Looking to improve ride quality of 2500

[Dean2]

My 2021 2500 has 33" Duratracs that I run at 40 rear, 45 front. Whole bunch better ride, handles better and the tires are wearing evenly with 30,000 miles on them. I used alpha to re-set the TPMS limits. It also has the off road package that has the Bilstein shocks. It rides much better than my buddies 2500 with the stock Mopar shocks.

On my 1996 2500, which is the HD version with the V10 and leaf springs, I replaced the stock shocks with Bilsteins at 80,000 miles because one of them started leaking. The Bilsteins made a HUGE difference in the ride and had I known how much I would have swapped them when the pickup was new. It was what convinced me to order my new one with the off road package and the Bilsteins.

 

[62Blazer]

As stated you can run the rear tires at a lower psi then the front. When unloaded a pickup truck is lighter on the rear axle, plus the rear tires don't see as much lateral loading (side to side load) when turning like the fronts. In any case going from 75 to 50 psi in the rear will likely make a noticeable difference.
Also agree with the comments about shocks. Unless the current shocks are worn out they usually don't make a big difference in ride quality just going down the road.
To get the best ride you really would need to replace springs. Thuren offers front springs that are 25-30% lower spring rate. And front springs have minimal impact on the payload since most of the weight is on the rear. But the biggest impact would be replacing the rear springs. The rear springs are way stiffer than needed when empty and were designed for the truck carrying the max weight. I understand the concern about losing weight capacity, but you can do something like airbags. I have a Power Wagon that has light rear springs and low payload, but and have Airlifter 5000 bags installed when towing. That gives me the better ride but the ability to adjust it up when hauling or towing something heavy.

 

[RJL1]

I had a 2011 Power Wagon that I bought new. All stock. It rode very much like the 1500 I have now. Smooth and very plush. I'm no suspension specialist but I'd look for some PW springs on Marketplace. That rig came with Bilsteins from factory as well.

 

[mtnrider]

I'm no suspension specialist but I'd look for some PW springs on Marketplace. That rig came with Bilsteins from factory as well.

Problem is, that would kill the payload capacity of the truck.

.

 

[olyelr]

I had a 2011 Power Wagon that I bought new. All stock. It rode very much like the 1500 I have now. Smooth and very plush. I'm no suspension specialist but I'd look for some PW springs on Marketplace. That rig came with Bilsteins from factory as well.

Problem is, that would kill the payload capacity of the truck.

.

Yep. My power wagon has less payload than my last two half ton Rams.

 

[dieselscout80]

The 4600 shocks made a big difference in on my Ram 2500 and they are softer than the 5100s.

 

[JJEH]

Yep. My power wagon has less payload than my last two half ton Rams.

That's quite embarrassing... but it's all that extra nonsense crap they put in.

 

[olyelr]

That's quite embarrassing... but it's all that extra nonsense crap they put in.

Nope. Not at all. Its basically just the softer suspension/D rated tires.

Doesn't embarrass me one bit.

 

[Docwagon1776]

That's quite embarrassing... but it's all that extra nonsense crap they put in.

Well, no. You can get a Tradesman Power Wagon, after all.

It's a trade off for offroad capability and comfort. Stiff suspensions that resist squat, body roll, and brake dive are all bonuses for towing but will beat your teeth out off road and reduce your ability to keep all four tires providing traction in rough terrain.

 

[JJEH]

Nope. Not at all. Its basically just the softer suspension/D rated tires.

Doesn't embarrass me one bit.

Well, no. You can get a Tradesman Power Wagon, after all.

It's a trade off for offroad capability and comfort. Stiff suspensions that resist squat, body roll, and brake dive are all bonuses for towing but will beat your teeth out off road and reduce your ability to keep all four tires providing traction in rough terrain.

Well, I don't know. It all depends on what you want to do with it.
Back in 2018, when we bought our 1500, we were on the fence. Go with a new 1/2to or a used 3/4to? Gas? Diesel? Blah...
After talking about how we'll use it, we decided to go with the 1500. And so far, it has served us well.

If the 2500 has less payload than a 1500, then I don't need it. After all, that's what I want out of it, higher payload and towing capacity.
Just my thought process when deciding what to buy.
Gotta get a use out of it...

 

[Docwagon1776]

Well, I don't know. It all depends on what you want to do with it.
Back in 2018, when we bought our 1500, we were on the fence. Go with a new 1/2to or a used 3/4to? Gas? Diesel? Blah...
After talking about how we'll use it, we decided to go with the 1500. And so far, it has served us well.

If the 2500 has less payload than a 1500, then I don't need it. After all, that's what I want out of it, higher payload and towing capacity.
Just my thought process when deciding what to buy.
Gotta get a use out of it...

I think you're confusing the Power Wagon and the 2500. All Power Wagons are 2500s*, but not all 2500s are Power Wagons.

The Power Wagon is a specific offroad model with a different suspension than standard 2500s. Different springs, different shocks, different ride height, different radius arms off the top of my head. It gives up some towing capacity and payload in exchange for offroad capability, and ends up being an incredibly robust offroad vehicle that can also do significant work both on and offroad.

*Modern Power Wagons, the originals back in the 1940s were more like heavy half tons.

 

[JJEH]

I think you're confusing the Power Wagon and the 2500. All Power Wagons are 2500s*, but not all 2500s are Power Wagons.

I am aware that these are two different models, however, I was not aware that the PW received such a drastic reduction in payload.

EDIT:

Found it. Payload is not good, but it's still more than I have.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/towing-capacity-guide/brochure/my25_Ram_HD_Customer_TowPayChart_3.65.pdf

 

[mtofell]

To a large extent, HD trucks just ride rough. It's just not physically possible to make a truck capable of carrying 3000# in the bed ride like a Cadillac. Different springs, shocks, tire pressure, etc. can help but it's all pretty minimal. A friend once bought an HD that had full air suspension and that did ride like a Cadillac but they are pretty hard on your wallet.

Here's one place: https://kelderman.com/?creative&dev...llGjow_Dzz0zkpECB&keyword&matchtype&network=x

 

[olyelr]

Well, I don't know. It all depends on what you want to do with it.
Back in 2018, when we bought our 1500, we were on the fence. Go with a new 1/2to or a used 3/4to? Gas? Diesel? Blah...
After talking about how we'll use it, we decided to go with the 1500. And so far, it has served us well.

If the 2500 has less payload than a 1500, then I don't need it. After all, that's what I want out of it, higher payload and towing capacity.
Just my thought process when deciding what to buy.
Gotta get a use out of it...

My ‘16 laramie power wagon has only a 1135 lb payload. My ‘26 big horn half ton has a 1467 lb payload. Dosnt bother me a bit. I didnt buy the power wagon to tow/haul heavy. It drags my 8000 pound camper around just fine. Honestly, im sure it does it way better than the half ton would, but dont know because i never hooked a trailer to it.