Air suspension thought

[hunterdan]

So, I was browsing Facebook marketplace and I keep seeing front air struts that guys have removed from their trucks to switch over to the standard strut. How hard would it be to add a line to either a remote schrader valve or plumb it into a small tank that you could adjust the pressure on. It's just a thought, I've never seen one of these struts in person, so I don't know what kind of fittings they use. I also don't know what kind of air pressure those struts normally run at, but would be something neat to mess around with if it wouldn't be too hard to plumb some lines in.

 

[DILLIGAF]

There's a very good reason why people take that junk off.

 

[Jeepwalker]

It's actually the Cadillac of suspension systems for a variety of reasons. Esp handy if you tow a trailer. But as such there are a LOT of 'things' associated with an air-ride system which can ....and eventually DO get flaky. Usually they are small things. Eventually the air shocks will need to be replaced. But if they lasted 120k ....and a new set will go another 120k mi, that's not so bad. Regular shocks wear out too. There are less expensive air-shock replacements than the dealer. But most of the time problems are: Failed Solenoid/s, Air leak in the line, Electrical incl a module, Level sensors, Sometimes it's the compressor (they are DIY field-serviceable though), ...and like discussed above, the shocks can go bad too. So as you can see, there's a lot to potentially go wrong.

If you wanted to learn about your Ram's air suspension system and become an expert on fixing it, all you need to do is read the chapter from the Ram service manual, which you can find for free (on this site and others). And dive in.

You can definitely DIY it back to health, or maybe makes sense to switch it over to conventional springs which never fail.

Think of all the electric cars with air-ride (to handle the weight) and what a nighmare those owners are going to have in the yrs to come???!!!

 

[DA67Goatman]

I briefly had mine switched over to run on an Accuair setup. They run relatively low pressures 150psi max. Mine sat around 60psi in the struts for a factory ride height. The plastic top hat on both struts and the rear bags were easily tapped for a conventional air fitting and plumbed with plastic line. You could easily just elim the factory solenoid and compressor, but then it's all on you to remember to maintain pressure and adjust as it leaks and load changes.

 

[hunterdan]

I briefly had mine switched over to run on an Accuair setup. They run relatively low pressures 150psi max. Mine sat around 60psi in the struts for a factory ride height. The plastic top hat on both struts and the rear bags were easily tapped for a conventional air fitting and plumbed with plastic line. You could easily just elim the factory solenoid and compressor, but then it's all on you to remember to maintain pressure and adjust as it leaks and load changes.

That's what I was wondering.

It's actually the Cadillac of suspension systems for a variety of reasons. Esp handy if you tow a trailer. But as such there are a LOT of 'things' associated with an air-ride system which can ....and eventually DO get flaky. Usually they are small things. Eventually the air shocks will need to be replaced. But if they lasted 120k ....and a new set will go another 120k mi, that's not so bad. Regular shocks wear out too. There are less expensive air-shock replacements than the dealer. But most of the time problems are: Failed Solenoid/s, Air leak in the line, Electrical incl a module, Level sensors, Sometimes it's the compressor (they are DIY field-serviceable though), ...and like discussed above, the shocks can go bad too. So as you can see, there's a lot to potentially go wrong.

If you wanted to learn about your Ram's air suspension system and become an expert on fixing it, all you need to do is read the chapter from the Ram service manual, which you can find for free (on this site and others). And dive in.

You can definitely DIY it back to health, or maybe makes sense to switch it over to conventional springs which never fail.

Think of all the electric cars with air-ride (to handle the weight) and what a nighmare those owners are going to have in the yrs to come???!!!

Yeah I wasn't trying to run the full air ride system, just wondering if it'd be possible to plumb the OEM air shocks to a standard type of air line and run it on compresses air.

 

[Jeepwalker]

If you have some inert gas (welder?), that would probably be better. It could possibly extend the life of the rubber shock bladders a little longer. You could easily level your truck too by balancing the shocks how you want them.

But if your air ride system is running wonky and you want to fix it, it might be worth doing some quick-checks. Spray around with some soapy water. The problem might be something simple to fix. There's a bunch of videos.

Top 5 Places To Look, Air Suspension Issues - Dodge Ram 1500

If your Ram has Air Bag Suspension and you are having problems with it. These are the 5 most common places to find the issue. Buy our cheaper air toolkit her...

www.youtube.com

 

[Jeepwalker]

One of the issues with Ram air-ride system is so much of the system and critical components are poorly located & subjected to weather elements and corrosion. People in the upper midwest and NE are guaranteed to have problems sooner or later. If the MFGR used stainless steel and brass fittings and components and put the critical parts in 'safer' areas ...they could conieveably build a system that would be much more reliable and longer lasting. Of course that would cost more...

Many cars and the older systems used to put the compressor and critical parts up front away from most of the weather elements.

 

[tul9033]

I absolutely LOVE the air ride in my 2019 Limited. The truck handles like a car. Luckily I live in the mid south so the weather issues are a non issue for me.

 

[Marshall]

I have no experience with these other then what I seen at the dealer shop one time when the service manager was working on a almost new one,
He said that they are OK down south, but at -30 they are a PITA.

My son is putting air ride on my 1947 Chev, but he has been in the trade for 40 yrs, and he is building the set up.

I know of a couple 1/2tons with air bag added to the rear spring to carry loads that should be in 3/4 tons.
Only problem seems to be rubber rot after a few yrs on the air bags.
Doing the front end on these trucks would be a whole different deal, but anything is doable if you toss enough cash at it.
Reminds me of boats.

 

[hunterdan]

I have no experience with these other then what I seen at the dealer shop one time when the service manager was working on a almost new one,
He said that they are OK down south, but at -30 they are a PITA.

My son is putting air ride on my 1947 Chev, but he has been in the trade for 40 yrs, and he is building the set up.

I know of a couple 1/2tons with air bag added to the rear spring to carry loads that should be in 3/4 tons.
Only problem seems to be rubber rot after a few yrs on the air bags.
Doing the front end on these trucks would be a whole different deal, but anything is doable if you toss enough cash at it.
Reminds me of boats.

What would be so hard about it, the air struts are bolt in. The question was if you could plumb the air lines up to normal air lines. Zero intention on trying to retrofit the entire system, was only interested in if it was feasible to install and plumb the OEM air struts up to something other than factory stuff, which has been confirmed as being possible. If I wanted to add air suspension to the rear, I'd look at the new system from logiq.

 

[SpaceRanger1]

My air ride went down at 205K, after deal and getting %^$^ at the dealer did my research and found this place for all my parts if need be in the future.. Its been 122K on current build..
check this Link..

RAM Air Suspension Parts Struts, Springs & More | Engineered for a Smooth Ride

Repair your RAM with top-quality air suspension components—struts, springs, valve blocks, compressors, and repair kits. Every order ships free, no minimum required, and all rebuilt parts are made in the USA for a smoother, more reliable ride.

rebuildmastertech.com

 

[Mojo88]

@SpaceRanger1 ........ Great link, thanks! I bookmarked that for future use...........