Looking for advice on a levelling kit and air bags for a new to me pick up.
Looking at buying a good used Dodge Ram 1500. Will be used for towing a travel trailer and boat. Just wondering what upgrades for better towing. Already have a 3500. Was thinking airbags in back and 2 inch levelling kit in front .
That is exactly what my brother did to his 1500 Dodge. When he first got it, we took it antelope hunting. Was fairly heavily loaded and it definitely squatted low in the rear, even with nothing on the hitch. When we got home I suggested we fix that before we headed north hunting for 3 weeks. Firestone airbags fixed the squat and the front leveling made the truck look a bunch better. It has worked great since then, even handles a small camper in the back with no issues.
Don’t put blocks into level the dodge. I installed bilstein 5100 shocks, they are adjustable. Put mine at 2.1” not the 2.8 avail. Perfectly level. Way better driving then the cheap shocks they have on there. I use airlift bags in springs on back for when i have heavy loads. Bought a compressor as well thru amazon. Once level done you will require to get an alignment. Good upgrade and looks good
Pixel is right about the Bilstien shocks. Put my first set on a 3/4 ton years ago. Now all pickups get new Bilsteins immediately after I buy the truck. The difference in the ride is amazing.
Please tell me more about these airbags. I have Bildstein shocks but my issue is the weight of my loads (bait) during trapping season. I'm putting in a ton of bait into my F150 and it's obviously hard on my suspension.
What options are available to deal with that kind of load?
Please tell me more about these airbags. I have Bildstein shocks but my issue is the weight of my loads (bait) during trapping season. I'm putting in a ton of bait into my F150 and it's obviously hard on my suspension.
What options are available to deal with that kind of load?
There are two common types of inflatable airbags, sort of the same idea as air ride on a Greyhound or semi. One goes inside the coil springs the other is external. For a Ford I would do the in coil bags if it has coil rear springs, don't know if Ford uses leaf as I haven't owned a Ford pickup in decades.. Firestone is a great bag and reasonably priced. There are lots of cheap bags but not worth the work. I have never used a built in compressor, always just fill them externally cause I never found I had to air them up and down all that often. Ran 15 pounds of air empty and 45 with a med load. They level you back out and they also control body roll and sway in the wind under heavy loads. IF you Google it these are a ton of articles on them.
Please tell me more about these airbags. I have Bildstein shocks but my issue is the weight of my loads (bait) during trapping season. I'm putting in a ton of bait into my F150 and it's obviously hard on my suspension.
What options are available to deal with that kind of load?
I feel your pain! If you do get air bags look into getting a compressor installed as well, It’s not Necessary but when hauling bait or anything where your load may change as you take some out or load more in if you go to different butchers in one run it’s nice to be able to either pump some air in or exhaust some on the fly.
Pixel is right about the Bilstien shocks. Put my first set on a 3/4 ton years ago. Now all pickups get new Bilsteins immediately after I buy the truck. The difference in the ride is amazing.
I also went Bilstein’s at 2.1 setting in the front. 3 years now and love it.
For the back I went with the Timbren bump stops to help when loaded. I like em.
Bilstien shocks are very good, but Trailer towing is helped most by air helper bags. I installed the firestone bags with onboard compressor myself, ordered online. Defiantly made the most difference. If you chose to haul a yard of topsoil or road crush in the bed, will defiantly feel the difference.
I have a 2018 ram 1500 with boss air bags in the rear that sit beside the coil spring not like the firestone that sit inside the coil spring. I also used the Bilstein 5100 adjustable strut set a 2.1 and it sits level and tows my trailer level and safely
79
Tidy tank has 130 gallons of diesel.
Digging bucket and mounding spade for a 200 sized Hoe.
I put new front progressive coils in the front.
Put new leaf springs in the back with one extra leaf.
Set of over load springs & brackets.
(Special Thanks to Standen Axle !)
Looking for advice on a levelling kit and air bags for a new to me pick up.
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