Roadmaster Active Suspension Install

[Wingate]

Heres some pics of it installed. Went ahead and installed a set of Bilstein 5100's on it while I was in there. Can't wait to hook up the 5er in a couple of weeks!

 

[p-Bar]

I did the superspring same principal . Let us know how it does

 

[seafish]

VERY interested to learn what this does for your ride... please keep us updated.

 

[AH64ID]

Is this more for ride or controlling axle wrap?

 

[Wingate]

ok. . while its just the boat, I towed it to the lake and back this morning... pretty rough and washed out road for about 8 miles. . Truck drove COMPLETELY different!. Even the wife commented several times on how much better it rode.
Its not a stiff ride, but more responsive and there is zero axle windup on heavy accelleration. The true test will be when I hook up the 5er in a week or so, I was getting a fair amount of windup and rear suspension sag since getting the new 5er loaded up with all our junk. .
AH64ID, the system is suppose to help with both, they are claiming a fuel mileage increase when the rear suspension is loaded(towing) my mileage isnt that bad, so if it helps great, if it doesnt, thats ok as well.

 

[Bob4x4]

I added that system on my 94 many years ago. It worked great on the road,too bouncy off road and then some of the hardware broke. I had installed a few for friends and customers. Some had breakage like mine and some cut tires when they broke. Road master upgraded their hardware but I had already been disappointed

 

[p-Bar]

I added that system on my 94 many years ago. It worked great on the road,too bouncy off road and then some of the hardware broke. I had installed a few for friends and customers. Some had breakage like mine and some cut tires when they broke. Road master upgraded their hardware but I had already been disappointed

The sad thing is when they don't want to upgrade the "guinea pigs" for new products that are produced.

I think the "superspring" is fool proof.

 

[AH64ID]

I have been thinking about traction bars for a while now, but I have airbags and don't want to lose the ground clearance for the ones that mount below the u-bolts.

I need something that will still let the suspension be a suspension on dirt roads, but limit wrap when I am towing especially over washboards!

 

[p-Bar]

Here's what I'm using:

http://supersprings.com/supersprings_overview_general.asp

 

[AH64ID]

Here's what I'm using:

http://supersprings.com/supersprings_overview_general.asp

I have honestly never like that style of overload spring. I don't think the pinpoint pressure on the OEM leaf pack is good.

I might talk to the local spring shop about having a think 1/2 leaf made, just for wrap.

 

[Wingate]

I added that system on my 94 many years ago. It worked great on the road,too bouncy off road and then some of the hardware broke. I had installed a few for friends and customers. Some had breakage like mine and some cut tires when they broke. Road master upgraded their hardware but I had already been disappointed

Bob, I noticed the instructions that came with it had a couple of images of what appeared to be an earlier design. These seem to be very well made and have a 2 year warranty.
I believe these will do just what I need for my particular application, but I can DEFINITELY see where they leave themselves open to having a failure. The system comes with two adjusting discs, one is 1mm and the other is 2mm, which is suppose to be the max. I could see a situation where someone is jsut completely overloading their truck and cranking up the preload to 3-4mm to try and increase the carrying capacity. . That would definitely break parts!! I AM surprised that the manufacturer doesnt put a warning on the instructions not to exceed the 2mm preload. Will be hooking up to the 5er in 2 weeks... will try to report back how it does.

 

[Bob4x4]

In Fairness to road master they did send update parts kit but I decided to step up and go with a custom leaf spring. I eventually went with a deaver spring from Carli with his build spec. No spring wrap,and a better ride with or without a trailer

 

[Wingate]

These things continue to impress... drove the truck unloaded yeasterday afternoon, went down a local road that is worn out oil dirt and notoriously washboarded. "chop and hop" is gone...

if it wasnt so much work, I would take the bilsteins off and put the old shocks back on to see how much of the ride control is coming from the shocks and how much is from the Roadmaster...

 

[seafish]

These things continue to impress... drove the truck unloaded yeasterday afternoon, went down a local road that is worn out oil dirt and notoriously washboarded. "chop and hop" is gone...
if it wasnt so much work, I would take the bilsteins off and put the old shocks back on to see how much of the ride control is coming from the shocks and how much is from the Roadmaster...

So they even help UNLOADED... that is great to know... now I'll have to decide between the Roadmaster or these--

http://norcaltruck.com/index.php/component/com_ixxocart/Itemid,591/id,753/p,product/parent,141/

http://www.8-lug.com/tech/1009_8l_sulastic_rubber_springs/viewall.html

Just trying to AFFORDABLY smooth out the ride for the family on the terrible roads that I drive 90% of the time.

 

[Bob4x4]

They soften the unloaded ride by taking the upper leaves off the thick leaf

 

[retirednak]

I had the Roadmasters many moons ago on my K5 Blazer that was my plow truck, trailer puller, all around work horse. It made it ride so much better,but like others mentioned about breaking parts happened to me as well.

 

[Wingate]

I had the Roadmasters many moons ago on my K5 Blazer that was my plow truck, trailer puller, all around work horse. It made it ride so much better,but like others mentioned about breaking parts happened to me as well.

Were yours the earlier version or the current version??

 

[retirednak]

Mine was the older version for sure, but the looks haven't hardly changed. My K5 Blazer was a '72 with many many upgrades. Kinda wish they still made them

 

[Wingate]

after pulling the camper this past weekend, I can say they were definitely worth the $400. 00 I spent on them. Truck doesnt squat and wind up the exle20 feet before pulling away from a stop! Truck is much more stable with the 5er behind it as well!!. .

 

[Liecha]

I have been thinking of these for my '12 3500. Do you still like them?

I am a little concerned about people having problems with breakage. Does anybody know if there have been problems with the "improved" version?