Forum Discussion

LL8's avatar
LL8
Explorer
Mar 27, 2019

Shocks

Hey fellas, new guy on here but I’m looking for some expertise. Don’t know if this is a Cummins forum question or a camper forum question but I’ll throw it out here anyway.
I have a 2003 Dodge 2500 5.9l quad cab. I carry a slide in truck camper that weighs 3000 lbs. the payload for my truck is rated at 2000. I use wedges to engage my bottom overload springs on the rear and have a timbrem suspension kit (bump stops) on the rear axles as well. These two modifications reduce 90% of the sway and white knuckle driving. Now I’m looking mainly to get rid of that other 10% and more importantly to stop most of the bouncing and jarring on bad road surfaces and potholes. The current shocks are probably the original OEM.
It’s a 4 wheel drive 8’ bed. The overload wedges raise the rear about an inch. -Empty the truck weighs 71201 lbs -Loaded with camper weight is 47801 lbs on the steering and 5300 lbs on the back totaling 10801 lbs.
What would be the best combination of front and rear shocks? Or do you think adding leaf springs would be a better investment?
I’m leaning towards Rancho 9000XL’s on the rear and Bilstein 4600’s on the front. I know this is kind of a rabbit hole but I’m interested in your thoughts. Thanks
Truck Campers

8 Replies

  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Mar 27, 2019
    You’re not going to get twisted up enough with 3000lbs in the bed that you hang a wheel and can’t go because of a sway bar unless you’re going places you shouldn’t go with a 3000lb camper in the back, IMO. And worst case just loosen an end link if it gets hairy.
    I’ve run a couple sets of timbrens and I do th think shocks are going to offset much of the effect of them. Yes on rebound, not on compression. JMO.
  • BradW's avatar
    BradW
    Explorer II
    Mar 27, 2019
    mellow wrote:
    I did 9000's all around on my SRW and I am happy, took a lot of the porpoising out on the highway. Will buy them again for my DRW upgrade.



    I had 9000s all around on two SRW trucks/TCs. They were a great improvement. I don't think just rear 9000s would have helped near as much to reduce side to side rocking.

    I put 9000s on our 2006 DRW. The improvement over stock shocks was not near as noticeable as on the SRWs. I think I wasted my money putting them on the DRW. I didn't even think about 9000s on our new DRW. Just added Timbrens and its good to go.

    bradw
  • mellow's avatar
    mellow
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2019
    I did 9000's all around on my SRW and I am happy, took a lot of the porpoising out on the highway. Will buy them again for my DRW upgrade.

    I do a lot of 4x4 with my camper on and setting them to 9 on the rear and 6 on the front helped a lot there as well.
  • LL8's avatar
    LL8
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2019
    I completely agree with adding a Hellwig sway bar. I know that it would be a massive improvement. But.... I’m trying to set it up specifically to stay off the grid in the mountains and fish. I drive dirt roads and forest roads a lot. When I get away for a weekend I like to get away where there’s not a lot of people. It does great in that environment and with the wedges sway isn’t a problem anymore for me. The timbrens do sit right on the axle when loaded which makes for a bumpy ride that’s why I was thinking Rancho adjustables on the back and then putting the factory bump stops back on. In my mind that would smooth out the back. Then for the front, from what I’ve read the Bilstein’s are a much smoother ride?
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Mar 27, 2019
    I had Rancho 9000s on my SRW. It was good to be able to have the adjustment since it was my DD in town. I have Bilstein 4600s on my 450. I find the Bilsteins to have a better ride.
  • GeoBoy's avatar
    GeoBoy
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2019
    Put Bilstein’s all the way around, keep the Timbrens and install a Roadmaster or Hellwig swaybar.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Mar 27, 2019
    That's not a lot of weight for that truck, at all. I'd hazard a guess that you have enough spring and the Timbrens are loading up on the bumps and causing the harsh ride. How hard does it come down on the Timbrens when loaded and parked?
    Think about a sway bar and loosing the Timbrens or if you can take a shim out if them and raise them up a bit.
    Shocks, I prefer Bilsteins but anything is better than 16 year old ones.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Mar 27, 2019
    The 3G Dodge trucks did not come with a factory sway bar. Do yourself a favor and add one. Helwig is a good choice but there might b other brands available.

    If it sits relatively level you might not need an extra leaf, but if you go that route consider Super Springs brand. I considered this until learning it does not work well with the factory top overload spring, but would function correctly on a 2500 which does not have it.

    If there is a hint of the shocks being original ditch them for some good aftermarket. I run 9000XL on all corners and it did a huge improvement. They have lifetime guarantee and I have changed them out once already. If you get these, do the adjuster pre-grease trick before installing them- it will make adjustments easier.

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