2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Stiff ride-remove spring leaf?

[moon]

Have 2001-4x4-2500-quad cab-SB- Diesel,rides kinda rough on the roads where i live so i carry 500# of wieght towards the back end of the box and it really helps the ride. There are 3 long spring leaves, and one thick shorter leaf below the 3, and of course the overload leaf on top. The top overload dosent come into play till you get a lot of wieght on,i am thinking about removing the thick bottom leaf,(replacing it with a spacer)becouse with the 500# in the back the top 3 hit against the bottom thick one and kind of hammers. As far as having the bottom leaf for wieght, i never put anything in my truck, i use it strickly for transportation,(wouldnt own anything else),so am wondering if anybody has removed this bottom leaf to make it ride better,if so did it ride better,also would it cause any problems for the other 3 springs and overload leaf?

 

[Blakers]

Yelloweyes, I just can't see how you can think these trucks ride rough. I have driven or ridden in all kinds of trucks and these are about the smoothest of any out there. Especially for a 4x4, though I have been in 2 wheel drive trucks that are rougher.



Someone (is it Skyjacker?) makes the Softride springs. I'm not sure if they make them for these Rams though. Perhaps some adjustable shocks could help you out.



Good luck,



Blake

 

[Pit Bull]

First my advise is to get that 500 lb weight out of there, unless it is really well secured, in a accident it can come through the back window and kill you. I would suggest that you put a set of Bilsteins on the truck. Mine rides like a Mercedes. My wife drives a 95 Landcruiser and it is a lot rougher riding than my truck, and my truck has over loads and the snow plow option and it is a 3500 so it would be as rough of a ride that Dodge makes. Good luck.

 

[moon]

Pit Bull, I dont need your advise about safety,thats not what i asked about but now that you brought it up,dont you haul anything in your truck box,and if you do ,do you always make sure you tie it or bolt it down. I am sure your no different than the rest of us,you dont tie down a case of beer or coke or a bicycle or a piece of lumber or maybe a brick. Its funny how a question can be asked, and this happens quite often, that someone answers with something that isnt even remotly related to the question. Makes one wonder if the question is even read!

 

[jerryrigg]

Take it easy on Pit Bull, sounds to me like he was just looking out for you.



What pressure are you running in your tires? Sure the sidewall may say 85psi but that is for max load.



Empty I run 50-60psi in the rear, for hauling I increase according to the load. Dropping the pressure a few psi can make a big difference in the ride.



To keep myself legally safe, verify pressures in manual and on your GVWR Plate.



-Matt

 

[Doc Tinker]

Don't get riled up. . I think Pit Bull only meant to be helpfull and it's advice that I should be heading, but I don't.



One thing that I do to soften the ride is to run less air pressure in the tires. It's a pain to have to air them up every time I haul though.



I like the way some of these threads go off on a tangent sometimes. The results are usually entertaining



Doc

 

[fox]

WhenI had my V-10 truck I removed the leaf just above the one you are asking about. It helped the ride and lowered it about 1 inch.

I would not remove the bottom one for fear of axle rap or twist that could blow u-joints. Maybe with tracktion bars it would be ok. I am wandering if just removing the rear clamp so the springs can separate aft of the axle. I guess it would also lift the rear some.

The slapping you are hearing is most likely the touching of the overloads.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Pit Bull



I would suggest that you put a set of Bilsteins on the truck. Mine rides like a Mercedes. My wife drives a 95 Landcruiser and it is a lot rougher riding than my truck, and my truck has over loads and the snow plow option and it is a 3500 so it would be as rough of a ride that Dodge makes. Good luck.

Sorry about the safety suggestion. I had a good friend of mine killed by the cement blocks that he carried all winter in the bed of his truck for traction purposes. He was in an accident and was killed by one of the blocks.

 

[M Barnett]

Since you don't haul anything, If it were mine, I would go to a big spring shop {large city} and get advise from them. And they are all set up to do any work.

Michael

 

[SnoKing]

New shocks and air pressure should be the first changes. I run around 44 in the rear bobtail and 55 in the front. Rancho 5000's on the front and 9000 adjustables on the back. 1 or 2 empty on the back. After that some people are disconnecting one side to the rear sway bar and tying it back. If you are still not happy with the ride, switch to load range D tires. Next step is to buy a Chebby. Snoking