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Need help on suspension fix

I wonder if going to the hard bushings on top of the shocks would help any ?
 
Still no fixes yet on the ride quality after all I have done. But I haven't spent any more money either. Although now, I guess I'm at the point of going with the way-too-expensive shocks.

I am trying everything I can to love this truck, but the ride is not relaxing. The inconsistent road feel and continued bounce after a larger impact is tiring after an hour of commute. I don't want to revert to the stock springs, but I just thought that Thuren would have tried to get the 2.0's right. Maybe he did on lighter trucks and my Mega-Rambox is just different and heavier. I did only get .5" out of the 1" rear springs. I am lucky though that the wife is not at all bothered by it, which I think she is saying that just to make me feel more like I am the insane one.

The rebound damping on the rears just allows for too much continued movement. Words from CJC and Thuren are that the 2.0's just don't have a lot of damping. The feel of anything else is fine, but it feels like it just sits on top of the spring and oscillates with the intensity of each pebble I run over. It does seem that I get to relax a bit the slower I go.

How can I and possibly @OLEJOE be in the minority here? I really need an expert to ride in my truck for my own sanity check and validation. Does anyone know anything about these guys? The Spartan Garage
 
I feel your pain. I also can’t believe it’s not more common. It’s hard to carry on a conversation with the constant shaking (for lack of a better explanation). I have 10k on mine so far and every time I drive it, I’m constantly trying to figure out what could be doing it. If you figure it out be sure to update. TIA
 
OLEJOE said:
Me too. I’m at the point of seriously thinking about trading.
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I’m not saying you’re crazy but my truck is quiet and comfortable. We take my truck on road trips over our other vehicles because it rides better and is quieter. Stock springs and fox 2.0s

Maybe borrow somebody else’s ram with the same wheelbase and ride the same roads. Some roads just ride like crap if the wheelbase doesn’t jive with the road seams.

The 2500s do have a little bit of a weird rear “power hop” or whatever you want to call it handling characteristic when accelerating over big bumps but those bumps are uncommon for me (1-2x a week maybe) thuren says they fixed this with their rear trackbar but I don’t have experience with it.

I added sumo springs to the rear for towing and that, coincidentally, nearly got rid of the “power hop”. I have a pretty heavy 2500 comparatively with all the crap I’ve added to it. I’m sitting right on the sumos at ride height so it is a little stiffer now

I hope you figure it out or find a truck that rides better.
 
Rockcrawlerdude said:
Maybe borrow somebody else’s ram with the same wheelbase and ride the same roads. Some roads just ride like crap if the wheelbase doesn’t jive with the road seams.
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I agree with this. Unfortunately it may be the only way to verify its the truck and not the roads.

I certainly think at very rare times I experience what you guys are experiencing where it feels unsettled at the very top of the suspensions travel but it is very rare and very short lived - never enough to raise any thoughts in my mind. That being said there are also sections of I-5 in our state that unsettle the crap out of the truck even unloaded and its like @Rockcrawlerdude said - its just the road and the specific length/weight/whatever of the truck itself. Certainly uncomfortable when it happens but there's nothing to be done about it.
 
ClawSS said:
Update....Things are better with no wrench turning required. It is very drivable and comfortable even.

After I visually inspected everything....again....I went out and "cycled" the shocks on what I would consider full compression and extension using a nice gradual earthen bank I have off of my driveway. (Read this as a redneck RTI ramp) Driver front first riding up the slope until I had the passenger rear stuffed and driver rear extended. I then turned around and did the same, but opposite stuff and extension. I then took off across the farm with some decent terrace ditches (those in central KY would know what I mean) to cycle the suspension even more, but less desert-like and more redneck-ish.

Got her back on the road and went to town on the same roads I've been on since the upgrade, and she was smooth(er). Much less jitter in the rear. Front was still as perfect as ever. Quite livable and more as I would have expected a 3/4 ton coil sprung truck to be with 37's on 18's and "softer springs". Before it was like a 70's model empty 2.5ton leaf sprung truck (FYI I have one of these).

The other thing is that I did force the suspension to do stuff in the field that you probably don't get to do on pavement (my first 9000 miles). That is unless you live in <insert your crappy roaded city here>. These actions could have also self-aligned, relieved tension on bushings, etc. etc.

I can now actually tell what is occurring in the rear that could warrant the rear track bar. I couldn't get past the twerking to notice anything else.
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ClawSS said:
Still no fixes yet on the ride quality after all I have done. But I haven't spent any more money either. Although now, I guess I'm at the point of going with the way-too-expensive shocks.

I am trying everything I can to love this truck, but the ride is not relaxing. The inconsistent road feel and continued bounce after a larger impact is tiring after an hour of commute. I don't want to revert to the stock springs, but I just thought that Thuren would have tried to get the 2.0's right. Maybe he did on lighter trucks and my Mega-Rambox is just different and heavier. I did only get .5" out of the 1" rear springs. I am lucky though that the wife is not at all bothered by it, which I think she is saying that just to make me feel more like I am the insane one.

