For everyone buying a new dodge
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
The big advantage of coil multi-link over old fashioned leaf spring is better handling. Braking is more precise, and power to the road is more instant, instead of having the leaf springs flex slightly before transferring the force to the road. cornering is also better, because as massive as leaf springs can be, they still have some lateral give, and that can contribute to lost traction in more aggressive driving. As for lifting problems, ever see 24" lifts that have suspension swing arms that reach to the center of the truck?
This is merely a sports car trapped in a trucks body, chances are it will give the F150 a run for its money. But I still don't like the center shifter.
This is merely a sports car trapped in a trucks body, chances are it will give the F150 a run for its money. But I still don't like the center shifter.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
There was an episode on "trucks" on spike tv where they switched a suburbans coils for air bags with an aftermarket kit. Lower or raise the truck at the touch of a button.
Originally Posted by BLK94F150
Ditch the leafs and coils. Go airbags. You would never have squat issues and when you open the tailgate, it could dump the bags and make loading/unloading much easier.
Mike
Mike
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
Air bags are what they SHOULD be using. Most HD hauling and dump trucks use them (some even have the cab partially on air). Way better handling, and the possibility of variable ride height; more ground clearance when off road, and run lower to the ground when on the freeway for better MPGs (and cornering). Smoother ride even when empty too, load responsive pressure, its all been done, much better than steel springs could ever be, coil or leaf.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Ever rode in a Mark VII or mark VIII or even a Continental? They ride on air bags, but ain't the best handling cars in the world. Ride smooth though. And The air bags fail after about 10 years and are not cheap to replace. Springs usually last forever.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by LxMan1
Ever rode in a Mark VII or mark VIII or even a Continental? They ride on air bags, but ain't the best handling cars in the world. Ride smooth though. And The air bags fail after about 10 years and are not cheap to replace. Springs usually last forever.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by David85
Air bags are what they SHOULD be using. Most HD hauling and dump trucks use them (some even have the cab partially on air). Way better handling, and the possibility of variable ride height; more ground clearance when off road, and run lower to the ground when on the freeway for better MPGs (and cornering). Smoother ride even when empty too, load responsive pressure, its all been done, much better than steel springs could ever be, coil or leaf.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by David85
The big advantage of coil multi-link over old fashioned leaf spring is better handling. Braking is more precise, and power to the road is more instant, instead of having the leaf springs flex slightly before transferring the force to the road. cornering is also better, because as massive as leaf springs can be, they still have some lateral give, and that can contribute to lost traction in more aggressive driving. As for lifting problems, ever see 24" lifts that have suspension swing arms that reach to the center of the truck?
This is merely a sports car trapped in a trucks body, chances are it will give the F150 a run for its money. But I still don't like the center shifter.
This is merely a sports car trapped in a trucks body, chances are it will give the F150 a run for its money. But I still don't like the center shifter.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
Originally Posted by Jonas1022
Doesn't an engine have to run a pump to keep those up? Couldn't that be counter indicated for economy? Just a thought.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by Monsta
We don't need a GD physics lesson on leaf springs for Pete's sake. Who are you trying to impress?? 
Ever heard of progressive rate coil springs? Guess not... 
They themselves will tell you that they were NOT making the Ram to be the best hauler or tow-er. They are making thier truck for the other "half" who don't need such extreme capabilities. Basically: a truck for people who don't necessarily need a truck most of the time. Nuttin' wrong with that. They have a HUGE market of those people.
Coils will be fine for its intended mission. Do you really think the engineers they hire have not asked and been asked the same questions?
Do you really think they, who teetering on the brink of unemployment, would not put forth their best effort? 
````````````````
LXman...when was the last time you put 6K in the back of an F150??
A snowplow puts more strain & weight on the front than the tongue weight of the largest allowable bumper-pull trailer that a SD can pull. Now dontchya think the engineers at Ford took that into account?
Ever heard of progressive rate coil springs? Guess not... They themselves will tell you that they were NOT making the Ram to be the best hauler or tow-er. They are making thier truck for the other "half" who don't need such extreme capabilities. Basically: a truck for people who don't necessarily need a truck most of the time. Nuttin' wrong with that. They have a HUGE market of those people.
