What's new
By:
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Suspension Upgrade Confusion/Suggestions - What should I get?

W

Wilder

Active Member
Messages
162
Reaction score
127
Points
43
Location
Maine
So I am currently waiting for delivery on my new 2500 Diesel, and in the meantime, based on the fact that almost everything is out of stock and has long lead time, I am trying to determine what I want to do to the suspension. I am looking for a leveling kit (prefer to keep some rake - not dead level), and to upgrade the suspension to improve ride quality and control on rough roads and in bad weather (snow). I don't do any rock crawling, we don't have that in maine, but I do often put in some distance on unmaintained logging roads, hauling snowmobiles and other stuff. I am most interested in traveling over rough and unmaintained roads at a high speed as safely as possible.

In my previous 2 trucks (GM 1500's) I have ran Fox Factory 2.5 coilovers in front and 2.5 shocks in the back with the stock leaf springs. I have been very happy with how these make the truck ride, and they give great control on rough roads - a massive improvement over the factory suspension. The best way I can describe them is that they keeps the tires on the ground more - they don't pogo up and down like the OEM suspension. As I understand the fox coils suck for rock crawling but are better at high speed, which fits my use case well.

I am trying to get a similar level of performance out of my new truck, and wondering what the go-to options are. Thuren springs and components with King Dampers seems to be a solid choice, but the lead time on anything King is 10 months! That brings me back to Fox Factory dampers. Fox says that 883-26-019 (front) and 883-24-020 (rear) fit trucks up to 2019,

https://www.ridefox.com/subhome.php?m=truck&make=Ram&model=2500+&year=2018&position=ALL

but not 2020+,

https://www.ridefox.com/subhome.php?m=truck&make=Ram&model=2500+&year=2020&position=ALL

Meanwhile they are being sold on other sites as fitting all trucks 2014+

https://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-...th-body-shock-with-dsc-for-0-to-1-5-lift.html

Which leaves me asking, What changed between MY2019 and MY2020? I thought the refresh happened between '18 and '19. Have the fitment tables just not been updated? Are there any other high quality options besides fox (that you can actually buy in a reasonable amount of time) that I should be considering? Would like to get the suspension sorted and proper tires installed before winter, when I make most use of them. Sorry if these are dumb questions but I am brand new to the Ram truck game!
 
You might try giving Carli a call. They know Ram suspension really well and I think work with both fox and King.
 
Actually looking at your signature, you installed 2.5.... And am I correct in thinking that there is no difference between suspension on a 2019 and a 2021? should be the same, right?
 
Wilder said:
Actually looking at your signature, you installed 2.5.... And am I correct in thinking that there is no difference between suspension on a 2019 and a 2021? should be the same, right?
Click to expand...
2019-2021 are the same. I did speak to the tech guy at Fox before i installed them, they were super helpful, but i did have to wait nearly 6 months for part to turn up!
 
They appear to be in stock at the downsouth motorsports... I guess I should get on it. I assume you did the 1" thuren springs seeing as the shock only claims to handle 0-1.5" lift?
 
I actually have the 2.75" springs, I had temporarily installed spacers whilst waiting for the rest of my set up and the spacers had shock extensions. I would sway out but I don't see any reason to as the ride is great and no issue. I don't go off-road in any extreme so the travel is not being limited, all I have is fire trails and basic off highway needs
 
And do you sit level? Or still have some rake? I was hoping to keep some rake because I went true level on my last truck and it squatted out every time I put a load in. Additionally, did you install their trackbar or any of the other components you supposedly need? Just wondering how much of their statements are truth, and how much is upselling their own product
 
Wilder said:
And do you sit level? Or still have some rake? I was hoping to keep some rake because I went true level on my last truck and it squatted out every time I put a load in. Additionally, did you install their trackbar or any of the other components you supposedly need? Just wondering how much of their statements are truth, and how much is upselling their own product
Click to expand...
I still have rake, about an inch higher in the rear. I also installed the adjustable front track bar and torsion sway bar from Thuren up front and the rear track bar and Airlift 5000 bag in the ready for when heavy.
I only have about 5psi in the bags normally, ride of the truck now is far better than stock. tires are 45/40 psi which also helps
 
Thuren WAS working on a fox 2.5 setup for these trucks, but I don't know the status of it. You could always call them though. I have the thuren from springs, fox 2.0 resi shocks and miscellaneous other parts and love the ride quality. One thing you want for sure is their sway bar, it makes the most difference off road, it eliminates 99% of the side to side rocking.
 
Thuren also claims there's huge variability in the stock ride heights /rakes of these trucks, is that really true? Or could it be reasonably predicted what mine would be looking at other Laramie Crew Cab diesel trucks? Would like to order some stuff ahead of time seeing as lead times are really long in everything, would like to install this stuff before the snow and cold comes. If the truck is delivered in october, and I have to wait 2 months for springs, well that puts us into december before I could install...
 
Wilder said:
Thuren also claims there's huge variability in the stock ride heights /rakes of these trucks, is that really true? Or could it be reasonably predicted what mine would be looking at other Laramie Crew Cab diesel trucks? Would like to order some stuff ahead of time seeing as lead times are really long in everything, would like to install this stuff before the snow and cold comes. If the truck is delivered in october, and I have to wait 2 months for springs, well that puts us into december before I could install...
Click to expand...

