4000 lb. front axle?

I am looking for shocks for my 1996 , 3500 (ex. 15 passenger van). Most of the shocks that I am finding state "not for B300/B350 with 4000 lb front axle" (in fact it seems that Bilstein is the only on that has them for the 4000 lb axle).

How can I tell is that is what I have? I am guessing yes since it is a 1 ton model.

Cheers - Gregor
Proud owner for 7 days and 300 miles.

There should be an equipment tag under the hood that may give you this information or the VIN tag on the left door jamb.

I'm guessing that since you do have a 1-ton 15 passenger van, it will have the HD front axle.

I went to the Monroe website and looked up your van assuming it either had the 9000# GVW or not. First link is without, second link is with.

http://www.monroe.com/catalog_lookup...=1996&LST=2981

http://www.monroe.com/catalog_lookup...=1996&LST=2982

Thanx again Nate!

Duh, after posting I popped the hood and it was there on a sticker. The Suspension arm also has "heavy duty" stamped on it and I also found it on the window sticker copy that my neighbor gave me with the van.

Cheers - Gregor.

Originally Posted by gb_rogers

Thanx again Nate!

Duh, after posting I popped the hood and it was there on a sticker. The Suspension arm also has "heavy duty" stamped on it and I also found it on the window sticker copy that my neighbor gave me with the van.

Cheers - Gregor.

Hello Gregor: Welcome to the Ram Van Society ! I'm a veteran of about 1 week, myself. Congrats on the Ram Wagon - can you fill that thing up all by yourself ?

Truly, this is a great place to find help and solid advice from other Ram Van owners, my van is better this week than last thanks to the valuable help provided by Nate, Grant and all the others.

I just replaced my front shocks this week and thought you might profit from hearing the details. My van is a 96 B-2500 conversion van with a 3300 lb front axle - a bit lighter than your giant one-ton van, but still heavy. As you said, Bilstein does indeed offer shocks for two different weight axles, as I also learned as I had to pick the right part # from Bilstein.

You may have other options than Bilsteins, but my experience is that you'll save trouble by considering them as a possible 'best' choice. Changing the rears is easy - you could do it blindfolded. The fronts are another matter altogether - while not super difficult, just agonizingly tedious.

Last October when I bought our van, the shocks were shot so I went to Autozone and got 4 Gabriel Load Carrier ('spring over') units, thankfully with the lifetime warranty. Well, now 12 k miles and 6 months later, the front DS shock exploded, soaking with oil - front end 'floating' at every turn - scary dangerous.

When I was installing the Gabriels , and I saw the significant effort involved, I said: "I hope these units can handle this heavy van - I'm gonna regret it if they die, I'm not looking forward to doing this job again - I think I shoulda got the Bilsteins." How prophetic, indeed !

For what it's worth, Autozone offers lifetime warranty on their shocks (be they cheapies or Bilsteins), but for me it was the effort involved in the job - I had to do it twice 'cause I didn't buy the best up front.

Admittedly, the Gabriel Load Carriers on the back are fine, still - if they go bad, Autozone gives me my money back and I'll get Bilsteins to replace them. I based by decision on the Bilsteins on the fact that on my Dodge Turbodiesel Register(Dodge Cummins trucks) forums, the uniform consensus is that Bilsteins have the overall highest satisfaction rating - plus if you ever wear them out, they give you new ones - pretty good deal the way these large trucks & vans hammer on 'em.

Another front suspension trick I learned was to inspect the stock rubber front sway bar bushings - mine were cracked & deformed - no wonder the van swayed in the crosswinds and wandered badly.

I replaced 'em with Energy Suspension Urethane bushings & endlinks - it made a huge improvement for about $ 20 at Pep Boys - no more wandering or sway - very solid !

We drive mountain roads here daily, so if the supension has a problem - I fix it or it's accident time !

Whatever you choose, I hope some of this can be of use to you in deciding !

Best Regards, David B. Ram Van Man

Thanx for the advice David!

I was likely go with the Bilstiens since I have had great results with them in the past on cars. Sounds like you got bit with one of my daddy's sayings...."Always buy the best you can aford, cause you'll always be happy!"
I have not had good luck with Monroe and Gabriel in the past, so I tend toward Bilstiens, Konis and Tockicos.

I will look into the poly sway bushings as well. It is sure to help.

