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Call or Text (352) 722-5295Air springs on the 1989-1993 RAM 5.9L Cummins
The first-gen Cummins was a working truck from day one. Dodge offered it on D250, D350, W250 and W350 pickups and on pickup-based chassis-cab trucks above 8,500 lb GVWR, and its 400 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm is why buyers chose it to tow. Tow-spec trucks were documented with factory overload leaf springs. Owners who load these trucks hard add air on top of that: a documented W350 tow rig runs rear air bags, and a D350 air-ride build uses Firestone 7 in, 125 psi bags fed by dual Viair compressors. For engine parts, see our Cummins collection.
How the pieces work together
An air spring system splits into four jobs. The bags carry the load, a compressor fills them, a tank stores air for quicker adjustments, and a controller sets the pressure. Air Lift sells those jobs as separate parts, so you can build a system in stages.
- Controllers. The Single Load Controller II runs both bags together on one circuit. The Heavy Duty Dual Load Controller lets you set each side on its own, which helps when the load sits off-center.
- Compressor systems. WirelessONE and WirelessAIR systems add on-board air with wireless control, and both come in EZ Mount versions.
- Tanks and service parts. The WirelessOne tank upgrade kit, the WirelessOne tank with EZ Mount and the WirelessAIR tank with EZ Mount add storage, and the 16192 is a replacement on-board compressor.
- Bag hardware. The LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus stainless steel upgrade and 2 in air spring spacers go with the bags themselves.
What air does not fix
Leveling the truck does not change what a heavy trailer does to the driveline. On first-gens, towing heat is documented to kill the G360 manual's input bearing and to overheat the A518 automatic. Listen for whine from a manual and watch for slipping or burnt fluid from an automatic after long tows. Non-intercooled trucks built before mid-1991 also run higher EGT when towing. An auxiliary transmission cooler, which some tow-spec trucks had from the factory, belongs on the same list as the air springs.
Overload springs vs. air springs
Factory overload leaf springs add support that is always there, loaded or empty. Air helper springs let you add support when the trailer or load is on and back it off when it is not. For a truck that tows some weekends and runs empty the rest, that adjustability is the reason to go air. For a truck that stays loaded, an air system still lets you trim ride height to the load.
What we carry
Everything here comes from Air Lift: the Single Load Controller II, the Heavy Duty Dual Load Controller, WirelessONE compressor systems in standard and EZ Mount form, the WirelessAIR compressor system with EZ Mount, the WirelessOne tank upgrade kit, the WirelessOne and WirelessAIR tanks with EZ Mount, the 16192 replacement on-board compressor, the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus stainless steel upgrade and 2 in air spring spacers.
Fitment notes
Like hitch fitment, air spring fitment on a first-gen follows the chassis, not the engine. Know whether you have a 2WD D-series or 4WD W-series truck, single rear wheels or a dually, and a 250 or 350 frame; 250 Cummins trucks built from mid-1991 ride on the one-ton frame. The controllers, compressors and tanks here connect to the air springs you run. The spacers and the LoadLifter 5000 stainless upgrade belong with a matching Air Lift kit, so check part numbers against what is on your truck. Verify by VIN, or call us and we will sort it out.
Frequently asked questions
Do these parts work with the air bags already on my truck?
That is what most of them are for. The controllers, compressor systems, tanks and replacement compressor add on-board air and control to air springs you already run. The LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus stainless upgrade and the spacers go with a matching Air Lift kit, so check part numbers before you order.
Single or dual load controller?
The Single Load Controller II sets both bags together. The Heavy Duty Dual Load Controller sets each side separately, which is useful when your load sits off-center or one side carries more weight. If you only ever pull the same balanced trailer, single control is simpler.
Will air bags help my transmission when I tow?
No. Air springs level and support the truck, but towing heat is still what kills the G360 input bearing and overheats the A518 on first-gens. An auxiliary transmission cooler is the documented fix for that, and some tow-spec trucks had one from the factory.
What air setups have first-gen owners run?
A documented 1992 W350 dually tow rig runs rear air bags alongside a gooseneck and an electric brake controller. A D350 air-ride build uses Firestone 7 in, 125 psi bags with dual Viair compressors. Both show on-board air working on this chassis.
Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.