Air bags for rear lift on an 04?

[MojaveJoe]

OK Guys,



I need to know if I will void my warranty if I install air bags for additional lift under the fiver hitch. Between the axle and frame of course :-laf



Seem's the old fifth wheel hitch weight is going up every time we go for our next cross country drive. This leads to being flashed by oncoming traffic at night, now. Im thinking that the hollow frame on my 04 may not stand up to the concentrated loads applied to it by an air bag.



All suggestions or experiences welcome.

Thanx,

Joe

 

[WoodChuck]

The square tube frame on our Rams are stronger then any C - channel frame. Firestone / Ride Rite makes a kit that installs with no drilling and takes about 2 hours to install. Check with Performance Automotive for price comparison.

 

[macdaddy]

Joe

I just installed the Firestons on my 05 over the holidays and they work really really good. I had the same response from on coming drivers flashing their lights. They are really noticeable in braking and cornering etc.



Mac

 

[GCross]

I have never heard that installing air bags will void your warranty, you should use the no-drill set made for these trucks. Even if you drill holes you still only void the warranty regarding a chassis problem. At least I hope that this is the case because I plan to install them also.



-George-

 

[crobertson1]

I put Firestone Ride Rites on my truck too. My truck was "sagging" more with the same load than my '01. 5 2500 that had the Camper Package. I've had it to the dealer and have had no comments about the airbags and warranty issues. I can't see any reason why airbags would cause an issue with the warranty, but I'm not a D/C rep.



The truck now sits just right even when loaded "heavy". It doesn't hit the overloads anymore. I also installed an on-board air compressor with on-board control which is really handy. If possible, that's the way to go. Check out my reader's rigs for pictures.



Craig

 

[MojaveJoe]

OK... all you Firestone sales reps almost have me sold. What I want to know is:



1) Can I maintain the same smooth 3500 SRW ride that I have now with air bags installed, but no load?



2) Do you have to keep them inflated when unloaded? My friend had some and said he had to keep 50# in his bags all the time per mfr, and it stiffened the ride quite a bit.



I wonder if anyone has every considered lowering the front to level the loaded ride?



Thanx,

Joe

 

[crobertson1]

When the truck is un-loaded, you're supposed to keep the bags inflated to 5 psi. The ride is about the same with 5 lbs as when it had no bags. Even fully loaded, I only inflate the bags to about 15 psi I think. 50 psi would be unbearable.

 

[GCross]

When the truck is un-loaded, you're supposed to keep the bags inflated to 5 psi. The ride is about the same with 5 lbs as when it had no bags. Even fully loaded, I only inflate the bags to about 15 psi I think. 50 psi would be unbearable.

That's my understanding also. With the stock springs, the bags cannot improve the ride when empty, but will help stabalize a load. The installer of my Kore system removed the overloads so I intend to use the bags in thier place.



-George-

 

[macdaddy]

I've had three trucks using both Air lift and Firestone's, and have never done the 5lb thing. As long as the bags are installed correctly meaning that they are allowed to travel not being compressed, doing so allows them to "rub internally". I have seen a ton of air bags installed incorrectly. The Camping world near me in Santa Fe Springs Ca is one such installer. On the second gen trucks the installation requires the removal of the rear tires on both SRW and DRW to allow access for drilling and mounting the top brackets, camping world hauls out this huge jack and lifts the rear of the truck to expose the frame for drilling. By doing this the bag will become compressed when you let the truck back down DUHHHH ,which allows the bag to rub internally. I went as far to go over to the installer pull the installation instruction from the box where it clearly shows the correct way for proper installation.



Just something to watch for.

Mac

 

[MojaveJoe]

Thanx for all the important considerations that I will use when installing my air bags.



One final question:



Always one for simplicity... . Id prefer to use a single inflation air inlet at the bumper. Max load will usually be 2-3K while towing a fifth wheel. Would this be a mistake? I carry a 12v portable compress all the time.



TIA,

Joe

 

[scotty1]

My friend that is a machinist fabbed up a set of aluminum saddles that we put as far outboard as possible on the axle tube and then mounted a bracket right above them.



I have the old T Rex suspension and I was blinding folks when towing because I had the front raised 2. 5" from stock and then the back end would squat with a load and well, people were upset. The air bags worked flawlessly until the schrader valves failed. They were old. We have since revamped the air bags and will do another round of testing. The ride was like a Caddy and nice and level. I think any air bag if installed correctly will help with levelling.

I have two seperate lines with schraders inside the fuel filler door. I plan to have on board air and in cab controls next.



Scotty

 

[crobertson1]

The problem with one valve for both bags is, the air can go from one bag to another. That means if it leans or the load shifts, there is no help for stability. When the air can't travel to and from each bag, there is more stablilty. See?

 

[jsimpson]

The problem with one valve for both bags is, the air can go from one bag to another. That means if it leans or the load shifts, there is no help for stability. When the air can't travel to and from each bag, there is more stablilty. See?

Good point! The bags are a great anti-sway device. You don't want to cancel that function. They are lso good for levelling with a camper loaded.

 

[byoslandry]

I had three Dodge trucks over the past 14 years.

1st one I put on AirRide bags. They performed well, but had to change the bags twice due to them holing. As they were in warranty, no cost to me,except the time to do the change outs.

2nd truck, I put an Updated AirRide bags w/inflation air compressor from them. This worked well. I did not have independent control on air bags.

3rd truck, the delaer is saying it will void my suspension warranty.

I tow a 28' Crossroads 5th wheel Cruiser with my new 2004 2500 Dodge w/auto and the king pin weight is about 2200 lbs. The truck has no problem towing or squatting due to the weight, so at this point, I don't think I need air bags.

I'd have to ask my dealer if it would void any portion of mt warranty. Some dealers are too tough with warranties.

Enjoy your truck.