Look mom, no leaf springs

Look, Mom, No Leaf Springs!
The new Dodge Ram finally steps up to a more rigid, fully boxed frame featuring hydroformed, high-strength steel. Yet the thing you'll notice most is the conspicuous lack of leaf springs for the rear suspension, which have been a staple of full-size pickups for as long as there have been full-size pickups. (Well, a real long time, anyway.) The Ram positions its live axle with multiple links, while big coil springs shoulder the load. The previous staggered rear shock absorbers have been replaced with symmetrical forward-facing dampers.
The coil-spring rear suspension for the solid rear axle reduces weight by 40 pounds, and the big payoff is in ride quality and handling thanks to reduced friction and more effective suspension action. Dodge claims the arrangement offers durability comparable to leaf springs, and there appear to be no utility sacrifices since the payload is 1,850 pounds and there's an available tow package that's rated at 9,100 pounds.

Now, what do you guys think? My friend has one and offers a very smooth ride.

 

haven't they been doing this for like 5 years now?

 

Maybe, but I wasn't aware of that.

 

on the 1500 series I think its an ongoing thing.

 

Full size SUV yes, but I think this is the first Full size truck with coil springs. They went coil in the front in the early 2000's on the 1500's and 2003 I believe on 2500 and 3500 trucks

 

Late 60's Chevy's had rear coil springs. Other than that, pretty sure this is a first for a pickup. Lots of SUVs are set up that way though.

 

yup,the 3rd gen 4 runner for example.

 

Just looked. Looks like the 1500 is the only one going to rear coils. The 2500 and 3500 are staying with leafs

 

2nd gen had them as well