If you know the direction you are taking with the truck I would order now. It took me 6 months to get my suspension. Take a look at some of the other trucks built similar to yours and running suspension similar to what you want. They will not vary much and it will not be something you will notice without a tape measure. Regardless, the kits do not have fine adjustment so it is what it is.
 
Brewbud said:
If you know the direction you are taking with the truck I would order now. It took me 6 months to get my suspension. Take a look at some of the other trucks built similar to yours and running suspension similar to what you want. They will not vary much and it will not be something you will notice without a tape measure. Regardless, the kits do not have fine adjustment so it is what it is.
Click to expand...

I was gonna go +1" in front, -0.5" rear on their springs. Tires for winter would be Duratrac 325/60R20 (that's 35.5" tires per manufacturer) on the oem wheels, will probably get some other wheels for summer, but probably not much bigger tires than that. I dont think the truck needs to be much taller tbh, and hoping to keep some rake, but not all. My current truck is dead level, and it looks like the carolina squat every time I tow or carry weight
 
Wilder said:
I was gonna go +1" in front, -0.5" rear on their springs. Tires for winter would be Duratrac 325/60R20 (that's 35.5" tires per manufacturer) on the oem wheels, will probably get some other wheels for summer, but probably not much bigger tires than that. I dont think the truck needs to be much taller tbh, and hoping to keep some rake, but not all. My current truck is dead level, and it looks like the carolina squat every time I tow or carry weight
Click to expand...
I don't know how much you tow or how often, but if you're planning on the Thuren soft ride rears know they are very soft, almost too soft. They ride amazing unloaded, but obviously you're gonna have some pretty extreme squat loaded down. I'm running his 2.75"/1" combo with Kings. I just picked up some Timbrens to see how that handles the camper, if not I'm gonna explore bags and/or dropping to the 2" front and stock rear. Just something to consider.
 
UglyViking said:
I don't know how much you tow or how often, but if you're planning on the Thuren soft ride rears know they are very soft, almost too soft. They ride amazing unloaded, but obviously you're gonna have some pretty extreme squat loaded down. I'm running his 2.75"/1" combo with Kings. I just picked up some Timbrens to see how that handles the camper, if not I'm gonna explore bags and/or dropping to the 2" front and stock rear. Just something to consider.
Click to expand...
Are they softer than a 1/2 ton truck? My current towing is I tow a 12000# boat a few times a year, but it mostly stays in the water. This maxes out my 1/2 ton truck but it never feels sketchy. I also tow a dump trailer regularly, a few times a month, this never exceeds 8k, and is usually less.

Honestly, the sketchy thing that made me want to move up from a 1/2 ton is carrying a long track mountain sled in the back of the truck. They aren't super heavy, but they hang out the back of the truck so far that they really compress the suspension of a 1/2 ton and make it drive horribly, nose pointing towards the sky, especially in snow. If thuren springs makes the rear less stiff than a 1/2 ton I wouldn't want to do it.

I don't tow a travel trailer and have no desire to do so
 
Long travel airbags plus soft springs seem like a winning combo to me. Haven’t gone that route yet personally but likely will eventually.
 
Wilder said:
Are they softer than a 1/2 ton truck? My current towing is I tow a 12000# boat a few times a year, but it mostly stays in the water. This maxes out my 1/2 ton truck but it never feels sketchy. I also tow a dump trailer regularly, a few times a month, this never exceeds 8k, and is usually less.

Honestly, the sketchy thing that made me want to move up from a 1/2 ton is carrying a long track mountain sled in the back of the truck. They aren't super heavy, but they hang out the back of the truck so far that they really compress the suspension of a 1/2 ton and make it drive horribly, nose pointing towards the sky, especially in snow. If thuren springs makes the rear less stiff than a 1/2 ton I wouldn't want to do it.

I don't tow a travel trailer and have no desire to do so
Click to expand...
I don't know the exact details but for example, my TT is 7700 lbs GVWR, loaded for a trip and I was under GVWR but not sure exact weight, I'll say 7k. Bumper should put about 10-15% on tongue, so again worst case let's say 15%. So we are at 1050lbs on the bumper. The rear dropped almost 3". Now, I'll be honest, I don't think the TT was 7k, and I don't think it was 1k on the bumper, but I've got no clue currently so giving the benefit of the doubt.

With that all said, my truck rides better than any stock 2500, almost as good as most 1500s.

Here are the options I would consider if I were you:

1. Do full Thuren setup like you planned. Swap in Timbrens when towing/hauling in the bed. Timbrens should give you less rear droop and a more stable feeling with weight in the bed since it adds stability by having something far to the outside vs the coils alone, which are set in. Timbrens are maintenance free and with a quick mod you can have them off and on in 5 mins.

2. Do full Thuren setup, swap in airbags with daystar cradles. This way you get much more adjustability, super easy to do. Downsides are that you lose some travel due to the bags, but it's probably a wash with the increased travel from the Thuren setup. Cost is also a factor, as is the need to inspect the bags every so often.

3. Do Thuren front springs but maintain the factory rear. This will benefit the ride, just not all the way.

Either way, I would highly consider also adding the rear track bar and active rate sway bar if you can swing it. You'll eventually need the longer front track bar but you can wait till your current dies.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top