kelderman air ride 4x4 front picture

[Jeff Kelderman]

we can make the upper spacer whatever size it needs to be. if you want, david, i could make a spacer with about 1-1. 5" lift in it. you could swap them out and then see if you can tell any ride difference. i run my 99 at stock height and it is around 62psi. as long as the bag is inflated in the 8" range or higher, there will not be any bottoming out problems.



let me know,

jeff

 

[David Muench]

That sounds like a good idea, I'd like to try that. I'm about 1. 75" over stock now, so a 1. 5" spacer sounds good. Let me know if you need any info from me, thanks.

 

[Jeff Kelderman]

we will make a set and get them out in a day or two.

jeff

 

[David Muench]

Thanks very much.

 

[VietDoc]

Questions?

Jeff, thanks for taking my call last week!! I'm still saving $$ to get this bomb!!



Does the Kelderman 4 link system have a good proportional system between the load weight and brake system?



I was told the stock truck determines the weight ratio between front and rear axles, by bed height (load on springs) and then adjusts the braking force. ???



I would think DC's method would not work because the air in the "K" system will change the bed height by the amount of air added??



Thanks, doc

 

[David Muench]

I installed the new 1. 5" taller front upper spacers on Sunday (along with the rear RS9000X's that I didn't get installed the first time), and it rides great. I'm very pleased. Thanks Jeff.

 

[Jeff Kelderman]

how does the truck self adjust? i would think that it has to be done with the hydraulic pressure in the brake system because there is no "height sensor" on the factory suspension to determine how much load is on the truck.

 

[VietDoc]

Jeff,



Good News! My dealer said the "Height Sensing Valve" aka "Load Proportioning Valve" was discontinued. It was used on some 2nd generation trucks. It adjusted the flow of brake fluid to the rear brakes to keep the rear wheels from locking up when empty.



I searched the threads and also found several of the TDR'ers bypassed this valve as per an apparent SB from DC.



Thanks, doc

 

[David Muench]

All of that did go away and I believe the functionality is now part of the ABS system.

 

[Jeff Kelderman]

did you get your new upper bag mounts installed?

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by Jeff Kelderman

did you get your new upper bag mounts installed?

Yep, I posted that I did back on the 14th. I like them a lot. I sent you a private message too asking if you wanted the old ones back or if we needed to settle anything up.



I just returned from a 1. 5 week 3,000 mile road trip and the air suspension was much appreciated. I am looking forward to getting the rear too.



It may be my imagination, but I think the front may be a bit lower than when I left. . Either it lost some air, or maybe the bags stretched a little from all the rough roads (PA and SC in particular). Is that normal, the bags stretching a little as they break in? I'm going to check it out with a tape measure as soon as I have a chance.

 

[Jeff Kelderman]

i would look for a slow leak. the bags seem to not change.



you can just "toss" the old brakcets".



catch ya later

jeff

 

[JGarcia]

David,

I noticed you have a 3500, and a short bed. Do you tow with a gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch, and how does the short bed work for you?



Regards, JRG

 

[David Muench]

I have a gooseneck hitch (B&W), however I do not yet have a gooseneck trailer (or any trailer for that matter, my old one was sold when I sold my old Ram) yet. I don't plan on towing with a 5th wheel, I think either a gooseneck open trailer or a gooseneck cargo without much overhang may be in my future. I put the hitch in early so I could get it in before I got the Line-X sprayed in. If I were planning to tow frequently with a 5th wheel I think I would of gotten a long bed.

 

[David Muench]

Thanks Jeff, I haven't checked them yet but plan to soon.



Thanks again.

Originally posted by Jeff Kelderman

i would look for a slow leak. the bags seem to not change.



you can just "toss" the old brakcets".



catch ya later

jeff

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by David Muench

I also haven't tested to see if I have any clearance with no air and the BFG 315's.

Hey David, did you ever air it down and see how low she dropped?, clearance trouble??

 

[David Muench]

I didn't. I think the tires will clear, but I think that if I try it I will damage my shocks. Since I only went for about 1. 5" of lift instead of 4", I used the upper of the two shock mounts. With the thickness of the RS9000X shock, I think it would be crunched if it were forced to slide up between the lower shock mount, and I don't want to try it. You can probably see what I mean from the earlier pictures I posted.

 

[TexBamBam]

How much does one of these systems cost?? Sounds cool. . but expensive. The wife keeps complaining about the ride on the 3500... says the F**D was better... whine whine whine...

 

[Jeff Kelderman]

the front kit is $899 and includes rancho adjustable shocks.



we have several different rear kits. they start at $899. you can reach us at 800-334-6150.

 

[salstrip]

Jeff,

can the air lift kits be used to lower the front (i know for most its up or nothing) of a 2004 2500 4x4 about 2 inches and not hit the internal bump stops . my 1998 2500 4x4 was lowered in the front 2 inches using specially made springs and with a slight adjustment to the trucks existing bump stops gave a nice ride without bottoming all the time (also removed the 5 inch rear blocks on the springs to level the ride ).

an airbag front would be far better than new springs for ride quality

your thoughts would be appreciated

regards conn