help with Suspension?

[FakeDistress703]

hey everyone,

im currently looking into buying my first truck. definitely going with RAM, but Im split on 4th gen vs 5th gen. I can afford a nicer/newer 4th gen (specifically im looking at a sport model or maybe Laramie). I notice that the tail of the truck, the rear suspension, is higher than the front. I assume this is for towing, but can someone explain it? is there a way to level both "sides" of the truck? ive noticed the 5th gens dont all have the rear raised, is that coil suspension?

I know its a stupid question, but I dont know much about it.

Thanks,
FakeDistress

 

[Jeepwalker]

They both use coil springs all around. The fronts are coil-over shocks. They are raked lower on the front ...with a front lower air dam for fuel economy purposes. The air dam routes air around the truck, reduces turbulent air from going under the pickup. Turbulant air underneath tends to kill fuel mileage. There are 'leveling kits' to raise the front ends (and rears of the 5th gens), which consist of different (longer) shocks and a spring spacer. For a mild 'raise' that is. If you just type in, "leveling kit Ram 1500" you'll get a lot of info.

Bear in mind the trucks are engineered so the front half-shafts (on 4x4's) run parallel to the ground during the vast majority of the time while driving. Raising the front end will result in them running at a slight diagonal (constantly), which will accelerate wear on the front CV's. The diff-side of the CV's fit over a splined stub-shaft which sticks out of the front differential (see pic below). Some guys are seeing these stub shafts wear out causing inner CV 'play' ..which may or may not be accelerated by a lift. They aren't protected from dust and debris like the old days when inner CV joints went 'inside' the front diff so that could be part of it too. Front CVs don't rotate very fast so a little free-play in them is not very noticeable.

In addition, you might lose an MPG (more air underneath) after lifting. Neither are going to kill your pickup if you lift it, just some things to be aware of. I don't mind the lowered front look, but I get where Ram 1500 owers are coming from. I have other 4x4's that are a lot taller in the front.

If you're looking 'used', bear in mind some trucks were ordered with air bag suspension, which you probably want to avoid if you want to lift it. They're not that common, but just be aware of it.

Welcome to the forum BTW..

 

[FakeDistress703]

thank you so much. I know ram introduced air suspension with their 5th gens. I dream to own a 5th gen but a used 2020 big horn CCSB 4x4 with 180k miles is 25,000$. probably going to wait to get a 5th gen and look at 4th gens. I dont want to lift it, its just that ive always thought that the higher rear suspension throws off the truck look. when looking for a truck is there a specific suspension setup I should look for?

Thanks, I feel welcomed already. havent posted much but I can feel the community here.

 

[Wild one]

thank you so much. I know ram introduced air suspension with their 5th gens. I dream to own a 5th gen but a used 2020 big horn CCSB 4x4 with 180k miles is 25,000$. probably going to wait to get a 5th gen and look at 4th gens. I dont want to lift it, its just that ive always thought that the higher rear suspension throws off the truck look. when looking for a truck is there a specific suspension setup I should look for?

Thanks, I feel welcomed already. havent posted much but I can feel the community here.

A rear spring swap to lower the rear an inch or 2 is pretty common,and is easy to do.Check out the lowering thread for ideas on dropping the rear a bit.

Lowered

Lowered and air ride suspension for your 4th gen.

www.ramforum.com