03/09/2008 03:09. When the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 reaches dealerships this month, it will be the only full-sized 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, which descend directly from the horse and buggy. Dodge will continue to use leaf springs in heavy-duty versions of the Ram.

Although carmakers have switched to link and coil spring arrangements on the rear suspensions of full-sized, body-on-frame SUVs, they've stuck with leaf springs on pickups. Leaf springs have an... // AutoWeek