Improving Ride Quality in 2500?

[ericedelman]

I still haven't pulled the trigger on ordering a new 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 shortbed with the HO Cummins. I love the truck, I love the engine, but the ride is worse than my 1999 1500 Ram.



I rarely put anything heavy in the bed, and I hardly ever tow. If I was williing to spend some money, what can I do to improve the ride quality? Add a camper shell? Change all the springs? Something else?

 

[Benson]

The Roadmaster suspension is supposed to help a little.

 

[SnoKing]

Put Rancho RS 9000 Adjustable shocks on the rear and set them on 1 or 2, run 40-45 lbs of air in the rear tires. SNOKING

 

[klenger]

Consider the long wheel base. It helps quite a bit.

 

[Cooker]

IMO, a custom rear spring pack is the best alternative to achieve the best possible ride in the rear.



With that said, I decided to try (I don't have them on yet) a set of the Roadmaster Active Suspension to help lessen the bounce in the rear. The only reason being they are about 1/3 the cost of a custom spring pack.



My $. 02,

Ryan

 

[mikel]

If your truck comes with the overloads and you (as you stated) don't carry much weight, take them off. My '99 had the overloads and I didn't think that it rode bad, but my '01 has not got them and it rides MUCH better than the '99 did. The overloads were always slapping off the frame whenever I went over road irregularities (sp?).



Good luck,

Mike

 

[Lsfarm]

Ride Quality

Eric, the above replies are all good, better if all put together.



A long wheelbase is MUCH better riding than a SWB.



Put some weight in it.



Change the rear springs and shocks.



Run the tires a little soft.



BUT note: you will always have a HD truck! And by definition, it will carry a lot of weight, and therefore will ride rough when empty. The good news is that you will get used to it.



After a few months if you drive a 1500, you will think you are in a marshmallow/pillow-mobile.



I think my 2500 handles very sporty, it rides rough, but the payback is a precise ride, firm cornering, good steering.



You'll love it, go for it, hit the order button!!



Greg L

 

[RKelly]

I'll second what SnowKing said !

The most cost effective way to do what you want is to put the Rancho RS9000 shocks in the rear and set them to #1. (Put them in the front too, but try setting #2 or #3).

Also reduce psi in the rear tires and BINGO !

ray

 

[BigBadDodge]

Lift it

Skyjacker 4. 5" stage II lift, 36" tires,



Not cheap however

 

[LSMITH]

I have added the RS9000 shocks and they made a big difference, worth every cent to me. The single best ride enhancement that I have ever seen though for the trucks is a set of good traction bars. The set Steve St Laurent designed is being marketed by Enterprise Engine, and is the particular one that I have been around. They make a huge difference, you only get one bump over an expansion joint rather than 2 or 3 for instance. The front is heavy and solid enough that a good set of shocks will be all you need, but the back needs some help for the best ride. Go for a set of traction bars that positively control the rear axle.

 

[SnoKing]

I think the new trucks (2001+) have better riding rear springs from the factory. SNOKING

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Difference tires and ride.

I appreciate both the Roadmaster's and Rancho 9000 's on my '98. 5 truck, but one size larger BFG AT's made the largest improvement in ride (over Michelin OEM). Tire pressure does play a large part in ride. Drive a 1rst generation 4x4 CTD to appreciate the newer trucks.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Eric,



If you really want to cure the ride and have maybe $2000 give or take burning up your pocket, go with an air ride. There are at least two or three companies out there that make them for Dodge Ram's.



Here's one from Fleetco Products, Inc.

#ad
http://www.fleetcoproducts.com

 

[JohnE]

If you simply want ride quality go for a gas powered ½ ton, 2wd extended cab long bed pickup.

HOWEVER, If you want a <b>Cummins</b> powered pickup the only choice is a &frac34; ton Dodge Chassis. A 2wd drive is usually a better factory ride than 4wd. Also, the longer the wheelbase, the better the ride.



In the words of my 84 yo father, &quot;this rides really nice for a &frac34; ton. &quot;



If you want agressive load handling combined with soft empty go with air bags. They go where no shock absorber dares.



-John

97 2wd ext cab long bed

<font size=1>forgot the air bag quip</font>

 

[Un-Hemi]

I second the 4X2 suggestion. I don't haul anything but a trailer, and the ride is good with 50psi in the front and 45psi in the back. Ya don't need a ladder to get in and out of it (the wife will REEEELY appreciate that!) and it's easier to service.



Neat Fleetco air ride though.

 

[sewman]

The ride on my truck improved when I put on the 35"BFG

top it off w/Ranchos set at 3 in the front & 2 in back & my truck rides better that my wifes 01 Grand Cherokee

Bob

 

[Pit Bull]

Looks like there are a lot of options to make it ride softer. Everybody wants something different, I guess I'm lucky that I love a big rough riding truck and mine is BIG, and ROUGH riding, to the point that my wife thinks I am crazy to want to own this truck. God I love being crazy

 

[Animal]

Originally posted by ericedelman

I still haven't pulled the trigger on ordering a new 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 shortbed with the HO Cummins. I love the truck, I love the engine, but the ride is worse than my 1999 1500 Ram.



I rarely put anything heavy in the bed, and I hardly ever tow. If I was williing to spend some money, what can I do to improve the ride quality? Add a camper shell? Change all the springs? Something else?

Buy a GMC!

 

[ftb87]

So Eric... have you made your decision yet?





Frank

 

[1 ALC]

I believe there are different options on the suspension (or used to be in 99). I remember driving one 3/4 ton short bed quad that was very stiff. It had a heavy bar under the rear end ( if I remember correctly). Others, including my '00 didn't have this and rode good.



I think my 2500 rides much better than the 1500 I traded in on it.

The 1500's have a bouncy front end.



As far as GMC, well I work at a GMC dealership,... .



I'm sticking with my Dodge.