what is this for? 2014 2500

tommy_harrell · Mar 11, 2014

My ram 2500 2014 6.4 has an extra shock mounted from the center of the rear axle to a crossmember. when I was measuring trucks at the dealership (pre flatbed planning) I noticed that is only on gas powered trucks (5.7 and 6.4) not on diesel (6.7)

What does it do (yellow shock in center of frame)

Tommy

Brakelate · Mar 11, 2014

Looks like a "Kicker Shock", which is designed to prevent "axle wrap" or rotating of the rear differential forward or back when under a heavy load..

These typically are used on the leaf spring packs themselves, but in a coil sprung rear end, they must just put it in the center of the housing.

It slows or eliminates flex, preventing the rear driveshaft from damage when the assembly, under extreme or sudden loading and unloading (wheel hop) tries to push over into a "nose down" angle that exceeds the limits of the U joints, especially when fully extended at full droop. It aids in keeping the driveshaft angle within an acceptable range throughout the full length of suspension travel (bottomed out to fully unloaded) especially in an application where there is a large amount of suspension travel available.

I have never seen this on a Coil Spring rear suspension, especially from the factory, but it is a nice touch.

BossHogg · Mar 11, 2014

tommy_harrell said:
I noticed that is only on gas powered trucks (5.7 and 6.4) not on diesel (6.7)

I would think the diesel would put more torque back there than a Hemi, so why wouldn't this shock be on the diesel powered trucks?

Olli · Mar 11, 2014

In the last week or two I read an article that mentioned that shock. I can't remember right now where I read it. I will try and do some back tracking to find it.

Olli

Bully's Performance · Mar 11, 2014

Brakelate said:
Looks like a "Kicker Shock", which is designed to prevent "axle wrap" or rotating of the rear differential forward or back when under a heavy load..

These typically are used on the leaf spring packs themselves, but in a coil sprung rear end, they must just put it in the center of the housing.

It slows or eliminates flex, preventing the rear driveshaft from damage when the assembly, under extreme or sudden loading and unloading (wheel hop) tries to push over into a "nose down" angle that exceeds the limits of the U joints, especially when fully extended at full droop. It aids in keeping the driveshaft angle within an acceptable range throughout the full length of suspension travel (bottomed out to fully unloaded) especially in an application where there is a large amount of suspension travel available.

I have never seen this on a Coil Spring rear suspension, especially from the factory, but it is a nice touch.

Not sure I have seen it before either... like you said though is a nice touch, and at least they used a decent shock

gotta love bilstein.

NewBlackDak · Mar 11, 2014

I'll have to crawl under mine, and see of it's there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sud · Mar 11, 2014

You can observe it through the wheel well. I was wondering about it as well.

I also agree on the diesel question... why would it not need this extra shock?

preachp · Mar 11, 2014

Hi All,

I would venture that the diesels are not known for high speed wheel spin, which is what that looks like it is for. Axle wrap happens when the back wheels break loose and twist the axle forward. This then ends up with wheel hop and damages stuff. The diesels don't generally produce high rpm, that cause this effect, V8's do. Could be way off but racing experience says this is why. Same thing pinion snubbers do.

preachp

WhiteExpress · Mar 11, 2014

Dad's '14 has this. I agree with "preachp" above.

NewBlackDak · Mar 11, 2014

That's probably true. The diesel needs time to spool up. I can spin the rear tires at will, and have been surprised a couple times while trying to merge onto the highway.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NewBlackDak · Mar 11, 2014

Mine doesn't have it, but the bracket is definitely there. Is it a 4x4 vs 4x2 thing?

Bigdaddy · Mar 11, 2014

Hmmm, you might ask the dealer because mines have it also but I have the 2014 2500 5.7 hemi.

hemi1282 · Mar 11, 2014

I got up under mine awhile ago to see if I had the shock and it didn't but found a oil leak coming from front of rear end hmm?

NewBlackDak · Mar 11, 2014

Anyone have pictures of where it attaches on the diff?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

granite14 · Mar 11, 2014

Top of the diff

Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk

NewBlackDak · Mar 11, 2014

granite14 said:
View attachment 24076
Top of the diff

Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk

I see where that bracket bolts into the top of the diff housing on mine, but no bracket.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tommy_harrell · Mar 12, 2014

If it really is an anti-torque thing like brakelate suggested, I would think that newblackdak would have one as 4.10 truck would have a greater tendency for axle wrap than a 3.73 axle.

My truck is a outdoorsman 4x4 3.73 anti-spin 275/70r18 crew/short 6.4 no trailer prep.

Tommy

tommy_harrell · Mar 12, 2014

I know I saw it on a 6.4 tradesman 275/70r18 4x4 crew/short with trailer prep, and not on a 6.7 tradesman 275/70r18 4x4 crew short no trailer prep

NewBlackDak · Mar 12, 2014

tommy_harrell said:
I know I saw it on a 6.4 tradesman 275/70r18 4x4 crew/short with trailer prep, and not on a 6.7 tradesman 275/70r18 4x4 crew short no trailer prep

Ruins my theory. I was thinking the Megacab and CCLB maybe had a 2-piece driveshaft(or something) that prevented the problem.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WhiteExpress · Mar 12, 2014

I'll have to check the top of my '13 housing and see if I can add a kicker shock. Hmmm

what is this for? 2014 2500

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Attachments

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page