When did dodge start installing air bags from factory?

[DKean]

I have been surfing the net for a used dodge 1500. I want one with the air ride. So what year did they start installing them at the factory?

Thanks


PS Don't tell anyone that I'm retired Ford.;)

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"THIS" is a biggie for those with the 3500 rear air when unhitching. If you are slow about unhitching the rear air system will start trying to re level and give you a big startle when un hitching. I read on another forum of a guy thinking it was all the fault of his new to him B&W hitch.

So here is the way to unhitch and hitch if you so choose.

When backed into the spot where you want to unhitch go into "Settings" then select "Suspension" then select "Tire Jack Mode". This will keep the rear from moving while unhooking and hooking. I touch no controls after unhooking then the system goes back to Alt Ride Mode as I had it set. I leave mine in Alt ALL the time.

Hope this helps with someones frustration!

I really don't see a need in all that. The way I do it is I get out of the truck and chock the trailer tires. I then lower the front landing gear enough to take enough weight off to let the truck come up a 1/4" or so. The truck will release the air out of the bags to let it drop back to the ride height it was at. I don't care how long it takes me to get to unhooking the height does not change. When I unhook the truck pulls right out with no change in the truck. Works perfect every time. No need to put in any maintanence modes. It won't matter whether it's a 1500,2500 or 3500. If it has auto level and you take the weight off the truck the suspension will adjust accordingly. Now if you lift the trailer to the point that you are lifting up on the truck too then you will have trouble because the system will dump all the air out to try and get the truck to ride height causing it to bind on the hitch or cause the truck to drop to the bump stops ( 1500 and 2500 only).

Well maybe you should come and show me how to do it. The truck will raise up higher than "ride height" when taking off the load then it wants to drop back down. Maybe yours is different as it's a 16?

I am not the only one that has has the hitch clunk when pulling away.

I lift my kingpin to the point it is slightly separated from my hitch plate.

Next time you do it lift the fifth wheel just enough to raise the truck a quarter to half an inch or so. Do this right after you chock the trailer wheels. Don't do anything else. After you have done this (with the truck running) then drop your tailgate, release your hitch and the power cord. By the time you get back into the truck it will have released the air out of the bags and you will have a small air gap between the king pin head and the hitch head. I would do a video if I knew I could get it posted.

Will be a while but I will give it a try.

Just lift enough weight off for the truck to sense the change in height. Give it a minute and you'll hear it dumping the air. When you pull out the truck will come straight out and not lift or drop.

[Cummins12V98]

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"THIS" is a biggie for those with the 3500 rear air when unhitching. If you are slow about unhitching the rear air system will start trying to re level and give you a big startle when un hitching. I read on another forum of a guy thinking it was all the fault of his new to him B&W hitch.

So here is the way to unhitch and hitch if you so choose.

When backed into the spot where you want to unhitch go into "Settings" then select "Suspension" then select "Tire Jack Mode". This will keep the rear from moving while unhooking and hooking. I touch no controls after unhooking then the system goes back to Alt Ride Mode as I had it set. I leave mine in Alt ALL the time.

Hope this helps with someones frustration!

I really don't see a need in all that. The way I do it is I get out of the truck and chock the trailer tires. I then lower the front landing gear enough to take enough weight off to let the truck come up a 1/4" or so. The truck will release the air out of the bags to let it drop back to the ride height it was at. I don't care how long it takes me to get to unhooking the height does not change. When I unhook the truck pulls right out with no change in the truck. Works perfect every time. No need to put in any maintanence modes. It won't matter whether it's a 1500,2500 or 3500. If it has auto level and you take the weight off the truck the suspension will adjust accordingly. Now if you lift the trailer to the point that you are lifting up on the truck too then you will have trouble because the system will dump all the air out to try and get the truck to ride height causing it to bind on the hitch or cause the truck to drop to the bump stops ( 1500 and 2500 only).

Well maybe you should come and show me how to do it. The truck will raise up higher than "ride height" when taking off the load then it wants to drop back down. Maybe yours is different as it's a 16?

I am not the only one that has has the hitch clunk when pulling away.

I lift my kingpin to the point it is slightly separated from my hitch plate.

