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Old 10-22-2016, 08:17 PM   #1
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Road Master Active Suspension...?

I want to beef up the drop on my rear end and have been looking at the RAS suspension. Does anyone have this and are happy with the results? I have seen some good YouTube videos that say it works great when its loaded and not. Is this true?

Thanks for the feedback!
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:39 AM   #2
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Let me preface this with my DW LOVES to sleep while we travel. The first couple of trips out with our previous Tundra/WH combo, there was enough "bounce" that she couldn't sleep and was extremely uncomfortable. First trip out after installing the RAS, she was asleep within 10 miles - IMHO, it paid for itself that trip. I didn't notice any change in the unloaded ride.

Had to go with air bags over RAS on my current truck as the RAS doesn't work with coil springs.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:33 AM   #3
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I am happy with the RAS on my F150 - It did help with the porpoising I was experiencing without it. I have a more stable tow experience now. It definitely helped while unloaded or not towing as well. It completely eliminated rear wheel hop when not towing. I was considering air bags but have decided to leave well enough alone with the RAS.
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:59 AM   #4
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I researched rear end suspension help heavily and ultimately chose RAS for my application. The 157in wheelbase on the F-150 has certain axle and drive line characteristics that are improved with this modification.

It will improve body roll significantly when driving unloaded as well. My truck corners fantastic even with my small lift and bigger tires. It will reduce rear end sag to a certain extent, but this does not give you the green light to overload your truck. RAS will reduce rear end suspension oscillations when towing as was stated above.

All in all a great choice. If you go this route, you will need to re-tension the springs a couple times as they stretch a bit while they break in. I have mine set to the black disc setting which is the more aggressive setting. The nice part about this system is you can set it, and forget it.
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Old 10-23-2016, 03:33 PM   #5
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A few years ago I installed the RAS, I noticed a major distance as soon as I was driving home from the shop. Body roll in the turns was gone . The tow experience also was improved. For the cost it was the best upgrade I did.
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:51 PM   #6
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My friend had RAS in his Nissan before he bought a Ram 3/4 ton truck. He loved it. I used airbags in my Tundra before I bought a Cummins Ram. Both products worked, they just perform in different ways.

I don't think you can go wrong with the RAS.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:36 PM   #7
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Thanks for all your thoughts...I have it on order from E-trailer for $429 can't wait to install them. Looks pretty easy to install.
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:27 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dropnaduece View Post
I want to beef up the drop on my rear end and have been looking at the RAS suspension. Does anyone have this and are happy with the results? I have seen some good YouTube videos that say it works great when its loaded and not. Is this true?

Thanks for the feedback!
I had this on my 2013 F150, it was definitely worth the money. I could tell differences when unloaded and going around curves on the highway, truck felt much more stable.

When towing, the truck handled the trailer better and the ride in the truck was better.

For the money and ease of installation, this is a easy win.
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:29 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Dropnaduece View Post
Thanks for all your thoughts...I have it on order from E-trailer for $429 can't wait to install them. Looks pretty easy to install.
You won't regret it and yes, it's a VERY easy install...
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Old 10-23-2016, 09:24 PM   #10
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I've had 2 sets of RAS and thought they were well worth the money. A 3 ton floor jack will make installation MUCH easier. Also like the more aggressive look to the truck....it will raise the rear a couple of inches. I had to alter my WD hitch afterwards.
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Old 10-23-2016, 09:34 PM   #11
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So I should use the black shim setting? I was wondering about the WDH so I will need to readjust it for less drop.
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Old 10-24-2016, 04:38 AM   #12
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I use the Black setting. I saw less than a quarter inch of additional rear lift after installing RAS. It didn't change any of my WDH settings.
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Old 10-24-2016, 04:46 AM   #13
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I use the Black setting. I saw less than a quarter inch of additional rear lift after installing RAS. It didn't change any of my WDH settings.
X2
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Old 10-24-2016, 08:40 AM   #14
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OP already has it on order, but I'll throw in a couple pennies anyway.

I installed RAS on my GMC 1500 when I still had it, and I would do it again. It did exactly what I wanted it to do for towing. The tow was more stable and the rear-end sag was decreased. The porpoising (which really wasn't all that bad to begin with) was all but eliminated. Load handling (other than towing) was significantly improved.

My favorite part of the mod though was the unladen handling change. The truck handled SO MUCH better. Body roll was significantly decreased, which made the truck corner A LOT better. And the truck still rode smooth after. The truck just seemed to "stick" better all around.

If anyone out there is still looking at adding RAS, I would recommend it. It's a little pricey, but installation is super easy. I just wish I had taken it off before I traded the truck; I would have sold it to someone who could use it.
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Old 11-08-2016, 05:39 PM   #15
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One more question:

I have installed the RAS and it raised the back 1" on the already f150 take that comes stock. So now it sits pretty high and I don't want to put spacers onthe front due to the bad stories I have read on the f150 forums. It's not good to do a spacer but people do it strictly for looks knowing it slowly cause internal damage to parts that are being stretched to there max from the spacer. Plus it takes about 2 miles per gallon away. Has anyone ever removed the rear blocks to bring it back down to the factory rake? I have read a few people doing it with no problems but wanted this see if anyone here has dealt with this issue. Using the white spacer brings it up the 1" and going to the black spacer on the springs really doesn't add anymore other than a stronger resistance for towing. Also having the RAS so far has been great. The truck handles so well and I can't wait to tow with them now.

Thanks
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Old 11-08-2016, 05:58 PM   #16
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I have a 1.5in leveling kit on the front of my truck which actually raised it about 2.5in. To counter this, I ended up going with a bigger rear end block (3/4in taller than stock). I then installed RAS and cranked them up to black disc setting. As is sits, I have about 1.5in of difference in front to rear end fender gap and the truck is lifted just over 2in and running on 33.5in Duratracs. I LOVE how it sits drives and tows... Couldn't be happier. Don't be scared by gentle level/lift kits. If you start going 3in plus on the front then things start to get pushed to extreme angles and rapid wear occurs. With my trailer hooked up it sits perfectly level.

People have removed the rear block or put a smaller one in, yes. I'm not sure I could recommend that though. The only truck I can truly love that sits down low is the 99-03 Lightning... That's besides the point though.

You need some rake if you want to sit level during towing. If you reduce that rake, be prepared to have the front end up higher than the rear, even with the RAS installed.
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Old 11-08-2016, 06:09 PM   #17
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Thanks - yea I don't want to remove the rake because then I ruin the level of the towing of the trailer. Maybe I will do the 1.5" from lift. Right I sit with 4" different from the from to the back. With the spacer would make it perfect but just didn't want to stretch the controller arms and stuff.
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Old 11-08-2016, 06:13 PM   #18
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You won't do any harm with a 1.5in level in the front. Get a quality brand that uses steel spacers, not rubber or composite because those compact over time. I used AutoSpring and it's a popular choice among F-150 owners. Your front end will come up around 2in which sounds like it would look pretty good if you currently have 4in difference.

Make sure you get an alignment after install. This mod will also allow you to clear slightly larger tires if you ever so choose to.
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Old 11-08-2016, 08:01 PM   #19
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Saving up for BF Goodrich KO2's
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