Lowering Links vs Lowering Springs for Ram 1500
What’s the Best Way to Lower Your Truck?
If you’re looking to lower your Ram 1500, there are a few different options available. The two most common approaches are adjustable lowering links for factory air suspension and traditional lowering springs for coil suspension setups.
Each method lowers the vehicle in a different way, and understanding the differences is important when choosing the right setup for your truck. While both options can reduce ride height, they vary significantly in terms of adjustability, ride quality, installation, and long-term flexibility.
For Ram 1500 trucks equipped with factory air suspension, lowering links provide a more refined and adaptable solution compared to fixed suspension modifications.
What Are Lowering Links?
Lowering links are adjustable components that replace the factory ride height sensor links on air suspension equipped Ram 1500 trucks. These links work by slightly changing the position of the suspension sensors, allowing the air suspension system to lower the vehicle while continuing to function normally.
Because the system remains fully intact, lowering links allow you to achieve a lower stance without replacing springs, shocks, or other major suspension components.
One of the key advantages of lowering links is their adjustability. Ride height can be fine-tuned at any time, allowing you to dial in the exact stance you want or make changes as your setup evolves.
What Are Lowering Springs?
Lowering springs are replacement coil springs designed to reduce the height of vehicles equipped with traditional suspension systems. Unlike adjustable solutions, lowering springs provide a fixed drop that cannot be changed once installed.
Lowering springs physically alter the suspension by replacing factory components. While this can lower the vehicle, it also changes the way the suspension behaves and may affect ride comfort, suspension travel, and long-term usability.
Lowering springs are commonly used on vehicles without air suspension, but they are not applicable to air ride systems like those found on many Ram 1500 models.
Key Differences
Adjustability
Lowering Links: Fully adjustable ride height
Lowering Springs: Fixed drop with no adjustment
Ride Quality
Lowering Links: Maintains factory air suspension comfort
Lowering Springs: Often results in a firmer, less forgiving ride
Installation
Lowering Links: Simple bolt-on installation with basic tools
Lowering Springs: Requires removal and replacement of suspension components
Reversibility
Lowering Links: Fully reversible and adjustable at any time
Lowering Springs: Permanent modification once installed
Suspension Design
Lowering Links: Retains factory air suspension system
Lowering Springs: Alters factory suspension behavior
For more benefits of lowering links with air suspension, visit our benefits page.
Ride Quality Comparison
Ride quality is one of the most important considerations when lowering a vehicle.
Lowering links retain the factory air suspension system, which means the truck continues to deliver the smooth and controlled ride it was designed for. Because no core suspension components are changed, comfort and drivability remain consistent.
Lowering springs, on the other hand, alter the suspension by changing spring rates and travel. This can result in a firmer ride and reduced comfort, especially over uneven road surfaces.
For drivers who value both appearance and comfort, maintaining the factory air suspension is a major advantage.
Adjustability Comparison
Adjustability is where lowering links clearly stand out.
With adjustable links, you can fine-tune ride height at any time. This allows you to:
• Adapt to different wheel and tire setups
• Adjust for daily driving or show use
• Make incremental changes to achieve the perfect stance
Lowering springs do not offer this flexibility. Once installed, the drop is fixed, and any changes require replacing components again.
Installation Comparison
Lowering links are designed for simple installation. They replace the factory ride height sensor links and typically require only basic hand tools. Most installations can be completed in under one hour with no permanent modification.
Lowering springs require more involved installation, including removal and replacement of suspension components. This process is more time-consuming and may require specialized tools or professional installation.
To confirm compatibility, refer to our fitment guide.
Long-Term Flexibility
Lowering links offer long-term flexibility that other solutions cannot match.
Because they are adjustable and reversible, you can change your setup over time without replacing parts. If you ever decide to return to stock ride height, the process is simple and does not require reinstalling major components.
Lowering springs, by comparison, lock you into a specific setup. Any changes require additional parts and labor.
Which Option Is Best for Your Ram 1500?
The best lowering solution depends on your vehicle and your goals.
If your Ram 1500 is equipped with factory air suspension, lowering links provide the most practical and effective solution. They allow you to lower your truck while maintaining comfort, adjustability, and factory functionality.
Lowering springs are typically used on vehicles without air suspension and are not compatible with air ride systems.
For most Ram 1500 owners with air suspension, lowering links offer the ideal balance of performance, appearance, and ease of use.
If you are unsure of fitment, contact us.
Why Lowering Links Are the Best Choice
Lowering links provide a combination of benefits that make them the preferred option for air-suspension Ram trucks.
They allow you to achieve a clean, aggressive stance without compromising ride quality or permanently modifying your suspension. Their adjustability gives you full control over your setup, and their simple installation makes them accessible for most owners.
This makes lowering links one of the most efficient and reliable ways to lower a Ram 1500.
View all supported platforms in our applications page.
Upgrade Your Ram’s Stance
Choosing the right lowering solution is an important step in building your truck the way you want it. For air suspension equipped Ram 1500 models, adjustable lowering links offer the best combination of flexibility, comfort, and performance.
If you’re ready to achieve a more refined and aggressive stance, explore our precision-engineered lowering links designed specifically for factory air suspension systems.
Shop Ram 1500 Lowering Links and take control of your ride height today.
