The "Plastic" Control Arm Trap: Why Your 2019+ RAM Needs More Than Just Spacers

You just bought a brand-new 2019–2026 RAM 1500.

It rides like a luxury SUV. The interior is unmatched. But that front bumper sits incredibly low to the ground. You want to level out the factory rake and throw on a set of aggressive 33-inch or 35-inch all-terrain tires.

You go online and find a cheap $50 spacer kit. It seems simple enough, right?

Stop.

Before you bolt that budget spacer onto your $60,000 truck, go out to your driveway and look inside your front wheel well. Look specifically at the Upper Control Arm (the wishbone-shaped part sitting directly above the tire).

Does it look like silver metal filled with a black plastic webbing?

That is a Composite Control Arm. It is essentially high-strength plastic.

It works flawlessly at the factory ride height. But if you add a cheap leveling kit, you push that suspension arm downward to a severe, steep angle. The ball joint gets maxed out. And because it is seated in composite material, the joint can pop right out of its socket while you're driving down the highway.

In this guide, we explain exactly why the "New Body" RAM requires specialized, premium leveling kits (like those from Zone Offroad and ICON) that include heavy-duty steel Tubular Control Arms, and why trying to save $200 on cheap spacers could end up costing you your entire front suspension.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Leveling Kits)

Can I fit 35-inch tires with just a leveling kit?

Yes, but the fitment is very tight.

Classic (DS) models running a premium 2.5" level will fit 35x12.50 tires, but you may experience slight rubbing on the control arm or sway bar at full steering lock depending on your wheel offset. New Body (DT) models with a 2.0" level fit a 295/60R20 (roughly 34-inch) tire perfectly with zero rubbing. To run a true, wide 35x12.50 on a DT, you typically need a 2.5" kit with upgraded Upper Control Arms, paired with wheels featuring a slightly negative offset to pull the tire away from the suspension uprights.

Why do I need to buy expensive Control Arms for a simple leveling kit?

It is a critical safety requirement.

The "New Body" (DT) RAM 1500 uses Upper Control Arms made of a composite (plastic/aluminum) hybrid to save manufacturing weight. They are simply not engineered to withstand the steep suspension angles created by a lift kit. If you level the truck beyond 2 inches without replacing them, the ball joint is highly prone to ripping out of the plastic housing while you are driving down the highway. Premium Aftermarket Tubular Arms (like those from ICON or Zone Offroad) are forged from high-strength steel and feature a corrected ball-joint cup angle for ultimate safety.

Will leveling my Air Ride truck void the suspension warranty?

Generally, no, because it is fully reversible.

Adjustable Sensor Links from Revel are simple mechanical linkages that snap onto the existing factory ball studs. They do not flash or rewrite your truck's computer code; they just mechanically change the resting position of the sensor, telling it "I am too low, pump more air to raise me up." If you need to visit the dealership for warranty service, they can be popped off and replaced with the factory links in 5 minutes, leaving zero trace in the ECU.

Level up safely.

Fix the factory rake and clear larger tires without breaking your ball joints. Shop our verified collection of premium 2019–2026 RAM 1500 Leveling Kits.

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