[NWRQC]

Pretty much. There is no point in spending the money on new torsion bar keys (and even more for the tool to unload the torsion bar). 2" in about the most you want to go, and stock keys will give you that much adjustment. The aftermarket keys are indexed to allow you to have more adjustment (plus they claim to maintain the stock ride quality which is bs), but going over 2" isnt recommended, some will go as much as 2.5'' but it will stiffen up the ride quite a bit. I don't know much about those shocks, but you are due for new ones and you will notice a good improvement in the ride once you do replace them.

 

[NWRQC]

I just installed the 2.5 readylift to my 2002 dodge ram. Pushing the stick keys to the max causes problems. The thing is if your truck had stock 15 inch shocks they will need 17in. I bought 17in pro comp for around 35 bucks. I still have the same stock ride. It is not bullshit.

Yes +1 on on the 2" longer shock. It will maintain your stock suspension travel limits and will improve the ride quality by keeping the shock within its operating range for optimal rebound and compression.

As far as the lifting the front end goes the end result is the same whether you buy new keys or crank your stock keys. All that you are doing is Pre-loading the torsion bar. How it's pre-loaded will not affect the end result (new key vs stock key) which is the ride stiffness. If you turn a bolt 6 turns to to apply 100lbs of additional pre-load or if you buy a torsion bar key thats indexed so that the additional pre-load comes from the angle of the key to get that 100lbs, it's still 100lbs if preload. 100lbs of additional resistance is 100lbs of additional resistance. I personally wouldn't waste the money on the aftermarket keys and the time to install them (done that before) but I would spend the money on the longer quality shocks. I have leveled out several rams using stock keys, among other trucks as well.
Just my .02 cents.

 

[NWRQC]

NWQRC ... thanks for the heads up, im just doing some research on where to bring my truck to get this done as im sure the delaership will charge me an arm and a leg. It looks like i can save some money on just crankin the stock keys versus buying a new set thats just gonna do the same. As long as i buy the bigger shocks i should be all set.

The install is easy and straight forward, but I would imagine that a shop would charge you 2 hours at shop rate. I would pick up a quality set of shocks that are 2" longer since you are leveling the truck 2" +/- a 1/4 inch. Then install them and crank your torsion bars to your liking. The front end will be a little stiffer because you are adding pre-load to the torsion bars, but IMO it will feel more like a truck should. That was the first thing I did to my friends ram when she got it. I leveled the front end out (2"). She hated how the truck felt like a big car before I cranked them the truck now rides like a truck should. Save the $100+ and the shop fees for something else such as a programmer or your savings account.

oh yea by the way, how long should i wait until getting an alignment after the install? drive for a week, then get alignment?

Yeah that should be more than enough. There wont be any settling after the first few miles but I always like to put the suspension through its paces before an alignment.