1.  McGaughys Suspension Parts’ new airbag spring helper kit for the 2002-’05 2WD and 4WD Dodge Ram 1500-series regular and Quad Cab models will not only work with any McGaughys suspension drop kit, but it will also interface with any other manufacturers’ kits. McGaughys uses a pair of top-quality Firestone tapered airbags (90 psi) along with a pair of CNC laser-formed, welded and powdercoated upper and lower mounting brackets, along with all the necessary mounting bolts, 18 feet of air line and a T-fitting and Schrader valve assembly. The kit lists for $289.95, FOB Fresno, California.

2. Engineer Steve McGaughy begins by first removing the rear wheels and tires from this modified 2WD Dodge Ram 1500-series Quad Cab, which has already been equipped with a McGaughys 4-/6-inch deluxe drop kit.

3. Here’s a closer look at the Dodge’s 6-inch drop, clearly showing that the rear framerails have been C-notched, so hauling anything with substantial weight is a dicey proposition.

4. The first order of business is to bolt up the Firestone tapered-sleeve airbag to McGaughys spring mounting bracket. Note that these brackets feature an adjustment slot. A 3/8-inch bolt and a little Loctite are used to secure the airbag in place.

5-6. Next comes the installation of the upper airbag mounting bracket, which butts up to the existing McGaughys C-notch plate on the Dodge’s rear framerails. It is initially secured using a factory hole on the lower framerail with a 1/2-inch bolt.

7-8. With the bracket securely in place, our installer uses a 1/2-inch drill to bore a series of four holes in the frame. Then four 1/2-x3-1/2-inch bolts are used to final fit the bracket.

9. With that done, installer McGaughy uses a 21mm socket to remove the Dodge’s spring shackle plate and 21mm nuts.

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10. The McGaughys airbag and spring mounting bracket are placed between the axle and the spring. At this juncture, you can adjust the Firestone tapered-sleeve airbag on the spring bracket for optimum effectiveness. 11-12. With that done, McGaughy reinstalls the spring shackle U-bolts and plate and final tightens the 22mm retaining nuts.13-14. Next comes the installation of the Firestone tapered-sleeve airbag to the upper bracket using a pair of 3/8-inch bolts.