02 Ram 1500 Quad Cab - unstable in turns
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Florida
02 Ram 1500 Quad Cab - unstable in turns
I have a 2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4.7 V8. I love everything about this truck except the suspension.
When making turns on level pavement everything is fine.
When making turns on uneven pavement the back end has a tendency to "shimmey" and kick out from the turn. I am not doing extreme high speed (15-30mph) cornering so I really would like to resolve this unstable feeling.
Anyone have any ideas?
I am interested in maybe lifting it 2 or 3 inches and adding some better shocks. All stock parts still in place.
I have looked around for some ideas but seems like parts are hard to come by for this year/model...is a 2002 still considered so new that there are limited aftermarket parts for it?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
When making turns on level pavement everything is fine.
When making turns on uneven pavement the back end has a tendency to "shimmey" and kick out from the turn. I am not doing extreme high speed (15-30mph) cornering so I really would like to resolve this unstable feeling.
Anyone have any ideas?
I am interested in maybe lifting it 2 or 3 inches and adding some better shocks. All stock parts still in place.
I have looked around for some ideas but seems like parts are hard to come by for this year/model...is a 2002 still considered so new that there are limited aftermarket parts for it?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,078
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RE: 02 Ram 1500 Quad Cab - unstable in turns
The one problem is our trucks have a high center of gravity. I have a '02 reg cab 4X4 and have the same problem. Raising it will only make matters worse. Plus the rear end being so light does'nt help matters either. I have stepped up to 285/75R70 tires which raised the truck just a hair under 1". I have noticed on the tight on-ramps here that there is more body lean. I have been thinking of getting polyurethane bushings. I just wonder if it makes the suspension stiffer. In that case, that is another strike against the shimmy shimmy shakes.
As for the aftermarket parts, the selection is 1000% better than a year ago. If you have a 1500 like mine, dodge in their infinite wisedom decided to go to the IFS (independant front suspension), so now we can't even do the $200 2" front end coil spacers to level out the truckand have to turn to the $1500 systems. There are a number of companies starting to make IFS lifts for the 1500's. With the complex IFS, it takes time for them to get it right. The ones I have been looking at is the 4-4.5" lift from RANCHO. They have 2 kits one for stock tires and one with aftermarket rims. Seems that the tierods are the main problem for using tock rims. It is the only system that I have found that does not require modification of the exhaust Y-pipe. I seen the TV show "TRUCKS!" install a 6" superlift system. It's was pretty easy, all bolt-on. Again the only mod was to the Y-pipe.
[IMG]local://upfiles/2144/Db859077436.jpg[/IMG]
As for the aftermarket parts, the selection is 1000% better than a year ago. If you have a 1500 like mine, dodge in their infinite wisedom decided to go to the IFS (independant front suspension), so now we can't even do the $200 2" front end coil spacers to level out the truckand have to turn to the $1500 systems. There are a number of companies starting to make IFS lifts for the 1500's. With the complex IFS, it takes time for them to get it right. The ones I have been looking at is the 4-4.5" lift from RANCHO. They have 2 kits one for stock tires and one with aftermarket rims. Seems that the tierods are the main problem for using tock rims. It is the only system that I have found that does not require modification of the exhaust Y-pipe. I seen the TV show "TRUCKS!" install a 6" superlift system. It's was pretty easy, all bolt-on. Again the only mod was to the Y-pipe.
[IMG]local://upfiles/2144/Db859077436.jpg[/IMG]
