this driveline is junk!

[JHardwick]

I've already had the rear driveshaft replaced because it was bent, and while towing yesterday I started to get the same vibration while accelerating up through 3rd gear. It got so bad before I had it fixed last time that it actually felt like I was coming to a stop on 40” Monster Mudders from about 10mph down.



I am certain this is being caused by the weak rear spring setup. It may ride nice, but that’s about it! I am thinking of building some sort of traction lift unless somebody knows of a good aftermarket unit. Or possible even just adding a couple of leaves to make it ride like a real truck. I have a feeling if I don’t get this axle wrap fixed, I’ll be replacing a lot of driveshafts.

 

[GWDiesel]

Bent drive shaft

I have an early 03 and the drive shaft is steel I am told the later 03 25/2300 Rams have an Aluminum drive shaft,If you have an

aluminum drive shaft you might want to try the early shaft if it is

still available from the dealer. GWD

 

[JHardwick]

I have the steel shaft. I ordered this truck last November. I'm pretty sure it is the wheel hop doing the damage. Dayum thing wheel hops in wet grass, lol.

 

[Steve M]

I wonder if some good old fashioned traction bars would stop it. They sure helped with my old '71 Comet GT. That thing would scald some tires and without the bars it would wrap up. I'd be willing to try it on mine for the launch shudder I get while towing the 5th wheel. It's not bad but I can feel it every time we take off.

 

[JHardwick]

Steve,



The "traction lift" that I am thinking about is very similar to the old traction bars. The idea is the same with 1 variance.



At the front of the bar, this setup has basically a shackle instead of the rubber snubber that your probably thinking of. This shackle extends up both sides of the spring and has a pin at both the top and bottom of the spring, effectively contolling axle wrap in both directions.



Snow is right around the corner, so I need to move on this before I waste another drive shaft. Has anyone else experienced the terrible wheel hop that I am? I do spend a fair amount of time off road either loaded or not ... ..... hay wagons, horse trailers etc

 

[Dean Upson]

I have experienced wheel hop when I give it throttle when launching if I am towing the fiver. I never give it throttle and just start off in 1st and let the low end governor do it's job. Works for me . This would have no effect on the third gear problem, but might help in the wet grass or otherwise helping with the "hop" when launching.



Dean

 

[JHardwick]

Dean,



The "through 3rd gear" is on dry pavement and is a definate driveline vibration, the same as it felt before the drive shaft was replaced the 1st time.



Check this, I was hauling 1700# round balesthrough the pasture and would stop to pull 1 off at approx. 50 yard intervals. When getting back in the truck to move to the next location, as soon as the rear wheels would slip they would hop. I could probably even get it to do it by just releasing the clutch with no throttle at all ... ..... it's terrible!



I know it has to do with the longer spring and softer ride, but that is a little rediculous for a HD truck. And the wheel hop has to take a greater toll on a 2 piece driveshaft I would have to believe.

 

[curatchko]

That sounds strange to me. This 04 is WAY stiffer than my 99 was. My buddys 03 2wd is stiffer than anothers 97 Dually!!!!



In my opinion they have stiffened these trucks up big time over the 2nd gen's.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by JHardwick

Dean,



The "through 3rd gear" is on dry pavement and is a definate driveline vibration, the same as it felt before the drive shaft was replaced the 1st time.



Check this, I was hauling 1700# round balesthrough the pasture and would stop to pull 1 off at approx. 50 yard intervals. When getting back in the truck to move to the next location, as soon as the rear wheels would slip they would hop. I could probably even get it to do it by just releasing the clutch with no throttle at all ... ..... it's terrible!



I know it has to do with the longer spring and softer ride, but that is a little rediculous for a HD truck. And the wheel hop has to take a greater toll on a 2 piece driveshaft I would have to believe.

Have you considered the use of Air Springs or Timbrens to level the the truck?



Dean

 

[JHardwick]

Thought about it Dean. My goose doesn't even come close to overlaoding the truck. But the equipment trailer I haul hay and tractor/bush hog combo on is set up for a dump truck and puts a lot of weight on the truck. It's 6000# empty and the axles are set waaay back. I want to move the 3rd tandem up front to take some weight off of the truck.



Either way, I doubt either of those options will help with the axle wrap, which is causing the hop. Another option I am considering is to space the overlaods so they contact the stops all of the time. It'll make it ride a little stiffer, but should help to eliminate some of the axle wrap up.

 

[JHardwick]

Oh curatchko, I don't remember ever having this problem with my '99. IKt was an automatic, but that shouldn't have made that much of a difference. It did ride way stiffer with no weight though.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by JHardwick

Another option I am considering is to space the overlaods so they contact the stops all of the time. It'll make it ride a little stiffer, but should help to eliminate some of the axle wrap up.

Wouldn't Timbrens accomplish the same thing? They act pretty much as an overload spring, except they rest right on the axle.



Dean

 

[JHardwick]

Dean,



I just did a search and followed a link to Timbren.com. This setup won't help axle wrap, but will help with an overload situation.



I'm sure I need some sort of out rigger (traction bar) to stop the twisting action.



Maybe I could just do ladder bars :-laf

 

[VStahl]

I was deer hunting this past week and noticed the truck hopping as you described it badly in the sand. I was not sure if it was the limited slip engaging and disengaging causing the truck to have a very uneven traction situation or actual hop as you are saying. It was enough to raddle your teeth loose. So I think next time I will keep an eye out to see which it would be.

 

[bworthington]

if you want a monster, buy one, i've had 3 so far and pull 14000 at 70mpr go fish

 

[JHardwick]

I'm not real sure what you are trying to say there bworthington?



This thing tows like a beast on the road, it's just a wheel hopping sissy off road.



Course, I can hook another gear and out run the wheel hop ... ... ... only cause I done lost all the traction the caused the axle to wrap up in the 1st place.

 

[KBennett]

Mine will wheel hop real bad off road in 2WD but as soon as it is in 4WD it is very smooth. On drive pavement it has not given me any problems in 2WD but I am pretty easy on it when loaded. I wonder if shocks would help?

 

[Blakers]

Mine started hopping pretty bad while driving through some 20 inch snow drifts last week. I had to pretty much stop and start again. No perceived damage done.



Blake

 

[wsurf]

My 3500 4X4 does not hop, pulling or empty (rutts, sand, pavement, etc. ). But I have the auto not stick. The recurring theme seems to be owners with sticks. This is one advantage of the auto I think. Not saying one is better than the other, both have pro's and con's.

 

[Boonieman]

I have the six speed SRW and no wheel hop issues at all with this truck, although my 01. 5 would occasionally do it on wet pavement. I also pull a tractor/bush hog combo and I don't believe those back wheels could hop even if they wanted to when loaded. I hope you figure out a cure in the event mine starts doing it.