Thoughts on getting the air suspension installed by the dealer

rango10 · Jun 15, 2017

So I went into a Chrysler dealership to get a quote on the install of the oem air ride. I believe the quote was under $1500 (I inquired over a year ago and have been thinking more about it). A couple of questions about this:

1) I'm totally capable of installing it myself, is this something I should have the dealership do because of some of the problems I've been reading about the air ride, incase mine would have the same issues?

2) Your opinions about the cost

3) Opinions about just switching out my stock shocks with something that wouldn't sag my rear end as much with a 28' foot cargo trailer (max weight in it is around 7k)

Thanks for your opinions. And if someone has had it done, I'd like to hear your feedback on how you like it being retrofitted instead of installed straight from the manufacturer.

Edit: If I remember correctly I think that was just for the parts, not including install.

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barr0208 · Jun 15, 2017

just put in an air assist rear air bags solves your squat if they break you still have a truck to use. tlc or airlift or boss airbags will all fit. one fits in the coils the other 2 fit beside the springs., unless you get the airlift bigger bags.it will cost you 1/3 the price of the factory price.

RysRam · Jun 15, 2017

It's only $1500 for a dealer install of the full OEM air suspension? That almost sounds reasonable.

boomer632 · Jun 15, 2017

My window sticker says 1,595.00 for the OEM air suspension. I have a hard time believing a dealership would order then install the kit as a retrofi for 15000. Consider the labor to remove old then install rhe new. I wouldn't try to install it.. BCM will probably need flashed as well. If they could do it for that price.. I would jump in it.

Ram Night · Jun 15, 2017

I would test drive a Rebel or another 1500 that has the air ride system. I have it in the Rebel, and do not care for it at all. It is nice to drop the truck down for the wife to get in or out, but you can't drive in the enter/exit position. And when you have it in any other height othen than normal, it throws the alignment off, and the steering is bad.

Ram17 · Jun 15, 2017

I'm thinking 1500 for labor plus the actual system/parts. 1500 for all is a hell of a deal. Too good to be true?

rango10 · Jun 15, 2017

Ram Night said:
I would test drive a Rebel or another 1500 that has the air ride system. I have it in the Rebel, and do not care for it at all. It is nice to drop the truck down for the wife to get in or out, but you can't drive in the enter/exit position. And when you have it in any other height othen than normal, it throws the alignment off, and the steering is bad.

I like the idea of test driving a truck equipped with the bags. I would hate that it would throw the steering off that much. Is that a fixable issue or something that comes with the cost of having bags (whether they're oem or aftermarket).

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Ram Night · Jun 15, 2017

rango10 said:
I like the idea of test driving a truck equipped with the bags. I would hate that it would throw the steering off that much. Is that a fixable issue or something that comes with the cost of having bags (whether they're oem or aftermarket).

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I look at like this, if you install a lift kit even a 2" one you need or should get the front end aligned. Look at the angle or the tires with the suspension up, then down. The tires really lean in or out.
I am sure this is good for most people, but after having the air bags is not for me much longer. :happy107:

savage_46 · Jun 17, 2017

Assuming the $1500 quote is for labor only, that sounds about 10 - 12 hours. Which doesn't seem that bad considering how the air lines are routed & wiring. And then, I really don't know if the air suspension sales code (SER?) can be added.

crash68 · Jun 17, 2017

^^^ what he said, $1500 is for labor only. I'm guessing the parts cost is above $5K.
Like barr0208 mentioned, buy a set of assist air bags for the rear and be be done with it. Most of the kits are about $350 and the WirelessOne compressor to inflate them about $250 and you can install in a couple of hours.
The Total Load Control and Timber Grove airbag set ups are both "no cut" installs, the AirLift set up you cut the bump-stop pocket off.
I have the TLC set up, but haven't bought the WirelessOne set up yet. http://www.ramforum.com/f119/timber_grove_air_bags-104269/index2.html#post1525022

DTarve23 · Jun 17, 2017

Definitely only labor .... My Dealership wanted 900 in labor alone just to install Bilstiens and control arms :flipthebird:

savage_46 · Jun 20, 2017

I know for a fact that the rear springs are almost $600 each. After disassembling the front air springs as far as possible (basically remove cover...) & seeing how those are, I'm guessing the fronts are $1500 each. They are some seriously stout assemblies. Compressor & valve assembly is about another $500. I believe the module dropped down to only $400. Plus air lines (only available as complete harness for all 4) at $200 ish. Then the tanks. The front springs & tanks are the only ones I haven't had to replace yet on various customers vehicles. Running the air lines pretty much requires lifting the cab & bed. Tanks absolutely require lifting the bed, no shortcuts around that. It doesn't take long for the $1500 factory add on to seem like a wiser investment.

huntergreen · Jun 20, 2017

There are plenty of aftermarket solutions that will be cheaper and problem free for the most part. Air bags and or progressive rate springs on the rear. I always try to keep it simple.

ocwill1 · Jun 20, 2017

^^^^ agree. Airlift 5000 ultimate is what I put on my 2013 F150. You can run them with no air in them, the others you have to run a little bit.

Frisk · Jun 21, 2017

Sorry that ship has sailed...Your truck didn't get ordered with the factory air suspension. If you need to increase the rear end when you have your trailer etc I would second the recommendation to get an aftermarket air bag setup. Just add air when you need it to level the truck.

rango10 · Jun 21, 2017

Aftermarket may be the way. I appreciate everyone's input.

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zogg · Jun 22, 2017

Depends on what you need it for. For towing support, there are a lot of other better and cheaper options, as mentioned.

Integrating it into the trucks computer would probably be a dealer only function.

If the dealer installs it you'd probably get a full warranty on it.

I just ripped out an air suspension system and replaced it with coil springs on a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. When they go bad it's miserable. Good luck

atrupo · Jun 24, 2017

It might not be beefy enough for what you're wanting, but I second the Air Lift idea. I have them. $90, install is a breeze, does exactly what it's supposed to. I don't have the onboard compressor, so I have to inflate them with a tire compressor, but it saves cash and fixes any sag.

Thoughts on getting the air suspension installed by the dealer

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