bought the Airlift 1000 for my 2012 ram 1500, has anyone installed these and if so any tips to getting them into the springs?
does the truck has to be on a lift or can i slip these these in with the wheels on the ground?
any other tips?
thanks

 

I did it both ways. Once with the springs installed once with removing them. If you do it with the springs still on, jack up the truck by the frame until the spring is stretched out completely and the tire just comes off the ground. Squeeze the airbag flat and put the little cap on the nozzle so it stays that way. Feed it into the spring from the bottom and push it in with a piece of wood or plastic but do not use a screwdriver or anything sharp.

If I do it again, I'd remove the spring. Hell, even air-lift's instructions have changed to say that.

 

what I did , take the wheels off and lower the axle and stretch the spring
next get the air out and then use zip ties and squeeze it like a hot dog
worked good

 

Actually, the instructions have changed to reflect the smaller spacer and taller bag being used. My first set (circa 08/09) included a larger spacer that would not fit between the coils of the leaf spring but the replacement bags (2013) were taller with a slimmer spacer that could fit between the coils.
IMHO, squeezing the the bags between the coils is much easier. The most difficult part of my project was getting the old, compressed spacer out of the coils. I ended up having to cut them in half with a sawzaw.

 

LOL....Funny you should say that. The set I installed in 2012 had instructions on rolling it into a hot-dog and stuffing it in. I had to purchase a replacement bag in 2013 and those instructions said to remove the spring. Air-lifts website says to remove the spring as well. Great company. I received my 1st kit directly from them in Lansing and toured the plant. Great people. They told me you can stuff it in there but they have more returns from that method because people kept puncturing them with a screwdriver or something. Just be careful and do not use anything sharp. I used wood that was sanded down smooth.

 

I use Timbrens.. no air bags. Tow a 5th wheel approx. 1200lbs on the hitch. works very well.