Zone Off Road 6" Lift Kit — Ram 1500 4WD (Large Bore Knuckle, Strut Spacer / Nitro Series Rear Shocks) SKU: ZOND97N

Verified Fitment

Does NOT fit:

• Ram 1500 Classic (DS platform, 1994–2024) — older body style, leaf-spring rear suspension; completely different architecture
• 2025–2026 Ram 1500 — Zone Offroad application caps at 2024
• 2018 and earlier Ram 1500 DT — DT platform launched for 2019
• 2WD / RWD Ram 1500 (any year) — 4WD only
• Ram 2500 or 3500 — different platform
• Ram 1500 TRX — different suspension architecture
• Ram 1500 DT with factory 4-corner air suspension — verify compatibility before ordering
• Ram 1500 DT running aftermarket wheels — if not running OE 22" factory wheels, order D96N and verify your specific offset clearance

OE 22" wheel identification (build codes WPM or WPZ): Factory OE 22-inch wheels are available on Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims and use a larger wheel bearing assembly. The big bore steering knuckles in this kit are dimensioned for that bearing at 6 inches of lift. If you're unsure whether your Ram has the OE 22" package, text (469) 407-7538 with your VIN and we'll confirm before you order.

Rebel and Off-Road Package note: These trims carry additional factory lift that affects net ride height. With the preload spacer installed, expect approximately 1/2" front-high rake. Without it, approximately 3/8" nose-low.

Component Specifications

Why OE 22" knuckles matter at 6 inches of lift: At 6 inches of front lift, the steering knuckle geometry shifts significantly from stock. Standard bore knuckles — confirmed for 18" and 20" factory wheel bearing assemblies — are not tested for the larger OE 22" bearing used on Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited configurations. The big bore knuckles in the D97N are dimensioned to maintain adequate clearance with the larger OE 22" bearing at the lifted height. This is the single dimensional difference between the D97N and D96N — every other component is identical.

Rear lift design: Full rear coil spring replacement at 5 inches — not add-a-leaf, not blocks, not coil spacers. The 1-inch front-to-rear differential (6" front / 5" rear) produces a slight nose-up rake when empty that levels under normal bed load and towing weight — standard engineering practice for load-carrying trucks.

Field 4 — What Is and Is NOT Included

Factory Protection Plus warranty included: Zone's Limited Lifetime Warranty + ESC compatibility + 5-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty. Register after installation to activate.

Critical Compatibility

The D97N vs. D96N choice is determined by one variable: your factory wheel package. Same Nitro shocks. Same crossmembers, differential brackets, rear coil springs, and hardware. The knuckle bore is the only engineering difference — big bore for OE 22" (D97N) vs. standard bore for 18"/20" and aftermarket wheels (D96N). Verify your wheel package before ordering.

Aftermarket wheel owners — read before ordering. OE 22" clearance is confirmed for factory Laramie/Longhorn/Limited 22" wheels. Aftermarket 22" wheels may have different offsets and hub configurations than OEM — the OE 22" clearance spec does not automatically apply. If running aftermarket wheels, start with D96N and verify your specific offset clearance at 6 inches of front lift.

Platform identification: Coil rear suspension = DT = this kit fits. Leaf rear suspension = DS Classic = this kit does not fit. Same rule as every DT-specific Zone kit in this catalog.

Installation Notes

Skill level: Advanced — professional installation required. Same scope as D96N, D96F, and D97F: front crossmember replacement, steering knuckle replacement, differential brackets, and rear coil spring replacement.

Full 4-wheel alignment mandatory after installation — do not drive on public roads without alignment after installing new crossmembers, knuckles, and differential brackets.

Torque specification: Torque all fasteners to Zone Offroad specification per the included documentation. Never estimate torque on steering and suspension fasteners.

Re-torque: All suspension fasteners after 500 miles of break-in driving.

Tire and wheel clearance: Verify your specific tire size, wheel offset, and backspacing clears all suspension, fender, and brake hardware at full articulation and full steering lock.

LTL freight notice: Ships at 209 lbs via LTL freight. Residential delivery included — the freight carrier will contact you to schedule a delivery window. Inspect for damage before signing. Note any damage on the bill of lading before accepting.

