No worries. This is all helping tremendously. I had some ideas of what I was going to look for but you have basically laid it all out for me! So should I do the airbags first and if I'm still not happy, add the springs? Does the springs make the unloaded ride harsh?
And thank you for all of this information.
I did the Springs, first. Reasoning being physical hardware upgrade is always better than a help this hardware I got work better patch.(Air Bags).
If the upgraded physical hardware (springs) still needs help, then add the air bags.
SPrings are proably cheaper upgrade too. If going solely with air bags, then make sure you get a air compressor and run seperate lines to each bag so the air cannot flow from one bag, to the other, as weight is shifted in turns and such. that setup could actually increases way and make the ride much less stable. Not to mention, if air line, to both airbags and any leak occurs, there goes both bags.
regarding tuftruck springs, call them, describe what you normally do with the truck, descibe what you want to do with the truck and let them suggest a set of springs, for you and your needs.
That is what I did and I love mine.
They are truly very nice and helpful folks.
again, i went with 1211 (Levelled with Bilsteins shocks) with my topper, I kept about an inch of rake. those 1223 are designed for trucks under a constant load, like heavy tools or camper type topper, so they tend to be stiffer.
the 1223V for variable is essentially the same as the 1223 or the 1211 but the top endof the spring is OEM in how the truck handles and rides, unloaded. as weight is added, they sitffen up.
if this is your first truck OR if you psotively like the carlike Caddilac ride of this truck, then the 1223V is probably for you. If you have always had 3/4 ton trucks, then the 1221 or, if you want little more rear hieght, the 1223 is for you.
Keep in mind, simply changing the tires is going to alter your ride. andchanging the tires is pretty much a mist do thing. the stock goodyears were chosen for their super duper low rolling resistance. Essentially, they weighnothing, take zero fule to get moving and zero fuel to keep moving.
When you replace themwith a tire that canhandlethe weight you will pulling and prevent that weight from completely and totaally dictating to the truck how that truck will handle with the weight,then the tire is more substantial , than stock junk years, and truck ride will suffer. stiffer sidewalls alone will alter your rides "feel" but alsoimprove things liek cornering, weight carrying, etc.
hope thism akes sense. my thinking is far outpacing y two finger typing ability.
