2022 BigHorn 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4 6'4" - Air Suspension and/or Leveling

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BajaDeep

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Looking for opinions / guidance!
Past truck is a 2004 Suburban Z71 stock with 34 BFG KO2s and great for our Baja surf/camp trips....

I will be ordering a 2022 BigHorn 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4 ORG 6'4" for 80% commuting, 15% off-road in Baja and 5% light towing/hauling and would appreciate some feedback on the following:

1) Air Suspension vs aftermarket shocks/leveling?

2) 3.21 rear axle for best HWY MPG

3) Deal with the 275/65R18 OWL on-offroad tires? Seems like Ram falls short on logic, just like the Rebel only available in short box for no sleeping options

Am I missing any owner insights?

Much appreciated - Bryant
 

crazykid1994

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I don’t have the diesel. I have a 17 1500 hemi. I would imagine the diesel would be better suited for towing with the 3.92 gears but the 3.21 on the diesel shouldn’t be an issue. I would go with aftermarket suspension over factory air ride because you will be able to fine tune your ride better say if you go with fox or king with adjustable compression damping. If you plan on putting larger tires though I would definitely lean towards the 3.92 gear set to compensate for the increased tire size.
 

crash68

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People really like the air suspension till they start having problems, although not as many problems have been reported with the Gen5 trucks so far.
As for the gearing, if your plan on going with larger tires or pushing 8K lbs plus towing the 3.92 gearing is recommended.
 
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BajaDeep

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I don’t have the diesel. I have a 17 1500 hemi. I would imagine the diesel would be better suited for towing with the 3.92 gears but the 3.21 on the diesel shouldn’t be an issue. I would go with aftermarket suspension over factory air ride because you will be able to fine tune your ride better say if you go with fox or king with adjustable compression damping. If you plan on putting larger tires though I would definitely lean towards the 3.92 gear set to compensate for the increased tire size.
Thanks for the details! I doubt that I will go over 35's and even though in rough & remote Baja, we are not doing a ton of steep ascents .... leaning towards tall gears and diesel torque (even with 35's) to add some hwy MPG at speed with a little sacrifice on low end & climb logic.
 

crazykid1994

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Thanks for the details! I doubt that I will go over 35's and even though in rough & remote Baja, we are not doing a ton of steep ascents .... leaning towards tall gears and diesel torque (even with 35's) to add some hwy MPG at speed with a little sacrifice on low end & climb logic.
The 35s and 3.92 should even out honestly. If I remember correctly it puts the effective ratio between 3.55 and 3.73. I went 3.92 and 35s on my truck knowing that 3.21 would be to low numerically for 35s and what I want to do with my truck. The bigger tires was my deciding factor because 3.21 and 35s you may not hit 8th gear. Light towing and camping with mostly mixed highway/city driving in my truck. If I did 1500 again I would keep 3.92 gears but I want to go diesel knowing what I know now. This was my first truck. Although my next truck will be a 2500 or a 3500 SRW.
 

huntergreen

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Bryant, I wouldn’t go les than the 3:55 gearing. Not sure if that’s even an option anymore.

Crash is absolutely correct about air suspension. I live in in the northeast and the air suspension seems to not like cold weather so I never considered it. Getting parts is still an issue.

Other that enjoy the new ride.
 

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