So I was looking to sell my 3500 for a qc 2500 but with lack of interest in my truck and potentials for layoffs at work, I'm pretty sure the truck will be sticking around for a good while longer. I got my truck for a great deal, but after a year and a half, a dually 1 ton suspension is starting to get old. For the most part, I only haul my truck 5 times a year. In the mean time, there's ALOT of beating i take driving around. In a perfect world, I'd get the 4link w/panhard setup from Air Ride, but with the extensive work and lowering, it's not in my plans.

Kelderman offers the 2 bag setup which replaces the shackles with air bags for the most part. I think it looks pretty stout, but may be missing something. also, they offer it 1600 installed with a schrader fill valve. Later I would add a compressor and tank with remote fill. Below are a few pics, and just want a consensous from those who tow on what they think of this for strength. Also, this setup does not lower, nor raise the truck but maintains the stock ride height, which is fine, because I'm not touching the front end. I think that is smooth enough for my tastes. There is also a class 5 rated hitch built into the system, which was one of my biggest concerns.
http://www.keldermanairride.com/images/products/DSC00537.JPG
http://www.keldermanairride.com/images/products/DSC00541.JPG

I run their older single bag style on m 93, its been on the truck 14 years, with no problems. It rides nice and has hauled many, many loads of 28,000# +, and has 240,000 miles on it. It really changes the ride for the better on my first gen.

I have thier 2 bag kit on the back of my F650 service truck. I was ready to quit my job, because the truck was destroying my back, and the kelderman makes it ride beautifully. Its been on the truck for about 45,000 miles with no problems, at 22,000# across fields, gravel/dirt roads, and farm yards. Neither of these trucks has a air compressor hooked to it, I adjust it, or add air and go.

I would not be scared of a Kelderman kit, they are local to me, about 45 minutes away, and work with a lot of local farmers.

Michael

I wish they made a 4-link setup for the 2nd Gen QC/SB. After looking at pics of their 4-link setup for the 3rd Gen, I don't see why it couldn't be done for the 2nd Gen trucks. Maybe it's just a demand thing.

Thanks Miller. Good to hear of someone using it. The dodge will be going into storage in a few weeks because I can get the explorer then. Come spring, this will be the first things I take care of.

Mechanos, I have no idea. They also don't offer a 4 link for my truck, which I'd prefer.

$1600 INSTALLED ???

I wish someone around here would offer that. The prices I was quoted were $1000 more than that, and that WAS NOT on the 4 link system kelderman has either.

I got the same issue, only tow with the dually maybe 5-7 times a year, and hardly drive it much morE than that. Too hard a ride ad too big when I have 2 other vehicles to choose from.

Did some checking and found out that Kelderman does make a 4-link setup for the 2nd Gen short bed trucks. According to them, the 2-bag setup rides the best, but doesn't add any load capacity. The 4-link rides a little rougher, but still better than stock, has the capability of auto leveling and dramatically increases the load capacity of the truck. It will increase it so much that you can easily overload the axle and tires. They claimed they have some truck with the 4-link setup running around with 7000# pin weights :eek:

There is a big difference in price between the two as well... the 4-link kit is a little more than double the cost of the 2-bag setup.

I would prefer the 4-link system myself, but with what I tow I don't need it and would have a hard time justifying the extra cost.

Wow! 7k pin weight? I'd run that only if i was in say a new c4500 but no thanks in my truck. I'm going to get the 2 bag setup when I get the truck out of storage in a few months. I'm definately looking forward to the smoother ride. The 1000lbs I have back there now just doesnt cut it.

Yeah, I definately don't need that much extra capacity... nor could I even use it with my truck. I just like the whole concept and design of the 4-link a lot more than I do the 2-bag. About the only way I could afford the 4-link would be to design, piece together and build my own since I don't charge myself very much for my time & labor.