Hi all - longtime reader, first time poster. I recently bought a 2000 1/2 ton 4x4ext cab Sport. This is my second gen 2 truck. The truck has pretty low mileage - about 55,000 - but the front end is a little sloppy. I know the shocks are shot as they bottom out over average railroad tracks and other moderate bumps.

Other than changing out the original factory shocks, what else should I be looking at ? Control arms ?

Thanks for your help.

 

Welcome!

When you say sloppy, what are your symptoms?
In general, i'd start with new shocks and a new steering damper (the third shock up front that runs horizontal). See how that helps, and go from there. Could need new bushings, new ball joints, track bar, etc, just depends on what you mean by sloppy.

 

Hey Silver_Dodge - it all seems to be in the suspension, not in the drivetrain. The front differential, u-joints, etc. seem to be tight. The front tires tend to wobble when hitting bumps or tracks.

Just looking for an idea on what to look at when I crawl under her - narrow down the search. Thanks.

 

Ok, with that type of slop, definetly replace your steering damper, and then check your track bar. Have someone sit inside and turn the wheels from side to side while you watch the track bar joints from underneath. It should not have much play at all if any, escpecially at the top end (driver side). Check out the ones from Thuren Fabrictaion, supposed to be the best you can get.
www.thurenfabrication.com

 

Is a stock damper acceptable, or is it worth the $$ to upgrade that ?

 

If all else is stock, then a stock one would be acceptable if you can get one for less then an arm and a leg. Dealership purchased oem items seem to cost as much or more then some better quality aftermarket items. For example, I just bought new u-joints for my drive shaft. They were good quality heavy duty ujoints that cost about $25 ea. The oem ujoints from the dealership were $75 each. I was blown away. I have never seen ujoints that expensive, and they don't even have grease zerks.

If you have a lift, or plan to run big tires, and aftermarket one might provide slightly better dampening for you. There are also dual stabilizers too.

 

No plans to lift or alter the geometry of the truck - it's going to get heavier duty parts whenever something is replaced, but no lifting, etc. It's a daily driver that also tows a car hauler or camper frequently.

I tend to over-do it on my stuff - I don't like cheap stuff and I don't like whimpy parts, so it will gradually be beefed up pretty well.

Thanks for the tips.