Our 2001 Ram 2500 Diesel 4WD 100K miles has a 2" lift kit. It rides very rough when not loaded. We are in our 70's and love the truck, but would like to make it ride better. Would removing the lift kit help? The shocks are at least 20 years old and are sir shocks that don't hold air. What would be the best replacement? Thanks for all help.

 

2500s ride like stones. If your lift kit is only spacers front and back, not much help taking them out. No idea what you are willing to invest.
The next gen of Dodge trucks had the rear shackles flipped. Makes the rears a progressive spring. Such kits are available for Gen IIs, not overly expensive. Progressive coil springs are available for the fronts as well. DodgeOffRoad is one of the many who sell them. They hosted a video on their website showing them in action. Other vendors to buy from, less expensive.

 

Replacement shocks would certainly help a great deal, but keep in mind, it's still a heavy truck tailored to haul heavy loads and not run down the road empty. There was a "best shocks for a 2nd gen truck' thread some time ago and the consensus was that Bilstein shocks were the best for the money. When I installed a set of Rancho 7000s in the rear of my truck, it really tamed the bulk of the bounciness of the truck empty. I have a set of well worn Rancho 5000s on the front of the truck and plan to replace those with the Rancho 7000s, too. I'd likely be using the Bilsteins, but got the four Rancho 7000s brand new in the box at a great deal.

My truck is a '96 Ram 2500 4x4 with a 5.9 magnum with a factory lift.

 

I have a 98 2500 with the V-10, yep, it rides ROUGH. Rides like a dream with a ton of dirt in the bed though, but, does bad things to gas mileage.

 

Do you feel your complaint is mostly front or rear -- or both -- or can you tell?

Some say Sulastic shackles can help the rear. I've never installed them and I'm mildly skeptical of the concept.

Shocks will help somewhat. I'd research that more as info and opinions are all over.

Also, if you don't need the brute capability of a 2nd Gen CTD, something like that with 100k is worth a chunk of change. You could sell it and be a good way toward a newer 1/2 ton in the flavor of your liking (Dodge, GM, Ford etc).