Load Level Air Bags 04 Ram 1500

[HemiGottaLuvIt]

I load up my 04 Ram 1500 QC SLT Laramie 4x4 w/Hemi to the limit often. The truck has plenty of power to motor the load around no problem. My issue, the skewed balance of the truck while loaded; with nose in the sky and tail dragging. My hemi looks like a sick horse not the Ram it is.

So, I'm thinking about installing a pair of rear-leaf-spring air-bags to level the truck when under load.

Those of you that have done this, please share the pros/cons.

Which setup do you recommend?
Which setup should I avoid?

I'll use the bags at least once a week - probably more once they're installed

[BleedDodge]

Ever thought of just having a complete air-ride suspension like you would find on a semi? I've seen them on pickups. Then you could use it all the time.

I've heard they ride real good...

[HemiGottaLuvIt]

I've only seen that kind of setup once when I was stationed in Lousiana. I think it was on a diesel duallie. I don't remember the make/model. I do recall it looking hardcore butch though!

I'll look into the approach and quickly dismiss it if cost is higher. I believe I can use the airbags I'm looking at now all the time as well. I just won't. Because, I think it would be too harsh and I would no doubt lose the novelty of "hitting-the-switch" to make the truck rise, rise, rise from the ashes like a phoenix - rise!

Please note, I'm not doing the air-bags to increase payload. Rather, I'm doing it to level the rated load I'm hauling around to make ride quality and driving aesthetic of the truck more acceptable to my sensibilities.

[Austin8214]

Why not a set of overload springs? They will give you a bit ruffer ride when empty but i think they are much better that air bags when hauling a load.

[HemiGottaLuvIt]

I'm still giving some thought to overload springs, or adding an extra leaf or two, or just bolting on some 'helper-springs'. My concern is that adding springs, while certainly meeting my load leveling requirements may hamper my suspension articulation when driving off-road. Whereas the air-bags while a bit more expensive will give me the flexibility to maintain suspension articulation when necessary and still offer load-leveling when required. What's your take on that?

[Austin8214]

Originally Posted by HemiGottaLuvIt

My concern is that adding springs, while certainly meeting my load leveling requirements may hamper my suspension articulation when driving off-road. Whereas the air-bags while a bit more expensive will give me the flexibility to maintain suspension articulation when necessary and still offer load-leveling when required. What's your take on that?

You may have a valid concern there. However, iwould assume you are not going to do any seirous offroading with it I.E. rock climbing or anything like that. So that being said i think you would be ok with just a set of overloads. Now if you plan to do that type of offroading then i would say you should stick with the bags. Hope this helps.

[HemiGottaLuvIt]

There's a chance that I may do some rock climbing in my new truck. It's about the same as my odds of hooking up with Jewel, Kirsten Dunst, or Lee Lee Sobieski.

I'll look into the price/performance of helper/overload springs.

If the price-point is close to bags, I'll go with the air - yeah, for the cheesy novelty of it!

[BleedDodge]

Jewel kicks ass.