Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Heavy 5er towing problem

[MCruver]

I own a 97 3/4ton 2WD with 5 speed manual transmission and 3. 54 rear end. When towing my 36' 5th wheel the truck wants to buck in 3rd gear when I get close to 2000 RPM. The truck also can have a case of wheel-hop when digging out of soft sand. The truck has 187K miles on it with the original shocks and clutch. Has anyone else out there experienced this problem, and should I be looking for new shocks and traction bars? Thanks for any help on this problem.

 

[Bhale]

I can't help with your problem (mines an auto) but WELCOME to the TDR!



Brian

 

[Dick R]

I had the same problem towing my 5th wheel . Chrysler has a kit that will solve the problem of the jumpy truck,if I can find the Chryser part number I will post it for you , as far as the axle wrap I also have that problem , the only thing that would help that I know of would be a set of traction bars , some companies have a heavy spring to mount in front of the axle on to the spring itself that is supposed to help with axle wrap , I had seen that in the J. C. Whitney cat #699J-06 page 51 bottom right on page , don't know how well they work , good luck . Dick R

 

[Neibe]

For the bucking truck you need a heavier spring on the throttle cable.

 

[Andy Redmond]

Good shocks will help on rough terrain as well, mine's much better with the incorrect linkage,(175 to 215 pump upgrade) now that the broken/frozen rancho has been changed out...



You will have a difficult time finding the parts at DC, the kit was discontinued. The parts are available at Cummins ala carte, usually by special order. The parts specialist will have to break out the individual parts in the former Cummins kit # 3806215 (12 line items).





Good luck

Andy

 

[RHARVEY]

Go down to your local auto parts and pick up a container of generic springs. Take the ones off the truck one at a time and match it to one of the new ones that you just bought. Just make sure that its a little heavier than the one you pulled off. You can use the same ends that are on the factory spring too. Put it back on and move on to the next one...

I did the same thing on my 97 for $5. 00 instead of the $90 that Dodge wanted... work just fine.



Now on to the wheel hop. . actually what you are feeling is axle wrap. . And yes the best cure for this issue is a set of ladder bars. Shocks wont do much good in the case of axle wrap. . The axle is trying to roll under the springs and then snaps back. .

Do a search for ladder bars... and you should find what your needing. .



If you want to see how mine look ... . there is a picture in "readers rig gallery"



Rick

 

[MCruver]

Thanks for all the help.

I particulary like the thought of a $5 fix for the bucking. I was beginning to think the bucking problem was due to axle wrap and not just a twitchy throttle foot. I recently BOMBED my truck with 4" st/st exhaust, AFE intake, #10 plate, pillar gages, 3K governor springs, Firestone air bags and Pak Brake, so I'm really enjoying the new pep and ready to haul the load.

 

[McCRam]

Maybe we have different ideas of what bucking is. But you are describing to me what my truck does when I have a heavy trailer on it. At around 2000 rpm's (torque peak) the rear end starts bouncing (bucking). This happens when ever foot is in the throttle heavy. My problem is weak rear springs, they need replaced. The left spring has a w shaped curve in it. I think I am going to get traction bars as well to fix the terrible axle hop I get when the tires spin.