what he said

 

Anyone ask ''Jungle'' if he is interested?

 

I disagree. I too have Keldermans on all four corners and the truck still rides like a hay wagon. I suspect a far better method of improving one's ride is to install a modern set of leaf springs designed to have minimal friction as they flex and slide on one another.

The major benefit I enjoy from having Kelderman's in the rear is the ability to load the bed with two tons of rip rap and simply air up the rear bags and make the truck appear legal. But if I had it to do over I wouldn't bother with Kelderman's in the front.

 

Hmmm, im unsure what to do now.

 

From my research and 1st hand experience with the load carrying type air bag kits for the rear. I believe that for a nice ride the larger the diameter bag you can use the better the ride will be.

That is how the kits can "carry" 5000lbs. Most the bags I've seen are rated for 100psi max. And I think they are 6" diameter. So 3.14*r^2=28sqinx100psi= ~2500lbs each. So 5000lbs for a set. But they ride rough.

Also the style of bag will affect ride also, look at the semi bags where the bag "folds" up and down on on that cone shaped deal as it goes up and down. That is the style to use to get a better ride.

this style of bag has a name and I just can't remember right now.

 

Sorry to rain on the parade. But before you spend the money understand that air bags won't make it ride like a Cadillac. Note also that Jeff Kelderman told me that approximately 2/3 of ride quality is dependent on rear suspension as opposed to front suspension -- so focus on the rear first.

Jim Lane did a wonderful thread on upgrading the leaf springs; you can find it in the Sticky. If I had it to do over, the first thing I would try is upgrading the rear leaf springs -- see how it rides and go from there.

 

I need to replace thee front springs so i decided i might aswell do all four, might go alcan all around.

 

I think they are called "rolling lobe" air bags or air springs.

 

That is true. But, if you raise the plow and let the bags fill will the weight on them, but then have a ball or needle valve to block the incoming air between the air ride control valve and bags. That way the air in the bags won't be exhausted. However, you WILL most likely need limit straps so the bags won't be over-extended once the plow is dropped quickly.

 

There's a decent picture of the Keldermann front setup.

I disagree wholeheartedly with the person above who said it doesn't change the ride much. It doesn't make it ride like a Cadillac or anything, but going from an airbagged truck to a non-airbagged truck is a BIG difference. My only complaint is it tends to be a little bouncier than I'd like sometimes.

 

Dang, wish they still made them...

 

Kelderman setup? Looks like they still do for the 4x4:

http://www.keldermanmfg.com/productd...hp?id=93DDGFRT

 

Cool! But dang, $1,100!

 

Yup, the rear setup is $1375!!

 

you know ... looking at the Kelderman kit, there isn't a of a lot of different between the Kelderman kit and a Firestone Ride-Rite kit for the rear of the truck ...

Yes, the brackets mount to sandwich the leaf spring, as long as it has clearance to the shock, all you have to do is flip over the stock leafs like you would for Kelderman.

Thoughts?