not what i had bargained for

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

I am very happy with my 1996 GMC 2500s rear end. It has never sagged past an inch in all the loads i have towed with it. My heaviest load to date was a load to the dump. Truck trailer and load were just shy of 10 tons! Truck sagged a little but not enough for me to complain.

As for the front end. All that IFS crap is going in the scrap pile in the next year. As soon as a find a Ford Dana 60 i can ats going under the front end with 6" of lift leaf springs.

Ever notice only the gasser guys call their dodge a dodge? If its got a Cummins it gets called a Cummins not a dodge truck.

I think air bags are the way to go for your truck. You can get just the bags and air them with an air chuck or go to an onboard compressor, and fill tires, run train horns, etc

The only dodge I've ever owed was a 2002 cummins diesel. It was a P.O.S!!!!!!! I bought the truck with 20,000 miles on it and sold it with 60,000 miles. I replaced a very expensive injector pump, transmission coolent line fittings, and a A/C vacumn switch. The truck when I bought it was show room condition and when I sold it it was imaculate. That truck put a bad taste in my mouth for dodge trucks, plus it was made in Mexico!!!! That made me even madder!!!!

[randlemanboater]

I have airbags on the front of my RV...they make a huge difference in the ride...I'm sure they would do well on the back of your truck.

[Destroyer]

Simply put, airbags in the rear of a truck are like trim tabs on the rear of a V. Not necessary, but they make a huge difference in the ride. Less sag, less sway, better ride. Get em... you'll thank us later.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Destroyer do I use the airbags with my flotation bracket or by themselves?

[ssiredfish]

Ive already stated how much I loathed my Dodge. It was a happy day when I sold it.....

I just bought a '05 Chevy 2500 Quad 4x4 and will be towin it down to the keys for the first time next month. I will be 12,000lbs in motion....watch out!!!!

[wellcraftv20step]

Thanks for the input guys, I will look into every suggestion offered. i have thought about the air bags, i was just wondering how long they generaly last. i actually called an auto spring place today he suggests a heavier spring. I'll let you know what i go with .And as usual thanks again guys for taking the time to help.even though i senced a little hostility. lol

[phatdaddy]

i have a 95 dodge 1500 and i usually carry about 500-800 lb of tools, fittings , etc. plus i haul a trencher (5000 lb) or a tractor ( 7000lb). i got a set of 1500 springs from the scrap yard and doubled up on the 2 longest leafs (leaves?). it helped a lot.

[captpete13]

Originally Posted by wellcraftv20step

Thanks for the input guys, I will look into every suggestion offered. i have thought about the air bags, i was just wondering how long they generaly last. i actually called an auto spring place today he suggests a heavier spring. I'll let you know what i go with .And as usual thanks again guys for taking the time to help.even though i senced a little hostility. lol

with heavier springs your ride quality could suffer. Unless you get progressive springs. With the airbags you still retain your 1500 ride but when you need it you get 2500 capacity. What year Ram is it? I have a 2006 2500 and I love it. It has a Hemi and a 6speed gear box.

[randlemanboater]

Originally Posted by wellcraftv20step

i have thought about the air bags, i was just wondering how long they generaly last.

The ones on my RV were installed in 1999...still working...but just 53000 miles on em.