My van is more of a work truck. I bought it from my neighbor, who had it for 100K of it's 124K life, so I know most of the history. Being the 1-ton it is quiet the beast, in fact we have given it the name "The Grey Whale".

Cheers - Gregor.

Originally Posted by gb_rogers

Thanx for the advice David!

I was likely go with the Bilstiens since I have had great results with them in the past on cars. Sounds like you got bit with one of my daddy's sayings...."Always buy the best you can aford, cause you'll always be happy!"
I have not had good luck with Monroe and Gabriel in the past, so I tend toward Bilstiens, Konis and Tockicos.

I will look into the poly sway bushings as well. It is sure to help.

My van is more of a work truck. I bought it from my neighbor, who had it for 100K of it's 124K life, so I know most of the history. Being the 1-ton it is quiet the beast, in fact we have given it the name "The Grey Whale".

Cheers - Gregor.

Sure, Gregor. Yes I was just rueing my purchase of cheap shocks and felt you might appreciate the warning ahead of time, if you've not done a front shock replacment on a Ram Van, you may regret not having installed the best.

[I already bought the cheapo Gabriels already, before pulling it all apart-so I had no choice once halfway in.]

I've not had Bilsteins before now -

It seems products come in two categories, often: 'Consumer Grade' and 'Professional Grade' - but when your needs are demanding, it's false comfort to buy the first category for price, and expect the results only found in the second category !

I love the saying: "The sweet taste of low price is quickly forgotten, but the bitterness of poor quality lingers on...."

Our company produces and markets vehicle finish care products, and we've learned that our nitche is to offer the best, even if it costs more to produce and market. You may have a smaller group of customers, but their loyalty is much stronger !

Sounds like you may pull out some seats and use like an enclosed work truck - good idea ! It's a real benefit to know the vehicle history, too - peace of mind.

My buddy in Texas just got the exact 3500 Ram Van this week - I'll probably help him fix these suspension issues when we visit shortly.

I was wondering, do the 3500 vans include heavy duty suspension bits as standard equipment - specifically, do they have a rear anti-sway bar ?

My B-2500 did not - and per the advice of Nate & others, I've ordered the Addco rear bar & kit from Summit Racing. I'm expecting a big improvement in sway stability similar to upgrading to the Poly bush kit on the front (stock) bar.

My goal: No kids getting sick on the mountain roads: -Which might give birth to a question: which undercar suspension product can keep your van carpets cleaner ? - ha ha....

I think the 3500 vans have a stability issue and need even more help than my shorter 2500 van.

Case in point - There was a tragic accident at the University of Southern Utah recently where 8 members of their Ag program were killed in this same van, a 15 pass Ram B-3500 -the driver was speeding 90 + mph and lost control - the van flipped and that was that ! FYI:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=113623

So sad - it happened at the same time I got mine and when I heard it was fully loaded with passengers I was not surprised. The full loading of it puts way more demands upon the whole suspension.

Better safe than sorry !

Take Care, David B.

Dodge vans never had a factory installed rear sway bar, so adding one is a big plus especially in a 3500 15-passenger Maxi van.

Stability is a problem with the maxi vans because Dodge retained the 127" wheelbase and added that 4 or so foot extension beyond the rear axle. That added to fact that the rear axle is narrower than the front. Again adding a rear sway bar will help remedy this and you could try going to wider wheels and tires in the rear as well.

BTW, all Dodge van rear axles are narrower than the front...1500-3500 doesn't matter. Odd engineering.

funny that when trying to find an on-line parts supply I stumbled accross an attorney that specializes in 15 passenger van crashes. His site stated that a fully loaded 15 pass van was 30 times more likely to roll over in an accident due to the increased center of gravity height (duh). I shall keep that in mind as I load mine up.

The Grey Whale has been a work truck for the last 100K/10 years and will continue that tradition. Strange that I need a ladder to reach the ladder racks on it! My neighbor (who I bought it from) replaced it with a Sprinter 3500. He is considering building an interior "ladder/matierals" rack since it is sooooo tall.

I took a peek under it, and as Nate confirms, no sway bar. That's just fine since the Grey Whale has calmed my driving style to match it's ability!

Cheers - Gregor and the Grey Whale.

What Dodge should have done, was stretch the wheelbase. That would've made the van much more stable.

Originally Posted by Dodgevanman

What Dodge should have done, was stretch the wheelbase. That would've made the van much more stable.

