Bed height on 4X4

[Dieselnerd]

I'm planning on buying a new Dodge CTD 4X4 in the next few months. I have a question for those that already have one with the 17" wheels. How high is the rear of the bed from the ground? I tow a fifth wheel that already has the springs on top of the axles and have just barely enough clearance between the trailer and truck with my '96 Dodge 4X4. If the new one is any higher it will be a problem. Thanks in advance for any answers to this question.

 

[daytripper63]

I had 98 4x4 and towed 5er now have 03 4x4 and bed is about 1-1/2" deeper than old truck and bed rail about an 1-1/2" taller, my 5er is close only about a fist worth of clearance not a thumbs up amount of room... I have noticed there are two 1/2" blocks or shims between springs and axles I think if I remove one of these I will be o. k. as truck is now I have only hit underside of 5er one time and that was off road in off camber situation

 

[abledog]

stock height

My 04 3500 SWR 4X4 is 56 inches from the ground to the top of the tailgate.

Terry

 

[sangell]

My 03 3500 DRW 4X4 is 57. 5" to the top of the tailgate.



Scott

 

[Dieselnerd]

Thanks for the replies! Now I can go out and measure mine...

 

[GerryDrake]

My 2003 HO 4X4 Dually is 58. 5" to the top of the tailgate, and 21" down from there to the bed.



I have an inquiry in to Dodge about legitimate ways to lower it, but no response yet. Local dealer couldn't say whether the 2 shims under the springs could be removed. Said to bring it in and THEN they will check with Dodge. Other alternative might be shorter rear shackles. As it is, we have to tow our 35' 5th wheel nose up a bit. Have about a fist clearance. Not enough to my mind...

 

[klenger]

With the truck empty, the top of the tailgate is 56-5/8". With the 5er connected (~1800 lbs pin weight), it's 53-1/8" and the truck is just sitting on the overloads. It seems that the new trucks settle more than my 01. 5 did with weight on them.



I have also been considering removing the spacers. There are two of them, and each is 5/8", totaling 1-1/4". Because the truck is tail high, the truck would drop about 1-5/8" at the tailgate from the mod before loading. I don't see where removing the spacers would hurt anything.



Here's my reasoning:



1) The truck has a rubber bumper that is designed to touch the axle housing under (very) heavy loads, so the drive shafts and shocks must be designed to allow this amount of travel.



2) Assuming that all configurations (reg cab, Hemi, 2WD, etc. ) of my truck use the same spring arrangement, the rear suspension must be designed to allow for considerably more weight than what I can "leagaly" load my truck to because, with my configuration (4WD, quad cab, Cummins, 6 speed), I have the lowest payload available for that model. Removing the spacers would still leave plenty of travel for the springs before "bottoming out".



From looking at the spring attachement, it appears that the spacers could be removed and the U-bolts re-used as the threads seem long enough, and a washer or two could be used if you ran out of thread just before the nut was tight. Does anyone have a manual to find what the torque value is?

 

[boonsur]

When I checked mine a few days ago, I measured 60" at the back (highest part, because truck sits nose-down). I've heard the rear will sink ~2" with the tongue weight I'll be using (2k#). So, I'm figuring that with 58" + 8" clearance, I need the bottom of the unit to be 66" from the ground. Love to find a way to lower the 3rd gens, though.

 

[Slow Six]

The new trucks will settle a long ways. My fiver sits more level on my 03 dually than it did on my 94 3/4 ton. Like a lot of the others I only have about a fist width of clearance between box rails and trailer. It has never been a problem, but you have to pay attention when on uneven conditions. I don't thinks the spacers can be removed from the spring pack because it looks like there would be interference with the brakes.

 

[CLAYTON]

Originally posted by Dieselnerd

I'm planning on buying a new Dodge CTD 4X4 in the next few months. I have a question for those that already have one with the 17" wheels. How high is the rear of the bed from the ground? I tow a fifth wheel that already has the springs on top of the axles and have just barely enough clearance between the trailer and truck with my '96 Dodge 4X4. If the new one is any higher it will be a problem. Thanks in advance for any answers to this question.

I believe that all of the 3rd gen trucks have the 17" wheel because the brakes or so big. I'll measure mine cause I need to know as well about the clearance with my truck. I am hoping that I don't have to flip the axle on the 5th to make it work. Hopefully the misses will let me buy one this weekend. Cross your fingers gents. . I need it

 

[GerryDrake]

Dodge's "non-reply"

Here is the pertinent part of the e-mail response I got from Dodge asking about the the excessive bed height of my 2003. I included a comment that they had surely heard of/addressed the problem before.

... . <<

Thank you for your recent email to DaimlerChrysler Motors regarding your 2003 Dodge Ram 3500.



All parts and service issues are handled by the dealership. This is the first I have heard of this complaint, and if it is possible, your best resource for information is the Service Department of your local DaimlerChrysler dealership.

>>... .



When I was at the local dealer yesterday, I asked whether the alignment pin through the enters of the spacers and springs was one long pin or a series of nubbins, which would make removal easier. He didn't know, and said to bring it in to find out. I will be curious to hear if one of you finds out... .

 

[boonsur]

First they've ever heard of it??????? There's a TSB on it, for crying out loud! (yea, I know it's for 2nd gens, but these aren't any shorter).

 

[rkelso98]

Could someone please let me know how many inches to the center of the hitch on a 4. 5 HO Dually quad cab.



TIA

 

[daytripper63]

I just put in 2" leveling kit and since pivot point is over rear axle raising front in turn lowered the back corners approx. 1-1/2 to 1-3/4" of bed where I was hitting my 5er in off camber turns sometimes.

Now truck is still has slight rake from front to back and with 5er hooked up truck is truly level now

And truck looks heck of alot better with 2" level kit in front

 

[Grunt]

the top of the tailgate to the ground is 56. 5"... . stock tires and 5th wheel hitch installed.



daytripper63... thanks for posting that info as I've been searching for the best/most feasible way to raise my 5th a couple of inches to get the needed clearance between it and the bed.

 

[Sarge]

I have an adjustable pin box on my fiver, and raised it to the max along with lowering my fiver hitch to the bottom. The result is the fiver sits dead level when loaded, with about 6 inches between the bed and the fiver. The drop on the springs with my fiver loaded is only about 1. 5 to 2. 0 inches, and that is with over 2400# pounds of pin weight!! Man I love this truck!!!