Pacbrake RAM 4500/5500 Air Suspension Kit Installation Guide

Pacbrake RAM 4500/5500 Air Suspension Kit

Specifications

• Product: Air Suspension Kit
• Compatible with: RAM 4500/5500 (2WD/4WD) Including Cab & Chassis
• Load-leveling capacity: Up to 7500 lbs
• Application: Ideal for towing/hauling big loads regularly

Product Usage Instructions

• Before starting the installation, it is crucial to read the entire manual to ensure proper installation and avoid any potential risks.
• Never exceed the manufacturer’s recommended Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and maintain a maximum pressure of 100PSI in the air springs to prevent damage to the vehicle and ensure safety.
• Pay close attention to warning icons in the manual that highlight important safety recommendations.
• Always follow safety guidelines to prevent accidents or injuries.
• Additional information provided in the manual can help simplify the installation process.
• Use caution throughout the installation to prevent damage to yourself, your vehicle, or others.
• Proper maintenance of air springs is essential for safe operation.
• Do not inflate unsecured air springs, as it can lead to serious injuries.
• Only qualified service professionals should handle air spring service procedures.
• Ensure correct application information for the vehicle make, model, and year.
• Check for rear wheel brake proportioning valve presence that may affect braking performance.
• Use anti-seize on fasteners to prevent corrosion and ease future removal.

Air Line Cutting

When cutting the nylon air line, use the hose cutter provided in the kit or a sharp utility knife to ensure a clean cut. Distorting the line with scissors or wire cutters can cause leaks and void the warranty.

FAQ

• Q: Can I exceed the load-leveling capacity of 7500 lbs with this kit?
• A: No, it is important never to exceed the load-leveling capacity specified by the manufacturer to ensure safe operation and prevent damage to the vehicle.
• Q: Is it safe to inflate an unsecured air spring?
• A: No, inflating an unsecured air spring can be dangerous and may result in serious personal injury or death. Always secure the air spring before inflating.

AIR SUSPENSION KIT
RAM 4500/5500 (2WD/4WD)* Including Cab & Chassis
Eliminate your vehicle’s sag, sway, and bottoming out while providing added support for an overall smooth and safe ride with this extreme-duty air suspension kit. Rated for up to 7500 lbs of load-leveling capacity +, this kit is ideally suited for those towing/ hauling big loads regularly.

RAM 4500 / 5500 Cab & Chassis (2WD/4WD)

Thank you and congratulations on the purchase of an Air Suspension kit. Please read the entire manual before starting the installation to ensure you can complete it once started.
IMPORTANT
This air suspension kit will not increase the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), as the GVWR is determined by the vehicle manufacturer. Do not exceed the maximum capacity listed by the vehicle manufacturer.
For safe and proper operation of the vehicle, never exceed a maximum of 100PSI in the air springs. Staying under the pressure limit will ensure maximum air spring life. Failure to do so may result in damage to your vehicle and/or a void warranty.

SAFETY WARNINGS!
Please read and abide by the instructions found in this manual, paying close attention to the helpful, cautionary, or dangerous warning icons highlighting important safety recommendations and maintenance suggestions throughout this manual.

HELPFUL INSTALL TIP
Additional information that could potentially make the job a little easier.
PLEASE USE CAUTION
Unsafe practices could result in damage to you your vehicle, or others.
DANGER WARNING
Hazards that could result in severe personal injury or death.

• Serious personal injury or death may result from an air spring failure or accident due to improper installation or air spring pressure operation or maintenance.
• Inflating an unsecured air spring is dangerous. If it bursts, it could be hurled into the air with explosive force resulting in serious personal injury or death. Never inflate an air spring unless it is secured to the vehicle.
• Removing and replacing air springs can be dangerous. This is only a job for a qualified service professional. Never perform air spring service procedures without proper training, tools, and equipment.

