Rear suspension problem.

[caps]

Hey guys, I know most of you have never seen my build thread so I'm making this thread for some help. The short version of the build at this point is bilstein 5100s in the front and 35's. However I think I may have overlooked a slight problem.

My truck has a very heavy Leer topper on it. And it has for years. And I'm a bit worried that the rear may be sagging more then the 35's will allow. I also, very regularly, have ~400lbs of dogs in the bed. Anyone have any experience with this?

If think I need to do something, but just talking to a few friends I've already got a ton of options and need to find the best one. So far I have;

Bilsteins for the rear and airbags
Just helper bags
Leveling blocks
Heavy duty progressive springs
Add a leaf



Eventually we'll be pulling an rv camper on the bumper, and a few hundred pounds of dog in the bed. So I want something that can handle the changing weight without having the rear always jacked up.


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[usaf2006]

Monroe makes some coil over rear shocks that most often people report 1"+ gain. I think they're called sensatrac. They're about $90 a pair. Can't remember how much load capacity it adds but I've seen good reviews. Rockauto has good prices on them iirc. Just another option lol.

Btw, nice tires!

 

[caps]

Thanks bud. And I'll eyeball those as well.


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[usaf2006]

Either those or add a leafs would probably be your cheapest bet.

 

[caps]

I keep coming across the Air Lift 1000 kit. It seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.

Except they don't make it for my year (2006). I'm going to see if another kit will fit.


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[WulfGang]

I keep coming across the Air Lift 1000 kit. It seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.

Except they don't make it for my year (2006). I'm going to see if another kit will fit.


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I've seen airlifts for '06 because I 'was' going to go that route.
I decided to go with Hellwig helper springs though and a new seat of leaf's on the back. I have the kinda luck that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong and I'll be out towing and lose a bag or line or something.

I know I've seen them for the '06 though. Etrailer.com or something? Etowing? I can't remember exactly where.

 

[xb1230]

I keep coming across the Air Lift 1000 kit...

Short story is I used to be a rep for an industrial tool company and would roam around my territory with tools in the trunk of my car. I would have to make choices on the tools I would bring because of weight getting the rear to bottom out if too loaded. And of course having the same kind of luck that WulfGang has, I would be asked for a demo of THE tool I had left behind while travelling.

I ended up getting a AirLift bag system with compressor and driver remote control.

That thing was absolutely worth every penny I had invested into it, allowing me to load whatever I wanted in the trunk, without any issues, and mostly without any compromise to ride comfort and quality. I would use it all the time, even when I had only passengers in the back seat.

So if you are looking at suspension aid, there are other very good options out there but Bags are a very good solution I would recommend with my eyes closed any time.

Hope this helps.

 

[preachp]

Hi caps,
1) I doubt if that cap has made your truck sag.
2) Since you have leafs springs you can go either route. I would think the air system will give you the best adjustasblilty. But the coil over shock helpers work OK too. The best bet is the leaf spring helpers. If you want them in all the time jack your truck off the ground when you put them in. Then when you lower it back down they will engage by the weight of the truck. Otherwise, depending on the type, you may not get the extra support until you load the truck. I would say for cost and ease of use and reliability it is +1 for the leaf helpers. Do yourself a favor and don't buy the cheapest thing you can find. A couple extra bucks can make a world of difference in performance and safety.
Good luck and enjoy,

preachp

 

[xb1230]

... Do yourself a favor and don't buy the cheapest thing you can find. A couple extra bucks can make a world of difference in performance and safety.
Good luck and enjoy,

preachp

I agree 100% with that!

 

[xb1230]

BTW was curious about your statement of not finding a kit for your 2006, so I did a quick search on the AirLift web site directly, which yielded a few good results :

Here you go :
AirLift - 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 options

All that is left for you to do IF you want to go that route is to chose the kit you want and find a local retailer/installer.

But as "preachp" said there are other very good options out there. Was just sharing my personnal experience.

Hope this helps.

 

[caps]

BTW was curious about your statement of not finding a kit for your 2006, so I did a quick search on the AirLift web site directly, which yielded a few good results :

Here you go :
AirLift - 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 options

All that is left for you to do IF you want to go that route is to chose the kit you want and find a local retailer/installer.

But as "preachp" said there are other very good options out there. Was just sharing my personnal experience.

Hope this helps.

The company has several options, but none of them are like the 1000 kit they have full spring replacement systems (I'm not looking to modify my frame in anyway), or a sealed (non adjustable) system. I'm looking first etching in between like the 1000 system.


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[caps]

Hi caps,
1) I doubt if that cap has made your truck sag.
2) Since you have leafs springs you can go either route. I would think the air system will give you the best adjustasblilty. But the coil over shock helpers work OK too. The best bet is the leaf spring helpers. If you want them in all the time jack your truck off the ground when you put them in. Then when you lower it back down they will engage by the weight of the truck. Otherwise, depending on the type, you may not get the extra support until you load the truck. I would say for cost and ease of use and reliability it is +1 for the leaf helpers. Do yourself a favor and don't buy the cheapest thing you can find. A couple extra bucks can make a world of difference in performance and safety.
Good luck and enjoy,

preachp

1) I'm going to throw the wheels/tires on this weekend and find out.

2) I'm leaning towards an extra leaf currently.


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[caps]

I've seen airlifts for '06 because I 'was' going to go that route.

I decided to go with Hellwig helper springs though and a new seat of leaf's on the back. I have the kinda luck that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong and I'll be out towing and lose a bag or line or something.



I know I've seen them for the '06 though. Etrailer.com or something? Etowing? I can't remember exactly where.

Most likely its a kit for another vehicle that just happens to fit. That seems to be pretty common. I need to measure the springs, and call them.

And I've been eyeballing the Hellwig setups.


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[Trenton]

The company has several options, but none of them are like the 1000 kit they have full spring replacement systems (I'm not looking to modify my frame in anyway), or a sealed (non adjustable) system. I'm looking first etching in between like the 1000 system.


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The Air lift with in cab control looks to be what I think your needs will take you towards easy bolt on installation no frame mods needed. the 2000 system will meet your current needs of dogs and canopy however with adding a trailer hitch weight I think the 5000 would be a great option. and add the in cab air control at least the minimum wired in cab manual adjustment. These kits are totaly adjustable from 0 support to levelling your truck with 5000 lbs of cargo for about a grand.