Have just returned from a fast and unplanned trip. 270 miles in 5 hours and some of that was almost downtown Mexico City (Big YUK!) Went and returned empty except for a couple of sandbags behind the wheel wells. All tires are at 45 lbs. Two passengers with me. Some of the road was on concrete and that produced a most unpleasant ride with an up and down motion about every one or two seconds. Have made the same trip with my car many times and never noticed this bumpy road. This truck is decidedly rough!!<br>If anybody ever figures a way to smooth the empty ride (other than expensive airbags) please post this info.<br>BTW At speed (80-90 mph) with the tires at 45 the steering gets quite squirly. (sp?)

 

Stan,<br><br>Do yourself a favor and get ahold of some Rancho RS9000 shocks. These babies will smooth your ride out considerably.<br><br>Rod

 

Thanks Rod. Install these shocks front and back?<br>Anybody else used these shocks with success?<br>How about Bilsteins?

 

You could take a leaf outta the back if you don't tow that is! ;D

 

Jamie, been thinking about that. Am reluctant to do that at this time but it is an option. If I do I have to figure out which leaf. As Rod said, changing shocks may be the first step. Heading to San Antonio in a couple of weeks so will snoop around there and see what is available and prices.

 

Remember if you loose a leaf you will loost about 2&quot; ride height depending on which one you remove!

 

Forgot about that. If I leave the leaf out permanently I could reshape the remaining leaves to compensate. It is quite easy to do and a spring shop does not have to do it.<br>Out of curisity, wonder how many readers know how to do that?

 

I put Bilsteins on my Ford f-350 and it made a noticeable difference in the ride empty and towing. A definate improvement and my Ford was only a couple of months old so the factory shocks had only a few thousand miles on them.<br> As soon as they become available I am going to get them for my truck. They may already be available for the 2500.<br> Randy

 

You might check these out: http://www.drivetrain.com/velvetride.html

I have a set waiting to install on my 3500, just haven't had the time yet. I'm also going with airbags instead of the very stiff helper springs, and Edelbrock IAS shocks.

 

I know about the Hopper Stoppers but they will not be available for the 2003's until about June. I will probably go for them. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

 

[quote author=Mexstan link=board=7;threadid=12830;start=0#121340 date=1048850196]<br>Thanks Rod. Install these shocks front and back?<br>Anybody else used these shocks with success?<br>How about Bilsteins?<br>[/quote]<br><br>Stan,<br><br>Yep, I've installed these front and back, and they work great for smoothing out some of the choppiness of the ride. I'm on a Dodge Ram Truck mailing list, and probably about half of the folks are running 9000s, and really like them. There are some others running Bilsteins with good luck too...<br><br>Rod

 

From everything I hear it sounds as tho the Rancho's are the way to go. Have just priced them at the dealer in San Antonio and was quoted a price of $345.07 for four shocks plus $129 for the compressor.<br>Does this sound right or too high? Any other suggestions as to where I can get them in the San Antonio area?<br>How many of you use the remote and how many crawl underneath to set them? Would appreciate hearing the pros and cons for remote versus manual.<br>Down the road also plan on getting the Hopper Stoppers when the '03 kits become available. Hopefully these combined with the Rancho's will make my truck ride a LOT smoother with no load.