Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD - Moparts Forums

Register Log In Moparts Forums Sandy's Truck Shop Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD

Print Thread

Page 1 of 2

1

2

Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD #1226424 05/02/12 11:43 PM 05/02/12 11:43 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA Joatha OP super stock
Joatha OP super stock Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA	I have an 06 Ram 3500 CTD with a single rear wheel (not a dually). While the ride doesn't bother me, the wife hates riding in it. Its pretty stiff and rough - expected for a 1 ton. But, she REALLY hates it. Given some of the trips we take it would be easier if I could soften the ride up. I have been looking at possibly converting or supplmenting with air bags so that I could set it on a softer setting when empty and then dial it up when I have a load in it or the like. But, there may be other things I can look at as well - like different shocks. Anyone have any advice as to what I should be looking at? Vendors? Kits? Articles with advice or recommendations? I'm just trying to poke around and see what the cost might be. Thanks! 1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Joatha] #1226425 05/04/12 09:28 AM 05/04/12 09:28 AM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA Joatha OP super stock
Joatha OP super stock Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA	2 days and not a single response?? 1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Joatha] #1226426 05/04/12 10:30 AM 05/04/12 10:30 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville 3hundred I Live Here
3hundred I Live Here Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville	Really not much you can do, springs are the key. You can try the bags, they might help slightly, a bit more if it's loaded. Lower the tire pressure. If she thinks it rides rough now I don't think any of that will make enough difference to change her mind. Maybe you can take her for a ride in a '93 or older one ton? That might change her perspective. Robert '68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: 3hundred] #1226427 05/04/12 12:29 PM 05/04/12 12:29 PM
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,003 Salem Grizzly Moparts Proctologist
Grizzly Moparts Proctologist Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,003 Salem	Take a couple of photos of the rear leafs and post the them on here. I'll try to help you. I have a few suggestions. Mo' Farts Moderated by "tbagger".

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Grizzly] #1226428 05/04/12 01:43 PM 05/04/12 01:43 PM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa 340SHORTY Truck Nut
340SHORTY Truck Nut Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa	Quality shocks all the way around and a link suspension with air bags on the rear wound be the best way to go IMO. or get a 1/4 or 3/8 sheet of steel to carry in the bed. I am truckless..

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Joatha] #1226429 05/04/12 04:40 PM 05/04/12 04:40 PM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 3,050 N.W. Florida F Fat_Mike master
Fat_Mike master F Joined: May 2003 Posts: 3,050 N.W. Florida	My Dad has an '07 Ram 3500 dually. He adds about 500 LBS in the bed when he takes it on a trip without his 5th wheel trailer. Makes a HUGE difference.

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Fat_Mike] #1226430 05/04/12 11:24 PM 05/04/12 11:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN A ahy master
ahy master A Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN	If they swap, a set of 3/4 ton springs would ride better. Add air bags to get the load capacity back... although the idea of simply adding weight would be fine also. 500# or so wouldn't impact performance or mileage much.

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: ahy] #1226431 05/05/12 01:02 AM 05/05/12 01:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada R RUNCHARGER I Live Here
RUNCHARGER I Live Here R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada	3/4 tons springs are only different in that they don't have helper springs which do nothing to the unloaded ride. In the winter I put a big truck tire and rim in the back of mine for weight, it's just enough to help the ride a bit and the Cummins doesn't even know it's back there. I also suggest 500lbs is the easiest solution. What air pressure are you running in the back? When my truck's empty I air it down to 28lbs in the back. Sheldon 7192956-DSC01075(Large).JPG (77 downloads)

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Joatha] #1226432 05/05/12 09:01 AM 05/05/12 09:01 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,244 southeast, mich MachoMan master
MachoMan master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,244 southeast, mich	Quote: I have an 06 Ram 3500 CTD with a single rear wheel (not a dually). While the ride doesn't bother me, the wife hates riding in it. Its pretty stiff and rough - expected for a 1 ton. But, she REALLY hates it. my suggestion, find an old leaf sprung 1-ton 4x4, take for ride in that, then a ride in '06. problem solved. Please register your Dodge truck here 1972-1980 Dodge truck registry

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: ahy] #1226433 05/05/12 11:02 AM 05/05/12 11:02 AM
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,046 ky. K kenworth_goose top fuel
kenworth_goose top fuel K Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,046 ky.	The easiest thing is find her something else to drive! It's a 1 ton truck, it's gonna ride rough without a load in it.

