brush guards and grille guards serve two purposes: first, they look absolutely menacing on the front of a 2021 Ram 3500. Second, they provide functional protection to the front grille and head lights. Made of high-strength tubular steel, brush/grille guards feature two vertical stanchions that act as a bull bar on either side of the front grille. Extending over each main headlight is another protective tubular steel guard and finally, the same over the grille. All of this tubular steel protects the entire front end from collision damage with on-road debris or animals. Further, depending on the manufacturer, many brush guards incorporate a winch mount and auxiliary lighting brackets. In terms of construction, guards made with T304 or T409 stainless steel will be the most durable in terms of rust and corrosion resistance. However, they are the hardest on the wallet. An economical second option is a brush guard made from mild steel that features a baked on paint. Typically sealing a mild steel bar is powder coat paint, which is durable and effective for exterior grade components.