Hey all, I was wondering if I could swap out my rear springs for ones that arent as stiff. I have the camper special trim package but I have no camper, and I never will. What I am curious about is wether or not non-camper special springs are softer that mine. I could possibly find some in a wrecking yard. I would also ditch the overloads and the rear sway bar. When I bought my truck over three years ago I didnt pay much attention to the rear springs. The ride is so rough that it feels like the axle is welded to the frame. It rides the best when I have the bed full of sand! Im not sure why dodge would make a camper special with a short box! Has anybody done this? How do some of your guys' trucks ride? This may be a waste of time if the ride doesnt change much. Thanks!

 

I would imagine that it would improve the ride but havent done it myself.

I have the camper/trailer package too and yeah, saying it rides like a lumber wagon is an understatement.

 

I think the camper special is only the extra overload springs on top of the leaf pack. I would remove that first and see how the ride is. If it is still to harsh, you can always start taking the leafs out of the pack.

 

I kinda like having a 3500 on a 2500 frame single wheel.... Nothing like dumping a ton of gravel in the back and not even flexing the springs.....

 

I am pretty sure the camper special option is just a helper leaf/overload in the rears. The spring rates for 2500 are most likely the same. I think Dodge categorizes load handling by classes 1500, 2500, and 3500. They don't have the hd designation like GM's. Check your GVW on the door jamb to be sure. My 2500 4x4 is rated at 8800#.

I dig your avatar by the way.....huge lifelong KISS fan here. I actually still have my Destroyer album from Kissmas 1977! From Mom to boot!.

Kurt

 

I have a 8800 truck too and would not mind softening the ride a bit, rides really nice with a tongue heavy trailer. I really don't think removing the over loaded will help as it does not touch anything unless you are loaded.

 

Thanks for all the respoces guys, my truck is an 8800# GVW. I figured that they would probably be the same as the non-camper specials, it just makes since on dodges part to just add overloads, less parts and material on a grand scale. I think the only things that make it a camper special are the overloads the rear sway bar and the 4.10 gears. Purplezr2 you are right in saying that the overloads dont even come into play unless you have a pretty good size load in the bed, or a trailer on with a pretty good size tongue weight. Heck my 26' toyhauler has a pretty heavy tongue and with the WD bars on it still barly touches the overloads. I will probably just leave it alone, oh well it was worth a thought. I might try to find a guy with a non camper ram to take a ride in and see how it feels. Oh and kurtaing, LOUD AND PROUD SINCE 1975!!!!!!!!!

 

dodge power, I have the CS with factory 3.54 gears, so I know you could order it with both.

 

CS package was the overloads and the rear sway- correct. Gearing was separate and available both ways for most years, tho I am not sure what changed in the order process for 00 and up.

 

Yeah mines a CS with 3.54's.

Kurt

 

3.54's with my CS, too.