Overloads and ABS

[Spyke]

Ok you guys that take off your overload springs and put Airbags on to level the truck. What are you doing about the proportioning valve for the ABS since a level truck thinks that the load is lighter than what you are actually hauling? I'm asking because an empty truck doesn't have rear heavy braking, but if you weigh the truck down the valve is suppose to send more braking to the rear



TIA

Steve

 

[DKlimas]

Steve, The ABS equipped trucks use the ABS system to provide an electronic proportioning valve. This system automatically compensates for load.



Quote from '03 serivice manual:



"Vehicles equipped with ABS use electronic variable brake proportioning (EVBP) to balance front-to-rear braking. The EVBP is used in place of a rear proportioning valve. The EVBP system uses the ABS system to control the slip of the rear wheels in partial braking range. The braking force of the rear wheels is controlled electronically by using the inlet and outlet valves located in the integrated control unit (ICU). "



Dave

 

[Spyke]

DKlimas

Thanks

 

[Prairie Dog]

You don't take off the overloads to install air bags. They go in place of your bump stops.

 

[Tcolesanti]

I don't know about you 3rd gen guys, but I took my overloads off. Why leave them on if the spring never gets even close to the contact?

 

[y-knot]

Actually there is no way to properly mount the air bags if you do not remove the overload spring packs. I am talking about real air bags, the 5,000lb units by Air lift or Firestone. They are to big to install without the added clearance gained by removing the overloads. The air bags would never work if you installed them in place of the bump stops? The bumpstop is about 4" high. If you go with those smaller air bags, you can mount them to either side of the leaf springs, and leave the overloads on. Problem is they are only 1000 or 1500 lb units and are hardly worth installing. The truck rides so much better with the overloads removed, it is almost stupid to leave them on.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Actually there is no way to properly mount the air bags if you do not remove the overload spring packs. I am talking about real air bags, the 5,000lb units by Air lift or Firestone. They are to big to install without the added clearance gained by removing the overloads. The air bags would never work if you installed them in place of the bump stops? The bumpstop is about 4" high. If you go with those smaller air bags, you can mount them to either side of the leaf springs, and leave the overloads on. Problem is they are only 1000 or 1500 lb units and are hardly worth installing. The truck rides so much better with the overloads removed, it is almost stupid to leave them on.

If you look at this link,

http://www.ride-rite.com/instruction_manuals/rrin2299.pdf

you will see that on the 3rd gen trucks, the 5,000 lb capacity air bags mount in place of the axle bump stops and the rear axle and not on top of the overload springs as on the 2nd gen trucks. The Air Lift 5000s mount in the same manner. I have a set on my truck and the install was an easy no drill.



Bill

 

[tgrfan2]

Another great reason to buy a 3rd Generation truck. Drilling that Ram tough frame was a pain. If I can only convince the wife!