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Megacab 1500 and any ram 2500 .....

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Old 05-17-2014 | 10:57 PM
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Default Megacab 1500 and any ram 2500 .....

Can anyone explain the differences between a megacab 1500 and 2500/3500 suspension? Can I install a heavy duty 3500 suspension on my megacab 1500?
 
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Old 05-18-2014 | 09:31 AM
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Yes you can, it will just be a little stiffer than you are used to.
 
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Old 05-18-2014 | 10:08 PM
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My friend was saying that air bags are better. Said they ride better and tow load more? Anyone installed them? Do you like them?
 
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Old 05-19-2014 | 01:59 AM
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It depends on your needs. If it is a daily driver and you only haul a heavy trailer occasionally, definitely air bags...you'll have a comfortable ride every day when empty, but the added stiffness needed for being loaded down...and they are adjustable for different size loads. Air Lift makes a 2000 lb and a 5000 lb bag...and that is tongue weight of the trailer or weight in the bed of the truck, not total trailer weight. If your needs in a truck changed and can't afford to replace it, and you need a 1 ton truck much more very often, then do the suspension swap.
 
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Old 05-19-2014 | 07:46 AM
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I see. Yeah I will be doing the suspension swap then. I don't mind a stiffer ride really
 
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Old 05-19-2014 | 08:07 AM
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You can also go in between and do 3/4 ton suspension and air bag it. All depends on exactly what you are doing. IMO, not sure exactly on these trucks, but from experience with mostly Chevy trucks, if you are want a 3500, you'll want it loaded pretty much at all times cuz ride is horrible unloaded. 2500 is a nicer ride if you're loaded A LOT but also frequently unloaded...if there is slack to be picked up between 2500 ajd 3500, the air bags come into play.

A little advice if you're doing a lot of heavy hauling with a 1500, even if it's hybrid...there is a lot more to the 2500 and 3500 than just springs vs 1500. The mega cab is a 2500 frame, so you're pretty good there...but I think it still has the 1500 transmission and has 1500 gear ratio differentials. Someone can correct me on trans, cuz I'm not positive on that...but especially if you have bigger tires, you will lower gears in the diffs...lower will pull better for one, and take stress off trans for two, and for 3, if you changed tire size, you essentially changed the gear ratio so you have to compensate...while on subject of tires, you likely have weak sidewalls as you have a half ton truck...hauling heavy loads, especially frequently, you' definitely want a 10 ply tire so the weight won't sag and bulge the sidewalls.

that's about all I can think of now...if you share with us what exactly you're doing, we may be able to offer more advice...I, myself have A LOT of hauling/towing experience, so I can be a lot of help with even more info if you feel to share. You definitely want to be as safe as you can when dealing with heavy loads.
 
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Old 05-19-2014 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by HemiMoparGuy1981
You can also go in between and do 3/4 ton suspension and air bag it. All depends on exactly what you are doing. IMO, not sure exactly on these trucks, but from experience with mostly Chevy trucks, if you are want a 3500, you'll want it loaded pretty much at all times cuz ride is horrible unloaded. 2500 is a nicer ride if you're loaded A LOT but also frequently unloaded...if there is slack to be picked up between 2500 ajd 3500, the air bags come into play.

A little advice if you're doing a lot of heavy hauling with a 1500, even if it's hybrid...there is a lot more to the 2500 and 3500 than just springs vs 1500. The mega cab is a 2500 frame, so you're pretty good there...but I think it still has the 1500 transmission and has 1500 gear ratio differentials. Someone can correct me on trans, cuz I'm not positive on that...but especially if you have bigger tires, you will lower gears in the diffs...lower will pull better for one, and take stress off trans for two, and for 3, if you changed tire size, you essentially changed the gear ratio so you have to compensate...while on subject of tires, you likely have weak sidewalls as you have a half ton truck...hauling heavy loads, especially frequently, you' definitely want a 10 ply tire so the weight won't sag and bulge the sidewalls.

that's about all I can think of now...if you share with us what exactly you're doing, we may be able to offer more advice...I, myself have A LOT of hauling/towing experience, so I can be a lot of help with even more info if you feel to share. You definitely want to be as safe as you can when dealing with heavy loads.
Bro thanks for the info! So basically I'm setting up the truck for the ability to go deep off road and not get stuck easily. I'm not trying to drive up rocks or anything. I just want it very versatile. It would have a lot of gear and equipment loaded in the bed, but I don't use it for towing much. I have a couple dodge trucks. The mega cab is the recreation/emergency truck
 
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Old 05-19-2014 | 10:39 PM
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in that case, I'd look more into a lift kit including springs, instead of going with stock 1 ton springs which would be better for off roading and might be a better ride on the road than an unloaded 1 ton. After that, the only issue I see is the wheelbase of a Megacab.
 
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Old 05-20-2014 | 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by HemiMoparGuy1981
in that case, I'd look more into a lift kit including springs, instead of going with stock 1 ton springs which would be better for off roading and might be a better ride on the road than an unloaded 1 ton. After that, the only issue I see is the wheelbase of a Megacab.
Is there a good company you recommend? How do I search for the spring? Look up off road springs? Thanks again for the info
 
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Old 05-20-2014 | 09:28 AM
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Rancho Makes damn near the best Lift kit around for our trucks... downside is they are EXPENSIVE... but it sounds like you're in the market for the best there is no?
 


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