Next time you do it lift the fifth wheel just enough to raise the truck a quarter to half an inch or so. Do this right after you chock the trailer wheels. Don't do anything else. After you have done this (with the truck running) then drop your tailgate, release your hitch and the power cord. By the time you get back into the truck it will have released the air out of the bags and you will have a small air gap between the king pin head and the hitch head. I would do a video if I knew I could get it posted.

Will be a while but I will give it a try.

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
What has Fish's cousin heard?

Enquiring minds want to know???????

No issues that I'm aware of but has worked on a many air bag on older Lincolns.

You have it folks!!! Fish has endorsed the RAM factory rear air suspension. :B

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
What has Fish's cousin heard?

Enquiring minds want to know???????

No issues that I'm aware of but has worked on a many air bag on older Lincolns.

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"THIS" is a biggie for those with the 3500 rear air when unhitching. If you are slow about unhitching the rear air system will start trying to re level and give you a big startle when un hitching. I read on another forum of a guy thinking it was all the fault of his new to him B&W hitch.

So here is the way to unhitch and hitch if you so choose.

When backed into the spot where you want to unhitch go into "Settings" then select "Suspension" then select "Tire Jack Mode". This will keep the rear from moving while unhooking and hooking. I touch no controls after unhooking then the system goes back to Alt Ride Mode as I had it set. I leave mine in Alt ALL the time.

Hope this helps with someones frustration!

I really don't see a need in all that. The way I do it is I get out of the truck and chock the trailer tires. I then lower the front landing gear enough to take enough weight off to let the truck come up a 1/4" or so. The truck will release the air out of the bags to let it drop back to the ride height it was at. I don't care how long it takes me to get to unhooking the height does not change. When I unhook the truck pulls right out with no change in the truck. Works perfect every time. No need to put in any maintanence modes. It won't matter whether it's a 1500,2500 or 3500. If it has auto level and you take the weight off the truck the suspension will adjust accordingly. Now if you lift the trailer to the point that you are lifting up on the truck too then you will have trouble because the system will dump all the air out to try and get the truck to ride height causing it to bind on the hitch or cause the truck to drop to the bump stops ( 1500 and 2500 only).

Well maybe you should come and show me how to do it. The truck will raise up higher than "ride height" when taking off the load then it wants to drop back down. Maybe yours is different as it's a 16?

I am not the only one that has has the hitch clunk when pulling away.

I lift my kingpin to the point it is slightly separated from my hitch plate.

Next time you do it lift the fifth wheel just enough to raise the truck a quarter to half an inch or so. Do this right after you chock the trailer wheels. Don't do anything else. After you have done this (with the truck running) then drop your tailgate, release your hitch and the power cord. By the time you get back into the truck it will have released the air out of the bags and you will have a small air gap between the king pin head and the hitch head. I would do a video if I knew I could get it posted.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

2013 on the 1500 four corner and 2014 for the 2500 rear only no air suspension on the 3500 trucks.

Don

[Cummins12V98]

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"THIS" is a biggie for those with the 3500 rear air when unhitching. If you are slow about unhitching the rear air system will start trying to re level and give you a big startle when un hitching. I read on another forum of a guy thinking it was all the fault of his new to him B&W hitch.

So here is the way to unhitch and hitch if you so choose.

When backed into the spot where you want to unhitch go into "Settings" then select "Suspension" then select "Tire Jack Mode". This will keep the rear from moving while unhooking and hooking. I touch no controls after unhooking then the system goes back to Alt Ride Mode as I had it set. I leave mine in Alt ALL the time.

Hope this helps with someones frustration!

I really don't see a need in all that. The way I do it is I get out of the truck and chock the trailer tires. I then lower the front landing gear enough to take enough weight off to let the truck come up a 1/4" or so. The truck will release the air out of the bags to let it drop back to the ride height it was at. I don't care how long it takes me to get to unhooking the height does not change. When I unhook the truck pulls right out with no change in the truck. Works perfect every time. No need to put in any maintanence modes. It won't matter whether it's a 1500,2500 or 3500. If it has auto level and you take the weight off the truck the suspension will adjust accordingly. Now if you lift the trailer to the point that you are lifting up on the truck too then you will have trouble because the system will dump all the air out to try and get the truck to ride height causing it to bind on the hitch or cause the truck to drop to the bump stops ( 1500 and 2500 only).

Well maybe you should come and show me how to do it. The truck will raise up higher than "ride height" when taking off the load then it wants to drop back down. Maybe yours is different as it's a 16?

