BDS 4-Inch Suspension Lift Kit for 2006–2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD

BDS 4-Inch Suspension Lift Kit for 2006–2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD | McClain Auto Part

Product Highlights

The Suspension lift kits for Dodge Ram 1500 4WD is a capable platform with real off-road potential locked up under a factory suspension that limits ground clearance and tire size from the start. BDS Suspension addresses that directly with this 4-inch lift kit. The result is four inches of additional ride height, clearance for tires up to 35 inches, and a suspension system that handles properly at the new height rather than fighting the geometry changes that poorly engineered lift kits create.

At McClain Auto Part, we carry BDS lift kits because they represent the kind of engineering that we are comfortable putting our name behind. BDS has built a track record in the truck suspension market by addressing the details that matter. Steering geometry correction, differential relocation, CV angle management, and skid plate protection are all part of this kit rather than afterthoughts the installer has to figure out separately. For Ram 1500 owners who want a lift that performs as well on the highway as it does on the trail, this is the right starting point.

This kit fits 2006 through 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD trucks only. Two-wheel drive Ram 1500 trucks require a different application. Confirm your drivetrain before ordering.

What Is Included

BDS engineered this kit as a complete system. Every component addresses a specific aspect of the suspension lift without leaving the installer to source additional correction hardware separately.

Front Suspension Components

Top-mounted strut spacers provide the front lift height using the factory strut as the foundation. This approach preserves the factory strut function while achieving the target lift height without requiring complete strut replacement on a truck that may have serviceable factory units.

High-clearance crossmembers use quarter-inch thick laser-cut steel in a high-arched profile that maximizes ground clearance at the front undercarriage. The high-arched design moves material away from the terrain rather than presenting a flat surface that catches obstacles. Paired with the front skid plate system, these crossmembers bolt together to form a rigid subframe that adds meaningful undercarriage protection.

Multipiece differential relocation brackets secure the front axle at the new ride height and improve CV joint angles. CV angle management is one of the most important and most frequently overlooked aspects of a properly engineered 4WD truck lift. Poor CV angles at the new ride height produce vibration, premature CV joint wear, and driveline noise that makes the truck unpleasant to drive. BDS addresses this with purpose-built relocation brackets rather than leaving the factory differential position unchanged at the new ride height.

CNC-machined ductile iron steering knuckles correct steering geometry at the new taller ride height. Lifting a truck without addressing steering geometry produces bump steer, vague steering feel, and in some cases ESC system errors. The BDS steering knuckles are CNC machined from ductile cast iron for precision and strength. They work with the included replacement tie rod ends to maintain proper steering angles and full ESC system compatibility at the lifted height.

Supporting components include sway bar drop brackets, bump stop extensions, stainless steel braided brake lines, CV spacers, and all required hardware. The stainless steel braided brake lines are a detail worth noting specifically. Factory brake lines do not have enough length to accommodate the increased suspension travel at four inches of lift without stretching. Replacing them with longer braided lines is a safety requirement rather than an upgrade, and BDS includes them as part of the kit.

Rear Suspension Components

The rear of this kit uses heavy-duty cast steel lift blocks and longer U-bolts to achieve the rear lift height. A brake line bracket is included to maintain proper brake line positioning at the new rear ride height. The rear system is straightforward and proven on this platform.

Rear shock absorber selection is where buyers make a meaningful choice about the character of the finished build. BDS offers two options and each produces a different result on the trail and on the road.

Rear Shock Options

BDS NX2 Nitro Series

The NX2 is the standard rear shock option and the right choice for Ram 1500 owners who split their time between daily driving and occasional trail use.

The NX2 uses a twin-tube design with nitrogen charging to maintain consistent damping performance across temperature and extended use cycles. Ten-stage velocity-sensitive valving adjusts the damping rate based on the speed of suspension movement, producing a controlled feel over sharp impacts while maintaining composure over longer suspension events. The 1-3/8-inch high-flow piston moves fluid efficiently through the valve stack for responsive damping without the harshness that smaller piston designs produce. Dual-welded ends add structural strength at the mounting points and self-lubricating seals reduce maintenance requirements over the service life of the shock.

