I was driving my 97 2500 4wd around 40mph hit a small bump in the road and the front end started shaking like the tire blew out, or like the tires were on a cam. I stopped and check the front end everything looked fine, drove ok after and still does.

I drove my friends 95 1500, hit a bump about the same speed and same thing as mine, shook crazy. I am leaning towards a bad strut or track bar.

anythoughts would help,

Thanks,
brooks

 

It sounds like you have just experienced Death Wobble
If you do a search on it you will find enough reading to keep you busy till the new year.

 

Would that be the same as when I'm stopping and suddenly (every one in awhile), the car just starts shaking like it's gonna fall apart?

 

Ummm, car???
Yeah, same thing.

 

i second the death wobble, check your trackbar there are quite a few aftermarket options.

 

My bad. Used to driving the taurus...

 

The front end needs to be gone over thoroughly. Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look over the suspension. Track bar, tie-rods, ball joints, stabilizer, steering box, heck it could be as simple as shocks, or a bent/bad tire/wheel.
If everything is tight, an alignment is in order, set the caster at maximum, that should help.