2500 Body Height Clarification b/w Models & Option Groups (80.2" vs. 80.9")

[jb2]

Going by the Ramtrucks model spec comparison, the stock height of the 2500's is 80.2" across the board except for a .7" lift on the PW. Does the OffRoad Pkg option group (ARC) & the PowerWagon Package (ACE) add the same .7" rise seen in the actual PW? The shocks look to be the same , but I haven't figured out how to get the ramtrucks.com configurator to display the updated the vehicle specs from new configs.

Overall Height
TRADESMAN 4x4 Overall Height80.2"	BIG HORN 4x4 Overall Height80.2"	LARAMIE 4x4 Overall Height80.2"	POWER WAGON® 4x4 Overall Height80.9"

 

[Skinner]

I have a Big Horn with the offroad package. If no one gets the measurement before I do I'll measure the height of my truck.

On a side note I drove the Power Wagen and my Big Horn within a day of one another and in my opinion they ride different. The Power Wagen felt like it floated more. Might be the difference in springs.

 

[jb2]

Skinner, you are hitting at the crux of my confusion about the suspension and what the actual differences (if any) are between an actual PW, Tradesman w/ PW Pkg, or any trim with Off Road Pkg re: ride height, shocks, spring rates. The promo photos used those 3 examples depict the shocks identically, but I haven't found that next level of info documented yet. Based on your PW float test drive experience, it certainly sounds like there is more than meets the eye on shock/spring rate differences. The last time I was at a Ram dealer earlier this month, I forgot my measuring tape to check the ride height diffs.

 

[Distillusion]

Yep. The Power Wagon is a fair bit softer ride and has a bit more "roll" to it around corners if you haven't noticed. I noticed this test driving. You get used to it quickly enough, as I have in the past. It's that off-road suspension, which also reduces its payload. It's a great truck, especially if you want to off-road, although I didn't buy one this time around. I needed payload.

 

[jb2]

Have poked some articles and websites during lunch to no avail. Some articles indicate the Power Wagon Pkg is a 2" lift, others state it is a 1" lift. It sounds like the suspension in the Tradesman w/ PW Pkg is identical to the actual PW though. Have not yet found anything useful written about the Off Road Pkg.

example articles:

FIRST DRIVE: 2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon: - MoparInsiders

moparinsiders.com

2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon Serious Off-Road on a Budget | Trusted Auto Professionals

Check out our review of the 2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon in Lander, Wyoming. A big truck with some serious off-road capability.

tap.fremontmotors.com

The 2019 Ram Power Wagon Is the Most Capable Pickup You Can Buy | Gear Patrol

With exceptional off-road prowess, an excellent re-design and fit with the "Tradesman" option and the Power Wagon is king of pickup mountain.

gearpatrol.com

 

[jb2]

Off Road Pkg Ref:
Just as I typed I couldn't find anything useful written about the off road pkg, I found this:

With Ram’s new Tradesman 4×4 and 2500 off-road package, you don’t really need a Power Wagon

If you’re interested in buying the most off-road-capable Ram pickup available, the choice is easy: get the new Power Wagon. But if you’re not interested in spending quite that much money, or if you prefer the look of a more standard 2500 model, Ram has carried over quite a bit of the Power...

www.equipmentworld.com

"The package brings the new and improved five-link rear coil suspension and three-link front coil suspension, which provide extra axle articulation, over to any Ram 2500 model.
It also includes Bilstein monotube shocks, large fender flares, front tow hooks and, depending on the 2500 model you choose, either LT275/70R 18E OWL or LT 285/60R 20E OWL on/off-road tires from Firestone. You’ll also get hill descent control (which is a new feature for the Power Wagon this year) and rear anti-spin differential.
This package basically brings all the important stuff over from the Power Wagon except for these specifics: 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, two-inch lift, sway bar, front and rear locking differentials, 12,000-pound winch, and exterior styling."

 

[Skinner]

Just went out and measured and like I figured it was the 80.2"

 

[hutchman]

I do not believe the PW is 2" taller than the standard 2500. I owned a 2016 PW and my new 2500 seems as tall as it was....and that was the first thing I noticed about this truck.

The Gen IV PW was about 1.5" taller than the Gen IV 2500 was and the new PW is supposed to be 7mm taller than the new HD 2500. It would be a tall truck without a lift!

I do not however have a new PW to measure and my new truck has 35" tires, so it is no longer stock. Everything I've read says the new PW is only 7mm taller or about 1/4".

 

[jb2]

Everything I've read says the new PW is only 7mm taller or about 1/4".

Ram's official stats agree with you 80.9" vs. 80.2", yet it is commonly referred to as a factory 2" lift from solid sources and in some cases a 1" lift. I guess '7mm lift' didn't please the Marketing Team

 

[Distillusion]

Stock heights on the 2004 2500 were listed at 78.4" compared to today's 80.2. That's a 2.2" difference. I wonder if Ram might currently consider most of their trucks to have a 1" lift over previous models? Or maybe that's just the difference of the satellite antenna? The newer models do seem taller than the older ones, though.

The approximately 3/4 inch (0.7) height difference for the Power Wagon could be the result of a 1" lift at the front end alone. I've noticed that the Power Wagon I saw seemed slightly less raked, but that could just be looking at it at different angles in the dealer lot. Best way to tell for sure would be to measure both ends and compare to other trims.

 

[Marshfly]

You guys are forgetting that a PW comes with smaller tires than a normal truck with 18s or 20s.

 

[Distillusion]

Stock PW comes with 285/70r17s.. That's a 33" diameter x 11.5" width, approximately. There aren't any stock 34" or 35" tires on the Rams, although some have lower profile tires on taller rims, resulting in the same overall size.

 

[Marshfly]

The stock 20's are 33.5" tall. The Power wagon 17s are about 32.7." I'm just pointing out that it's not just coils that determine the height on a stock truck equipped differently.

 

[Distillusion]

Need to measure a truck or two. The .8" larger diameter doesn't necessarily mean tires are taller under load. I don't know if the axle is actually lower on the Power Wagon as a result of the difference in the tires. If it is, then the difference means the PW is actually raised .4" more than measured but the tires cause it to sit slightly lower.