I'm new to the 2nd gen ram and I finally got a chance to see how this truck does off road(1998 sport quad cab shot box 4x4 5.9l). I was at a local off-road area along the Missouri river and much of it is really soft sand, just like a desert. Whenever I got 1/4+ on the throttle both front and rear axels would hop and buck like no other. Other wise the truck handled great. Has any one else had this? Also any fixes? I know my shocks are old but this was bad, my durango was 12x better in the soft stuff. Oh also have brand new goodyear authorties on it (not in this picture).

 

Front and rear gear ratios match?

Blocks on the rear axle don't help. (yes, they are stock.)

How are you various suspension bushings? U-joints?

 

Ratios do match, suspension bushings seem ok. I checked the bushings because it lane wandered so bad, turned out to be the shot tires that were on it. I haven't checked the u-joints yet. I might put it on the lift tomorrow at work and check some stuff over. Its so hard on those diffs when they start hopping like that and this will be a hunting truck and to haul atvs back in places.

 

Heavy duty shocks *might* help........

 

I went into the local off-road shop and he said this is common for the half tons because of the rear spring being just soft enough. So we layed out two options:
1) First and primary a decent set of mid level off-road shocks, he had some fabtechs there he recommended that were about $65/shock
2) traction bars which he used on another customers 2nd gen ram and that did it for that truck. But we didn't think it was necessary for my needs.
Another piece of info he provided was the front axel wraps slightly and that contributes once the rear starts hopping. Once I get my buick sold I was going to put in some shocks anyways cause these ones are about to fall apart.

 

So I recently put in billstein 4600 shocks all the way around and it performs way better off-road. It soaks up the big bumps and the axel hop has been diminished substantially. However I'm keeping my eyes out for an off-road edition, the 3.55s are killing me I want those 4.10s. Almost bought one at auction but it went for way to much for having 201k miles on it. Although it looked like it had rolled of the showroom floor, I almost didn't believe the odometer.........

 

I live basically right on the Missouri as well. I know exactly what you're talking about. My old shocks it would do the same thing across that sand. I ended up bumping up to 265 MTs and BDS shocks and it doesn't do it anymore. It didn't bother me to be honest.

 

having that nice block between the axle and spring, for the axe to use as a lever against the spring, doesn't help either.

 

Yeah, its particularly soft this spring in the recreational vehicle area. I does bother me though when it starts to hop cause its so hard on the differential, its like hammering on the internals when it starts to hop. Having shocking blows to any part will eventually break something. Maybe I'm being overly cautious since its my DD.