3500 SWB How's the ride?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
3500 SWB How's the ride?
Considering a SWB QC. I sure could use the extra payload, but I remember how spine jolting my 99 2500( swb qc )was on the rough roads. Test drove a 04 2500 and it wasn't to bad. Hows the ride on the 3500 I asked? He didn't know. In fact, I've never seen one with my own eyes. Anyone out there own one? Oh yea, I heard Chevy makes a true 1 ton axle (3500 srw) and Ford just adds leaf springs to the F-350 (srw). Is there any truth to this? What's the story with Dodge?
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SE NC USA
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 2004 3500 SWB 2X4 QC and it rides like a dream IMO. I have read it is the same truck as the 2500 but has "helper springs" is the load brings the bed down far enough to use them. I have made several mods to mine including removing the spacer blocks to lower the rear a little. So far it is the best vehicle I have owned. I don't know for sure but I think there may be other differences in the 2500/3500 such as the rear AA axle (11.5"?)
Good Luck
Good Luck
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Livingston, Texas et al
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Returned two weeks ago from a 9,000 cross country trip. The ride was great as far as I am concerned. There are a few roads which jar your teeth with bad expansion joints. Like I-80 between Sacramento and San Francisco. Have no way of knowing if the LWB rides this highway better.
jr
jr
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Grayslake, IL
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ride is supposed to be the same. The 3500 gets some helper springs. That's it. Depending on how you look at it, either Dodge put a 1-ton axle in the 3/4 ton. Or the 1 ton, dually included, gets a 3/4 ton axle. They are all the same rear end these days.
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Desert Northwest (Pasco WA)
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Jaa I have the SWB SWR 3500 in 2-wheel drive configuration and it rides fine, although it does bump and jolt on rough roads and RR crossings. A bit of weight in the back helps a lot.
It softened up noticeably since new, it was fairly stiff then. I have 29,000 & change miles.
I like my truck a lot and no regrets here for going shortbed.
Vaughn
It softened up noticeably since new, it was fairly stiff then. I have 29,000 & change miles.
I like my truck a lot and no regrets here for going shortbed.
Vaughn
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Livingston, Texas et al
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie
I like my truck a lot and no regrets here for going shortbed.
I like my truck a lot and no regrets here for going shortbed.
jr
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The ride is great. I drove both a 2500 & 3500 for purchasing the SRW SWB 3500. I couldn't tell a differance in the ride. It appears as though the 3500 just has a helper spring that comes into play only when loaded.
The 3500 does have an 11.5" AA rear end. Not sure on the rear end size on the 2500.
As a comparison - my other vehicle is a Ford Excursion Limited 4x4 with the PowerStroke. I believe the 3500 4x4 DC has a much better ride.
The 3500 does have an 11.5" AA rear end. Not sure on the rear end size on the 2500.
As a comparison - my other vehicle is a Ford Excursion Limited 4x4 with the PowerStroke. I believe the 3500 4x4 DC has a much better ride.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: SW Utah
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had a 3500 SWB QC and now have a 2500 LWB QC. Both 4X4. The 2500 rides 10 times better. It rides like a Chevy 1/2 ton compared to the 3500...it really is that big of a difference. Now, I'm sure the lonnger wheel base is part of it, but I also believe the 2500 has someting to do with it too...
#10
Registered User
The ride in my 2004 3500 SWB SRW 4x4 is smoother IMHO then my 2002 2500 SWB 2x was.
I think the ride is great. Although the fifth wheel hitch has been in since new, so I do carry a small amount of weight.
I think the ride is great. Although the fifth wheel hitch has been in since new, so I do carry a small amount of weight.
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 3500 SRW SB rides GREAT. The key to the ride is air pressure. When you are not pulling or carrying a load the just put 50lbs of air in the front and 40-50lbs of air in the rear. When loaded or pulling a load then put 65 front and 75 rear. Go for it and drive it like you stole it
#12
Dunno if you are looking at 4x4 or 2wd but there is a huge difference between the two regarding ride quality. My 2wd is fine, better with 800 lbs in the rear but a friends '03 4x4 is brutal to drive. Even with weight. 2500 and 3500 have the same rear ends. Both are full floating.
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Up North in the COLD.
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think mine rides great with 350lbs in the box. Empty it seems a little harsh though, almost feels like the back tires 'skip' off the ground on big bumps. Tire pressure makes a big difference as mentioned by someone else.
#15
Originally posted by PADZZ
I had a 3500 SWB QC and now have a 2500 LWB QC. Both 4X4. The 2500 rides 10 times better. It rides like a Chevy 1/2 ton compared to the 3500...it really is that big of a difference. Now, I'm sure the lonnger wheel base is part of it, but I also believe the 2500 has someting to do with it too...
I had a 3500 SWB QC and now have a 2500 LWB QC. Both 4X4. The 2500 rides 10 times better. It rides like a Chevy 1/2 ton compared to the 3500...it really is that big of a difference. Now, I'm sure the lonnger wheel base is part of it, but I also believe the 2500 has someting to do with it too...
This has been covered in several threads and the consensus seems to be that the 2500 & SRW 3500 (of the same wheelbase) have a pretty similar, if not the same, ride. But wheelbase differences are another matter... a shorter wheelbase will always seem stiffer if all else remains the same.