Ram’s suspension system may change the industry

Posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 2:13 PM EDT.

The multi-link, coil-spring rear suspension is a segment first.

For 2009, Dodge has introduced a dramatic change in how light-duty pickup trucks are “suspended.”

The all-new Ram features a segment-first, multi-link coil-spring rear suspension with a solid rear axle that provides improved ride and handling characteristics with no loss of capability. A coil-spring setup centralizes and absorbs bumps and impacts, while reducing the amount of friction in the spring system. This setup also weighs 40 pounds less than a traditional leaf-spring configuration.

“Our multi-link coil-spring setup provides advantages in ride quality and handling characteristics, but doesn’t give up anything in terms of payload or trailer-towing capability,” Scott Kunselman, Vice President—Truck Product Team, said. “After all, coil-spring setups are commonly used in heavy-duty applications including semi trailers and railroad cars.”

Shock absorbers are forward-facing and positioned on the outside of the frame for optimum damping. The shocks are tuned for optimum balance in order to reduce ride harshness and provide more of an absorbent feel.

Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is standard on both two-wheel- and four-wheel-drive Ram models. A range of wheels is available among the various 2009 Dodge Ram models, from a 17-inch stamped-steel wheel that is standard on ST models, to 20-inch aluminum wheels available on SLT, Sport and Laramie models. A full-size spare tire and wheel assembly is standard on all Ram models.

Four-wheel-drive models of the new Ram use a front axle designed for an independent front suspension, incorporating half-shafts that drive front hubs. The
axle also has a disconnect system that automatically disengages the axle when four-wheel-drive mode is disengaged, for increased fuel economy.

Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all new Ram models. The 2009 Ram features the largest light-duty pickup brake rotors in the industry. Front rotors measure 13.2 inches in diameter and are clamped with dual-piston calipers, while rear rotors are 13.8 inches and use single-piston calipers.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 2:13 PM EDT and is filed under Company. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Comments are currently closed.