1989-1993 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Suspension Parts

Suspension on the 1989-1993 Dodge Ram 5.9L Cummins

First-gen Rams split into two suspension designs. 4WD W250 and W350 trucks ride on leaf springs at both ends with solid axles, a Dana 60 up front and a Dana 70 in back. The 1994 redesign moved the 4WD front to coil springs, which is why first-gen 4WD trucks stand apart from the 1994-and-later trucks. 2WD D250 and D350 trucks use independent front suspension with coil springs and leaf springs in the rear. Factory overload leaf springs were an available option, so look at your rear spring pack before you add helper springs. From mid-1991 on, Dodge built 250 Cummins trucks and Club Cab trucks on the one-ton 350 frame. Up front sits the 5.9L Cummins, a cast-iron inline-six listed at about 1,100 lb dry and dressed.

What fails and why

Rust is the first thing to check on any first-gen. Diesel Army's inspection list puts rust at the spring perches, the cab mounts and the frame behind the fuel tank at the top of first-gen concerns, on rust-belt trucks at any mileage. A rotten perch matters more than any part you plan to bolt on. Next come the wear items. Ball joints and tie-rod ends wear with miles and show up as clunks, wander and uneven tire wear. Last is what happens when you add power. Owners of built 12-valve trucks report axle wrap and wheel hop from the leaf-spring rear, with driveline shudder on launch, and that is why traction bars turn up on high-output first-gens.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

If the goal is a truck that rides the way it did new, stay stock-style. Bilstein shocks and fresh sway-bar bushings are documented as OEM-style refresh parts on first-gen Rams, and new ball joints and tie-rod ends take out the slop. Upgrades should follow what the truck does. For towing and hauling, rear air-bag helper springs with an on-board compressor are the documented route on first-gens. For a truck with added power, traction bars control axle wrap on the leaf-spring rear. For height, the lift documented on several W250 and W350 builds is a 4-inch leaf-spring lift, one of them with 2-inch spacers, paired with crossover steering. Four-link and air-ride rear conversions exist too, but those live on custom show builds.

What we carry

Air Lift makes up most of this collection: the LoadLifter 5000 helper spring kit and LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus stainless steel upgrades, air spring spacers in 2-, 4- and 6-inch straight and 4- and 6-inch angled versions, a universal air spring cradle, the Single Load Controller II and Heavy Duty Dual Load Controller, WirelessONE and WirelessAIR compressor systems with matching tank kits and EZ Mount versions, a replacement on-board compressor and air hose. Wehrli Custom Fabrication (WCFab) supplies universal traction bars in 60-inch and 68-inch lengths, a Ford/Dodge/universal bracket and hardware install kit, and replacement bushings and heims. Bilstein is represented by a B8 5100 Series shock, and BDS Suspension by a 6-inch lift kit with a 4-link.

Fitment notes

Start with drivetrain. 2WD first-gens (coil-spring IFS) and 4WD first-gens (leaf springs and a solid front axle) take completely different front suspension and lift parts. Then check the frame. Mid-1991-and-later 250 Cummins trucks sit on 350 frames, so spring and frame-bracket parts may follow the frame rather than the badge. Cab and bed matter for anything that mounts along the frame: these trucks came as regular cab long bed, Club Cab long bed from 1990, D350 and W350 dually, and chassis-cab, and there was never a factory crew-cab Cummins in this generation. Some listings here carry fitment for later Rams in the title. The Bilstein 5100 is labeled for the front of a 2014-2026 Ram 2500 6.7L 4WD, and the BDS kit for a 2013-2018 Ram 3500 6.7L 4WD with rear air ride. Those titles describe later trucks, not a first-gen, so read the fitment line on every product and verify by VIN before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Will a 2WD suspension part fit my 4WD first-gen?

No. A 2WD D250 or D350 uses independent front suspension with coil springs, and a 4WD W250 or W350 uses leaf springs and a solid Dana 60 front axle. Front suspension and lift parts are completely different between the two, so order by drivetrain first.

Why would a part listed for a 350 fit my 1992 Ram 250?

From mid-1991, Dodge built 250 Cummins trucks and Club Cab trucks on the one-ton 350 frame. Spring and frame-bracket parts can follow that frame instead of the badge. If your truck is a 1991.5 or later 250, give us the VIN and we will sort out which parts apply.

How do I stop wheel hop after adding power to my 12-valve?

Owners of built first-gens report axle wrap and wheel hop on the leaf-spring rear once power goes up, sometimes with driveline shudder on launch. Traction bars are the documented answer on high-output trucks. The WCFab universal bars in this collection mount with a separate bracket and hardware kit.

What helps a first-gen tow and haul?

Rear air-bag helper springs with an on-board compressor are the documented setup on first-gens that tow and haul. Some trucks also left the factory with optional overload leaf springs, so check what is in your rear pack before you choose. Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 kits and compressor systems are in this collection.

What should I inspect before installing suspension parts?

Rust. On first-gen Rams the spring perches, cab mounts and the frame behind the fuel tank are the top inspection points, especially on rust-belt trucks. Fix the metal before you bolt new parts to it.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.