BEFORE STARTING THE INSTALLATION

• Ensure the application information is correct for the make, model, and year of the vehicle you are installing the kit on.
• Some vehicles are equipped with a rear wheel brake proportioning valve. Check with the manufacturer before installing the air spring kit, as it may affect braking performance.
• It is recommended to use a good quality anti-seize on all fasteners. This will reduce the chance of corrosion on the fasteners and will help facilitate removal if required at a later date.

PLEASE NOTE: This kit contains push-to-connect fittings; using scissors or wire cutters to cut the nylon air line will distort the line and cause the connection to leak. The air line must be cut off squarely with the hose cutter provided in this kit, or a sharp utility knife. Failure to do so may void the warranty.

WARNING: This product can expose you to the chemical Hexavalent Chromate, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

KIT CONTENTS

Please confirm the items below are provided in your kit before starting the installation. Reference the kit explosion diagram on the following page for part assembly.

HP10438J

KIT LAYOUT

REQUIRED TOOLS

• Hoist or Floor Jack
• Safety Stands
• Safety Glasses
• Torque Wrench
• Standard Combination Wrenches
• 7/32” Hex Allen Wrench
• Ratchet
• Metric & Standard Sockets
• Hose Cutter (included) or Sharp Utility Knife
• Pipe Thread Sealant
• Spray Bottle with Dish Soap/Water
• Air Compressor/Compressed Air Source (to test/fill air springs)

KIT EXPLOSION DIAGRAM

DRIVER SIDE ASSEMBLY SHOWN (Passenger side assembly is mirrored)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

MEASURE STOCK RIDE HEIGHT & CLEARANCE

• Park the vehicle on a level surface and remove any unnecessary weight from the vehicle to attain a “Normal Ride Height”.
• Using a measuring tape, measure the distance between the center of the wheel hub and the bottom of the fender well (see Figure 1A for reference) this will give you your stock Normal Ride Height.
• Note the ride height for all four tires.
• Check the clearance between the outside of the frame and the inside of the rear tires (as shown in red in Figure 1B), a minimum of 5” is required for adequate air spring clearance.

REMOVE REAR WHEELS

• PLEASE NOTE: This step is optional for this installation but will make the installation easier to complete.
• Place wheel chocks in front of and behind both front wheels.
• Raise the rear of the truck high enough to remove both wheels and attain a comfortable working height.
• Place two jack stands under the rear axle (as shown in Figure 1B).
• Lower the vehicle until the axle is supported by the jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels.

REMOVE JOUNCE BUMPER

• Remove the two bolts securing the jounce bumper to the frame.
• Remove the jounce bumpers and discard the bolts as they will not be reused in this installation.

ATTACH THE UPPER FRAME BRACKET

• Fasten the upper frame bracket to the vehicle by inserting two M10 x 1.5 x 35mm hex bolts through the bracket as shown into the holes previously occupied by the jounce bumper hardware.
• Torque the bolts to 40 N•m (30 ft-lbs).
• When installed, the top surface of the bracket will not rest against the bottom surface of the jounce bumper mount.
• This gap is intentional as the jounce bumper mount cannot support the load transferred through the spring.

MARK HOLES FOR UPPER SUPPORT BRACKET

• Place the upper support bracket in position on the vehicle frame (as shown in Figure 5A).
• On the driver’s side, fuel lines will need to be unclipped and moved downwards for proper fitment.
• Two mounting holes must be drilled through the frame in the indicated locations (see Figure 5B).
• On some vehicles, it may be necessary to modify or remove an exhaust hanger mount on the passenger side if there is interference with the support bracket.
• Position the upper support bracket so the upper bracket surface rests flat against the top of the frame channel (as in Figure 5B) and the back surface rests flat against the rear of the frame channel.
• Using the bracket as a template, mark the center points of the mounting holes to be drilled.

IMPORTANT

• The upper support bracket MUST rest flat against the vehicle frame as shown before marking holes to be drilled. Incorrect placement of the bracket may result in kit failure or vehicle damage during use.
• Remove the upper support bracket and drill two 13/32” holes through the frame in the marked positions.
• Use caution to not damage any brake, fuel, or electrical lines during drilling.

