Aftermarket Air and Leaf Springs

cmac7203 · Mar 23, 2019

I've searched throughout the forums and I can't find this answer...

I have a 2009 Ram 2500 Hemi 5.7 with leaf springs. I don't have air suspension. I do have shocks on the rear differential. The truck rides great when I have my 9k trailer hooked up (class 5 receiver). BUT...it is TERRIBLE when empty. The bouncing/jarring/jolting is wearing me out. It affects the handling and control especially on winter roads. It' like driving a hockey puck.

I like the truck, I just want to smooth out the ride some when not towing. Would air suspension help the ride when unloaded? Change the shocks?

Thanks in advance.

AFMoulton · Mar 23, 2019

Maybe new shocks would help, air won’t help unless you replace the leaf springs with air bags, go to Lowe’s spend $15-$20 on 4-5 bags of cement, 90lb bags, put them in trash bags, seal them up and put them in your bed all the time. That will help it ride smooth

2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

cmac7203 · Mar 23, 2019

AFMoulton said:
Maybe new shocks would help, air won’t help unless you replace the leaf springs with air bags, go to Lowe’s spend $15-$20 on 4-5 bags of cement, 90lb bags, put them in trash bags, seal them up and put them in your bed all the time. That will help it ride smooth

2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

Yeah, I did look at the Timbren/AirLift, but I am thinking that won't do anything for my unloaded problem.

NewBlackDak · Mar 23, 2019

cmac7203 said:
Yeah, I did look at the Timbren/AirLift, but I am thinking that won't do anything for my unloaded problem.

They will make your unload ride worse.

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mtofell · Mar 24, 2019

Yep, nothing you can ADD will help. You have a very stiff spring to carry the weight the truck is designed to carry. To get a softer ride you'd need to replace the stiff spring with something softer, then supplement for towing. Definitely, an expensive and complicated endeavor. Lowering the PSI in your rear tires while not towing would likely do the best. I suffer through a stiff/bouncy ride with my 2500 as a daily driver as well. If/when I ever buy a new HD truck I'll likely do a full air replacement suspension (not just supplemental airbags) for the rear. This way, you run with Cadillac suspension while not towing and then air up when you need to load up.

joshuaeb09 · Mar 24, 2019

You could spend some money on progressive leaf packs, but they're fairly pricey and you'll have more squat when you load it up due to the progressive nature. Better shocks can help dampen the suspension, but since the leafs are stiff it won't have much movement to dampen unloaded. Their impact would be more noticed when towing, but my fathers did smooth out a little bit going to monotubes when empty(2012 5.7 2500 with leafs). The best way to help smooth it out would be to add some weight back there, good excuse to get yourself a nice heavy duty tool box and keep some weighty provisions in it.

lpennock · Mar 25, 2019

Couple options that will help without hurting you load capacity.
1. Firestone R4 Tech rear suspension. Includes lighter leaf springs with air bags for load capacity. About $2k
2. Keilderman 2 stage. Replaces shackles with a air bag system that takes up the road imperfections. Had on a 2008 5500 and it rode smoother than my 2006 3500SRW. About $3500

Both provide auto leveling and kneel mode.

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2016Bighorny · Mar 25, 2019

Go to sulastic.com
...and get yourself some sulastic shackles...This is what you NEED!

joshuaeb09 · Mar 26, 2019

2016Bighorny said:
Go to sulastic.com
...and get yourself some sulastic shackles...This is what you NEED!

I always forget about them and they're local to me. If I was OP I'd probably start there and some new shocks if still on the OE before spending the big bucks.

Raymillsus · Mar 26, 2019

I would seriously look at Roadmaster RAS system. I almost bought one but it will not fit on a dually due to the overload spring. Really depressed me too as everything I read about that system is awesome. I have never seen one or installed one but they look easy to install and they correct every issue with a trucks rear suspension I have seen.

This is the system I wanted. I did order what I figured was a good option of Timbergrove airbags. But in the end I am still bummed that I could not get these.

https://activesuspension.com/

Aftermarket Air and Leaf Springs

cmac7203

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AFMoulton

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cmac7203

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NewBlackDak

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mtofell

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joshuaeb09

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lpennock

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2016Bighorny

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joshuaeb09

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Raymillsus

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