Well, it's been just over a year since I upgraded to a 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie from my '07 and after my fiancee ripped out my front air dam at the gun club I've decided it's time to do something about the car-like ride height.

I did some research on the forums and it seemed the best route shy of a full suspension lift was a set of Bilstein 5100s and rear coil spacers. I ordered the front 5100s, 1.5" TGC rear coil spacers and Air Lift 1000 bags. I have a few questions before I get it all put in:

* If I set the Bilsteins at 2.8 with the 1.5" spacers in the rear, will the truck be level or still have rake? I want some rake, so if that will make it level I'll want to set the BLs at 2.1 -- looking for opinions / pics here.

* If I install the rear coil spacers and Air Lift 1000 in the rear at home and then take my super-rake truck to the dealership for the BL install and alignment, will I risk damaging anything or will the truck just look crazy on the way in?

* Will the Air Lift 1000 bags (at any psi) raise the rear when unloaded?

Thanks in advance, my current plan is to install the spacers and air bags Wednesday morning and drop the truck off at the shop Wednesday night to have them install the Bilsteins and do an alignment.

 

with the airbags set at 5psi i dont think you will notice any ride height change, and ive never noticed much feel either. at 35psi i feel like the back sits a little higher, but my truck has a cap and hundred lbs or so of stuff in the back at all times so it is probably sagging slightly normally. that said it will definitly help hold weight much better when you need it to aired up.

their not supposed to raise truck, just help it maintain full ride height.

Ive had firestones in my truck since getting it in 09, and just put airlift in yesterday after being unable to solve leaks on my firestones. there are pros and cons to each brand, havnt seen them both now, but i couldnt get the firestone style connectors to seal up after removing and reinstalling.

as far as the driveability, you will be fine getting to the dealer with the spacers in the back.

i would personally not go with 2.8" based on the issues that the ifs has with the CV shafts... i think 2.1 or below would be best.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't expect the air bags to raise the ride height -- it's not why I'm installing them -- but I wasn't sure if it did in-fact add much to it as I remember having seen .5" somewhere on the Air Lift site. I decided to go with the Air Lift as I liked the idea of a barb on the top of the bag and not just a friction fit like the firestones seem to use. It appears my fears were dignified as I've heard many complain of leaks with the firestone setup.

From measurements I took as it sits, I believe I'd have roughly 1.4" of rake (vs. ~2" stock) with the Bilsteins at 2.1 and the 1.5" rear spacers which should be perfect. I put 2.5" front strut tower spacers on my '07 SLT and they were a nightmare: the ride went to hell, I developed a clunk that the dealership couldn't seem to identify and I threw inner and outer tie rods twice a year.

Unless someone can strongly vouch for the 2.8 setting being stable (on a 2013 particularly) I'll definitely be going with 2.1.

 

the firestone bags to me feel a little more rugged, and the air line material as well, but those fittings do not seem suited to permanant installation under a vehicle, certainly not in the northeast.

the barb looks a little cheaper, but i agree, it is functional and i can replace the lines with any type i want in the future.

in case you hadnt seen it here, a slick way to route the air lines is to drill through the holes for the rear licence plate and stick the air line right through there. then the nutes securing your air line are holding the licence plate, they are protected, and no one will even know they are there.

its a pain to squeeze bags through springs, but do-able. if need be disconnecting the sway bar can give you a little more room to make it easier. just make sure to keep air line away from exhaust.

 

I have the firestone air helper springs on my 2010 1500. They did not raise the truck at all in the rear when not loaded. They work well for levelling the truck when I am loaded with a load of sand or have my travel trailer on behind.