Common Questions

What's the difference between D97N and D97F?
Shocks only. Both use identical OE 22" big bore steering knuckles, heavy-duty crossmembers, differential drop brackets, rear coil springs, and all hardware. The D97N includes Nitro gas shocks. The D97F includes Fox Adventure Series 2.0 IFP monotube shocks with nitrogen-charged internal floating piston design for fade-free damping. Same OE 22" clearance either way. If Fox performance is the priority, order D97F. If the OE 22" clearance at the Nitro price point is the goal, D97N delivers it.

What's the difference between D97N and D96N?
The steering knuckle bore — that's the only difference. The D97N uses big bore knuckles for OE 22" factory wheel bearing clearance at 6 inches of lift. The D96N uses standard bore knuckles for factory 18"/20" wheels or aftermarket wheels with verified clearance. Every other component — Nitro shocks, crossmembers, differential brackets, rear coil springs, hardware — is identical. If you have OE 22" wheels, order D97N. If you don't, order D96N.

How do I know if my Ram has the OE 22" wheel package?
Check your trim level (Laramie, Longhorn, or Limited typically include the 22" package) and reference build codes WPM or WPZ. Text (469) 407-7538 with your VIN if you're unsure — we'll confirm before you order.

Why does the kit ship heavier (209 lb) than the D97F (138 lb)?
Different packaging configurations for Nitro vs. Fox shock packages can result in different shipping weights. The component set is the same — the weight variance is attributable to shock packaging format and dimensional differences between the Nitro and Fox units.

Does the air suspension exclusion apply here too?
Yes — same exclusion as D96N, D96F, and D97F. Zone's confirmed fitment excludes DT trucks with factory 4-corner air suspension. Text (469) 407-7538 before ordering if your Ram has air suspension.

The Obsidian Take

The D97N delivers what the D96N cannot guarantee for Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited Ram 1500 owners: 6 inches of front lift with the factory OE 22-inch wheels still on the truck. Zone Offroad engineered the big bore knuckle geometry specifically for those trucks so the larger OE wheel bearing clears at full lifted height. The geometry correction — caster, camber, scrub radius, and CV angle — is identical to the D96N. The only difference is the knuckle bore.

The D97N vs. D97F decision at this point is straightforward: Nitro gas shocks or Fox Adventure Series IFP shocks. Both are valved for the lifted DT geometry. The Fox units provide fade-free damping via the internal floating piston design that prevents oil aeration on repeated terrain impacts — a measurable advantage for trucks that see frequent rough terrain or trail use. For primarily on-road or occasional off-road use, Nitro shocks handle the application at lower cost. For regular off-road driving where damping consistency across successive impacts matters, the D97F's Fox shocks are the correct investment.

At 209 lbs on LTL freight, this ships the same way as the D96N — freight carrier, residential delivery included, professional installation required at the destination.

This SKU is for: 2019–2024 Ram 1500 DT 4WD owners with factory OE 22-inch wheels (Laramie, Longhorn, Limited — build codes WPM or WPZ) who want a complete 6"/5" geometry-corrected lift system with Nitro gas shocks at the lower price point, retaining their factory OE 22-inch wheels with clearance for up to 37" tires.

This SKU is NOT for: Ram 1500 Classic DS owners (leaf springs), TRX owners, air-ride DT owners without verification, 2WD owners, 2025–2026 Ram owners, owners running aftermarket wheels (order D96N and verify clearance), or anyone who wants Fox Adventure shocks over Nitro (order D97F — same OE 22" clearance with Fox shocks).

Manufacturer Data Disclaimer
Product specifications, fitment data, and feature details are sourced from Zone Offroad manufacturer documentation and verified third-party technical references current at the time of publication. Zone Offroad reserves the right to modify product specifications without notice. Confirm DT platform, drivetrain, factory OE 22" wheel package (build codes WPM or WPZ), and air suspension status before ordering. OFAS is not responsible for incompatibility resulting from DS Classic / DT platform misidentification, TRX applications, air suspension conflicts, or wheel bearing bore mismatches.

Prop 65 Warning
⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

Non-Returnable Notice
This item is non-returnable once installed. Verify DT platform, 4WD drivetrain, OE 22" wheel package, and air suspension status before accepting delivery. Questions before ordering? Text (469) 407-7538.