Kelderman 4 link system installed

[SilverFox]

I had the Kelderman 4 link system installed on my truck 9/11/03. I didn't like the sag with the factory springs and the Timbrens made the ride impossible to live with. The ride is better than factory at 20000 lbs plus. I no longer feel like I might bottom out on the next bridge. I have 2000 miles since the installation towing my travel trailer weighing 10100 and my truck weighing 9980 for a combined weight of 20080 lbs. I've only driven the truck about 100 miles without the trailer so am still experimenting with different air bag pressures/truck heights. I think I like about 25 PSI in the left and 35 PSI in the right bag and about 1. 5 inches lower than the truck sat when new with no load. That seems to be the best compromise between good ride and truck height. This is with the truck weighing 9980 lbs. I use the same height with my trailer attached and run about 48 lbs left and 63 lbs right. My trailer has a tongue weight of 1420 lbs. Don’t know why it takes so much more pressure in the right bag to keep the truck level. The right rear was 200 lbs heavier than the left rear when I had it weighted and I didn't make any corrections to the load but that seems like a lot of pressure for the 200 lbs difference. (I had each wheel of my truck and trailer weighted separately, so the weights mentioned are all correct. )



To sum it up, I'm pleased with the installation and especially with the support and hospitality (full hook-up except for water) I received at Kelderman's. Jeff (Turbo) Kelderman is a fast moving no nonsense guy who knows how to make things happen. Best of all, good ride and no sag.



Hank

 

[yogibear]

I knew you would like it Silverfox! The T-Rex system sounds good, but not for 2wd, and does not self level. I've got close to 40K on my 4 link system, and everything is fine. If you really want a towing experience, tow a trl. with the Kelderman Air Ride. I've towed 2 45' TT, 23K+ #with it, man its real nice, no bouncy bouncy on rough rds. , real smooth. Enjoy.

Keldermans have a real nice shop. They can make just about anything they want. Real nice people too.



Larry

 

[SilverFox]

Yeah Yogi, I had them do some modifications on my trailer while I was there. Workmanship is outstanding and I've never seen employees enjoy there work more. I also like the fact that you have free run of the place and can watch everything they do. They find out what you want and then make it work.



I have the Oasis compressor too. Finally I have air enough for anything I want.



You should see Jeff's (Turbo's) '03 dually with the 12 inch lift. Air all around. I guess you could call that an 8 link system.



So far his second generation is only lifted 4 inches.

 

[yogibear]

I've rode in that 03 red dually, it rides real nice, but too high for my short legs, I wish we could get the front air ride on our 2 wd trks. Did you see Gary Keldermans 99 CTD tandem? Thats quite a rig. My shocks are shot, and can't find any for it. Was going back to OEM's till Bilstein gets them for the 03's, but they are on BO. Guese I'll just keep on rollin till someone comes out with shocks for it.

 

[SilverFox]

Turbo was still lifting and refining the Red '03 when I was there and not drivable. Gary was in CO hunting Elk and driving the '99.



I called Rancho today and they have the 9000's for the 4WD

'03. I ordered 4 with in-cab controls. I'm going to try to mount the gauges and controls in the same location as the controls and gauges for the air bags. Thought as long as I was working on the suspension I might as well get new shocks. I'm going to try and get by without the front bags. The wife is satisfied with the ride as she can now do cross stitch when the scenery is monotonous This truck is costing me and arm and a leg.

 

[yogibear]

Whats that # for Rancho? I'll see if the ones for the 2wd are available. I really don't want adjustable shocks, shouldn't need them with the air ride.

I know about the costs, but just think of the nice ride you have!!

 

[David Muench]

Count me as jealous of both of you. I have the front air-ride, but man would I love the rear 4-link.

 

[SilverFox]

Yogi, I ordered my Rancho's from Sams Off Road. http://www.samsoffroad.com/samsoffroadsto/rancho.htm

They are located in OK. I ask the girl if she was sure the Rancho's were for the '03 and she said that's the information she had in front of her. Didn't ask about the 2WD. If you want to call, the number is: 918/446/5535



David, I followed the thread between you and Jeff (Turbo) among others, when you were installing the front air-ride. That thread was part of the reason I went with the Kelderman system. Turbo seemed like the kind of guy I wanted to do business with.

 

[yogibear]

Well David, just go do it!! I'd like to have the front too, but just not gonna happen, I've got a 4X6, not a 6X6. Jeff said it could be done, but cost would be real prohibitive. I'm real happy with what I've got!!

