4th Gen Handling

[Jayzonk]

Recently purchased a new 4th generation Ram Classic. Previously had a 2016 Laramie then drove a great handling Honda Accord V6 for awhile. When I was looking at the Ram, the sales guy told me that it would handle just like my Laramie on the highway.
So I've finally had a chance to take it out for some good freeway driving. It obviously doesn't round corners as the Accord, but I'm wondering if it is as good as my previous Ram or if it willows a bit more. I guess I can't remember.
It seems to me that stiffening up the steering would correct the problem but perhaps there are other mods that would help. I was actually thinking that the upper control arms in the 2" or 4" lift kits would help with any excessive compression of the front.

 

[kurek]

All of the aftermarket control arms for lifted trucks are made to extend the operating angle range of the ball joint and to help correct camber when the upper and lower arms can't quite be parallel anymore (because they are different lengths and travel in different arcs).

That has nothing to do with handling on a stock height truck.

 

[indept]

Is the " new" truck new or used?

 

[Jayzonk]

It's new, 2021. It's in no way a bad handling truck. Driving it on the freeway yesterday was really good, stability-wise and handling-wise. It's probably like my old Ram, but I'm just used to the way the Accord handled.

 

[huntergreen]

What was the tire pressure ?

 

[Jeepwalker]

Couple ways you could easily improve steering response:

1) Evaluate and upgrade the tires. Tires are the link to the road. Low profile and stiffer sidewall will improve responsiveness quite a bit. But you hate to replace brand new tires, and there might be a ride-quality penalty (feel every tar strip)

2) Urethane anti-sway bushings. They're cheap to try/buy. They probably won't last as long as stock, and will probably squeak after a while unless you grease them. But worth a try.

3) Stiffer or more sport-tuned shocks

4) Lower the center of gravity (not lift it!)

5) Make it lighter

6) Lower the front and try a little Negative Camber

7) Quicken the steering ratio.

....basically all the things they apply to 'tuner cars'. I know some of these are extreme, but just throwing them out there. Is this tk 2wd or 4wd? Long wheel base or short?

 

[Rlaf75]

It's new, 2021. It's in no way a bad handling truck. Driving it on the freeway yesterday was really good, stability-wise and handling-wise. It's probably like my old Ram, but I'm just used to the way the Accord handled.

You're comparing a honda accord to a ram pickup truck?

 

[boblonben]

Recently purchased a new 4th generation Ram Classic. Previously had a 2016 Laramie then drove a great handling Honda Accord V6 for awhile. When I was looking at the Ram, the sales guy told me that it would handle just like my Laramie on the highway.
So I've finally had a chance to take it out for some good freeway driving. It obviously doesn't round corners as the Accord, but I'm wondering if it is as good as my previous Ram or if it willows a bit more. I guess I can't remember.
It seems to me that stiffening up the steering would correct the problem but perhaps there are other mods that would help. I was actually thinking that the upper control arms in the 2" or 4" lift kits would help with any excessive compression of the front.

lifting will NOT help your problem, if there actually is one.

 

[DILLIGAF]

My truck handles like a dream. All I had to do is spend a couple thousands on parts

 

[Hrpramann]

I’m not qualified to give advice, for sure, but have traveled a similar path. Sold my 2016 Ram 1500 ( got a great price), bought my very first diesel. I’m a truck girl and fell for a beautiful face. 2018 Ram 2500 turbocharged diesel. Relied on someone else to test drive (first mistake). The truck has been “tuned” and lifted plus other mods ( second mistake, for a beginner like me). It drove horribly ( I was comparing it to my 1500 stock, gas truck, third mistake). Took it to a dealer, (4th mistake). Started throwing parts and $ at it (5th mistake). Went to the Ram forum and did a search for threads that applied to my problem, (1st right move). Picked thru advice. Started shipping in my own parts, Red Head steering gear box ect. Wished I had checked sooner and would have gone with Carli and Thuren for other parts. After $8000 I now have a truck that doesn’t wander as badly, but will never handle the same as my gas truck. I do love my gorgeous beast, but will go to a qualified mechanic that services modified trucks, once I financially heal from this adventure, and have the mechanic go through my whole truck, list all mods and school me on my truck. Don’t worry guys, will be careful to go to someone that has a good rep and comes highly recommended. I think in the long run it will be worth it.

 

[rvance]

Tires make a huge difference. I have changed to LT tires on my 1500s and it really tightened up the steering. Adding airbags to the back with 10 lbs pressure really reduced the lean too.

 

[Mohican69]

When I first switched to Ram from owning Silverados I thought I made a big mistake. At first the ride was excellent but after a few months I noticed the truck had terrible bump steer and couldn't hold a line going down a straight road at all and it seemed to be getting worse. I was ready to throw sway bars, shocks, and even lowering kit at it. I started by replacing the stock SRA tires and man that cured all the issues I had. Those tires belong on a car and nowhere near a truck! They were like new when I bought it and in less than a year most of the tread had worn off and the sidewalls aren't stiff enough to support a truck. I got real A/T tires and my truck drove like a completely different vehicle. I don't think I'll ever buy another truck that isn't a Ram where as when I first bought it I was ready to buy any truck that wasn't a Ram.

 

[Rlaf75]

When I first switched to Ram from owning Silverados I thought I made a big mistake. At first the ride was excellent but after a few months I noticed the truck had terrible bump steer and couldn't hold a line going down a straight road at all and it seemed to be getting worse. I was ready to throw sway bars, shocks, and even lowering kit at it. I started by replacing the stock SRA tires and man that cured all the issues I had. Those tires belong on a car and nowhere near a truck! They were like new when I bought it and in less than a year most of the tread had worn off and the sidewalls aren't stiff enough to support a truck. I got real A/T tires and my truck drove like a completely different vehicle. I don't think I'll ever buy another truck that isn't a Ram where as when I first bought it I was ready to buy any truck that wasn't a Ram.

I know the SRA tires weren't the best but I actually liked them. My 11 had them stock and when they wore out I got a good deal on another new set. I'm in southern New England and they did great by me. I may be the odd man out here but I thought they handled great. I rotated them between 5 and 10k miles and got about 40k miles out of each set. Right down to about 3 or 4/32nds. My new 21 BTS handle much differently than the 11 did but the new on has the ORP so the suspension and tires are different

 

[Ram Night]

I can say I purchased a new 2016 Rebel, and it handled like a piece of ****. It would wander back side to side when driving down the road, and when I hit the throttle wide open, it would pull to the left so hard it would change lanes if I was not ready for it. Then when I let off the throttle it would pull hard to the right. I had it to three different dealers over a 6 month period and they all said nothing was wrong with it because they could not get it to pull. And when I gave them a ride, they said it is not right, but it was ok. So I treaded it back in and purchased a new Sport that went straight down the road like my 07 did
.