RAM 1500 2009 – Lift Kit + Airbags

AAA Suspension is offering a comprehensive lift package for the RAM 1500, offering everything you need to lift your RAM by 2″, retain that nice soft ride yet still carry the heaviest loads.

We run this in our own Ram and you are welcome to visit and go for a spin. It carries over 800 Kg of steel for brackets almost every day, tows my caravan with ease and runs 37 tyres on factory wheels. For the air bags I have gone with the in cab compressor that can pump tyres and is operated by a remote control.

Features:

• AAA Suspension airbag kit.
• AAA Suspension front upper control arms.
• AAA Suspension 2″ front coils.
• Front shock absorber struts – brand options.
• AAA Suspension 2″ rear coils.
• Rear shock absorbers – brand options.
• In Cab Kit options for the air bags
  • No in cab kit
  • Small Compressor
  • Large Compressor (suitable for tyres)
  • Remote Control

We own a 2021 DS 1500 Ram and with over 100,000 klm on the clock we can all talk openly and drop the sales pitch. It’s a great small truck, I love the V8 and dont give two hoots over the fuel economy. We haven’t had any issues except the roof leaked around the brake light and we have a water line on the roof liner. It is remarkably comfortable but was lousy at carrying a load in fact quite a let down (pun intended) for a big ute. When we fitted the bull bar the front sagged so much the factory tyres rubbed on full lock – we hadn’t even fitted the winch. We feel the Ram’s factory suspension is not up to the task and they should have been sold taller and heavier duty.

AAA Coil Springs

At 2″ we are not talking sky scraper and we are barely compromising anything. The sway bars still mount the same, the CV joints are fine, no diff drop or brake line mods needed and the wheels still align perfectly. It rides great, looks big but without the grief of going too tall.

These are our own AAA brand – we had them made specifically for us. With the bull bar fitted and no load in the rear the vehicle sits level at 2″ taller than factory without assistance from the air bags.

The rear coils are softer yet heavy enough to still lift an empty tub by 2″. They are soft because they are partnered with our air bag kit which does the heavy lifting. When unloaded let the air out of the bags and it’s back to soft and level. Note there is no bump stop effect with empty air bags – the 2″ lift solves that issue.

 

AAA Upper Control Arms

The AAA Upper Control Arms are our own brand – we had them made specifically for us. These reposition the top suspension mounts so at 2″ lift the front wheels stand straight and alignment is achievable. They are heavier than standard.

 

 

 

 

 

Shock Absorbers and Struts

We present you with a choice of Pedders or Dobinsons and both at the same price. When you check out you get to choose the brand of shock. All options are great and specifically designed for the 2″ lift. They address that porpoise bounce experienced when towing vans on terrible roads and handle corrugations with more comfort and less fade.

• Dobinsons

 

Dobinson’s IMS monotube shock absorbers are designed for next level performance over Twin Tube shocks in those hot, harsh, demanding conditions.

By utilising the monotube design, Dobinson’s IMS shock absorbers are able to resist fade far longer on corrugated roads, long or hard working 4WD trips, towing or racing conditions.

 

 

 

• Pedders

 

Pedders Foam Cell Shock Absorbers feature an extra-large bore and piston design. This enhanced design improves off-road performance and provides a smoother ride over rough terrain. The Foam Cell technology virtually eliminates shock fade by avoiding the mixing of the oil and air which ensures optimum damping control in all conditions and enhanced temperature control.

A redeeming feature of Pedders is their Nationwide Warranty – you can call into say the Alice Springs store mid way through a trip and get a shock replaced if the need arises.

 

 

AAA Air Bag Kit 

This is our own proven AAA coil assist kit. Because of the 2″ lift this variant features our taller triple convoluted bag. They sit beside the coil replacing the factory bump stop. They are not inside the coil so there is no rubbing so we stand by our 10 year replacement warranty even against leaks. Capable of lifting the heaviest loads just add more air to retain the normal running height – we run about 35 psi when we have 800Kg of steel in the back. And then when unloaded you can run them totally flat and it’s like they are not there at all but we prefer about 5 psi as they do assist the sway bay with less body lean and offer a cushioned bump stop.

In Cab Kit options

The only thing better than having air bags in the back is the ability to inflate or deflate on the fly even while driving. We offer the following options – all use our own AAA compressors, valve bodies and components and we use one of the foot storage lockers under the rear passenger feet.

• No In Cab – Save money and not have in cab kit – In basic form each bag has a schrader (tyre) valve for manual inflation
• Small In Cab – Budget priced In Cab with our small compressor – easy to fit and perfect for bags with full inflation time in about 20 seconds. Will pump tyres but will take too long. Has on/off switch,  up/down toggle switch per bag and LED gauge.
• Large In Cab – Premium kit with our large compressor perfect for pumping tyres quickly and bag inflation time is 3-5 seconds. Has on/off switch,  up/down toggle switch per bag and LED gauge. Note we do not offer a tank option as the inflation is too fast and hard to go up by small increments.
• Remote Control – In either the Small or Large In Cab options you have a further option of remote control. Not only can you adjust the bags while driving with the remote but you can stand at the rear of the car hooking up a trailer and have the remote in your pocket. Or imagine  having a roof top tent and being able to adjust the lean from your sleeping bag. We can either substitute the up/down switches and gauge for a remote at no charge or you can have the lot.

We ship this all over the world and can be fitted by anyone with a mechanical aptitude. No special tools required other than a spring compressor for the fronts. Without in cab the fitting time is about 4 hours. Fitting times for in cab can vary greatly depending upon where and how you want things done.

Some of the pics attached are of our Ram towing a 24′ van along the Birsdville Track with this suspension kit – those tyres are 34″. The same suspension is still in the car and still good enough for you to test drive. We are running the Dobinson shocks. We have since fitted 37″ tyres and to retain the factory wheels removed the front sway bar. You can retain the sway bars running 37″ tyres if you go to wider off set wheels.

So there you have it – this is a perfect and affordable solution for an obvious shortfall in our big girls.