Installed a couple goodies…

[AH64ID]

The wife helped me install a Thuren Active Rate Sway Bar and some Sumo Boogie Bumps (front 1200# progressive bump stops) yesterday.

Wow, fantastic initial impressions. We installed them and then wanted to go for a hike and headed up to our local ski hill, Bogus Basin, which is 16 very windy miles. On the way back down we pulled off into a severely rutted campsite, 8-10” depressions, etc. It was a good flex test of the new components.

I couldn’t feel any increased body roll on the windy road, but the side to side harness is minimal compare to stock. Driveways, rutted roads, etc are all much much softer now.

The sumo bump stops really help dampen the vertical movement of the axle, unlike the OEM bumps that are pretty much an on/off switch. They are contacting statically, but I haven’t felt a worse ride because of it.

My goal was to improve the ride on some of the nasty USFS roads I drive during hunting season where there has been a lot of bump stop contact and harsh side to side rocking. This should work nicely.

Lastly, I’ve gone back and forth on the Thuren 0.5” lift coils, but think I’m going to stick with the stock ones. I’m rarely under 5,200lbs FAW so a softer spring rate may not be the best thing for me, but the biggest deal breaker is that I spend a fair amount of miles in ALT ride height and 0.5” higher in the front would present a noticeable squat.

 

[Ozymandias]

I run the same setup in my 04.5, it's awesome. So much better then before.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Interesting. Says can’t use it on high center of gravity rigs like mine so that’s a no go for me

 

[Ozymandias]

That's up to you, it's a liability disclaimer.
They avoid also discussions with customers that want the opposite like you with less body roll, I remember the thread about aftermarket rear swaybar make it more stiff.
More stiff always counteracts a smooth suspension.

 

[AH64ID]

Interesting. Says can’t use it on high center of gravity rigs like mine so that’s a no go for me

It makes sense. I don’t have a high CG load anymore so I’m not concerned.

That's up to you, it's a liability disclaimer.
They avoid also discussions with customers that want the opposite like you with less body roll, I remember the thread about aftermarket rear swaybar make it more stiff.
More stiff always counteracts a smooth suspension.

Do you have a rear anti-swaybar?

 

[Ozymandias]

Me? No, I wouldn't use that on a leaf spring setup.
Coils maybe with a high CG, depending on the road feel.

Only place we're I had a rear sway with leaf springs was dump trucks because of stability while tipping the load.

But very very stiff, lockers were in daily use.

Compare the axle to the rear bumper bar.

 

[AH64ID]

Put some winding mountain highway miles on the active rate sway bar and I am very impressed. I can’t tell a different on paved roads, but it’s much nicer on rough dirt roads.

 

[AH64ID]

Towed the 5th wheel about 800 miles this weekend and there are zero negative side effects to the active rate swaybar. Truck was at 5,900lbs on the front axle too.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Towed the 5th wheel about 800 miles this weekend and there are zero negative side effects to the active rate swaybar. Truck was at 5,900lbs on the front axle too.

I wonder why your front axle weight is at least 100# over mine with myself and wife plus full fluids and 500# tool box and 6k pin.

 

[AH64ID]

I wonder why your front axle weight is at least 100# over mine with myself and wife plus full fluids and 500# tool box and 6k pin.

6 people…

Plus a bunch of weight forward of the axle in the bed, and a heavy front receiver.

 

[Ozymandias]

And a 8 years younger truck.

 

[TimothyLong]

I have this setup plus the Thuren 2" lift coil springs and adjustable track bar on my 2013 2500 and I absolutely love it! My truck handles WAY better. Shortly after I put the Cooper tires on it (the Thuren stuff was already on it), my wife used my truck to haul something and she called me said I wasn't allowed to have it back until I made her 2013 2500 handle and ride just as nice as mine. Put the same setup on hers, minus the coil springs, and she's happier. Just need to get rid of the worthless Goodyear tires she has and replace them with same Coopers that I have (which will be soon).

-Tim

2013 Ram 2500 Laramie QC LB 4x4, Thuren Fabrication adjustable track bar, sway bar kit, and 2" leveling kit, Bilstein 5100 shocks, Westin Chrome Ultimate Bull Bar, Weatherguard Saddle Box, Line-X Bed Liner, Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT's LT315/70/R17

 

[Cummins12V98]

And a 8 years younger truck.

One reason I was curious I thought the new engine was lighter???

 

[AH64ID]

The 2022 was 5260 empty, with 3/4 tank of fuel (50 gal tank) and me in it.

The 2018 was 5250, with 2/3 tank of fuel (32 gal tank), me, and 30ish lbs of luggage.

Neither rig had the front receiver yet, but the 2022 had the OEM bed liner and the 2018 did not. Otherwise very similar options. So the savings of the lighter engine is eaten up by added fuel.

I’ve measured both trucks at 5900 on the front axle with 6 pax and loaded for camping.