1998.5-2002 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Leveling Kits

Leveling kits on the 1998.5-2002 RAM 5.9L Cummins

A leveling kit raises the front of the truck a small amount, usually to even out its stance or clear a slightly larger tire. On a 4WD second-gen the front axle is a solid Dana 60 on coil springs, located by upper and lower trailing arms and a single track bar. Raise the front and you change how those links sit, which is why any height change on this truck comes back to geometry. Lift kits, leveling kits and coil springs are all sold for 1994-2002 2500 and 3500 trucks with the 5.9L Cummins, and each one carries the same follow-up work.

What to check before and after

Look at the track bar first. Its ball-stud end wears quickly on 1994-2002 trucks, and a worn bar lets the axle move side to side, which shows up as wander and as death wobble after a bump. Leveling a truck with a worn bar will not cure that. Ball joints and tie-rod ends also wear past 100,000 miles. After the kit goes in, set caster back to the preferred 3.5 to 4.0 degrees positive. On 1994-1999 trucks that takes offset or adjustable upper ball-joint sleeves; 2000-2002 trucks have larger caster eccentrics and adjustable upper ball joints.

Leveling kit vs. lift kit

A leveling kit is the small step. In this collection the kits run from 1 to 2 inches. If you want more height on a 4WD truck, the BDS lift kits for these years run 4.5 or 5 inches depending on model year. Either way, the track-bar and caster geometry has to be rechecked afterward.

What we carry

This collection is Daystar Comfort Ride leveling kits:

• KC09102BK 1 inch Comfort Ride leveling kit, 2WD
• KC09103BK 1.5 inch Comfort Ride leveling kit, 2WD
• KC09100BK 2 inch Comfort Ride leveling kit, 2WD
• KC09117BK 1 inch Comfort Ride front leveling kit, 4WD

Each is listed for 1994-2013 5.9L and 6.7L Cummins trucks, a range that covers your 24-valve.

Fitment notes

Order by drivetrain first. The 2WD kits are not the right part for a 4WD truck, and the 4WD kit is a front kit at 1 inch. The kits themselves span generations, but your alignment parts do not: 1994-1999 trucks use caster sleeves and different tapers, while T-style steering and adjustable upper ball joints are 2000-2002 only. Verify by VIN or call us if you are not sure what your truck has.

Frequently asked questions

Which Daystar leveling kit fits my truck?

Start with drivetrain. 2WD trucks can choose the 1, 1.5 or 2 inch kit. 4WD trucks use the KC09117BK 1 inch front kit.

Do I need an alignment after installing a leveling kit?

Yes. Any lift on a second-gen needs the caster and track-bar geometry rechecked. The preferred caster is 3.5 to 4.0 degrees positive, and 1994-1999 trucks may need upper ball-joint sleeves to get there.

Will leveling my truck cure wander or death wobble?

No. Wander and death wobble on these trucks trace back to worn parts: the track bar ball stud, steering damper, tires, ball joints and alignment. Fix those first, then level the truck.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.