Air suspension is an optional suspension system on the Outdoorsman 4x4 with 3.92 gears (at least here in Canada) The air suspension replaces the twin tube shock absorbers and coil springs, the height difference is depending on cab configuration of 0.5 to < 1" higher then conventional setup. Another feature to the air suspension is you can lower the truck while hwy cruising (unloaded) to reduce drag. As for being unreliable? hardly... many ppl here use airbag supplements or enhancements to their OEM suspensions...after all, we no longer putt around in Model T's anymore. Denying the benefits or longevity of the air suspension is like comparing beat up, worn out OEM shock absorbers to brand new Bilstein shocks, even though the OEMs were most likely Bilstein products to begin with!! (Bilstein supplies shocks to most auto manufacturers)(course replacing any old worn out shock with any brand of shock is going to make a difference.. for how long is anyone's guess)
If I was in the market for a new pick-up, the Outdoorsman with optional air suspension, 4x4, hemi with 3.92 diffs, would be my choice
last year I lent the out-laws the wife's 2012 Ram Sport(rambox)hemi 4x4 with 3.92 gears to pull his 7200# TT which normally sits behind his 01 F350 7.3 ( it was in the shop) while we were on a family reunion, asked how it pulled? Brother in-law said pulled fine through the Canadian Rockies just as well as his 7.3 did. (wife uses her truck to pull 3 horse trailer usually only have 2 horses but trailer is old and heavy)
