Air Bag experience sought

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I have a 98 2500, and I am interested in replacing my overload leaf springs with airbags. I would appreciate your collective widsom on the subject. I am partucularly interested in unloaded ride improvement.

 

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I know this is comparing apples to oranges, but we put airbags on my uncles 1500 and it actually made the ride a little more bouncy. They work very well though loaded.

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01 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab,Long Bed Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights, Aux. Backup lamps.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

Add on's at first: Pyro, Trans Temp gauges, Exhaust Brake, AutoLoc, Line-X bedliner

 

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Charliep, I have the Kelderman air bag system on the dually. There are several systems out there but to me the key to a good ride is to get one with an automatic switch system that will increase or decrease the air pressure in the bags depending on the weight of the load. I have this one set up be stay nearly level with the fiver hooked up or running empty. Another thing to consider would be going to RS9000 shocks that are adjustable - again it all depends on the load... . Another thing ya might do is to do a search on 'air bags' Just my 2 pennies...

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1997 3500 SLT, Ext cab, 5spd, TST #11, GV Aux Trans, BD exhaust, Kelderman Air Ride, 60 Gallon fuel tank, Clifford Security, Reese 20k 4way 5th wheel hitch, Boost/EGT gauges, K&N air filter, Rancho RS9000 shocks, Brush Guard, DZee full length running boards.

 

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Other than the truck I have listed below, I also own a 96 3500 4x4 Cummins with a utility service body on it. The truck weighs in at 9400# every day of the week. On this truck I have Firestone air bags to level out the added weight of the modified body, air pressure set at 25#. This helped smooth out the ride of the truck like you can't immagine. If you do go this route, remember that if you have air in the bags (5# reqd. at a mininum at all times) it will change the pressure on the front end, and if not careful, will screw up your tire wear. Gut the front end alligned and keep the pressure the same and things will be fine. I do really like the air bags, they work and help alot. A good add on for someone who tows a large load alot or heavy loads for that matter. #ad


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94 4x4 SLT Geno's guages,mystery switch,TST 230/605,straight pipe from turbo,110,000+ miles,much more to come

 

[Archive]

I also have the Firestone airbags and like them a lot. Since I vary the load a lot, I also got the onboard compressor so it is easy to change the air pressure.
I found that by using about 10 to 15lbs of pressure with no load I could improve the ride on rough roads. To do this you have to have the Rancho 9000 shocks and set the setting on 3 or 4 since there is no leaf spring friction damping when you are riding on the air over the springs. Stock shocks won't dampen enough and the ride will actually be rougher.
I can put 2 tons of hay on my truck and keep the stock ride height with the airbags at about 80lbs with a much improved ride over no airgbags.
I think overall the airbags are a lot better than the overload springs and offer a wide range of options with different loads. Adjustable shocks improve on this since you can tune the dampening to the air pressure for an overall good ride at any load or setting.
Hope this helps.

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96 2500 4X4 5sp 4:10 215hp SLT Horton fan,TST plate,AFC spring kit, advanced timing,4"exhaust,GearVendors,BFG 285/75/16 on Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels, K&N, Detroit Locker,50#Boost and Pyro guages, Aluminim flatbed, gooseneck and bp hitches,Helwig air bags with compressor, Helwig sway bar, Rancho 2" front lift w/9000 shocks all around, Preluber w/aircraft hoses,Hytec rear cover,PacBrake,McCleod dual disc clutch,numerous other accessories. Pull 11,000lb aluminum gooseneck horse trlr. and 14,000lb equipment trlr.

 

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Had 5000lb. air bags on both my '97 2500 and my 2000 3500 and won't go back. It's the only way to roll... ... ... .

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2000, 3500 Driftwood, 4X4, Quad Cab, SLT+ Laramie, Tan Leather, 6 Speed, 3. 54LSD, Tow Package, Camper Package, All Possible Options, Rancho RS 9000's Shocks, Linex Bed Liner, K&N Air Filter, Husky Floor Mats, Geno's Smoothie, Chrome "Down and Out" Exhaust, Stainless Steel Fender Trim Kit, Geno's Charcoal Air Filter, Mopar Bug Deflector, Whisler Radar Detector, AirLift 5000 Air Bags, Smittybuilt Polished Stainless Nerf Bars, Pro Flaps.

 

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Guess I have to add my . 02 also...

I have the Air-Lift air bags with onboard compressor and inside dual controls.

When carrying my Lance camper (3500 pounds), I run 60 pounds in the bags to bring the truck back up a little past level.

Without the camper, I run 40 lbs in the bags to smooth out the ride... It really works.

My only complaint is that after the installation of the air-bags, the rear of the truck 'seems' to be about 3" higher than before, I need to do something to raise the front (hmmmm Rancho, here I come).

See'ya,
Charlie

2k 3500, 4X4, Camper package, towing package, auto, 3. 52 rear end

 

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Charliep:
I have Air-lift bags on my 91 4X4. They do not help the ride any but they do make a difference when towing a trailer. I put just enough air in to level the truck with the trailer hooked up and it certainly helps with bounce and sway. Good Luck
Jerry

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91 W250 4X4 LE, ARE Campershell, stainless running boards, Grill guard, K&N, A/R Nitro 16X8 wheels, Bridgeston Deuelers, Air Bags

 

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Do the overload springs need to be taken out to use air bags? If so, are new U-bolts required? I'm planning on using the Firestone bags, but I'm using a 3" add-a-leaf in the rear, are the bags gonna be long enough. Any help is appreciated, thanks!

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99 4x4 black sport quad cab,5-speed,4. 10lsd,every thing but leather,5" suspension lift(chrome),3"body lift,38" Ground Hawg radials, 16. 5x12 American Eagle wheels,K&N filter. 4" exhaust and DDIII's next!

 

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I have used the AirLift airbags on two 3500s to help control a Lance 1130 camper. The factory overload springs were never removed since they dont come into use with the bags aired up.
I run the bags at 20 lbs when empty and dont notice them at all, and run them around 75 lbs with the camper on.
The biggest benefits are shifting the overall weight distribution forward which gives better steering control, and eliminating side sway on interstate highway and dangerous wind effects from large truck traffic.

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2001 RAM SLT "ETH DEE" 3500 QC Flame Red! Lance 1130 Camper

[This message has been edited by cjackg (edited 06-08-2000). ]