A lot of guys swear by air bags but one thing that tires has taught me, over the years, is air leaks.
If going with air bags, keep your air lines, to each side, separate.
Do NOT share one fill air line, between both sides.
Yes, it is more convenient to just have one location to fill your bags with air.
however, then your air can escape, from one side, to the other, when that side is under a load.
Remember, the idea of stiffening up a suspension is to reduce sag, and help eliminate Sway.
Having air move, from side to side, like in wind or turning or uneven terrain, causes even more of a problem.
Reason I prefer to upgrade springs.
TUfTruck seems to have a very good reputation. I called them , the other day before ordering a set, to get their opinion on which set of springs would fit my needs. here is what I took away from teh conversation:
TTC-1210 - Perfect OEM replacement coils. Essentially stock height, (may notice a 1/2 inch loss but most do not) Will not change ride characteristics whatsoever. When running light, would never know the truck had anything other than OEM coils. Will handle more load than OEM, 25% or 450lbs more.
TTC-1211 - 50% stronger than OEM Spring. Will handle 900lbs more weight and is exact same height, as OEM Springs. Will not lift the truck, whatsoever.
Stronger spring , with more load carrying capacity than OEM springs, so ride will suffer, somewhat, when unloaded, but will still provide a very, very nice ride.
Those who are used to 3/4 or 1 ton trucks will prefer this spring. Will feel more natural, to them, when they add weight to their truck.
Will handle weight much more like former 3/4 ton and up truck owners would expect.
TTC-1223 - Guy said he designed this spring for trucks that are constantly under a load.
Recommended minimum "constant" load weight of 600lbs.
If not loaded, this spring will raise your trucks rear end by 2-4 inches and give you a horrible ride.
TTC-1223V - Most folks tend to get this spring. 50% more load capability than OEM. 1/2 inch shorter than OEM but most will not notice. Can be used with Bilstein 5100 on rear. The Spring looseness, some have mentioned, when 5100 series shock is fully extended, is not a true, real world experience. (IE: Spring is 1/2 inch shorter, than OEM. Billstein 5100 is about one inch longer than OEM. When axle is hanging, and everything it tightened up, spring can seem to be loose.)
Variable rate coil, so when not loaded, rides wonderfully. However, since it is variable rate spring, it will stiffen up, as more weight is added.
Less sag than OEM, under the same load, but not by much.
Even minor weight loads, this spring will still sag. That's how the spring keeps the super nice ride characteristics. However, as weight is added, spring really begins to show its worth.
I went with the 1211. think it was $250 or so. Waiting on them now.
TUfTruck guy said lots of folks get the 1223V acct they do not tow-load beds much and want to keep OEM car like ride. But, since I have always had 3/4 ton trucks, he thought I would much prefer the 1211. When he heard I was going to upgrade my shocks to billsteins, he said definitely go with the 1211. Billsteins would make truck more "planted" and would reduce the car like ride, somewhat, anyway. Impression I got was the 1211, tuftrucks newest spring design, is for guys who want more load carrying ability. Want a lot less sag & keep the stock, rear, ride height.
