2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission "too tall"

[SHathcoat]

first I would like to say that this is one of the best websites I've ever been on... I've been around computers and trucks for a long time and I really have to give it to the administrators for putting together such a user friendly site.

Now to the question, I own a 2001 dodge 1 ton 2wd regular cab... the dern thing is just to tall in the rear... I've been around many of these trucks and mine just seems to be taller than the rest. I know the reason is so when it is loaded it will level out, but this thing looks like the ol' stink bug look some older cars had... there are two small rubber blocks under the rear end, I was wondering if it would cause any trouble to take them out and just set the springs down on the regular axle blocks, I have looked and don't see why this would not work, I was just wondering if they had a job, like vibration dampening or the such, if not they will go, I don't want to have to jack up my goose neck again, i've already done that once for my last truck, any information regarding this would be appreciated, i'm new to the dodge rhelm, i've converted from the f**d gang, and boy am i ever glad i did... lol... thanks again for any info you can give me...

 

[Sticks]

There is a TSB out for the dealer to replace one of the 4" blocks (a pair rather) with a 2". There is also a leveling kit available to purchase to raise the front a tad.



Do a search on "leveling kit".



TSB 02-001-01

 

[SHathcoat]

I knew about the leveling kit and the tsb out for the 4wd, this is a 2wd and the rear of the truck is just to tall, these are two small blocks, 1 1/2" to 2" in height, if I was to just take them out and put the truck down like normal I think would be better, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about this... thanks again for any help

 

[RThompson]

On my 2002 I took them out and it worked just fine. Measured driveline angle before and after and it remained the same.

 

[ntillm01]

I have your same truck except quad-cab. I think they sit too high in the rear unloaded as well. I purposely hauled 2000# worth of a pallet of peat just to see if it would squat. Got the level out and it still was nose-down! It did squat down to the look I wanted unloaded. I have seen other 3500 4X2 trucks out there that seemed to sit more level unloaded and wondered what the difference was.



I picked up in this forum that those blocks (they are cast iron) are part of the camper package along with the rear sway bar. I'm quite certain they're there to keep the truck slighly nose down with a slide-in camper parked in the bed. Other have pulled them out with no issues and the TSB for the 4X4s tells me the factory doesn't think there's problems lowering back there either.



Mine are coming out this spring (no pun intended).

 

[Slick]

Gentlemen I have a 2001 Quad Cab short bed 4x4 with the overloads and 4 inch spacers. I do not tow anything heavy or have a slide in camper. My problem is my wife is handicapped and I must lift her into the cab. Needless to say I am short. I plan to remove the overloads as well as the 4 inch blocks. What I need to find out is about the U-bolts to hold the springs together. Is there a place to order shorther U-bolts (3 to 4 inches shorter) than the factory ones?

 

[stacerbob]

Search for a truck spring shop in your area, they can custom bend whatever you want in just a few hours. About 6-9 bucks ea here.