The rebound damping on the rears just allows for too much continued movement. Words from CJC and Thuren are that the 2.0's just don't have a lot of damping. The feel of anything else is fine, but it feels like it just sits on top of the spring and oscillates with the intensity of each pebble I run over. It does seem that I get to relax a bit the slower I go.

How can I and possibly @OLEJOE be in the minority here? I really need an expert to ride in my truck for my own sanity check and validation. Does anyone know anything about these guys? The Spartan Garage
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Wow.. sorry you’re still having issues. Could only imagine the frustration. I have the stock rear springs with Carli’s Fox 2.0. the rear settles down better than stock.. it used to buck over speed bumps or bridge expansion joints.. you’d feel the residual bounce.. now it’s smooth one bump - no chatter or hop afterwards you can definitely feel the dampening difference.. I couldn’t imagine that Thurens’ Fox 2.0 could be that much different.
That being said, as stated above, there’s a section of Hwy on my commute that’s quite unsettling.
All the bumps and dips are perfectly spaced to throw you around in the cab.
This doesn’t sound like your case though.. I’ve only heard praise about Thurens soft ride rear springs..
 
Thanks @hookedup2407 . I have an appt. with a shop about 3hrs away that are Thuren dealers/installers. I am going there to also get a Thuren spec'd alignment and also to get them to tell me I am not crazy and try to sell me $1600/pair shocks.
 
ClawSS said:
Thanks @hookedup2407 . I have an appt. with a shop about 3hrs away that are Thuren dealers/installers. I am going there to also get a Thuren spec'd alignment and also to get them to tell me I am not crazy and try to sell me $1600/pair shocks.
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Good deal!! Update the thread when you’re done..
 
Got back yesterday from my day trip out to the western part of the state to The Spartan Garage for a second opinion of my issue. These seem like good guys. Young, ambitious, and really willing to build a relationship.
They tackled my issue with the zeal I would expect...and without me in the cab took one trip out to a pretty rough section of road. Came back and put the truck on the rack and proceeded to check out the suspension install as well as reaction to push/pull on springs and shocks. After the review and noticing how "loose" the rear was at ride height, they went out one more time...came back and loaded about 3 mounted 37's in the back (ballast, I guessed) and back out again.
Upon that return we had the discussion and I decided to try these to see if I can dial out the issue. They should be here before Christmas. The 2.0s are just not working with the weight I have and the Thuren soft-rides.
1670709374990.png
I paid for them and they are drop shipping to my home for personal install. I was kinda proud that they had 0 reasons to doubt my ability after seeing the correct install and approved the work previously done. I am to call as soon as I get the shocks for a facetime "receipt" and will work with them on the setup.

I did not want to have another huge expense. I cannot tell you how happy & disappointed I was at the same time with 3 separate drivers experiencing the same issue I have dealt with for about 8k miles and tellimg me it is something they do not think should be there. Yes, they could have seen an opportunity to sell a set of outrageously prices shocks (just the rear pair), or genuinely want to help. I am at my wits end, so let's see what happens.
 
Good luck. I hope it’s something as simple as changing shocks. I hope it fixes it for you. If it does I’ll be changing mine also. I hope we’re talking about the same issue. Sounds like it is. Please let us know what you find out. Thanks
 
ClawSS said:
Got back yesterday from my day trip out to the western part of the state to The Spartan Garage for a second opinion of my issue. These seem like good guys. Young, ambitious, and really willing to build a relationship.
They tackled my issue with the zeal I would expect...and without me in the cab took one trip out to a pretty rough section of road. Came back and put the truck on the rack and proceeded to check out the suspension install as well as reaction to push/pull on springs and shocks. After the review and noticing how "loose" the rear was at ride height, they went out one more time...came back and loaded about 3 mounted 37's in the back (ballast, I guessed) and back out again.
Upon that return we had the discussion and I decided to try these to see if I can dial out the issue. They should be here before Christmas. The 2.0s are just not working with the weight I have and the Thuren soft-rides.
View attachment 48532
I paid for them and they are drop shipping to my home for personal install. I was kinda proud that they had 0 reasons to doubt my ability after seeing the correct install and approved the work previously done. I am to call as soon as I get the shocks for a facetime "receipt" and will work with them on the setup.

I did not want to have another huge expense. I cannot tell you how happy & disappointed I was at the same time with 3 separate drivers experiencing the same issue I have dealt with for about 8k miles and tellimg me it is something they do not think should be there. Yes, they could have seen an opportunity to sell a set of outrageously prices shocks (just the rear pair), or genuinely want to help. I am at my wits end, so let's see what happens.
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Keep us posted.. glad you found a decent shop. Hard to find these days.. I’ve been thinking about adding the Carli 1” rear springs to my Carli level.. your situation is definitely going to raise a question about my 2.0s..
 
I don’t think new shocks are the solution. But, I don’t have a solution for you. I wish you luck.
 
I +1 what @Rockcrawlerdude said. Generally speaking shocks aren't a solution, they just mask the problem temporarily. Can't tell you how many guys swap out or add steering stabilizers trying to chase down a problem. They always seem to work for a short while, then nothing.

