[nuljas23]

For some reason the search function hasn’t worked on this site for me in a few days so I guess I have to start a thread.

I’m looking at an 18 longhorn dually that has most of the options I want but has the rear auto level air suspension that I don’t really need or want but it’s there.

When unloaded does the rear sit the same height as the leaf spring 3500s?

Does it ride better unloaded then the leaf spring trucks?

Is there any way to lift the rear 1” or so or is it a completely different setup that won’t work with aftermarket rear lifts? I have a set of DOR long arms for my 16 that I’d like to put on the new truck with 3” springs and lift the rear 1” to keep things level

 

[PFD66]

The air ride sits a bit lower than leaf spring measured at the rear bumper, unloaded.

 

[Gary Morency]

There is still a good set of leafs to go along with the airbags but I think it rides a little better unloaded than my last only spring truck. You will like the way it keeps you level with a load on just remember there are no rancho shocks for that system but I heard Hellwig has a swaybar for it.

 

[nuljas23]

I don’t tow a whole lot, my mini excavator once in a while at about 14k combined with a gooseneck. My 16 is leveled on 35s and I never had any complaints about it squatting a little that’s why I don’t want the auto level system, just more things to go wrong down the road out of warranty.

Has anyone figured out a way to trick the system when unloaded to raise it up a bit? There was talk a while back about that but I can’t search the site.

 

[Radride]

A factory rear air truck sits almost completely level from the factory as compared to the leaf spring brother that has a huge rake.

R.K.

 

[nuljas23]

A factory rear air truck sits almost completely level from the factory as compared to the leaf spring brother that has a huge rake.

R.K.

Makes sense. Doesn’t sound like the truck for me then

 

[Radride]

Makes sense. Doesn’t sound like the truck for me then

You wanted a level truck but not from the factory? You would rather spend money to level the truck after and not purchase the truck that has rear air so that when you're towing a trailer, you'll be shining the sky instead of the road??? What am I missing here.

R.K.

 

[nuljas23]

You wanted a level truck but not from the factory? You would rather spend money to level the truck after and not purchase the truck that has rear air so that when you're towing a trailer, you'll be shining the sky instead of the road??? What am I missing here.

R.K.

I don’t tow often enough to justify the factory air ride, I’d rather have a taller truck as I have to drive a lot of very rough right of ways for work. I could definitely get away with another single wheel truck but have decided I’m getting a dually this go around. My current truck leveled does just fine towing what I tow so I’m not concerned about it

 

[groove76]

i have a factory air 17 3500. Not much (if any) support for lifting the rear of these rigs. I've had a quick look at the setup and think it would be pretty easy to get 2-3" out of the back with a block and bag spacer. I came across a guy in town that had made up a similar setup without issue. I'll probably tackle it in springtime.
As far as ride goes, I think its great. Defiantly no worse than a spring only truck.

 

[lpennock]

Blocks, air bag spacers and extended links for the height sensors. Not rocket science.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[nuljas23]

Blocks, air bag spacers and extended links for the height sensors. Not rocket science.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

I’ve never even put eyes on the system so I don’t know exactly how it’s setup. Would raising it somehow mess with the auto leveling portion of it?

 

[Minnow101]

I don’t tow often enough to justify the factory air ride, I’d rather have a taller truck as I have to drive a lot of very rough right of ways for work. I could definitely get away with another single wheel truck but have decided I’m getting a dually this go around. My current truck leveled does just fine towing what I tow so I’m not concerned about it

You want a dually for off roading ???? Wider and less traction - seems the perfect combination for running right of way's.

 

[nuljas23]

You want a dually for off roading ???? Wider and less traction - seems the perfect combination for running right of way's.

It’ll be fine, nearly every truck out there is a dually. I don’t know why everyone is concerned with what I want to use my truck for that’s not what I’m on here asking about

 

[Lins]

You want a dually for off roading ???? Wider and less traction - seems the perfect combination for running right of way's.

I don’t know why everyone is concerned with what I want to use my truck for that’s not what I’m on here asking about

Im pretty sure it’s the first rule of any forum...

There are a few lift kits for the 2500s with rear air, I’m sure there will be some shortly for the 3500s if there aren’t any already.

 

[Minnow101]

It’ll be fine, nearly every truck out there is a dually. I don’t know why everyone is concerned with what I want to use my truck for that’s not what I’m on here asking about

Maybe it's because you seem to overly concerned about a suspension system that will work perfectly and yet your spec'ing out a truck that many would think is hardly suitable for off-roading.

 

[nuljas23]

Maybe it's because you seem to overly concerned about a suspension system that will work perfectly and yet your spec'ing out a truck that many would think is hardly suitable for off-roading.

It’s main purpose isn’t off-roading, I know the conditions of my work and the capabilities of dually and single wheel trucks. I’m not one bit concerned about taking a dually where I need to go guys do it every day.

If you’re fine with how an auto air truck is setup from the factory then that’s fine, I personally want a taller truck.

 

[nuljas23]

Im pretty sure it’s the first rule of any forum...

There are a few lift kits for the 2500s with rear air, I’m sure there will be some shortly for the 3500s if there aren’t any already.

Haha how bout it.

The 3500 rear air has been out for a while now but maybe something will come out. But if guys are getting 2-3” out of it with a little enginuity then I can make something happen

 

[Jimmy N.]

But if guys are getting 2-3” out of it with a little enginuity then I can make something happen

Yes, you should be able to. It doesn't exactly require ingenuity to lift a leaf sprung rear axle.
Modifying the air suspension to match would also be quite simple.

But since it seems that you don't want the air suspension, why not remove it and install leaf springs of your liking?

 

[nuljas23]

Yes, you should be able to. It doesn't exactly require ingenuity to lift a leaf sprung rear axle.
Modifying the air suspension to match would also be quite simple.

But since it seems that you don't want the air suspension, why not remove it and install leaf springs of your liking?

That crossed my mind but I didn’t know if regular 3500 leaf springs would be a direct swap, it’d be a shame to gut that system out of the truck but is a definite option if the attachment points are all the same

 

[Jimmy N.]

That crossed my mind but I didn’t know if regular 3500 leaf springs would be a direct swap, it’d be a shame to gut that system out of the truck but is a definite option if the attachment points are all the same

They probably are, but if not, there are still shops that build leaf packs to your liking.
And yes, it would be a shame to remove the air springs.