 

[yogibear]

Thanks SF, I just visited that site, they are in Tulsa, will call them Mon.

 

[SRadke]

This whole system has got me intrigued. I have a question about the in cab control system. Sombody said it self levels but what about if it has been installed front and rear? Can the front be incorperated into the in cab control setup they use? If it were can you control the pressure in each of the four airbags independantly? How about multiple preset ride heights? Would I have to go with a Dakota Digital controller (or some varient thereof) to do this?



Ok, a little more than one question. Thanks in advance for any information offered.

-Scott

 

[SilverFox]

This whole system has got me intrigued.

Better check price on Kelderman web site before you get too interested, otherwise, you'll get hooked and just have to have it.

Sombody said it self levels but what about if it has been installed front and rear? Can the front be incorperated into the in cab control setup they use? If it were can you control the pressure in each of the four airbags independantly?

Yes to all. Turbo has air front and rear on his '03 and each bag is controlled independently from the cab. In his case he has 2 gauges, one for front and rear with dual needles. In my case I have one gauge with dual needles. My control panel has a rocker switch for air to either the left or right bag, 2 buttons that will releases air from its respective bag plus an off on switch for the compressor and of course the gauge. Turbo can set it up any way you want, just bring money.

How about multiple preset ride heights? Would I have to go with a Dakota Digital controller (or some varient thereof) to do this?

You can change the ride height several inches either way but there will be only one height for the best ride. The system is not designed for drastically changing the ride height. Turbo will give you any amount of lift you want or reduce the height a couple of inches but you should decide what you want at the time of installation. If you don't like your first choice you can modify it latter.



If you want to really get technical give Jeff (Turbo) a call but don't expect a long winded conversation. He didn't come by his nickname of Turbo for nothing.



If you have other questions on the operation of the system, I'll be glad to answer. Yogibear has a slightly different system on his 2WD and he has a lot more experience than I do using the system.

 

[yogibear]

I have the dual needle pressure guage in cab, but there is a valve on both sides, back by the air bags, that controls the height. I can manually set each valve for the ride height, and as weight is increased or decreased on the rear, it automaticaly adds air or lets air out of the bags to keep the ride height. The valves have a 10 or 12 second delay, so that as rear axel fluxuates up and down, it does not continously add and release air from the bags as you drive on rough roads. The air tank mounted under the bed supplies the air for this so that your compressor does not have to run very much at all. I believe these valves would automaticaly level your truck if you had a slide in camper, and had a side wind that would tilt your trk. , but you better ask Jeff to be sure of this.

Hope this helps, if I can answer any more ?, let me know. I don't know anything about the front system.



Larry

 

[SilverFox]

Yogi explained his system very well. Mine operates very much the same except I can control the height of each bag independently from the cab. Nothing on my system is automatic. With my boat on top of my topper I'm 11 feet tall and will definitely be able to level my rear in a crosswind. Yogi's will probably do this leveling automatically.

 

[SRadke]

Thanks for the info guys. I sent an email out to Kelderman's to get some other details. The price is up there but I intend to have this pickup for a long time and I can see many advantages to this system.



What I'm really looking for is about two inches of height in the front (to clear larger tires) and the back to stay at stock height (no matter the load) without the axle wrap that I'm currently getting accelerating through the low gears under load. I think this just may be the ticket. Thanks for the help.

-Scott

 

[SilverFox]

SRadke, This system will totally eliminate any axel wrap and Turbo can give you any height you want the way you want it.

 

[JKibby]

Do you have to get both front and back done or can you leave the front stock? Is this a stupid question?



Jim

 

[David Muench]

You can do whatever you want. . For example, I have the front only.



It all comes down to $$$. . And at the moment, my $$$ is occupied elsewhere.

 

[CIverson]

Gonna dig up this thread and ask how the handling is with this kit?



I seem to remember hearing that with air bags the truck has alot more body roll in the corners. Is this true with this kit, or at all?



Also, anyone have any problems with their airbags? One of the big reasons I would be worried about an air ride is busting a bag.

 

[David Muench]

No more roll for me with just the front bags. It uses the same anti-roll bar as stock. I think it handles a little better since the rebound is less harsh. No problems with my airbags yet, and I've got about 10 months on them. . Remember, they're used in semis weighing 80k+. I worry less about my airbags than my tires - at least my airbags aren't in contact with the road. Eventually when we start doing long road trips in a few years I'll pick up a spare airbag so I can change one out if need be. . But I doubt I'll need to.