Coils will be fine for its intended mission. Do you really think the engineers they hire have not asked and been asked the same questions?
Do you really think they, who teetering on the brink of unemployment, would not put forth their best effort? ````````````````
LXman...when was the last time you put 6K in the back of an F150??
A snowplow puts more strain & weight on the front than the tongue weight of the largest allowable bumper-pull trailer that a SD can pull. Now dontchya think the engineers at Ford took that into account?
Extreme capabilities? Half tons built in the past twenty years are perfectly capabile of carrying one ton in the bed of the pickup. And giving a good, but not floaty like a limo ride.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by David85
Nope. There is a pump, but once the bags are filled it shuts off. Think of air bags like adjustable springs, except they don't rust. There is also a small air tank on board that is pressurized to a higher value and acts as a reservoir for the system for faster responce time when an increase in height is required.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
Air ride can be problematic, but thats why I mentioned the commercial applications that have become more common in recent years. Highway rigs, dump trucks, and even many of the highway trailers use air bags, but they are designed for long term durability, not a cheap smooth ride like some lighter duty applications. As with any other new idea, it has to be built right, if its not then we end up going back to basics (although simplicity is not always a bad thing).
Annother advantage, is with an in cab gauge, you can actually read how much weight you have on your rig. No doubt that is a big reason why air bags are so popular with many big rigs these days.
Annother advantage, is with an in cab gauge, you can actually read how much weight you have on your rig. No doubt that is a big reason why air bags are so popular with many big rigs these days.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
All the F450 ambulances at work have rear air bag suspension. While the ride is not awesome, it's not meant to be. They are there for dumping the air and lowering the truck so we don't have to lift patients as high to load them into the squad.
It is all powered by a small electric pump that fills a tank and has no problems operating the system. It probably cycles at least 30+ times a day with very few problems. I've only heard of one air bag leaking in our fleet of troublesome 450s.
You guys are comparing new systems to vehicles that are over 20 years old. Newer systems should be able to be abjustable for ride comfort, height for off road or interstate operation, and with big enough air lines, should be able to minimize body roll without swaybars.
Just think how much easier it would be to load heavy crap like a fridge or whatever if when you opened the tailgate, that the truck dropped to the bumpstops.
Mike
It is all powered by a small electric pump that fills a tank and has no problems operating the system. It probably cycles at least 30+ times a day with very few problems. I've only heard of one air bag leaking in our fleet of troublesome 450s.
You guys are comparing new systems to vehicles that are over 20 years old. Newer systems should be able to be abjustable for ride comfort, height for off road or interstate operation, and with big enough air lines, should be able to minimize body roll without swaybars.
Just think how much easier it would be to load heavy crap like a fridge or whatever if when you opened the tailgate, that the truck dropped to the bumpstops.
Mike
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by BLK94F150
All the F450 ambulances at work have rear air bag suspension. While the ride is not awesome, it's not meant to be. They are there for dumping the air and lowering the truck so we don't have to lift patients as high to load them into the squad.
It is all powered by a small electric pump that fills a tank and has no problems operating the system. It probably cycles at least 30+ times a day with very few problems. I've only heard of one air bag leaking in our fleet of troublesome 450s.
You guys are comparing new systems to vehicles that are over 20 years old. Newer systems should be able to be abjustable for ride comfort, height for off road or interstate operation, and with big enough air lines, should be able to minimize body roll without swaybars.
Just think how much easier it would be to load heavy crap like a fridge or whatever if when you opened the tailgate, that the truck dropped to the bumpstops.
Mike
It is all powered by a small electric pump that fills a tank and has no problems operating the system. It probably cycles at least 30+ times a day with very few problems. I've only heard of one air bag leaking in our fleet of troublesome 450s.
You guys are comparing new systems to vehicles that are over 20 years old. Newer systems should be able to be abjustable for ride comfort, height for off road or interstate operation, and with big enough air lines, should be able to minimize body roll without swaybars.
Just think how much easier it would be to load heavy crap like a fridge or whatever if when you opened the tailgate, that the truck dropped to the bumpstops.
Mike