2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 98 2wd vs. 01 2wd ride height

[MAllen]

It seems the newer 2nd generation 2wd's sit different from my 98 2wd. Would anyone know why?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

doesn't matter what year, it depends on if they have the camper package.

 

[MAllen]

What did the camper special add to it. Was it larger front coil springs? Rear leaf spacers, etc. ?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

basicly gave them the 1 ton rear springs and overload springs

 

[Ram4Sam]

basicly gave them the 1 ton rear springs and overload springs

I have an 01. 5 with the camper package. I have never heard about the one ton springs but it could be true. The overloads have no effect on the ride height though. ( when empty) My truck is a bit high in the back because there is a one inch spacer between the spring pack and the spring perch on the top of the axle.



Sam

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm under the possibly mistaken impression that the camper package gives you the entire 1 ton spring setup

 

[MAllen]

I don't have the one inch spacer on mine, but do have the camper package with the overloads. Is the front suspension on a 98 2wd the same identical as the newer 2nd gen's.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I don't have the one inch spacer on mine, but do have the camper package with the overloads. Is the front suspension on a 98 2wd the same identical as the newer 2nd gen's.

not identical, but for all intents and purposes, they're the same

 

[VicR]

There was an optional tire size - 265's - on the later 2nd gen 2wd's. I think it went with the alloy wheels that are slightly wider. I wouldn't have thought it would make that much difference but I was admiring one several months ago and the 265's did a better job of filling up the wheel wells and seemed to have a different stance. Is that the difference you were seeing?



-Vic

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Is the front suspension on a 98 2wd the same identical as the newer 2nd gen's.

No, it's very different. The front suspension was changed significantly for the 2000 model year. The scrub radius changed, the offset was increased at least 1" (hubs set more toward outside of vehicle), changed over to sealed wheel bearings, brakes went from 1 to 2-piston caliper. Virtually no parts are interchangeable, and since the lower A-arms are different (and consequently the frame mounts changed a little) you cannot switch front suspensions between 2000+ and '99-older Rams (that is what I was told anyway).

Other changes in 2000 was a wider rear axle, added 1" rear spacers, and 265 tires on 8" rims became standard (replacing the 245 tires on 6" wide rim).

The rear leaf spring pack is the same whether or not you have the camper package. . . camper package just adds the overloads.

Hope that answers your guys' questions

PS: Since I owned a 2001 2wd shortbed and now have a '98 2wd shortbed I can compare the two. . . I definitely liked the suspension and the way the '01 handled curves better than the '98. It tracked straighter and was noticeably more stable. The '01 sat a skosh higher, in front and back, I like how the '98 sits better.

Pic of the '01 with the rear spacers removed
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=409&width=0

Pic of '98 with suspension untouched, I think it sits a little lower even with 17" wheels
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n228/VMac822/My Trucks/DSC01037.jpg?t=1199597911

Vaughn

 

[Ram4Sam]

Vaughn, when you pulled the spacers on the 01', was there enough thread on the u-bolts to just tighten them up after pulling the spacer or did you have to replace the u-bolts? I have looked at pulling mine but it is a close call if there is enough extra thread on the u-bolts. Did the five speed get the smaller diff like the auto or is it the same as the six speed. ?



Sam

 

[Forrest Nearing]

all manual equipped trucks got the D80 center

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Vaughn, when you pulled the spacers on the 01', was there enough thread on the u-bolts to just tighten them up after pulling the spacer or did you have to replace the u-bolts?



Sam

Yeah Sam I had to replace the U-bolts, got 'em bent up at a local shop for around $35. I sold the originals with the overloads to my brother's father-in-law to put on his '98 12v.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Sam I found my thread from July 2000 about removing the rear spacers: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...09-ditching-overload-springs-spacers-wow.html