BDS New Product Announcement #249: Air Ride RAM 2500 Lift Kits

PR248

RAM trucks have proven themselves time and time again both on road and off while pushing the envelope on suspension technology. Along with the fully air-ride controlled RAM 1500 and REBEL, RAM also offers the rear air-ride options on the HD platforms to increase payload and ride quality. Joining the existing 4" system for the air ride RAM 1500, BDS Suspension is excited to announce the release of 6" lift options for the RAM 2500 4WD with rear air ride. Available in standard radius arm drop bracket and 4-link conversion setups, these new suspension systems offer improved performance, capability and room for 37" tires under your 2014-2016 RAM 2500 4wd diesel trucks equipped with factory rear air ride. These new lift systems integrate flawlessly to allow full use of the factory rear air ride system to maintain ride height even when carrying heavy loads. See below for more info.

Factory Protection Plus
  • 5-year, 60,000 mile drivetrain Warranty
  • BDS’s exclusive No Fine Print Warranty

Product Description

6" Standard System w/ Rear Air Ride
6" 4-Link System w/ Rear Air Ride

Vehicle Fitment

  • 2014-2016 RAM 2500 4WD Diesel

6" System (rear air ride) Features

  • Available in front radius arm drop bracket or 4-link conversion configurations.
  • Maintains full functionality of air ride system
  • Allows fitment of 37" tires

MSRP

$1918.74  (#1627H)
$2588.12 (#1628H)

Rec'd Max Wheel/Tire Specs

37x13.50 tires on 17x9/18x9/20x9 wheels (5.625" BSing)
37x12.50 tires on 17x9/18x9/20x9 wheels (4.5" BSing)
Other sized may fit, however trimming may be req'd

Available Accessories

#98224752 - FOX 2.0 Shock (single-front-ea)
#98224753 - FOX 2.0 Shock (single-rear-ea)
#122615 - Dual Front Shock Hoop Kit
#98224759 - Dual FOX 2.0 Shock (2 req'd)

#98224018 - FOX 2.0 Single Steering Stabilizer
#55370 - Dual Steering Stabilizer Mounting Kit
#98224016 - Dual FOX 2.0 Stabilizer (2 req'd)

#122314 - Adjustable Front Track Bar
#122609 - Rear Adjustable Track Bar
#102003 - SS Front Brake Lines (pr)
#122405 - Carrier Bearing Drop Kit

Other accessory options available, see website

© BDS Suspension, 491 W. Garfield Ave. Coldwater, MI 49036
(517) 279-2135 | bds-suspension.com | sales-bds@ridefox.com

RAM 2500 w/ rear air ride - 6" BDS Systems: Since 2014 when RAM introduced the optional rear air ride suspension there has been a buzz over how it performs and curiosity about how it will hold up over time.  Both of those questions have been answered with years of use and abuse from truck owners with very few air ride system failures. With that success and the long term testing of new products by the BDS engineering department, we are excited to introduce the newest expansion into the air ride RAM market with new 6" lift options available for the rear air ride equipped RAM 2500 4wd diesel trucks.

Up front BDS Suspension offers (2) versions of this lift kit; the standard and the 4-link conversion. Both use a specially designed pair of progressive rate ProRide front coil springs for optimal performance across any terrain, heavy duty fabricated track bar bracket and forged drop pitman arm to correct steering geometry, extended bump stops and sway bar relocation and brake line relocation brackets to keep the suspension functioning properly. Also standard in the 6" kits a high clearance transmission crossmember and transfer case indexing ring kit are supplied to allow the stock driveshafts to be reinstalled. The standard 6" system retains the factory front radius arms and corrects the suspension geometry by  adding a pair of 1/4" steel frame-mounted drop brackets. The 4-link converts the factory radius arms over to a much stronger 4-link design for improved stability, handling and articulation. The 4-link limits caster change throughout wheel travel for much more predictable driving habits. It uses 1/4" steel brackets that key off the factory radius arm mounts for increased strength and use 2" OD x 3/16"-wall DOM control arms with large 2-1/2" OD polyurethane bushings for smooth, quiet operation. Rounding out the front are your choice of BDS-5500 series hydraulic or FOX 2.0 IFP gas shocks for improved performance.

In the rear both lift kits are designed to work with the factory rear air ride system. 1/4" steel, 5" tall gusseted air bag spacers are used along with a rear track bar bracket to correct axle positioning, extended length sway bar links, and bump stop extensions. BDS supplies new air ride leveling sensor brackets to position the ride height sensors at the stock angle. This allows the rear suspension to be perform just like it does at factory ride height and maintain full air bag range of motion. The rear suspension is rounded out with your choice of BDS-5500 hydraulic, BDS NX2 Nitro or FOX 2.0 performance gas shocks.

Along with these new systems, BDS offers several accessories including shocks and steering stabilizer kits, adjustable track bars, stainless steel brake lines and more. The 6" suspension systems allow for up to 37" tires to be installed. Upgrade your rear air ride equipped RAM 2500 with BDS Suspension.

2014-2016 RAM 2500 w/ Rear Air Ride - Kit Photos

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RAM 2500 w/ Air Ride - 6" 4-Link System
6" Lift Kit - RAM 2500 w/ Rear Air Ride
Rear Air Ride Kit Installed

2014-2016 RAM 2500 w/ Rear Air Ride - Truck Photos

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Air Ride RAM 2500 Lift Kits
RAM 2500
RAM 2500

8 comments

Very cool!
6″ is a bit much for me, though. I don’t suppose you have any 2/3″ options, or feedback on reducing the float I get with rear coils. It’s smooth, for certain, but it feels loose to me.
Actually, I was just looking to do to my new (2016 with air ride) 2500, what a set of bilsteins did for my 2012 without needing any lift, but I’m open minded.

The coil spring rear throws me off; maybe I just need to get used to it. I have been spoiled! (Fords a creek and performs on highway better than most anything on the road, yet feels like a limo (and I can still get it though the parking garage). Or, lets say I COULD do that, with my 2012 plus bils…

At this point we’re only offer the 6″ lift options for the RAM 2500 with rear Air Ride. Additional kit sizes are in the works however company policy dictates we can’t discuss details until we have parts on the shelf ready for sale. As far as the floating feeling you mention, that’s one of the downfalls of the airbag. Running a stiffer gas shock will help, but won’t eliminate it completely. Stay tuned to the BDS website, blog, and social media outlets for future announcements as new kits come available.

I noticed when reviewing the 6″ kits items, the rear blocks for coil rear suspension are 4″ blocks where the air rear suspension are 5″ blocks.

Is this because the factory rake on my truck is less than the coil rear rake?

Our engineers designed the kits to have a level to slightly tail high stance on each model truck. After measuring/testing several trucks we designed the kits for the ideal stance, however cab and bed configuration, aftermarket accessories, etc will effect the final ride height. The standard (coil sprung) rear suspension equipped trucks we don’t offer a rear block/spacer option for the 6″ lift kits. Those kits use a replacement 4.5″ progressive rate coil spring. On the air ride rear suspension equipped RAM 2500 our 6″ kits use a 5″ rear coil spacer.

Hey Scott,
Not sure I understand your question. We already offer the lift kits for the ’14-18 RAM 2500 4WD with rear coil springs as well as the rear air ride with 2″/3″/4″/5.5-6″/8″ lift kits available fore more models

Do you carry a lift kit for a megacab 2016, 3500 model dually with air ride? I want to put 22.5 semi rims on the truck and need a lift to clear.

Hi Authur, unfortunately we don’t have any lift kits available at this point to fit the rear air ride equipped RAM 3500 trucks.

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