ATTACH UPPER SUPPORT BRACKET

• Clear any metal shavings or debris before placing the upper support bracket in the vehicle.
• Line up the holes in the upper support bracket with the drilled holes in the frame and holes in the upper frame bracket.
• Attach the bracket (as shown in Figures 6A and 6B) using (10) 3/8”– 16 x 1.5” bolts, (20) 3/8” flat washers and (10) 3/8” nylon lock nuts.
• Torque the two bolts securing the bracket to the frame first to 54 N•m (40 ft-lbs).
• Torque the remaining eight bolts evenly to 54 N•m (40 ft-lbs).

ASSEMBLE SPRINGS AND UPPER BRACKETS

• Install the air fitting into the port on the top of the air spring. Tighten the fitting finger tight plus an additional 1.5 turns.
• The use of Teflon tape or thread sealant is recommended.
• Insert two 3/8”– 16 x 1.25” carriage bolts through the square holes as shown in Figure 7.
• Carriage bolts must be inserted through the bracket before attaching a bracket to the spring as the roll plate will block the holes.
• Set a roll plate and the upper spring bracket on the top surface of the air spring. Ensure all holes are aligned and install two 3/8”– 24 x 7/8” hex head bolts.
• Torque bolts to 27 N•m (20 ft-lbs).

ASSEMBLE SPRINGS AND LOWER BRACKETS

• Insert two 3/8”– 16 x 7” carriage bolts through the lower brackets.

• Carriage bolts must be inserted through the bracket before attaching a bracket to the spring as the roll plate will block the holes.

• Ensure the bolts are inserted through the correct indicated holes (shown highlighted with the circles in Figure 8A).

• Set a roll plate on the bottom surface of the air spring, followed by the lower bracket assembly.

• Note the orientations of the lower brackets relative to the air inlet port (as shown in Figure 8B) as incorrect bracket orientation will result in installation issues.

• Ensure all holes are aligned and secure with two 3/8” – 24 x 7/8” hex head bolts and two small 3/8” flat washers.

• The final spring assemblies will appear as shown in Figure 8C.

INSTALL SPRING ASSEMBLY

• It may be necessary to raise the frame a few inches to provide adequate clearance for installation.
• Install the spring assemblies into the vehicle (as shown in Figure 9A).
• Insert the two previously installed carriage bolts through the holes in the upper frame bracket and secure the assembly using two more 3/8” – 16 x 1.25” carriage bolts, four 3/8” flat washers, and four 3/8” nylon lock nuts (see Figure 9B on this page and Figure 9C on following page for reference).
• Do not fully tighten the hardware at this time to allow for spring alignment.
• It may also be necessary to remove the emergency brake line from the axle clip if interference occurs with the lower bracket.

INSTALL AXLE STRAP

• Secure the lower bracket to the axle with an axle strap and two 3/8” serrated flange nuts.
• Do not fully tighten the hardware at this time to allow for spring alignment.

ALIGN SPRING ASSEMBLIES
Adjust the upper spring bracket and lower bracket on the axle to best align the air springs (see Figure 11 for reference).
When alignment is achieved, torque hardware is as follows:

• Torque the four 3/8” nylon lock nuts on the upper bracket assembly to 27 N•m (20 ft-lbs).
• Torque the two 3/8” serrated flange nuts on the axle strap to 27 N•m (20 ft-lbs).

INSTALL HEAT SHIELD

• Bend tabs on the heat shield so the required ½” of dead space exists between the heat shield and exhaust when attached.
• Attach the heat shield to the exhaust pipe on the passenger side using two ring clamps (shown in Figure 12).
• Each hose clamp holds a tab against the exhaust pipe.

