Smoothing Ride of 3500

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Just have to ask this. Is there any "air ride" type of system out there that really smoothes out the ride? I just hooked up the 4000 lb. boat to the truck and it really seemed to jerk the truck a bit. This surprised me as I thought the added weight on the hitch would smooth out the ride. In about a year and a half, I will be pulling a 12K trailer. Any advice out there would be appreciated.

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2001 Ram 3500 dually, 4:10, auto, SLT+,anti-spin,custom side paint(parchment/cabernet red), Custom pin striping,Advanced Thermal Products Sound Blanket Kit, Smittybar nerf step,Geno's stainless wheel well trim, tonneau cover, air dam, chrome monster tip, mud flaps/chrome tips,pyro-trans-boost gauges, Bosch 275 Injectors

 

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Millfly, the smoothest ride I get out of mine is when I haul the 3000 pound camper, and let the tire pressure down to 45-50 pounds... and you will still be able to haul your trailer! Tires are currently up to 65 pounds for better mileage.

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Rob Hanson
1999 3500 SLT QC 4X4 6 spd, Braided SS fuel lines, Cummins E-Brake, Blue Box, Bosch 275HP injectors, Member of BOMB! (WW NW Chapter)

MyPics.com (pics updated 5/2/00)

I'd rather be... .
Cummin than Strokin.

 

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I put a 800 lb piece of plate steel in my truck for winter traction,liked the way it rode so much that I left it in. It makes a real tuff bed liner also! #ad
#ad
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After I put a set of Rancho 9000 5 speed shocks, the ride improved. I just set the shocks at the soft setting when I don't have a load. When I put on my camper, I just pump them up to 5 to handle the extra weight.

Tim #ad


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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper.

 

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Millfly, that 4,000 lbs trailer really didn't put too much of a load on the suspension, so i'd expect the ride to stay firm, when you go to the fiver your hitch weight will smooth out the ride. regards Pete

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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54,all the right packages!PROPER VALVEMENT

 

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Somebody in California makes a full air ride suspension. Replaces the leaf springs. I imagine it is expensive. Can't remember the name of the company though.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4
Driftwood/ Grey Int.
5 spd, 3. 54
PowerMax2, 19. 5" Alcoas, 245/70-19. 5 Michelins,
Ranchhand bumbers and toolbox, dual 3" with 5" tips, "Scotty Air System", Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, Autometer Gauges, Cobra CB, Sony CD player, Polk Audio Speakers, Upgraded fuel lines from tank to injector pump, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, PacBrake.

69 Z-28 Camaro, Silver/Black, original motor, 58,000 miles

Building: 32 (Censored) 5 Window, "American Graffiti" replica

 

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You might want to check out www.airride.com I have heard alot of good things about them. The air ride for the rear is exspensive around $1600.

 

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Millfly:
I'll give you your rough ride and raise you a 4X4. Our truck really smooths out with the fifth wheel in tow. The trailer is 10000# unloaded. Try it once before spending alot of money. Good Luck #ad


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'99 Sport 3500 Quad Cab 4X4 /A. T/3. 54 Red w/Downey Cover, Ultra Boards, K& N Filter, DD Stage I Injectors, 4" Exhaust, Pyro/Boost/ Trans Temp.

Towee: '00 American Star 10,000# 5th wheel.

If it ain't a Diesel (Cummins), it ain't a real truck!

 

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If you think that rides bad, try a 93 back, even in a 3/4 ton 4x4. My 1 ton rides like a cadilac compared to the 91 3/4 ton 4x4 I had.

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Hacksaw 1998. 5 Red Quad Cab 4X4 Dually Blue Box & Pac Brake 5 Speed . Delete Blue Box, after 2 pumps, got gun shy.

 

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Thanks for all the advice. Maybe I should wait until I start to travel with the trailer. Besides the 12K travel trailer, I will have 1K of Harley Road King and a loading mechanism in the bed. This should certainly make a difference. When I hooked up the boat, the truck did not drop downward at all. The jeep used to drop about 4 inches. If anyone else would like to offer advice, I'm still listening.

