Last updated: September 2026 Written by the LiftKitGuide Team, truck suspension installers and editors
A 2017 Ram 1500 lift kit runs from a 2-inch leveling kit for $60 to $300 up to a 6-inch knuckle kit for $1,100 to $3,500. Rough Country’s 6-inch kit for 2012-2018 Ram 1500 4WD lists at $1,099.95 and fits 37-inch tires on 20-inch wheels, but it excludes V6, air suspension and Warlock trucks.
Key takeaways
- The 2009-2018 Ram 1500 4WD uses independent front suspension with coilovers and a five-link coil spring rear, so lifts replace knuckles, struts and rear springs.
- Rough Country’s 6-inch kit fits 2012-2018 Ram 1500 4WD and 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic, and needs 20-inch or larger wheels, per the manufacturer.
- Trucks with four-corner air suspension, the 3.6L V6, or the factory-lifted Warlock are excluded from most 6-inch kits.
- A 2 to 2.5 inch level fits 33-inch tires, a 4-inch lift fits 35s, and a 6-inch lift fits 35s to 37s.
- Budget $100 to $200 for an alignment after any lift.
On this page
This page covers which 2017 trucks fit which kits, tire sizes, brands, cost and the install. The same parts fit 2012 through 2018 4WD trucks, since the suspension did not change.
Which 2017 Ram 1500 trucks can take a lift kit?
Most 2017 Ram 1500 4WD trucks with coil springs and the 5.7L HEMI or 3.0L EcoDiesel can take a lift kit. The main exclusions are trucks with the factory four-corner air suspension, found on many Laramie Longhorn, Limited and Rebel trucks, and V6 trucks on some kits.
Check for air suspension before you order. Trucks with it have a ride height switch on the dash and air springs instead of rear coils. A 2017 Ram 1500 leveling kit or lift kit built for coil trucks will not work on them, so they need air suspension lift modules or a full coil conversion.
Is the 2017 the same as the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic?
Yes, for lift kit purposes. The 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic is the older 2009-2018 truck sold alongside the new model, so kits for 2017 trucks usually fit the Classic too. The redesigned 2019 and newer Ram 1500 needs different kits.
What size tires fit a lifted 2017 Ram 1500?
A 2017 Ram 1500 with a 6-inch lift fits 35×12.50R20 or 37×12.50R20 tires on 20-inch or larger wheels. Rough Country’s 6-inch kit notes say it does not fit 18-inch or smaller wheels. Stock tires on most 2017 trucks measure about 31 to 32 inches.
| Lift | Typical parts | Realistic max tire | Parts price | Shop labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-2.5 in. level | Strut spacers | 33 in. | $60-$300 | 2-3 hrs |
| 4 in. | Knuckles or spacers, crossmember, rear coils | 35 in. | $900-$2,500 | 6-10 hrs |
| 6 in. | Knuckles, crossmembers, diff drop, rear coils | 35-37 in. | $1,100-$3,500 | 8-12 hrs |
Thirty-seven inch tires are heavy on a half-ton. Factory 3.21 or 3.55 gears feel slow with them, and a regear to 4.10 costs $2,000 to $3,000.
Which lift kits are worth buying for a 2017 Ram 1500?
The right kit depends on budget and tire size. Prices are typical 2026 street prices.
| Kit | Lift height | Price range | What’s included | Best for | Not good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strut spacer level | 2-2.5 in. | $60-$300 | Front spacers | 33s on a budget | Bigger tires |
| Rough Country 6 in. | 6 in. | $1,100-$1,800 | Knuckles, crossmembers, dual-rate rear coils, shocks | 35s and 37s on 20s | Air suspension, V6, Warlock |
| BDS 4-6 in. | 4-6 in. | $2,000-$3,500 | Knuckles, crossmembers, coils, Fox or NX2 shocks | Long-term daily drivers | Tight budgets |
| ReadyLIFT 4 in. | 4 in. | $1,200-$2,000 | Knuckles, spacers, rear coils | 35s with a factory-like look | 37s |
For a daily driver, a 2 to 2.5 inch level is the better choice because it costs under $500 installed, fits 33s, and keeps CV axle angles close to stock. Read leveling kit vs lift kit if you are torn.
How much does a 2017 Ram 1500 lift kit cost installed?
A leveling kit costs $250 to $600 installed, and a 6-inch lift costs $2,300 to $5,500 installed, before wheels and tires. Labor runs 6 to 12 hours for a knuckle lift at $100 to $175 per hour, based on typical US shop labor rates in 2026. See our suspension lift kit installation cost guide for how shops quote this work. If you want extra tire room without touching the suspension, our body lift vs suspension lift guide explains the other route.
How do you install a 6-inch lift on a 2017 Ram 1500?
A 6-inch knuckle lift on a 2017 Ram 1500 4WD takes two people one long day. Follow the kit’s instructions and torque chart.
- Measure ride height and soak suspension bolts with penetrating oil.
- Raise the truck, support it on jack stands under the frame, and remove the wheels.
- Remove the front struts, sway bar links, tie rod ends, brake calipers and CV axle nuts.
- Remove the factory knuckles and the front differential.
- Install the new crossmembers and drop the differential into its new brackets.
- Install the new knuckles and struts, then reconnect the CV axles, tie rods and brakes.
- In the rear, support the axle and swap in the new coil springs and shocks.
- Check brake lines at full droop, torque everything at ride height, and get an alignment the same day.
Safety note: This lift touches brakes, steering and suspension load. If you are unsure about torquing axle nuts and ball joints, use a shop.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 6 inch lift fit a 2017 Ram 1500 with air suspension?
No. Rough Country’s 6-inch kit for the 2012-2018 Ram 1500 excludes trucks with four-corner air suspension, which was common on Laramie Longhorn, Limited and Rebel trucks. Air suspension trucks need air lift modules or a full coil spring conversion before a standard kit will fit.
What size tires fit a 2017 Ram 1500 with a 2 inch level?
33-inch tires fit. A 2 to 2.5 inch leveling kit on a 2017 Ram 1500 4WD clears 275/65R20 or 285/60R20 tires, about 33 inches tall, with factory or similar-offset wheels. Wider wheels with negative offset can rub the front plastic at full lock.
Will lift kits for a 2017 Ram 1500 fit a 2019?
It depends on the model. Kits for the 2017 Ram 1500 fit the 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic, which is the same truck. They do not fit the redesigned 2019 and newer Ram 1500, which has different suspension and frame mounts.
Can I keep factory wheels with a 6 inch Ram 1500 lift?
No, if they are 18-inch or smaller. Rough Country’s 6-inch kit requires 20-inch or larger wheels because the new knuckle places the brakes and tie rods closer to the wheel barrel. Most factory 20-inch wheels fit but look tucked with 35s.
Does lifting a 2017 Ram 1500 hurt gas mileage?
Yes, usually by 1 to 3 mpg. Bigger tires add weight and rolling resistance, and a taller truck catches more wind. A 6-inch lift on 37s with factory gears hurts the most. Keeping tires at 33 to 35 inches and regearing for 37s limits the loss.
The bottom line
The right 2017 Ram 1500 lift kit for most owners is a 2-inch level on 33s, or a 6-inch knuckle kit on 35s if you want the lifted look. Check for air suspension first and get a same-day alignment either way.
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