Air Suspension

[SShafranko]

Does anyone here have any experience with air suspension? I was thinking about doing it but i'm not sure of the pros and cons. I like the in-cab adjustability factor but i'm not sure if it is problamatic or if it is a harsh ride which i would like to stay away from. If i don't get good feed back on it i am going to replace my leafs and all steering and suspension components with Carli. Thanks

 

[p-Bar]

My brother has the Kelderman set up on his 05 he likes it just problem with steering box extension which he is tricking out now.

 

[SShafranko]

That is the kit i was also looking it. Can you give me some details? How much for kit? Is the ride same better harsher? How much lift can he get? Thanks very much.

 

[opjohnny]

The TDR magazine had and article about mods done to a truck, and the writer said he would not do the air ride again. Might be worth a search.



John

 

[p-Bar]

He bought it with it on the truck. I think it performs well just the issue with the steering box. Sounds like reading the article would be a good idea.

 

[jshumate]

I've got the Kelderman 2-bag rear kit - like it a lot! I have the inside adjustment you mentioned which makes it real convient to change pressure when towing and disconnecting. The ride improved significantly more when I replaced the stock shocks with Rancho 9000s. I used to ride around empty with six 75lb sand bags in the back and this is 100% better than the ride with the bags. I bought the kit for $1375, I think, without the air kit and had a custom shop install with the Viair compressor, dual tanks and inside gage/control. It was a little pricey, but the jarring from these rough CA fwys was killing me. For me, a good investment.

 

[SRadke]

I had a full air ride Kelderman 5" kit on my 03. It was a well put together kit and drove very well. The heavier it was the better it rode. Empty ride was similar to stock.

-Scott

 

[JLovas]

I have Kelderman's 4 link rear and 2 bag front system with height sensors on all four corners and the Accuride computer to monitor ride height. I just finished install a week ago and am still fine tuning the ride. So far I'm pleased with the system. Ride has improved and I do like keeping the pickup level regardless of load. The air compressor is fairly quiet but you can easily hear air exhaust out of the bags, not a big deal, but its not like a semi tractor where its virtually silent. I did the install myself and took a fair bit of time to install the bags on both front and rear axles. The Kelderman kit does seem to be well designed and it uses quality materials and craftsmanship. I was a little concerned about blowing an air line, as that would disable the pickup, so I put wire loom over the air lines and will have to watch them so they don't rub against anything. Once you get everything set up, reliability shouldn't be a problem. Blown air bags on OTR trucks aren't a big problem area, so I'm not too worried about that, and Kelderman's bags seem plenty big for a pickup suspension. I have called Kelderman's a couple of times for tips/advice and have always been able to get my questions answered quickly. My pickup is pretty heavy, which is why I did both the front and rear. If your just looking for some help on the back axle while towing, I'd look at their two bag rear system.

 

[SRadke]

The rear bags Kelderman use are actually too big for the weight of a pickup. If they were smaller or used larger surge reservoirs it would ride smoother. Even fully loaded 45 psi would hold up the back of my truck.

 

[tempforce]

i have the rear two bag system which hang onto the rear of the leaf springs. it made my one ton into a very nice riding tuck. i readjusted the air valve to lower the rear of the truck to level it out. the in cab controls make it nice to drop the back of the truck for loading, un-loading. then flip the switch and i'm back to automatic control.

the only mod i have planned is a rear sway bar. why dodge didn't install one at the factory is beyond me.

if i ever do any changes to my truck's air ride, it would be to go to the four link and front air as well.

dropping the whole truck would make it easy to load and unload the truck.

then air up for travel.

cc

 

[lil red cummins]

please see this link https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/3rd-generation-ram-forum-no-engine-transmission-discussions/168203-roadtamer-air-suspension-install-first-impressions.html about the roadtamer full rear air system on my truck. this system was designed for 1 tons but works fine on 3/4 ton.

ride height is controlled by an automatic level sensor and i have a "dump" switch to lower the system.

i've had no problems with the system, but it still hasn't given me the ride i was hoping for. if i keep 300lbs of sandbags in the back, it is much better.

Jim

 

[tempforce]

no wonder your ride is rough, all you have is a medium sized bag and a bar to a pivot. my kelderman system uses the springs, then attaches to the rear eye of the leaf instead of shackles. then extending rearward to the bags. the rear pivot is at the rear bumper. so the effective length of the spring is over 16" longer. ford lengthen the springs to get a better ride. the kederman system does the same. only with the added feature of automatic ride height

 

[SShafranko]

Thank You all for taking the time to reply. It seems as there are all positive replies and noone has anything bad to say about the system. I will start saving for it. Ty again.