Yes, indeed they should have. According to Gregor's finding of the 15 passenger van opportunistic barrister, it might have dampened job propects for some as well ! (underemployed lawyer jokes are now welcome....).

I take it we shouldn't look for 'Gregor & the Grey Whale' as the local SCCA racetrack, leading a pack of hot Neons through turn six - not just yet, anyhow.

Boy, wouldn't that be a picture - in any of our vans. I picture a super high handicap van driven hard in a sea of Ferraris - if it can't out-accelerate 'em at least it could knock them into infield grass - isn't that a scream ?

Just wait til I get that Timbren suspension - dreams may become reality !

Drive safe and take care, David B. Ram Van Man

Can someone tell me the difference in width of the rearwheel base compared to the front wheelbase? I'm trying to compensate the difference by getting wider rear wheels, but I would like to know how much would match the front wheelbase...
BTW, the newer GMC Express 15 passenger vans have seem to have a much wider rear wheelbase, and also the floor level is much lower and the bench seats sit the passengers lower compared to the dodge vans... it's just a comment to back up Nate's comment that "What Dodge should have done, was stretch the wheelbase..."
Do watch your driving when loading a maxivan...
Dan

Originally Posted by rdcp

..... "What Dodge should have done, was stretch the wheelbase..."
Do watch your driving when loading a maxivan...
Dan

Hi Dan, I assume you mean the width of the front and rear axles in comparision to each other, right ? Nate I think said at least a couple of inches - my 'eyeballing it' agrees, but a tape measure would tell you for sure, outside tire edges across.

You are so right on van stability. I read that the accident rate is very high for the Brand C, F & D especially on the largest 3500 15 passenger model, and goes much higher as passenger loading increases.

Here's a couple of soutions that increase stability by a huge margin: On my B-2500 I just installed the "Timbren Suspention Enhancement System" front & rear - the van now has roll, squat & dive stability that is a marvel. Basically they replace your stock bumpstops, need no air, can't wear out, and only cost about $ 150 per front or rear set. There's a lot to like there - easy to install, too.

Cheap insurance. We drive mountain roads - the van actually handles well now - I used to feel like every compact or sports car behind me was 'waiting till that stupid slow van pulls over' - now I keep up with 'em !

View em at www.Timbren.com, best price at www.truckspring.com .

There is another option that looks great - one fellow here has it for towing his large TT with his van swears by it.

It's 'Roadmaster Active Suspension' : www.ActiveSuspension.com Looks very effective - they have a van safety video showing how it reduces roll on their site.

Resonably priced - $ 200 ?? for the rear springs (they dont offer a front unit) at www.SummitRacing.com

Hope some of this is of help to you. I've been helped by the advice on this site and am happy to pass on what I've learned.

Is it right to presume you have the one ton B-3500 ?

Take Care, David Ram Van Man

Thanks for the info... it will be of great help. I do have the B-350/1ton. It's a maxivan (15 passenger).
I'm planning on doing an overhaul on the engine and even getting a 4 speed transmassion. After reading this thread on stability, I guess it will be time to also alter the suspension.
Dan

Might give this a look;

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...6&skunum=7826D

Bobothreefive

Originally Posted by bobo35

Might give this a look;

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...6&skunum=7826D

Bobothreefive

Bobo, do you run the airsprings on your van ?

You are right the Firestone Air Lift air springs are another option to acheive stability.

I've used them with success on my '97 Cummins Ram truck 3500. I tow up to 24,000 gross, so they do handle large loads very well. Due to the need to vary the air pressure frequently, I chose to install on on-board air system - it also powers airhorns & airtools.

For the van, I didn't need this high a load capacity, but they only offer the heavy airbag kit for a B-2500 van....

I was looking for simplicity & better handling, which the Timbrens achieve nicely - cheap (1/2 cost of airbags), nothing to go wrong & easy to install.

Other fellows here swear by the 'Roadmaster Active Suspension' - looks very good I must admit - I probably would've gone that route if I'd head of it sooner.

What is the goal ? If one intends to use a B-2500 or B-3500 Cargo Van hauling rolls of carpet, or any heavy cargo, the Firestone airbags are the only way to go.

Nice thing is, there is a product for whatever your goals are...the other nice thing is due to this forum and all of these mutal contributions from and to each other, our decisions can be fully informed - we're likely to get what we truly need.

Thanks - David B.