4x4 Suspension

[Picton]

Guys. Do 4x4 1500 Rams have any sort of upgraded suspension or shocks similar to Chevy's Z71 option? Or are they all the same no matter if you have 4wd or 2wd?

 

[Caldwell]

I believe its all standard.

 

[Picton]

Man...that's a shame. At least Chevy offers an upgraded suspension option. Oh well...I love my Ram though. Perhaps Ram suspension is on par with Z71 upgrades anyway. I'll hope so.

 

[LB3711]

It's called powerwagon. Beats any "upgraded" Chevy shock setup


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[Caldwell]

If you want a shock upgrade like the Rancho's that are offered with the Z71 package on the Silverado's... BILSTEIN SHOCKS

 

[Riccochet]

FX4's also come with an upgraded suspension.

You really can't go wrong with either Bilstein or Rancho.

 

[cajun87]

The outdoorsman is the equivalent of the chevy z71 or ford fx4

 

[VirginiaDrifter]

The outdoorsman is the equivalent of the chevy z71 or ford fx4

I didn't know that. So the outdoorsman has a beefier suspension?

 

[cajun87]

All the "upgraded" suspension is, is rancho shocks. Don't buy a z71 fx4 or outdoorsman because the suspension is "better" because you will never notice the difference. The packages now a days are a trim level thing. I just bought an outdoorsman in may but i bought it because of the trim level package.

 

[audio1der]

To add to the "it's all the same" conversation, a friend and I have now swapped rear springs from my '12 CC 4x4 Sport and his '13 RC 2WD Express. They're about the most opposite trucks you could get and the springs are the same.

 

[Bombdigitty]

Ive never looked into it, but I was under the impression that the Ram TRX 4 was equivelent to a Z71 type suspension..


Always thought of them, and the FX4 to be the "factory offroad package"

 

[myoung84]

It's called powerwagon. Beats any "upgraded" Chevy shock setup


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Agreed! The PW is the best bet if you want a real offroad truck from the factory.

The Z71, FX4, and TRX/Outdoorsman are all in the same category with beefier shocks, some extra skid plates, slightly taller suspension, and some offroad decals. The differences are negligible.

 

[nick84]

If memory serves me correctly, the Z71 package was also the only package available with a 3.73 rear end, as opposed to the 3.42 that was standard on other GM models. I always thought that that, shocks, differential, and skidplates were the only difference. So with the new Ram 4x4, if you have Anti-spin or LSD, and 6 spd with 3.92, or 8spd with 3.21 or 3.55 I think you've got pretty much the biggest parts of an "off road" package. IMHO.

 

[myoung84]

If memory serves me correctly, the Z71 package was also the only package available with a 3.73 rear end, as opposed to the 3.42 that was standard on other GM models. I always thought that that, shocks, differential, and skidplates were the only difference. So with the new Ram 4x4, if you have Anti-spin or LSD, and 6 spd with 3.92, or 8spd with 3.21 or 3.55 I think you've got pretty much the biggest parts of an "off road" package. IMHO.

Per the Ramtrucks website, you can get the Outdoorsman 4x4 8 speed with the Hemi, 3.6L, or 3.0L diesel with 3.55s or 3.92s. I don't think any of the 2wd trucks are available with 3.21s. I think the 8 speed with 3.92s is an awesome combo. That gives you a nearly 49:1 crawl ratio in 1st gear, 4-Low! That's better than the Power Wagon at 40:1...

 

[nick84]

^^^ correct. I think a lot of guys forget the real difference between the 6 and 8spd is in first gear not 6th or 8th. IIRC, the final ratio is the same or close in both. So even with 3.21s or 3.55s, the 8spd offers a great low range ratio.

 

[myoung84]

^^^ correct. I think a lot of guys forget the real difference between the 6 and 8spd is in first gear not 6th or 8th. IIRC, the final ratio is the same or close in both. So even with 3.21s or 3.55s, the 8spd offers a great low range ratio.

Yep, final drive is damn near identical in both. The 5/6 speed is 0.67 and the 8 speed is 0.667. I know that most have seen the ratios, but here's a couple of screen shots from a spread sheet I put together a while back that shows and compares the ratios. The first also shows the ratios of the 66RFE in the 2012 and up 2500 Hemi, which is also the same ratios as the 68RFE behind the Cummins.

What you must also keep in mind is the tow ratings. The gear ratio is what really determines the tow rating, not the transmission. If you want a 10k lb plus tow rating, you will have to go with the 3.92s.

 

[rizzkid12]

the air bag suspension is an upgrade. no other manufacturer offers this

 

[NavyGuy2007]

Loving my 3.6/8spd Outdoorsman, only wish I had the cool bed side decals! Maybe I can find them online. Got a good look at the stock skidplates when I was installing my side steps, there ok, better then nothing, but theres better aftermarket ones out there I'm sure. What is nice is the rubber floor mats were standard, didnt realize that until I picked the truck up which is cool because I was going to buy a set anyways!

 

[Chewy]

All I know is with 3.92's and the 8 speed, I can break the tires loose while rolling a couple of MPH. 1st is NUTS on the thing.

 

[TRCM]

If memory serves me correctly, the Z71 package was also the only package available with a 3.73 rear end, as opposed to the 3.42 that was standard on other GM models.

Not true.

I had an 08 Silverado 4x4 that was NOT a Z71, and it had the tow package with 3.73 gears and locking diff and all the other goodies. It was considered an LT1 trim level, which is below LT2 & LTZ....