Hello again. So I'm looking to replace the shocks on my 97 Ram 2500, and I've noticed that some websites say (without offroad package) when looking at shock applications. I've heard there was a ride height difference in the 1500 offroad equipped rams, but was there a package available for the 2500's too? My bed does say offroad on the back of it, so I'm assuming my truck has this "offroad" package (unless the bed isn't stock). Basically I'm wondering what the difference is. I'd like to get the edelbrock performers or the bilstein 5100's (which they say is only for lifted applications, and my truck is not lifted). Can you put the 5100's on a stock truck? I know a lot of you out there are running them. Any input or suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

off road had a 2 inch lift. so yes it is lifted, factory lift...but lifted.

how do i know you ask??/???/??????////??

I have an offroad

 

Good question! I dont think I recall ever seeing a 2500 offroad edition

 

Is the offroad the same as a sport? I've definitely seen a 2500 sport.

 

Dodge did not make an off road package for the 2500. And the sport and off road packages are two totally different things.

The off road package included a different suspension with nearly 2" of added height, 17" wheels, 4.10 gears and a rear limited slip, extra skid plating, front tow hooks, extra gusseting around the front differential, off road stickers and maybe a few other things I cant think of.

The sport package is simply painted bumpers (the front bumper is completely different than the non sport) and dual headlights.... and some real cool stickers that fell off the day I brought my truck home from the dealer.



And as far as the shocks go, I am not completely sure if the 5100's are available for stock applications, but I would almost guarantee they are. A simple call to any supplier should answer your question. You could also grab some lengths of the stock units and then call and ask.

 

Hmm...alright then. This truck is pretty rough, someone did a horrible bondo job on the bed and painted it with a paint roller...over the off road sticker. I know I can make out the words "off road" under the paint, but it doesn't look like anything I've ever seen on a Dodge. The truck always looked high to me, but it's probably the 33's it has on it. I'll just stick with the no lift/stock suspension category when looking for shocks. So, next question, what kind of shocks does everyone recommend? It will be seeing a lot of off road driving, but also a lot of highway (driving to the place to go off road). The edelbrock performers and bilstein 5100's look great, but at $80-$90 a shock...whew that's a lot of money. But, if it's really worth it, I'll go for it. Thanks everyone, this site has guided me so well in building this truck, I really appreciate it.

 

I have used Rancho 5000's and BDS cheepies on my truck, and both were OK, but nothing impressive. Bilstiens are very nice shocks, and well worth the extra coin.

 

Maybe the original dealership added the graphics and the tires. We have a dealership here that puts leveling kits, graphics and fat tires on factory trucks and inflates the price twice what they are worth.

If you are going to use the truck as a daily driver I would go to autozone and buy the monroe shocks. If you are going off-road, then pay the money for the Bilsteins. They are a whole level above the Ranchos. I actually have Ranchos on the front and Bilsteins on the back, and will be ditching the Ranchos when the $$$ are available.