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: kenworth_goose] #1226434 05/07/12 10:51 PM 05/07/12 10:51 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA Joatha OP super stock
Joatha OP super stock Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA	Quote: The easiest thing is find her something else to drive! It's a 1 ton truck, it's gonna ride rough without a load in it. She doesn't drive it. She rides in it with me. And, she hates riding in it. It would be a LOT easier to take the truck on some trips we make than loading down her Maxima. But, she refuses to ride in the truck on a long trip. So, here we are.... 1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Grizzly] #1226435 05/07/12 10:52 PM 05/07/12 10:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA Joatha OP super stock
Joatha OP super stock Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA	Quote: Take a couple of photos of the rear leafs and post the them on here. I'll try to help you. I have a few suggestions. I'll try to get some photos. It does have the standard leaf stack for a 3/4 plus the helper springs for the 1 ton (which don't come in to play at all unless its loaded). 1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1226436 05/07/12 10:53 PM 05/07/12 10:53 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA Joatha OP super stock
Joatha OP super stock Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 833 Marietta, GA	Quote: 3/4 tons springs are only different in that they don't have helper springs which do nothing to the unloaded ride. In the winter I put a big truck tire and rim in the back of mine for weight, it's just enough to help the ride a bit and the Cummins doesn't even know it's back there. I also suggest 500lbs is the easiest solution. What air pressure are you running in the back? When my truck's empty I air it down to 28lbs in the back. Sheldon Good idea. I will look at adding some weight somehow. I need to check on the air pressure. 1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Joatha] #1226437 05/07/12 11:19 PM 05/07/12 11:19 PM
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,261 Canada L Lugnutz pro stock
Lugnutz pro stock L Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,261 Canada	Buy her an air seat...............

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Joatha] #1226438 05/08/12 08:31 AM 05/08/12 08:31 AM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9,366 Lehigh Acres, Florida rickstershemi master
rickstershemi master Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9,366 Lehigh Acres, Florida	BUY A GMC Rickster

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: rickstershemi] #1226439 05/08/12 11:27 AM 05/08/12 11:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada R RUNCHARGER I Live Here
RUNCHARGER I Live Here R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada	Buying a GMC is a good idea as cars do ride better. If you want a truck though you should stick with the Dodge. Sheldon

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1226440 05/08/12 09:53 PM 05/08/12 09:53 PM
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,257 gulfport, ms, west mi rowin4 master
rowin4 master Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,257 gulfport, ms, west mi	When I bought my 04 dodge dually new on trip home I thought , what did I just buy? a lumber wagon? it rode hard. The next day went to Home Depot and loaded up 2 pallets of wet sod. Drove around with that in the back for a week. That took care of the stiff ride. Rides nice now. Wife would rather ride in it than her linclon. As a matter of fact this morning we had to go out of town , about 150 mile trip, asked car or truck , she said she'd rather ride that far in the truck. But she also say's that the driver seat is more comfortable than the passenger seat. Maybe let your wife drive it's ok to butt heads, just don't do it with a butthead

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1226441 05/08/12 11:00 PM 05/08/12 11:00 PM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9,366 Lehigh Acres, Florida rickstershemi master
rickstershemi master Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9,366 Lehigh Acres, Florida	Quote: Buying a GMC is a good idea as cars do ride better. If you want a truck though you should stick with the Dodge. Sheldon Sheldon do you see a car in this pic...... I have been a Mopar Guy for more years than I care to admit....tested 07's before I bought the GMC Rickster

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: rickstershemi] #1226442 05/09/12 09:29 PM 05/09/12 09:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada R RUNCHARGER I Live Here
RUNCHARGER I Live Here R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada	That is cute all right. Actually I'm sort of okay with GM trucks, I think Ford is a pretty good truck as well but with a poor engine. If size matters though when I got my International 9900 stuck after putting a 53' into a very difficult spot on Monday it was a Dodge that got me out. After dollying off the trailer and pulling forward so I could back out beside the trailer I had just dropped off, my front wheels went slightly over the bank on top of a cliff and my 3way lockers in the back weren't enough. The customer hooked his 05 Cummins up and after about the 3rd jerk with me spinning 6 tires and the Dodge spinning all four, she came out. I wouldn't have let him try it if he didn't have a solid axle in both ends. Anyone can parade around on smooth pavement with no hills though. Sheldon

Re: Improving the Ride - 06 Ram 3500 CTD [Re: Joatha] #1226443 05/09/12 10:23 PM 05/09/12 10:23 PM
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,046 ky. K kenworth_goose top fuel
kenworth_goose top fuel K Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,046 ky.	Quote: Quote: The easiest thing is find her something else to drive! It's a 1 ton truck, it's gonna ride rough without a load in it. She doesn't drive it. She rides in it with me. And, she hates riding in it. It would be a LOT easier to take the truck on some trips we make than loading down her Maxima. But, she refuses to ride in the truck on a long trip. So, here we are.... You could always leave her at home and find a women that will ride in it! Just an idea.

Page 1 of 2

1

2

Moderated by Al_Alguire, Hotwheelsjr, moparts, not_a_charger, RangerDan440, tboomer

Hop To

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1