Rear shocks and sway bar

[RThompson]

Just returned from 5000 mile trip with a new 5er and I have concluded that the rear OEM shocks have to go. Way to much pogo action with 1600 lb pin weight and 50 gallons of fuel on board. Ordered truck without overload springs and now I am having second thoughts about that decision. Air Bags help but side roll in corners is leading me to believe that the addition of heavy sway bar and the Ranchos would correct a lot of the problem. Anyone care to jump in on this? Maybe a little direction on prices also.

BTW,, If anyone is considering buying a Canadian RV to take advantage of the favorable currency exchange, give me a e-mail. I will give you whatever help I can, on what to expect buying up "North".

 

[TowPro]

The sway bar will help. Its designed to help prevent the body from leaning.



Now Shocks are only designed to slow down the movement of the rear in relation to the axle. yes a good shock can help slow down how quick the body leans but thats not there perpose.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by RThompson

Way to much pogo action with 1600 lb pin weight and 50 gallons of fuel on board.

Towing our 13,500 lb 5th wheel (2,700 lbs pin weight) with stock shocks would make anyone carsick. Constant bouncing!!!!



We changed to Rancho RS9000's front and rear. Running empty, settings of 3 front and 2 rear stopped the bouncing in front and the hard kicking over every bump or expansion joint in the rear. Towing, settings of 4 front and 5 rear snub everything down tight.



Bar none, this was one of the best modifications we've made to the truck.



Rusty

 

[Okie-Go]

I have an 01 2500 and thought mine did OK. I put on a set of Rancho's while a little extra cash was had and it made a huge difference. I like em a lot. Personally every one has an opinion but I would not order a truck knowing I was going to work it without the sway bar or camping spring package.

 

[Forrest]

Had a 72 Ford 3/4 ton ... towed the same 5th wheel. The Ford didn't have a rear bar. Side winds were 'white knuckle' times. I put on a bar & wow ... amazing difference.



This truck came with the rear bar, but I added the RS9000's. End of bounce problem. Easy to reach the adjuster from the outside of the truck, thru the fenderwell.

 

[D. Showan]

Jc Whitney has a good price on a Helwig sway bar. It's bigger than the one you can get from dodge. The catalog said it was 1 1/8" diam. but when it came the box said 1 1/4". It definitely helps to reduce sway. It was about $125 plus $15 shipping. I think Bilsteins are better quality than Rancho, but I still bought Rancho because I have a top heavy slide-in and wanted to be able to adjust them very stiff when it's loaded. When the shocks arrived one didn't adjust properly and a replacement was sent N/C. On another one the adjuster turns a little harder than the rest and I'm hoping it doesn't freeze up as I've heard some do. Still, I'm very glad I bought them. For maximum control and of course the adjustability I think they are the best thing out there, at least for now. If I still had my fiver I would have bought Bilstein.

 

[RThompson]

Thanks for the input. New shocks first and then try to figure out if sway bar will fit up with out to much problems with the air bags in place. Thinking that lowering air bag pressure will settle rear end a few inches and get back a little of the front end caster that I lost by running 90 psi in bags. As it is, the truck tracks very straight on smooth roadway, but rear suspension rebound is affecting the front end geometry I think. Steering kind of hunts for a second till rear suspension settles down. If there is any alignment experts on here who have cranked in a little extra caster, I would like to hear what they recommend.

 

[John Berger]

Gotta second what Rusty said. Setting 4 on the front and 5 on the back really make the 5'ver a pleasure to tow. I had the fronts set to 3 for awhile, but I didn't like the response in the steering wheel when coming down a slight incline and the road dipped off at the shoulder. Felt like it could get out of control quickly. It only happened once, but I haven't been back to setting 3 while towing and I don't plan on it, either.