Does the RAM 2500 have leaf springs?
The RAM 2500 uses a leaf-spring rear suspension as part of its heavy-duty design, delivering durability and payload capacity. In short, yes—the rear suspension relies on leaf springs, arranged on a solid rear axle, to handle heavy loads and towing demands.
Beyond the simple yes, the RAM 2500’s suspension is engineered to prioritize strength and reliability over a cushy ride. While leaf springs are standard on the rear, the exact leaf-pack configuration can vary by model year and trim. The front suspension differs from the rear and is designed to balance handling with the vehicle’s carrying capability.
Suspension design in the RAM 2500
Understanding how the RAM 2500 sits on the road requires looking at its rear suspension, which is where leaf springs play a central role. The heavy-duty setup uses a solid rear axle paired with leaf-spring packs to maximize payload and towing resilience. The leaf-pack counts and configurations are specified by trim and year, but the fundamental leaf-spring rear design remains a hallmark of the RAM HD lineup.
Key characteristics of the RAM 2500’s rear suspension include:
- Rear suspension: solid rear axle with leaf springs (multi-leaf packs) across most model years and trims.
- Designed for durability and high payload capacity, prioritizing load handling over a plush ride.
- Leaf-spring layouts can vary, reflecting the truck’s intended use — from everyday work trucks to heavy-haul configurations.
Concluding the overview, buyers should expect a robust, leaf-sprung rear setup that underpins the RAM 2500’s core strengths: towing ability, payload handling, and long-term durability. Ride comfort is a secondary consideration to load-bearing performance.
What it means for buyers
For potential buyers, the leaf-sprung rear on the RAM 2500 translates to a truck that excels when loaded or towing. It may ride stiffer than lighter-duty pickups with independent rear suspensions, but the trade-off is better support for heavy loads and reduced rear-end suspension travel under load.
RAM 2500 vs RAM 1500
It’s useful to contrast the RAM 2500 with the RAM 1500. The RAM 1500 uses a coil-spring rear suspension, which generally offers a smoother on-road ride when unladen. In contrast, the RAM 2500 relies on a leaf-spring rear setup to maximize durability and payload capacity, reflecting its different mission as a heavy-duty workhorse.
Summary
In summary, the RAM 2500 does have leaf springs in its rear suspension, forming a solid rear axle that supports heavy payloads and towing. This design choice aligns with the truck’s heavy-duty purpose, providing strength and durability while trading off some ride plushness when the bed is loaded.
Does a Ram 2500 have leaf springs?
No, a modern Ram 2500 (since 2014) has a coil spring rear suspension, not leaf springs. However, older Ram 2500 models from 1994-2013 did use leaf springs in the rear.
- Modern Ram 2500 (2014 and newer): Uses a coil spring rear suspension to provide a smoother ride.
- Older Ram 2500 (up to 2013): Used a traditional leaf spring setup in the rear.
- Ram 3500: Generally continues to use leaf springs in the rear, even on newer models, which is better suited for heavy hauling.
What year did the Ram 2500 go to rear coil springs?
2014-2023
Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy-Duty Coil Springs
| Model | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 2500 | 2019-2023 | Front |
| Ram 2500 | 2014-2023 | Rear |
| Ram 2500 w/ Diesel | 2014-2018 | Front |
What kind of suspension does the Ram 2500 have?
With this setup. And towing kind of the same scenario. You would put the truck into ABS mode etc etc and that is essentially the shortcoming of the 2500.
What year to stay away from Ram 2500?
The 2013 model year is often cited as a year to avoid due to a severe "death wobble" issue, while other years with significant problems include the 2012-2016 and 2018 models, which have been linked to various issues like brake and steering system failures. Additionally, the 2014-2018 models with the 6.4L HEMI engine can be problematic due to transmission issues.
Specific years to approach with caution
- 2013: Frequently mentioned as one of the worst years due to a severe and expensive-to-fix "death wobble" steering issue that occurs after about 30,000 miles.
- 2012-2016: This range is frequently listed as problematic, with common complaints including steering system failures, brake system failures, turbocharger breakdowns, and transmission defects.
- 2014-2018 (6.4L HEMI): These years are associated with the 66RF transmission, which was prone to overheating, shifting problems, and valve body/solenoid failures.
- 2018: This year is noted for a high number of complaints, particularly regarding the braking system.
- 2019-2022 (Cummins): There have been numerous recalls and issues reported with the Cummins engines from these years, including fire risks related to the intake heater grid relay and other electrical issues.
Other models with reported issues
- Some 2020-2023 models have also experienced widespread transmission issues, notes CarParts.com.
- Recent models like the 2022 and 2023 have also had multiple recalls, though they may be less severe than the issues in older years, including problems with the in-car electronics, water leaks, and emission control devices, reports Consumer Reports.
