Working on the TV this weekend.

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

I've had my 2500 Dodge Ram for 10 years now and it's been a really good vehicle. But as in everything it has reached the point that some replacement parts are needed. After deciding recently that a travel trailer was in order for the family, I decided to also do some modification work on the TV to help with the extra towing weight that it will doing approximately three or four times a year with the TT. I also tow a couple times a year with mine and my friends dual sport motorcycles for riding trips to VA and WV but the weight of a few motorcycles on an aluminum trailer is nothing comparable to the VR-1.

I will be the first to admit that some of the work is for my own aesthetic taste and some of the work is for the improvement of the TV's towing capabilities. But I thought I would check with everyone here to see what I should adjust to the complete rig set up once I am done to keep it safe on the highway.

The modifications are two inches in height to the suspension on my TV with a tough country two inch lift. The front is going to be coil spring spacers and the rear is going to be with a helper/add a leaf. I'm installing new shocks which are designed for the added suspension height along with a new steering stabilizer shock. I'm also going to add an inch in height with a tire size change. I'm going from a 265-17 to a 285-17 tire. I'm staying with an E rated tire so the load rating will stay stock. To also adding extra sway control in a rear Hellwig sway bar. The TV already has a stock front sway bar.

With these modifications, I'm sure that I will have to readjust the weight distribution hitch setup between the TV and TT, but I'm wondering if there is anything else I need to look out for? I looked at RPM changes with my engine and gearing (5.7 Hemi, 3.73 gears and a 5 speed manual). Its only going to be around a 100 to 150 RPM change and the speedometer will only read about a 2 MPH difference.

So is there anything that I am not seeing? Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

[hankpage]

T3/T4 Hybrid, When you mentioned your own aesthetic taste, were you trying to convince us or yourself??? None of the mods you mention will increase your towing capacity. If anything your will reduce stability by raising your center of gravity a little and the weight of the parts you add will reduce your payload. Being the owner of a ten year old Ram myself, I would recommend inspecting the front end and steering for worn parts that our Dodges are known for and upgrading them with grease-able and redesigned after-market replacements. The new wider tires may put added stress on old worn parts.
Now .... after the front end is brought up to snuff .... by all means do the rest of the mods to make it look pretty. (prettier) I hope you don't mind if I use some of your logic to try and explain to my DW some of the mods I want to do. Travel safely, Hank

[bsmith0404]

As Hank already mentioned check the front end. You mentioned that the front already has a sway bar, but the stock sway bar one - is getting old, two - is designed for a stock set up. With the increased ride height and higher center of gravity, you will get a little more body role, if it was mine, I'd look at getting a little beefier anti-sway bar for the front. One other thing to consider is replacing the front springs vs adding spacers. I know your kit comes with the spring spacers, but again 10 year old coil springs have seen better days and you can get new springs with the added height for under $200. Of course that is easy to say when I'm spending someone else's money With all of that said, the kit you're going with is a nice set-up, you should be very happy with it.

Two other thoughts. If you ever decide to go with a 5th wheel, the additional height could cause problems getting a level set-up. And finally, if your DW is vertically challenged and you don't have some type of running board or step, you may want to get those too before you start getting complaints about the modifications you made making it more difficult for her to get in/out. Don't ask me how I know.

[denverpilot]

I'll be the third to mention front end. My Dodge is a bit older than yours at 13 years old and we did a complete front end rebuild this year.

Google "dodge death wobble" for more fun on what happens when the Dodge front end parts start to loosen up, the track bar wears out, etc. Not many reports of it happening loaded or towing but I'd rather not tempt fate. It's usually an unloaded thing and hits the heavier 2500 and 3500 trucks harder in model years where the half ton is built the same. (They're not anymore.)

Find someone who specializes in Dodge trucks to look it over. They'll find worn and wearing parts at 10 years. And you'll want that stuff nice and tight when you start towing in heavy winds. My steering wheel had well over the allowed amount of play in the dead band from left to right and it was getting annoying to tow with it. Replaced all the worn bushings, replaced the power steering while we had a reason to have the belts and what not off anyway, and replaced the track bar with aftermarket. Now it has about 1/2" of deadband, or less.

[denverpilot]

P.S. I don't think you said you have the Cummins, but my Dodge specialist mentioned something interesting I wanted to add for other folks reading these threads later on...

Look at a Dodge 2500 or 3500 with the gas engine and the Cummins. Specifically at the front end.

See if you can find any different parts. No. They're the same.

The Cummins weighs 350 more pounds than the V10.