I hope this turns out to be a solution for you, and please keep us updated, but I'm doubtful it's a long term fix. Similarly, no idea what to tell you except for mounting a go-pro under the truck and driving around and seeing if anything has an obvious shake/shimmy/etc.
 
UglyViking said:
I +1 what @Rockcrawlerdude said. Generally speaking shocks aren't a solution, they just mask the problem temporarily. Can't tell you how many guys swap out or add steering stabilizers trying to chase down a problem. They always seem to work for a short while, then nothing.

I hope this turns out to be a solution for you, and please keep us updated, but I'm doubtful it's a long term fix. Similarly, no idea what to tell you except for mounting a go-pro under the truck and driving around and seeing if anything has an obvious shake/shimmy/etc.
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I just am not sure how to accomplish what I am setting out to "fix" other than the damping of the suspension. 2.0s seem fine for everyone, but not really me (if in fact my 2.0s are working). I have put here ad nauseum my description of the issue.
I took a ride in my 1993 Chevy 3500 454 gasser SRW (std. cab long bed). It's on all season tires (Generals) at 65lbs front / 50 rear E range. I think its on Monroes...been forever-probably shot. Rides cushy and calming compared to the Ram.

Maybe instead of new high-$$$ shocks, I just need a blown set.

I try to research about what I experience. I see words as descriptors.
  • When I read "bouncy", I think of shocks that are shot...blown out. You see the hoopties going across a bridge that bounce all the way across. That's not this, but I feel the same harsh "square edge" of that bridge entry the 1st time and then +3 more times almost as jarring as the 1st.
  • When I read "harsh", I think of the bone jarring kidney punches you get when you crank the t-bars on a 3/4 ton NBS Chevy till it's level then try to cross a speed bump over 1mph. That's not this, but I feel every imperfection even if I can't see them in the tarmac and it gets worse the faster I go. There isn't anything consistent, just faster occurring inconsistency making my belly jiggle, drinks quiver, and eventually a headache. KY roads must really suck.
  • When I read "bottom-out", I think of a lowered truck riding mere centimeters above the bumpstops hitting every bridge approach with a "HANG ON!". That's not this, because I ride perfectly and smoothly on the mid-short rolling bumps telling me the 2.0s are actually doing something...but not everything.
 
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ClawSS said:
I just am not sure how to accomplish what I am setting out to "fix" other than the damping of the suspension. 2.0s seem fine for everyone, but not really me (if in fact my 2.0s are working). I have put here ad nauseum my description of the issue.
I took a ride in my 1993 Chevy 3500 454 gasser SRW (std. cab long bed). It's on all season tires (Generals) at 65lbs front / 50 rear E range. I think its on Monroes...been forever-probably shot. Rides cushy and calming compared to the Ram.

Maybe instead of new high-$$$ shocks, I just need a blown set.

I try to research about what I experience. I see words as descriptors.
  • When I read "bouncy", I think of shocks that are shot...blown out. You see the hoopties going across a bridge that bounce all the way across. That's not this, but I feel the same harsh "square edge" of that bridge entry the 1st time and then +3 more times almost as jarring as the 1st.
  • When I read "harsh", I think of the bone jarring kidney punches you get when you crank the t-bars on a 3/4 ton NBS Chevy till it's level then try to cross a speed bump over 1mph. That's not this, but I feel every imperfection even if I can't see them in the tarmac and it gets worse the faster I go. There isn't anything consistent, just faster occurring inconsistency making my belly jiggle, drinks quiver, and eventually a headache. KY roads must really suck.
  • When I read "bottom-out", I think of a lowered truck riding mere centimeters above the bumpstops hitting every bridge approach with a "HANG ON!". That's not this, because I ride perfectly and smoothly on the mid-short rolling bumps telling me the 2.0s are actually doing something...but not everything.
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Man i want to add the Carli 1” soft ride rear springs but your situation has me really tentative..
 
  • When I read "bouncy", I think of shocks that are shot...blown out. You see the hoopties going across a bridge that bounce all the way across. That's not this, but I feel the same harsh "square edge" of that bridge entry the 1st time and then +3 more times almost as jarring as the 1st.
This is exactly what I’ve tried to explain the problem is with my truck. It’s like there’s an inch or two at laden heighth that the Bilsteins don’t work at all. Get past that point and they work great if the road surface is rough enough. Feel every crack or joint in the road 3+ times.
 
OLEJOE said:
Any progress yet with the ride?
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Well. Short answer is a disappointing "No." As said here earlier, it isn't or wasn't the shocks not damping, but has to be somewhere else in the whole system. @OLEJOE , save your money.

If we concentrate on the "reverberation" bounce, maybe I take your previously mentioned path on other things possibly bouncing after the initial jolt and transmitting that vibration into the cabin. Like a transmission/x-fer case mount points.
I'll have to get me a GoPro or something under the truck for visual diagnostic purposes. I've never used one and wonder if a mount to the frame can see body vibration...maybe watch the springs oscillate...shocks do work, etc. I don't know at this point. I have a single rear driveshaft, so no carrier. The transmission mount is much more intricate than my old GM trucks.
1672676929754.png VS. 1672677292365.png
 
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