INSTALL AIR LINE
Two fill valves are provided in this kit. The most common place to install them is in place of the license plate fasteners. Alternatively, two 5/16” holes can be drilled in a location of your choosing.
Cut the air line assembly into two equal lengths with the hose cutter provided in this kit or a sharp utility knife.

PLEASE NOTE: This kit contains push-to-connect fittings; using scissors or wire cutters to cut the nylon air line will distort the line and cause the connection to leak. The airline must be cut off squarely with a hose cutter or a sharp utility knife.

Install one air line at a time starting at the fill valve location. Place a 5 ⁄16” nut on the air valve. Leave enough of the inflation valve in front of the nut to extend through the hole, and install a flat washer, and 5 ⁄16” nut and cap (reference Figure A for assembly). There should be enough valve exposed after installation – approximately ½” – to easily apply a pressure gauge or an air chuck.
Route the air line back to the NPT fitting on the air spring, then cut the hose to length. Moisten the end of the airline before inserting it into the fitting and push it in until it stops.
Repeat with the other fill valve
Secure the airlines using the provided tie-straps, away from any moving items and heat sources.

CHECK SYSTEM FOR LEAKS

• Inflate both air springs to 90 psi (60 psi for in-coil bags), then use a mixture of dish soap and water on all air line connections to detect any air leaks.
• Large, expanding bubbles indicate a leak (as shown in Figure B).

Repair as necessary and retest

• Inflate air springs to a predetermined value and on the following day recheck pressure. If one or both of the air springs have lost pressure, an air leak is present.
• The leak must be repaired and then retested until no leaks exist.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the install

• After Installation continue on the following page.

Thank you again, and congratulations on the installation of your Air Suspension kit.
AFTER COMPLETING THE INSTALLATION

• The air spring must have clearance between itself and the surrounding components to prevent any contact when the spring is inflated or compressed. Trimming off excess bolt length may also be required to ensure no contact with the spring or other suspension components can be made once installed.
• If removed, re-install the wheels and torque fasteners to the manufacturer’s specifications. Re-torque all fasteners after the first 500 miles of driving.

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE WITH AIR SUSPENSION

Air springs have minimum and maximum recommended pressure requirements

Sleeve Style

| STANDARD DUTY|

10 PSI

|

100 PSI

HP10173| STANDARD DUTY
HP10199| STANDARD DUTY
HP10083| Single Convoluted| HEAVY DUTY| 5 PSI| 100 PSI
HP10083J| HEAVY DUTY with JOUNCE BUMPER| 0 PSI / 5 PSI| 100 PSI
HP10000| Double Convoluted| HEAVY DUTY| 5 PSI| 100 PSI
HP10000J| HEAVY DUTY with JOUNCE BUMPER| 0 PSI / 5 PSI| 100 PSI
HP10068| Large Double Convoluted| HEAVY DUTY| 5 PSI| 100 PSI
HP10438| Double Convoluted| EXTREME DUTY| 5 PSI| 100 PSI
HP10438J| EXTREME DUTY with JOUNCE BUMPER| 0 PSI * / 5 PSI| 100 PSI

Springs with a jounce bumper can be run at zero PSI when the vehicle is unloaded only

• For safe and proper operation, never operate the vehicle over the maximum listed PSI in the air springs. Staying under the pressure limit will ensure maximum air spring life. Failure to do so may result in damage to your vehicle and/or a void warranty.
• It is recommended to check the air pressure in your air springs daily for the rst couple of days to ensure a leak has not developed.
• Air springs are designed to maintain the vehicle’s stock ride height with a load. Do not use the air springs as a means to lift a vehicle with no load. This will result in a harsh ride.

SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE WITH AIR SUSPENSION
When lifting the vehicle with a floor jack or hoist on the frame, never allow the air spring to limit the travel of the axle. Try to always jack the vehicle on the axle. Suspending the axle with the air spring limiting the axle travel will damage the air spring and void the air spring warranty.

WARRANTY

• See the additional warranty included with this kit for details.

References

• P65Warnings.ca.gov

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