As you read on pages 118-126 of issue 7, we installed a Ride Tech Level 1 air suspension on our custom ’09 Dodge Ram. At the time of print, we hadn’t decrypted the data (what can I say, we work on Macs), but we were able to crack the PC code and now have substantial data to provide you. Airbags can make your truck handle better, as our test shows. Granted, we were comparing a 2WD to a 4WD, but the suspensions are the same and at the time, the custom ’09 Ram was still using the factory sway bars.
Custom ’09 Dodge Ram 5.7L Hemi Crew Cab 2WD (Truckin’)
Nitto 305/30R26 NT420S
MHT Illusion 26x10-inch wheels
Ride Tech Level 1air suspension with PRO E3 suspension leveling system
Lateral slalom speed= 55 mph
Lateral slalom g-load= 1.0g
Versus
Stock ’09 Dodge Ram Laramie 5.7L Hemi Crew Cab 4x4 (factory long-term test vehicle)
Stock ’09 Dodge Ram 5.7L Laramie Crew Cab 4X4
Lateral slalom speed= 50.27 mph
Lateral slalom g-load= .85g
Our 0-60, ¼-mile, times and speed along with lateral speed and lateral-g load testing was recorded using the Racepak G2X data acquisition system