The silver powder coat finish resists corrosion in the undercarriage environment where these shocks operate. For a truck that sees regular road use alongside trail work, the NX2 delivers a balanced performance profile at a practical price point.

FOX 2.0 Performance Series IFP

The FOX 2.0 IFP is the performance shock option for Ram 1500 owners who push their trucks harder off-road and want the damping performance to match.

The FOX 2.0 uses a monotube internal floating piston design that separates the oil and nitrogen charges within a single tube rather than the twin-tube layout of the NX2. This design runs cooler under sustained off-road use and responds more consistently to rapid suspension inputs. The two-inch impact-extruded aluminum body handles heat dissipation better than steel-bodied shocks under sustained high-speed off-road driving conditions.

The 5/8-inch hard chrome-plated heat-treated alloy steel shaft is one of the most mechanically significant details in the FOX 2.0 specification. A larger shaft diameter resists bending under lateral loads that occur during off-road articulation. Hard chrome plating on the shaft surface resists corrosion and scoring from trail debris that gets past the seal. CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum mounting ends keep weight down while maintaining structural integrity at the shock body.

Application-specific valving developed for the 2006 through 2008 Ram 1500 application means the FOX 2.0 is not a generic performance shock adapted to fit this truck. BDS and FOX spec the valving for the specific spring rates and suspension geometry of this application. The long-lasting clear anodized finish on the aluminum body resists corrosion and UV degradation in the undercarriage environment.

For Ram 1500 owners who plan serious trail use, high-speed desert driving, or any application where the rear suspension will be worked hard consistently, the FOX 2.0 IFP is the right choice.

Recommended Tire and Wheel Combinations

This kit opens up fitment for tires up to 35 inches in diameter. BDS recommends the following combinations based on testing with this specific lift application. Trimming may be required depending on the specific tire and wheel combination selected.

Backspace is a critical measurement on a lifted 4WD truck. Too little backspace pushes the tire outside the fender line and creates rubbing at full steering lock. Too much backspace pushes the tire inward and can create inner fender and control arm contact. The combinations above reflect fitment that works with this specific BDS kit on the 2006 through 2008 Ram 1500 platform.

Factory Protection Plus Drivetrain Warranty

BDS includes their Factory Protection Plus drivetrain warranty with this kit. This coverage protects the drivetrain components of your Ram 1500 against warranty claims that the lift kit installation may otherwise complicate. For Ram 1500 owners who still have factory powertrain warranty coverage remaining on their truck, this warranty inclusion is a significant practical benefit that most lift kit manufacturers do not provide.

Why McClain Auto Part Carries BDS

We have been supplying Ram truck owners from Cleveland since 2009. The products we carry reflect what we would put on our own trucks. BDS earns a place in our suspension inventory because they engineer their kits as complete systems rather than collections of individual components that happen to achieve lift height. The steering knuckles, differential relocation, CV angle correction, and skid plate integration in this kit reflect suspension engineering rather than simple hardware packaging.

For Ram 1500 owners who want a four-inch lift that drives correctly on the road and performs on the trail, this BDS kit is the application we recommend for the 2006 through 2008 platform.

Before You Order

Confirm your model year as 2006, 2007, or 2008 and confirm your drivetrain as 4WD before reaching out. This kit does not fit 2WD Ram 1500 trucks or Ram 1500 trucks outside this model year window. Select your preferred rear shock option, NX2 Nitro Series or FOX 2.0 IFP Performance Series, when you contact us.

Contact our Cleveland team with your year, drivetrain, and shock preference. We confirm compatibility and current pricing before anything ships.

McClain Auto Part. Cleveland, Ohio. Ram truck parts and suspension components shipped nationwide. In business since 2009.