2021 Ram 2500 75th anniversary edition Power Wagon suspension upgrade questions

[Mdsertell]

Post disclaimer: I know enough to make me dangerous, but I also realize I don’t know what I don’t know.

As post title says I’ve got an awesome Power Wagon that I love. Upgrades I’ve already installed:
RSI SmartCap
Roofnest condor XL rooftop tent
OVS 270 driver side awning
Decked system

I realize all of those items have added weight to the rear of the truck. I am now approaching 75,000 miles in need to replace the OE shocks, swaybar and tires. I’ve read countless post on this forum and others, but this is where I don’t know what I don’t know when it comes to suspension upgrades.

When the truck is loaded down with gear on the highway, I hit any ruts or bumps, and I can get significant amount of “sway” in the rear end of the truck, which causes me to have to slow down. Kind of freaks the wife out a little

If you’ve read this far, thank you!!
what type of upgrades can you guys recommend? Shocks, sway bar, tires, etc?

I realize they all need to be done, but I can’t afford to do them all at once… what would you make a priority upgrade?

I have another trip planned in a month and would like to do a few things before then.

I appreciate any recommendations and your advice. Thanks, everyone Matt.


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[Mdsertell]

Some pics if they load


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[Mdsertell]

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[Mdsertell]

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[PNWDad]

Carli and Thuren are the two top suspension systems with proven results. Give Thuren a call and email them your pictures. They will tell you yes or no or which way to go. Great local company.

 

[Hegear]

I would start by replacing shocks you could upgrade or just go stock.

Then a Thuren track bar with correction bracket. This greatly reduces the sway you are feeling.

If you’re still unhappy with sway get a hellwig sway bar. They offer 2 different kinds regular and the bigwig. I’d go with the regular on yours as I think that will be sufficient and won’t limit your travel as much.

Stay away from the airbags if you can. I run them on on my pw but I’m at10000lbs.

If your rear end is sagging which I suspect it is you could either add thurens spacers or Carli r2 springs. I run both on mine but again I’m much heavier than you.

 

[Mdsertell]

I would start by replacing shocks you could upgrade or just go stock.

Then a Thuren track bar with correction bracket. This greatly reduces the sway you are feeling.

If you’re still unhappy with sway get a hellwig sway bar. They offer 2 different kinds regular and the bigwig. I’d go with the regular on yours as I think that will be sufficient and won’t limit your travel as much.

Stay away from the airbags if you can. I run them on on my pw but I’m at10000lbs.

If your rear end is sagging which I suspect it is you could either add thurens spacers or Carli r2 springs. I run both on mine but again I’m much heavier than you.

Which shocks are you running on your PW?

I’ve looked at so many different options, ie, 2.0/2.5/3.0/3.5 w/reservoir vs no reservoir.

I know I need new tires as well; would love to jump up to 37’s



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[BikePilot]

King 2.5s are a great quality shock and should be enough for anything short of really high speed action.

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[Hegear]

I’m running Thurens kings 3inch in the front and 2.5 in the rear. I have Thuren 1.5 spring in the front which I think adds .5 inch in lift to the front, Carli r2 in the rear. I’m very happy but I don’t think you need to go with the same to see improvement. You don’t need a lift to fit 37s only wheel spacers or new wheels to get the appropriate backspacing. You will need to trim a little plastic in the front but that’s the same if you have a lift or not.

I did a lot of research on these as I built 2 at the same time, with completely different setups. As well as my tow rig which is a regular 2500 non pw.

If you would like discuss pm me and I’ll give you a call.

Like mentioned above Thuren is awesome, they won’t upsell you on anything you don’t need.

 

[garrettjmu]

Not to hijack - but also curious on this too. I have been running Thuren Fox 2.0's and the .5" thuren coil up front with thuren track bars and still feel like I'm not super impressed. I've been looking at upgrading to the Thuren Fox 2.5 DSC and adding a shim + thuren coil to the rear.

Would be curious if anyone else is running this setup at all.

 

[BikePilot]

Not to hijack - but also curious on this too. I have been running Thuren Fox 2.0's and the .5" thuren coil up front with thuren track bars and still feel like I'm not super impressed. I've been looking at upgrading to the Thuren Fox 2.5 DSC and adding a shim + thuren coil to the rear.

Would be curious if anyone else is running this setup at all.

I haven't run the fox 2.5s, but the king 2.5s and bigger are worlds different from the fox 2.0s. Also the stock front sway bar is really stiff and limiting. Replace it if you haven't already. It makes a huge difference and really frees up the front end. I've been impressed with the boogie bumps as well. They really help soak up bigger hits.

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[garrettjmu]

I haven't run the fox 2.5s, but the king 2.5s and bigger are worlds different from the fox 2.0s. Also the stock front sway bar is really stiff and limiting. Replace it if you haven't already. It makes a huge difference and really frees up the front end. I've been impressed with the boogie bumps as well. They really help soak up bigger hits.

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What did you replace the swaybar with? Did you keep the disconnect functionality?

 

[BikePilot]

What did you replace the swaybar with? Did you keep the disconnect functionality?

I have a 3500 and put on a Thuren one. I forgot about the disconnect on the PW, assuming you are disconnected off road I would not change a thing then on the PW. Separately, big tires on small wheels at low pressure also make a huge difference just in case you haven't gotten around to that yet.

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[garrettjmu]

I have a 3500 and put on a Thuren one. I forgot about the disconnect on the PW, assuming you are disconnected off road I would not change a thing then on the PW. Separately, big tires on small wheels at low pressure also make a huge difference just in case you haven't gotten around to that yet.

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Yeah I'm on 35's on AEV salta's. Next go around, I'll go up to 37s.

 

[BikePilot]

Yeah I'm on 35's on AEV salta's. Next go around, I'll go up to 37s.

Nice! Love my 37s, probably not a huge difference from 35s. Fitment was really easy. At 20-25psi it's a cushy ride (my truck is heavy being a diesel HO Megacab). Still need to get sliders made.

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