Buying a truck with air suspension question

[SeventyGTX]

I traded away my 16 Longhorn Cummins for a Wrangler Rubicon since we sold our 5th wheel, and thinking about picking up a very clean 2015 Limited 1500 4x4 to replace it with. The Limited has air suspension is my only reservation. I'm sure it could get very spendy in a hurry if it has any issues down the road. Is that suspension reliable? Thanks for any help/advice.

 

[healthyrx]

Could have just been a one off, but a family member had a 4th gen limited with air suspension and its been to the shop a few times for issues related.. not sure what issues exactly but I think it had to do with the airbag inflation system

 

[Glen OS]

I bought my 15 in 19 with 80k miles and air suspension. Overall, I love it. It has given me some issues when super cold. Below 0. When I know it will be that cold, I don't lower it to entry height. Never been to the shop for the issue.

 

[rule18]

2017 Rebel - I recently had a front airbag failure repaired. If the truck sat for roughly 48 hours, I would find the front end deflated down to Entry/Exit position. It would pump back up after running for a few minutes. It turned out to be micro leaks in both bags. I have an extended warranty, so this repair cost me $100. Service Manager says it would have been north of $2k had it not been for the warranty since they replaced everything except the compressor in search of the solution.

 

[SeventyGTX]

Not sure how the Ram bags work or how much they raise/lower, but we have them in our Grand Cherokee Summit and honestly I don't care for them. Never had any problem with it, but waiting for them to raise or lower while pulling in the garage or parking is kind of a pain. Seems like forever just to gain or lose an inch.

 

[SeventyGTX]

2017 Rebel - I recently had a front airbag failure repaired. If the truck sat for roughly 48 hours, I would find the front end deflated down to Entry/Exit position. It would pump back up after running for a few minutes. It turned out to be micro leaks in both bags. I have an extended warranty, so this repair cost me $100. Service Manager says it would have been north of $2k had it not been for the warranty since they replaced everything except the compressor in search of the solution.

That is exactly what I am afraid of, a $2k+ bill down the road over something I don't really care about or need. I read in my search for info, there is a kit to swap the bags out for springs/shocks for around $1400 which I thought was great. Then I read the ECM will go nuts and you will have lights on your dash and a trip to the dealer. Also the kit will rub on 20" rims.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Dont do it.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

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Dont do it, do a search with all of the problems, they dont like cold weather to manifold leaks, pin holes in the bag, compressors burning up, popping a 50 amp fuse, Dealers not having a clue or trouble shooting skills and it requires nitrogen you have to go to dealer for.

 

[chopperman1]

Had it in my 16 Rebel, zero issues with it, 60k miles. My 18 Rebel has it, again, zero issues with it, 25k miles. I live in the Northeast and subject to all kinds of weather. I love it!

 

[SeventyGTX]

Sounds like one of those things that's great as long as you still have the factory warranty, otherwise it's a crapshoot. Right now I'm leaning against it, plus the truck has a bit more miles than I would like. Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

[ram1500rsm]

Pass on it, find a clean without the air chit.

 

[Bandit517]

I have a 16 with just shy of 100k miles. The only time my air ride gives me fits is when it's below freezing. As you said, it's easily replaced with non-air ride components. However, do some reading about AlfaOBD. You can turn off the option in the BCM and it'll act as if it was never optioned. Only way to tell it ever had air ride is if you don't swap the switch panel out for a non-air ride one. If the truck is everything you want, and the only thing holding you back is the air suspension I'd buy it and plan to swap it when it fails. Personally I like my air ride. I can fit in my garage without it but it's nice to lower it and give myself that little extra space. And if parking spots are a little tight, lowering to entry/exit makes it so much nicer getting in/out without worrying about bumping the neighboring vehicle while I jump in/out of the truck.