Kelderman 4 link system installed

[SilverFox]

I have rear bags only and believe my truck does have slightly more roll or lean when making a hard corner. It's only slightly more and doesn't present a problem. I'm not a hot rodder and really don't push the envelope.



As far as any kind of trouble, not! I recently left my truck parked for 8 days while I was out of the country and when I returned the air bags read the same on the gauges as when I left. (The compressor was turned off) I don't think there is any way to "bust" a bag without doing other damage to the truck first. The front air bags might be lighter duty than the rear but I wouldn't any more consider taking and extra bag along than an extra engine.

 

[Gypsyman]

SilverFox,



Do you have any squeaking from the heim joint ends and are they greaseable?

 

[SilverFox]

Gypsman,



I do have a noise but can't describe it as squeaking. The noise is in the linkage somewhere and only occurs at the moment I start moving and sometimes when I aggressively shift into second. I have talked to Jeff Kelderman about this and he has it too. He thinks it's coming from the linkage that runs from the right rear air bag aft of the differential to the left frame. This linkage is a stabilizer and, of course, has a name but for the life of me I can't think of it. Jeff told me he was thinking of trying a Teflon coated joint to see if that would stop it. It's something I've gotten used to and hardly notice. I think I could confirm the source of the noise with a squirt of silicone on that joint but I just haven't taken the time to do it. Obviously, it's not high on my to do list.



There are several joint ends on the system but I don't know the correct name for these joints. The kind of joint you mention might be the one that Jeff thinks is making the noise.



Nothing on the system is greasable.

 

[Gypsyman]

Thanks much for the quick reply and straight answers.

 

[David Muench]

That bar is called the track bar or panhard bar, if I understand your description accurately. It's under a good bit of stress as well. .

 

[SilverFox]

Thanks David, I'm never going to forget that name again! Jeff told me what that bar is called several times but for some reason I could never remember it for long. Thanks again.

Hank

 

[Agades]

so,

how do I find this Kelderman?

 

[yogibear]

They are located in Oskaloosa, Ia. www.keldermanairride.com

1-800-334-6150, ask for Jeff Kelderman.

I've got 65K+ on mine now, and no problems. Its Great!!



Larry

 

[Gypsyman]

yogibear,



Do you have the noise from the panhard bar that SilverFox mentioned?

 

[yogibear]

I hear no noise from the rear at all. I have no roll or lean at all, but I tow pretty heavy loads, so have about 20-25psi in bags when I'm empty, the less air in the bags, the more roll and lean you will have. My trk. weighs 9650 when full of fuel and me in it, and I have it set so the rear is a little higher than the front. I think it looks better with a little rake to it. Sometimes I ride along with my outside mirror adjusted down to watch the duals, when it comes to a bridge abutment(sp?) the duals bounce, but the box stays real smooth, shows that the air bags are really doing their job. I wouldn't worry about the bags giving any trouble, I ran the same set of Air Lift helper bags on 2 trks. for 550K, and never even had a leak.



Larry

 

[Gypsyman]

Thanks for the reply, still trying to justify letting go of the cash for the whole system. Could get alot more mods for the money but I've got the air-ride bug if you know what I mean.

 

[yogibear]

Gypsyman, what do you mean by the whole system, maybe I'm reading you wrong, but if you have a 4X4 you can get the Air Ride all the way around, but if you have a 4X2, it is only available for the rear.



Larry

 

[Gypsyman]

Larry,



Forgot to add 4x4 to my signature. I am talking about front and rear. Thanks again for the info.



Richard

 

[yogibear]

Thats OK, I know if I had a 4X4, thats the way I'd go. I rode in Keldermans 03 4X4 dually, its lifted 10", and rides like a Caddy.

I need a step ladder to get in it. I think the 4X4's with Air Ride, ride a lot better than the 4X2's.



Larry ( I guese thats 6X6 instead of 4X4)

 

[Fireman]

How much different is the ride between the two stage system and the four link system? Anybody know? I know the four link prevents wheel hop, but there is a big difference in price. The two stage is an affordable mod, but the four link is a little hard for me to justify.

Thanks
Fireman

 

[David Muench]

I thought I read somewhere that the 2 stage actually rides better than the 4 link. Somewhere on the Kelderman site.

 

[yogibear]

I started off with the 2 stage, then went with the 4 link. The 2 stage does ride a little better, but you cannot level up your trk. with it. I tow a lot of heavy trls. , and the rear sagged too much.

If I kept the 2 stage I would have had to have the Air Lift bags also, to level up the trk. So, If you don't tow real heavy, the 2 stage would work real good for you. Let me clarify that a little. When your trk. is empty, you can raise or lower the rear of your trk. a little, but when loaded, your springs are still there to sag from the weight. Clear as mud huh.



Larry

 

[Fireman]

Crystal clear, the springs sag just like they do now when loaded. I would love to have the 4 link, but can't justify the $$$. The 2 stage is priced reasonably enough though. Thanks Larry.



Fireman