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2001 Ram 3500 dually, 4:10, auto, SLT+,anti-spin,custom side paint(parchment/cabernet red), Custom pin striping,Advanced Thermal Products Sound Blanket Kit, Smittybar nerf step,Geno's stainless wheel well trim, tonneau cover, air dam, chrome monster tip, mud flaps/chrome tips,pyro-trans-boost gauges, Bosch 275 Injectors

 

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Millfly,

How do you like the Advanced Thermal Products Sound Blanket Kit?

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Bill R
94 2500 SLT,4X4,5 Speed,3. 54 LSD... . Still looks brand new... .

 

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Somewhere there was a post about rear spring shackles that take the bounce out. Used on ford ambulances,anybody know who makes them?

 

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6bbl: Are you talking about Velvit Ride Shackels? I think they cost about $250-300 I don't know anyone that sells them though.

 

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I installed the "Velvet Rides". No appreciable difference. Just a gimmick, IMHO

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99' Stock Quad 4x4 A/T LB 3. 54 30K Miles.

 

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Millfly, I think red1ton has the right idea. I put on a set of the 9000s about 14 months ago and am really happy with the ride. You can soften them up when empty and go back like stock when hauling a load and you don't have to haul around all that extra weight when empty. Putting extra weight in the bed has to cost fuel mileage and at todays prices it adds up fast. Good riding. bg

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Ranco 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, aluminum tool box, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank not mounted yet.

 

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RED1TON---Tim,

I just got a set of Ranchos I ordered from National Tire for use on my 2001 4x2 3500, and the front shocks were the wrong size. It looks like the fronts are distinctly different(shorter) from the earlier models. National Tire now thinks the right model for the 2001 fronts is #9195 instead of the #9197 they shipped previously. The real bad news is they have none in stock and Rancho has a 2-4 week wait on those.
Can you check the model stamped on your front Ranchos and let me know what you find?Also, if you can give me any tips on where I can order them, it would really help.
I am leaving on a trip to Calgary from Florida on June 27 hauling a Lance 1130 and desperately need the Ranchos up front.

Any help will be appreciated on this.

Jack G

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2001 RAM SLT "ETH DEE" 3500 QC Flame Red! Lance 1130 Camper

 

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Sounds like the 9000's are the best bet. How much does a set run. Has anybody else had experience with them?
Also, a number of you have been asking about the Advanced Thermal Sound Blankets. I will be getting a full report on the site within about 3 weeks. Will give you a blanket-by-blanket decibel reading on the set when I complete the installation and a few tips on installing.

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2001 Ram 3500 dually, 4:10, auto, SLT+,anti-spin,custom side paint(parchment/cabernet red), Custom pin striping,Advanced Thermal Products Sound Blanket Kit, Smittybar nerf step,Geno's stainless wheel well trim, tonneau cover, air dam, chrome monster tip, mud flaps/chrome tips,pyro-trans-boost gauges, Bosch 275 Injectors

 

[Archive]

I installed the Velvet ride shackles on mine a few weeks ago and it made a very noticable difference. Even my wife noticed how much better it rode. Granted, it still ride like a truck but it doesn't have the bounce that it used to have. I got mine from a local truck parts house here in Louisiana. It was 150 for the shackles. If you can't find them let me know and I can get them here and ship them to you.

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1994 Ram 2500 Laramie SLT, Cummins turbo diesel. Ranch Hand steel brush guard, Westin Step bars. sprayed in liner. silencer ring removed, straight pipe out the side. Velvet ride shackles. www.gitchesumatfreeweb.com/curtis.htm

 

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Look for the soon to be posted add under Potential Business for a solution to smoothing your ride. You will also get numerous other benefits because this product will stabilize your rear suspension.
mrbob

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mrbob@frazmtn.com