I am not the only one that has has the hitch clunk when pulling away.

I lift my kingpin to the point it is slightly separated from my hitch plate.

[hvac]

I have it and the eco diesel with an 8 speed. It's incredibly useful on a 1/2 ton and if this one gets stolen or wrecked the next one will be Ram. No competition. It is the future suspension for all lightweight trucks.

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"THIS" is a biggie for those with the 3500 rear air when unhitching. If you are slow about unhitching the rear air system will start trying to re level and give you a big startle when un hitching. I read on another forum of a guy thinking it was all the fault of his new to him B&W hitch.

So here is the way to unhitch and hitch if you so choose.

When backed into the spot where you want to unhitch go into "Settings" then select "Suspension" then select "Tire Jack Mode". This will keep the rear from moving while unhooking and hooking. I touch no controls after unhooking then the system goes back to Alt Ride Mode as I had it set. I leave mine in Alt ALL the time.

Hope this helps with someones frustration!

I really don't see a need in all that. The way I do it is I get out of the truck and chock the trailer tires. I then lower the front landing gear enough to take enough weight off to let the truck come up a 1/4" or so. The truck will release the air out of the bags to let it drop back to the ride height it was at. I don't care how long it takes me to get to unhooking the height does not change. When I unhook the truck pulls right out with no change in the truck. Works perfect every time. No need to put in any maintanence modes. It won't matter whether it's a 1500,2500 or 3500. If it has auto level and you take the weight off the truck the suspension will adjust accordingly. Now if you lift the trailer to the point that you are lifting up on the truck too then you will have trouble because the system will dump all the air out to try and get the truck to ride height causing it to bind on the hitch or cause the truck to drop to the bump stops ( 1500 and 2500 only).

[Searching_Ut]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"THIS" is a biggie for those with the 3500 rear air when unhitching. If you are slow about unhitching the rear air system will start trying to re level and give you a big startle when un hitching. I read on another forum of a guy thinking it was all the fault of his new to him B&W hitch.

So here is the way to unhitch and hitch if you so choose.

When backed into the spot where you want to unhitch go into "Settings" then select "Suspension" then select "Tire Jack Mode". This will keep the rear from moving while unhooking and hooking. I touch no controls after unhooking then the system goes back to Alt Ride Mode as I had it set. I leave mine in Alt ALL the time.

Hope this helps with someones frustration!

Your technique is good to know. I'm currently using an Andersen ultimate hitch with my 5er, and normally leave the engine running as I disconnect. As a result, the truck starts re-adjusting for load which can be problematic. I didn't think about your method of turning it off, but makes perfect sense.

As for not having heard of issues with the factor rear air on 3500's, mine has been into the shop a couple times for it, and hasn't been fixed. The issue is only in the cold and snow, where after you've towed and unhooked, the next time you start the truck you get a service air suspension fault that goes away by itself after driving a bit. They have re-flashed my truck for it because there is a known problem with the suspension in the cold. It still has the problem though. In looking at my truck when it has done it I think the problem is probably with the Mechanical linkages they use to sense truck suspension height. They get iced up bad with snow and slush that freezes hard when I park. My long term fix is to retire next year so I hopefully can avoid towing in the snow.

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:
What has Fish's cousin heard?

Enquiring minds want to know???????

[eHoefler]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

eHoefler wrote:
The 1500 came out with full air ride option in 2008. My son inlaw has had one since 08 with no issues. I bought my wife a 2015 with air ride last year. Love it, rides like a dream. Wife pulled my dump trailer with 2 tons of sand on it, while I followed with the tractor, she didn't have any problems pulling it in the hills and curves.

Air Lift makes a kit for 2008 but factory didn't until 2013 for the 1500

RAM 2103 1500

My mistake, it came out in 2009 from the factory, as said previously, my son inlaw has one.

[Me_Again]

What has Fish's cousin heard?

[Old-Biscuit]

eHoefler wrote:
The 1500 came out with full air ride option in 2008. My son inlaw has had one since 08 with no issues. I bought my wife a 2015 with air ride last year. Love it, rides like a dream. Wife pulled my dump trailer with 2 tons of sand on it, while I followed with the tractor, she didn't have any problems pulling it in the hills and curves.

Air Lift makes a kit for 2008 but factory didn't until 2013 for the 1500

RAM 2103 1500