Replacement shock absorbers on a 4-corner air-suspension Ram.

[CalvinC]

The pressure inside the shock is vastly higher than in the airbag, probably between 150-250 psi.

 

[Alan torchia]

I completed the swap, new Rebel/Bilstein dampers installed INSIDE the original factory airbags. It went much better than I pessimistically feared. View attachment 180391View attachment 180390
It appears that the Rebel shock extends another half inch in rebound.

Airbag disassembly requires patients and finesse. But it can be done without any beating and banging.
View attachment 180392View attachment 180393View attachment 180394
Many more insights to share if anyone is interested.

I need to do this as my current one is leaking, what additional parts do i need like new clamps or seals or anything?

 

[rkjunior]

My 19 Rebel with Air Ride is just past 92k and it feels like its bouncing all over the place, so I think I'm due for some replacements. Read through the entire thread -- Are these the two go-tos?

Rear: 24-228848
Front: P68323489AD

@OCD Solutions - How is your truck going? You mentioned maybe a concern with that sharp lip. Any issues? Any more details on removing the old shock from the front bag? A step-by-step would be amazing! haha

 

[rkjunior]

Anyone know what the difference is on these full assemblies? They all say they fit my 2019 RAM but one is $1200 (which looks like it has the Bilstein installed) and then another half the price (which is still available on other sites) but the strut looks different?

 

[OCD Solutions]

Zero complaints on my end so I'm still more than happy with my swap. I can't see the sharp end making any difference since that shock is an OEM option for the Rebels.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Will these work on air ride?

 

[OCD Solutions]

I went with the 4600 series but the part I purchased and have been running now for 20k miles or more, (said the same thing about not working with air suspension), has been working just fine. There might be some sort of subtle valving difference but I can't tell the difference if there is. I've been tempted to order the correct ones just to see if the difference would be noticeable.

My thought is the air ride shocks must have some sort of balancing circuit where they shift fluid from one side of the plunger to the other to balance out for ride height. Basis for this thinking is that when you remove a shock, they typically want to extend to their max. Several people have now commented that when they removed the shocks from an air ride suspension, the shocks want to retract to a spot 2-4" from full extension. But, a couple days later, they are at full extension and react as expected.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

I went with the 4600 series but the part I purchased and have been running now for 20k miles or more, (said the same thing about not working with air suspension), has been working just fine. There might be some sort of subtle valving difference but I can't tell the difference if there is. I've been tempted to order the correct ones just to see if the difference would be noticeable.

My thought is the air ride shocks must have some sort of balancing circuit where they shift fluid from one side of the plunger to the other to balance out for ride height. Basis for this thinking is that when you remove a shock, they typically want to extend to their max. Several people have now commented that when they removed the shocks from an air ride suspension, the shocks want to retract to a spot 2-4" from full extension. But, a couple days later, they are at full extension and react as expected.

Ok I’ll see if I can get them to work. I know the 5100 is more “aggressive “ over the other and more compatible with lift and larger tires which I am running both of those. (35’s and level links 4 corners)

 

[rkjunior]

Anyone have any ideas what these rear OEM Bilsteins are with the reservoir? They come up when you look for OEM rear suspension (in this case) for my Rebel.

 

[rkjunior]

For you 5100 guys, person on the diesel forum figured out how to machine the 5100 to work in the airbag

Air Ride Front Shock Upgrade

www.ram1500diesel.com

 

[OCD Solutions]

Nice find!
Looks like I need to write some code for my CNC lathe and spit out a bunch of those collars.

 

[rkjunior]

Also contains some more photos and additional write up of disassembly for the airbag

 

[khrizkarranza12]

I’m new on here, and I want to do the oem strut(68323489AD) swap for the front air suspension. I have read the entire thread maybe I missed it, but when installing the air bag assembly back together into the truck, do I need to recharge the air system with nitrogen? Or is it just as simple as connecting the bags and letting the truck fill them up with air?

I don’t know if I’m overthinking it, because I have never heard of nitrogen going back into an air system suspension. But just want to make sure I don’t ruin my air suspension.

Thank you everyone for this information, very informative, good to know there’s DIY-ers around.

 

[Wnghks701]

I’m new on here, and I want to do the oem strut(68323489AD) swap for the front air suspension. I have read the entire thread maybe I missed it, but when installing the air bag assembly back together into the truck, do I need to recharge the air system with nitrogen? Or is it just as simple as connecting the bags and letting the truck fill them up with air?

I don’t know if I’m overthinking it, because I have never heard of nitrogen going back into an air system suspension. But just want to make sure I don’t ruin my air suspension.

Thank you everyone for this information, very informative, good to know there’s DIY-ers around.

I think someone here said up to 5 times of disconnecting is okay. You should put it on exit mode to conserve as much as you can though.