No engineering changes were made to the front suspension to handle bouncing 350 more pounds of engine up and down over the front suspension over years and years.

Same problem to a lesser extent in all brands. That 350 lb weight difference between the engines is significant.

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

Thanks everyone for the great insights. My TV even though its 10 years old only has 55K in the mileage department. I'm a motorcyclist and ride pretty much year around on a Suzuki V-Strom unless the temps are in the single digit range. About the only time the TV is really used is when I'm going on long trips with the family or there is snow on the ground which here in the piedmont area of NC, really isn't to often.

There was a recall on the TV a few months ago about the tie rods and it was checked by the local dealership which gave the TV a clean bill of health. Of course today when I checked everything I found the front sway bar control links were worn the heck out and I replaced both. I checked the front tie rods myself and found all was fine along with the track bar. So I just replaced the worn parts I had found. I want to change the front end out to a better aftermarket setup but at this moment everything works fine and I haven't experienced the dreaded Dodge Death Wobble so I'm just going to leave it alone. Plus were everything is working fine I have a hard time to justify the $$$ spending at the moment on other replacement parts. Just for everyone's info my previous career was in auto mechanics and it has been a blessing to the family in savings over the last 25 years but it has also made me a little bit of a control freak on all of my vehicles. I don't just trust anyone under the hood of my vehicles. To many damn jacklegs out there.


I did measure the stock front sway bar today and its almost the same size as the aftermarket Hellwig bar (1.33 to 1.38) so I will prob just order a poly bushing set and call it done at the moment. I checked the height after the install and it will be 2 inches over all which isn't to bad. I will reset the Equalization/ Distribution hitch to the new ride height and be extra careful on turns until I get use to the new set up. But thanks everyone for the info! Hopefully I can get few picts loaded up later in the week.

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

Denverpilot, I get what you are saying most of the parts are same. There is a difference in coil springs ratios for the weight of which drivetrain is installed.

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by T3/T4 Hybrid

But thanks everyone for the info! Hopefully I can get few picts loaded up later in the week.

Sounds to me like you have done your homework. Just remember the job is not done until we see some pics. Hank

[bsmith0404]

Personal opinion, I'd stick with rubber bushings. Poly are nice for wear, but they tend to squeak. Based on the usage your truck gets, the rubber will last a long time.

[denverpilot]

Originally Posted by T3/T4 Hybrid

Denverpilot, I get what you are saying most of the parts are same. There is a difference in coil springs ratios for the weight of which drivetrain is installed.

Yeah but it's pretty rare to wear out coil springs.

It's the other stuff that wears out. And there is a reason it wears out faster riding under the Cummins.

That said, they can pry my Cummins away from me from my cold, dead, fingers.

I'll happily rebuild front end parts every so often for that engine.

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

Hank the TV needs a good wash and wax but this is how it looks at the moment. Its not to high and not stock looking anymore which I am happy with. Also what does DW abbreviate for? I'm assuming it has to do the wifey. You can use my logic on yours anytime you want.. LOL

What I started out with this weekend.


Most of the parts installed.


The final product.


The new rear ant-sway bar from Hellwig is very nice and install wasn't bad at all! No drilling or welding.

[hankpage]

Looks good .... but then my opinion may be biased. (see sig)

Yes ... DW is Dear Wife and I am afraid that she sees through most of my schemes.

Thanks for the pics.

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

Dear Wife... I have it now...

[dm1401]

You're truck sure looks good. I have heard several times now that when a dodge (or all?) truck is leveled in the front end the steering geometry changes and can induce death wobble and other bad things. Maybe call up your local dealer and ask them about it, and it's possible I am totally out to lunch lol

[DirtyOil]

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my 2005 with 35" tires 20" rims and 6" of lift, never experienced "death wobble" although people with both lifted and stock height trucks have had death wobble at one time or another, its not a "lifted" truck only issue. I pulled a 9,000# TT and goose neck loaded with 20,000#s of tools and equipment through mud and deep snow.

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

Dirty that Dodge looks like a beast!

I haven't experienced the death wobble either. Driving it last week during traffic in Charlotte it felt more stable than when it was in stock settings. Im really happy with the lift kit and rear sway bar. Now I need to do something about a few HP. LOL Later in the year Im going to install a 260 Comp Cam, beehive valve springs and a Diablosport engine tuner. It will be at the 60K mark then so I'll be doing a tune up also.

Dirty, what fender flares do you have on it?

[chuckster57]

I had a Comp Cam 262 in my "86 F250/460. Along with other mods, I was scootin down the road. I recommend Comp Cams over any other brand.