2010 3500 4x4 Diesel - Suspension Like a Rock - Help?

[1Buffalo]

I recently bought a 2010 3500 to tow my toy hauler and toys to the desert, camping, etc. Friggen love the truck, when it's fully loaded and smoothed out. Empty driving is a bit different. I get the trade off, a 1 ton is stiff to handle the load.
It has Bilstein shocks and I installed an AirLift system in the rear for extra sway and leveling control.

With all that, can I soften the ride around town? I heard someone suggest swapping to a 2019 Air Ride setup but not sure if that can be done on a 2010, what the cost would be, etc.

Any other suggestion beyond spending 5-10k on a 4-link system?

Many thanks!

 

[crash68]

When your unloaded, drop the tire pressures. You can probably go down to at least 45-50 in the rear.
You could have a leaf or two pulled then add a set of airbags. A decent spring shop should be able to size up springs that will ride decent when unloaded and support small loads.

 

[stevenP]

I also have a 3500, and yes it rides a lot harsher than I like when not loaded. So I went out and bought something else to drive, when not hauling the RV. So like a lot of guys on here, I only use the 3500 when I am camping for the most part.

 

[1Buffalo]

I also have a 3500, and yes it rides a lot harsher than I like when not loaded. So I went out and bought something else to drive, when not hauling the RV. So like a lot of guys on here, I only use the 3500 when I am camping for the most part.

Amen! I drive an electric Smart CE that looks like a roller skate next to the 3500 but my office is only 7 miles from home so I'm with ya! I'd still like to drive the truck a little more though.
Cheers!

 

[1Buffalo]

When your unloaded, drop the tire pressures. You can probably go down to at least 45-50 in the rear.
You could have a leaf or two pulled then add a set of airbags. A decent spring shop should be able to size up springs that will ride decent when unloaded and support small loads.

Running 50lbs now in the 33" BFG's and thought about lowering to 40. Hadn't thought about removing a spring though. Good to research, thanks!

 

[stevenP]

OMG that little thing is kinda cool. I had looked at several options that might make mine ride better, but in the end I have a 15K pound fifth wheel that crushes my truck, when I load it on. Pulls it wonderfully, and rides OK., at that point. Its just a pig of a vehicle at 22 feet long and 9400lbs, but it is the right tool for the job at hand.

I went out bought a 2500 as a daily driver, so I guess I dont mind the ride quality that much!

 

[crash68]

Hadn't thought about removing a spring though.

I forgot about this Kelderman set up that basically mounts your rear leaf spring to airbags. The advantage to this is if the air bag system fails your not SOL if your towing your trailer or have a heavy load.
https://kelderman.com/shop/2010-2013-ram-2500-3500-2-stage-rear-air-suspension

 

[stevenP]

Crash68, reminded me of a product I have seen adds for before, along the same lines. Know nothing about this item, but seems as if it might be an answer? Found this in a RV magazine. Looks like it takes the place of your standard leaf spring shackles.

 

[firehawk618]

This weekend I put 8 60lb bags of sand over my rear axle. Rides MUCH better.

2014 3500 4x4

 

[MADDOG]

Check your rear tire inflation. When empty you don't need to be at max PSI. I air down and air up as needed for towing on my 2500. Doing so makes a big difference in my truck's ride quality and it might help your situation too.

 

[68PowerWagon]

Amen! I drive an electric Smart CE that looks like a roller skate next to the 3500 but my office is only 7 miles from home so I'm with ya! I'd still like to drive the truck a little more though.
Cheers!
View attachment 195884

I think your side by side is as big as your car! I was going to suggest airing down your tires to 45 & 55 when not towing but it looks like you have already taken them down some. Be nice if Ram would put coils on the 3500's as well. They ride so much better & sag very little with a load.

 

[14hemiexpress]

I would think 2500 springs would swap In giving you slightly softer ride and use your airbags for support when towing. Correct me if I'm wrong but pre 2014s still had leaf I believe.

 

[GsRAM]

I would think 2500 springs would swap In giving you slightly softer ride and use your airbags for support when towing. Correct me if I'm wrong but pre 2014s still had leaf I believe.

I believe you are correct. The airing down the tires is what I'd also suggest. It made a huge difference once I did that and then lowered my tpms thresholds with alpha obd so the warnings dont go off.

Prior I had to run the rears at 70psi which made the truck ride very harsh. Now I run all 4 in the 58psi range which made a big difference. It still rides harsh but it's a 2500 series purpose built piece of equipment and I knew that going in. It doesn't bother me really and last year I bought a 2020 Jeep Cherokee as a daily driver so I typically only drive the ram a few days per week.

 

[1Buffalo]

So I aired down to 40 and it helped quite a bit. But yes, it sits on very stout leaf springs.
Now the truck is at the dealer for repairs to the HVAC system. Not blowing cold from the passenger side and not defrost air. Instead it blows through the front vents.
Dealer thinks it's a wiring harness issue. UGH!

 

[1Buffalo]

OMG that little thing is kinda cool. I had looked at several options that might make mine ride better, but in the end I have a 15K pound fifth wheel that crushes my truck, when I load it on. Pulls it wonderfully, and rides OK., at that point. Its just a pig of a vehicle at 22 feet long and 9400lbs, but it is the right tool for the job at hand.

I went out bought a 2500 as a daily driver, so I guess I dont mind the ride quality that much!

Did you put an Airlift system to handle the extra weight?
This little E-car will take a Porsche off the line from 0-40. Built by Mercedes, it feels like a luxury car when you're inside. Hard not to grin when I'm driving it past $4.00 per gallon Diesel!

 

[1Buffalo]

I forgot about this Kelderman set up that basically mounts your rear leaf spring to airbags. The advantage to this is if the air bag system fails your not SOL if your towing your trailer or have a heavy load.
https://kelderman.com/shop/2010-2013-ram-2500-3500-2-stage-rear-air-suspension

This setup looks like a combo of airbags and a Sulastic spring. Kinda cool! Thanks for the info sir!

 

[Gear Jammer]

Thuren Fab sells some softer riding rear leaf springs. You would have to run airbags with them because they lower your load carrying capacity, but as long as you could get air bags that are stout enough for your weight when loaded it might be an option.

 

[Rick Ram-jet]

This weekend I put 8 60lb bags of sand over my rear axle. Rides MUCH better.

2014 3500 4x4

This the route I went when empty, CHEAP FIX and you can put them to the side in the rear and keep most of your bed free...