The 5k kits don't work with a lift. Be they the kit that 'dog has or the Air Lift or Firestone kits.
That's why I bought the Air Lift Ride Controls. The way they mount they will work with a lift, be it suspension or body.
2k capacity, but 2000 lbs. of TONGUE WEIGHT OR LOAD IN THE BED still far exceeds the capacity of a 1/2 ton truck. I have had 2300 lbs. of river rock in my bed and have towed a 7700 lb. tractor on a dual axle trailer and still haven't needed as much as half the air capacity of my 2000# bags to keep the truck level.


The 5k kits are no drill, whereas the Ride Control requires you to drill the frame for the bracket mounts, it's why it'll work with a lift. I didn't drill for my brackets, but welded them on instead. Do a search, I must have 100 pics in various posts by now...

 

The timbren helpers are great. no drill, goes in place of your rubber bump stop. Their lifetime warranty is great also. I just had one split on the seam in my 84 350 dodge dump, and they sent me a new set -No questions asked. Didnt have to send the old ones back either. I have them on 4 of my vehicles and love them. Approximately $350.00/set. They install in 20 minutes if you know which end of the ratchet that the socket goes on, No kidding.

 

I visited their site and looking at the different pieces (A155-65) they have I think I found one that would take the place of my aftermarket bump and work great with a 4-1/2" drop. I have no problem with doing a C notch but this might do the trick instead. Just waiting for their reply.

 

I used to think the ouldn't work, bu YES, you ca put blocks under these and they will ork. The only thing you need to do it get longer u-bolts bcause the ones they gives wont be long enough obvioulsy. I wouldn't reccomend any blocks taller than 2" with this style. If a 3" body lift is on your list of mods, then you'll want to get the ones that Hammer has that rest ontop of the leaf springs. Those ar 2k# rated.
As far as weight. I wouldn't reccomend huling around 5klbs becaue they are capable of supporting that weight, but they will certainly support much more than the Ram can haul safely. I like that cushio because that means whatever I haul, the bags will not break due to stress!
They are Goodyear bags btw.

 

Good to know. No body lift for me, I don't love how they look. I think I saw the same bags hammer has listed on eBay, and that actually answered my questions about the capacity and lift blocks.

Drilling and/or welding is no problem.

As far as what I need for capacity, when I fill that tank, its about 2500#. And like I said just for a half hour, so no long distance stuff. I just want to take some of the stress off of the factory springs, and my headlights pointed somewhwere near the road.

 

Yikes. thats a ton of weight!!
I would def get the Arnott bags in that case.
All you need to do is remove the bump stops and bolt them suckers in place! easy as pie. I really like over the axle support versus bolted to the leafspring..especially with that kind of weight! not to mention, liquid weight is much heavier due to the sway, even with baffles in the tank, some sway is inevitable.

 

Yeah, I know it's a lot. If I was regularly hauling that much all over town I would have gotten a 3/4 or 1 ton. But in the summer, the most I haul is the occasional dump trailer, or my 20' travel trailer, so the extra payload capacity would be wasted. Not to mention the extra cost of repairs, fuel economy, etc. The 1/2 ton is plenty for now. It spends 99.9% of its life unloaded. That was the point of the original question, I didn't want to ruin my ride quality the rest of the time.

BTW, I ordered the 2000# Air Lift kit from Jeg's (eBay). $203 with shipping. I'll let you know when they are on. I need to post some pics anyway, I've finally got some rims on, and a new Bull Bar.

 

I have a set of Hellwig Loadpro 35's on my wagon. I love them. Even though they are 1 ton helper springs, when empty & flexing I only loose about 5" of flex. It will still stuff the tire to the top of the fender opening+ a little more, just not to 1/2" from the top of the inside of fenderwell like stock. To achieve full flex, I just use an electric impact wrench & remove the outer 2 U-bolts on each side. Takes like 10 min tops. Nothing to leak or get ripped by some un-knowledgeable mechanic when putting it up on a lift. To each thier own.

 

I have helper springs on my truck and yes, it is deffinetly a bouncy ride unloaded...

But i'll tell you what it is more than worth it when you have a few tons of material in the bed..

I love them, i think for your situation it would be a good idea...

You'll get over it being bouncy, hell it's a truck- not a lincoln town car...

 

You do realize there is no ride quality differences betwee the 2000lb bags and the 5000lb bags like I have right? it's how much air you put inside them that matters.
Not quite sure why you would buy 2,000lb bags if you plan to put 2500lbs in the bed? Your looking for a popped bag for sure! When you ise the airbags, your leafsprings are just sitting there looking pretty and thehy do absolutely nothing! If the leafs are being compressed, then you dont have enough air in your bags. Now, you can get away awith a little bit of compression, but it's not good for the bags with that much weight!
Just something to think about. i mean, you only saved $22 going with the 2k bags vs the 5k bags.