Smooth ride of coil springs will distinguish Ram

Posted on Friday, September 5th, 2008 at 10:14 AM EDT.

When the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 reaches dealerships this month, it will be the only full-size pickup offering a five-link, coil-spring rear suspension.

In a segment where cherished traditions really matter, why take a chance doing something nobody else is doing?

By talking with its customers, particularly those trying pickups for the first time, Dodge learned they were not enamored of the bouncy, jittery ride that comes with traditional elliptical leaf-spring rear suspensions.

Don Sherman, technical editor for Automobile magazine, said that, despite their ruggedness, leaf springs have several drawbacks. One is weight. Dodge cut 40 pounds from the Ram by switching to rear coil springs.

“Also, they’re bulky,” Sherman said. “A big problem is friction. (friction) tends to cause a harsher ride.”

“There was clearly a demand for better ride,” Scott Kunselman, Chrysler Vice President -Truck Product Team, said last month at the Ram media introduction.

Dodge should find early road tests encouraging. “The new Ram delivers ride and handling that are the current best of breed,” wrote NextAutos.com, a road test Web site. “The big Ram doesn’t bob or weave or toss your head about over rough pavement, and the interior remains surprisingly quiet regardless of the road surface—or lack of road surface.” (Automotive News)

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