2014-2018 Ram 2500 Lift Kit: MaxTrac 6in Winter Review

A Ram 2500 lift kit for winter is a suspension system that raises the truck to clear deep snow, plow berms and unplowed back roads while making room for taller, more aggressive snow tires. On the 2014-2018 Ram 2500 4WD, the MaxTrac 6in kit (part K947263VRLA) does exactly that with new front lift coils, forged-aluminum 4-link control arms, a corrected front track bar, a rear lift block and MaxTrac's Vulcan 2.0 remote-reservoir shocks at all four corners. We build these trucks at our Tampa, FL shop and ship them to customers all over snow country, and the question we hear every fall is the same: how much lift do I actually need for winter, and which shock package is worth the money? This review breaks down the 4in, 6in and 8in MaxTrac kits for the 4th-gen 2500, the honest winter benefit of each, and the 3PMSF tire that turns clearance into real traction.

Why Lift a Ram 2500 for Winter?

A lift kit does not add grip on ice — it adds the ground clearance and tire fitment that let a truck keep moving through snow. That distinction matters. The 2014-2018 Ram 2500 rolls on a coil-sprung, link-located solid front axle (unusual for a heavy-duty truck and part of why the 2500 rides so well), so a proper lift replaces the front coils and repositions the 4-link geometry rather than just cranking torsion bars. The payoff for winter is threefold: more belly clearance so you stop high-centering on plow berms and packed ruts, room for a 35in or 37in Three-Peak-rated tire, and improved approach and departure angles for unplowed driveways and forest-service roads.

These are not light trucks. A 2014-2018 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 weighs roughly 6,800 to 7,400 lb, and the 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel makes up to 385 hp and 930 lb-ft (2018 High Output), while the 6.4L HEMI gas V8 makes 410 hp and 429 lb-ft. That mass and torque is exactly why the shock package — not just the lift height — decides how the truck behaves on a cold, washboard county road. Cheap twin-tube shocks fade and get harsh when the oil is thick and cold; a larger monotube with a remote reservoir holds more oil and sheds heat, keeping damping consistent from the first frozen mile to the last.

MaxTrac 14-18 Ram 2500 6in 4-Link Kit: The Build

The 6in kit is the one we recommend for a dedicated winter build. It includes new 6in front lift coils, forged-aluminum driver and passenger 4-link arms with brackets, a front track-bar relocation bracket, a rear 3.5in lift block kit, and Vulcan 2.0 remote-reservoir shocks front and rear. That reservoir shock is the differentiator: it is the reason this kit costs more than the taller 8in kit below. At $4,772.43 (marked down from $5,525.97), it is the most capable snow-clearance package MaxTrac offers for the 4th-gen 2500.

4in vs 6in vs 8in: Which MaxTrac Ram 2500 Lift for Snow?

MaxTrac builds the 14-18 Ram 2500 4WD kit in three heights, and here is the counterintuitive part: the 8in kit is the cheapest of the three. Lift height is not what drives the price — the shock package is. The 6in kit ($4,772.43) and 4in kit ($4,118.27) both run the upgraded Vulcan 2.0 monotube shocks (reservoir on the 6in, IFP on the 4in), while the 8in kit ($3,915.87) uses MaxTrac's standard twin-tube dampers to hit a lower price. For a winter truck that will see cold, choppy roads, we would rather have the better shock at 6in than maximum height on budget dampers.

Vulcan 2.0 Shocks: Reservoir vs IFP vs Twin-Tube

The shock is the single most important winter component in these kits. A twin-tube shock holds less oil and mixes it with a nitrogen charge in a second chamber; when the oil is cold and thick it can aerate and fade over a long, rough, snow-rutted road, and the ride turns harsh. MaxTrac's Vulcan 2.0 line uses a larger 2.0in monotube body with more oil volume. The IFP (Internal Floating Piston) version separates oil and gas inside the body for consistent damping, and the reservoir version adds a remote canister of extra oil so the shock runs cooler and holds its damping longer under repeated hits.

In practical winter terms: the 6in kit's remote-reservoir shocks are the ones to have if you drive long distances on frozen washboard, tow a trailer in the cold, or run a plow. The 4in kit's IFP monotubes are a big step up from stock and plenty for a daily-driven 2500 that sees plowed highways. The 8in kit's twin-tube dampers get the truck the highest and clear the biggest tires for the least money, but you are giving up cold-weather fade resistance to do it.

Tires Make the Traction: The 37in 3PMSF Pairing

The lift buys clearance; the tire earns the traction. The one spec that actually matters for winter grip is the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol — a mountain with a snowflake stamped on the sidewall means the tire passed a federal packed-snow acceleration test. A 6in-lifted 2014-2018 Ram 2500 clears a 37x13.50R20, and the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT in that size carries the 3PMSF rating along with Yokohama's HD-2 rubber compound and a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty. It is a rugged hybrid all-terrain that bites in snow and slush without turning into a loud, fast-wearing mud tire.

Pros and Cons of the MaxTrac 6in Ram 2500 Lift

Installation and What Else You Will Need

A 6in 4-link lift on a heavy-duty solid-front-axle truck is an advanced install, not a driveway afternoon. It relocates the front axle with new control arms and a track-bar bracket, so it must be finished with a professional four-wheel alignment to set caster and toe correctly — skip that and you will chew tires and wander on the highway. Plan on brake-line and possibly a track-bar drop-bracket check, and confirm your wheel backspacing so a 37x13.50R20 clears at full stuff and full lock. Our Tampa, FL team installs these kits and can spec the right wheel offset and tire for your exact cab and bed configuration; we ship complete winter packages nationwide.

One more cold-weather tip: after the first few hundred miles, re-torque the 4-link hardware and U-bolts, because fasteners settle as the new coils and bushings seat — and they seat faster when everything is contracting in the cold.

How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Ram 2500 for Winter?

A complete winter lift build for a 2014-2018 Ram 2500 runs roughly $6,000 to $8,000 in parts before installation. The MaxTrac kit itself is $3,915.87 to $4,772.43 depending on lift height and shock package. A matching set of four Yokohama Geolandar X-AT 37x13.50R20 snow tires adds about $1,850 before the current 5 percent discount, and you will want wheels with the correct backspacing if your factory wheels will not clear. Budget separately for professional installation and a four-wheel alignment, which is not optional on a 4-link solid-axle lift.

Where should the money go first? In our experience, the tires are the highest-value winter dollar — a Three-Peak-rated tire on a modest 4in lift will out-perform a maximum-height truck on worn all-seasons every time. If the budget is tight, start with the 4in kit and great snow tires, then step up in height later. If you tow or run long frozen roads, spend up for the 6in kit's reservoir shocks. We spec complete packages daily at our Tampa, FL shop and ship them nationwide with fitment confirmed for your cab, bed and engine.