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How to Install a Conversion Kit on a Ram 1500

Advantages of Monroe® Suspension Conversion Kit

Designed to convert a vehicle’s factory-equipped air suspension to a conventional suspension, a Monroe suspension conversion kit restores factory ride height and delivers a stable, comfortable ride. Your vehicle will ride and handle the same way that a vehicle with a conventional suspension system performs.

For hardworking 2013-2018 Ram 1500 half-ton trucks, a conversion kit is a cost-effective alternative to replacing the OE air suspension system. Every Monroe conversion kit features premium-quality replacement components including application-tuned shock/strut, coil spring(s) and necessary mounting hardware – needed for a complete bolt-on worry-free solution. Check out this ServiceGram to learn more about the advantages of a Monroe conversion kit for the Ram 1500.

For a complete four-corner repair, be sure to purchase these three Monroe part numbers: 90028C1 (front right strut assembly), 90028C2 (front left assembly), and 90028C3 (rear coil springs, shock absorbers, spring isolators, jounce bumpers). Check out the steps for installing a Monroe suspension conversion kit on a Ram 1500 truck.

Steps for Converting an Air Suspension to a Conventional Suspension

 
 
Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 1

1. Follow the deflation procedure outlined in the service manual.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 2

2. Raise vehicle at proper lift points to make sure the vehicle is properly supported.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 3

3. Remove the front wheel.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 4

4. Support the vehicle with a jack stand.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 5

5. Remove the outer tie rod end.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 6

6. Disconnect upper ride height sensor arm from the upper control arm.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 7

7. Remove ride height sensor and bracket assembly from the frame.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 8

8. Disconnect the ride height sensor connector.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 9

9. Protect connector with electrical tape or polybag and use a zip tie to secure it to the frame.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 10

10. Remove the upper anti-sway bar end link nut, cushion and retainer.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 11

11. Remove the lower strut mounting bolt and save for reuse.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 12

12. Remove the three upper strut assembly mounting nuts.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 13

13. Disconnect the air fitting from the top of the strut assembly using an open-ended wrench.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 14

14. Protect air line with electrical tape or place in polybag and use a zip tie to secure it to the frame.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 15

15. If necessary, remove the lower control arm support to aid in removing the strut assembly.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 16

16. Remove the air strut assembly.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 17

17. Install the new strut assembly.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 18

18. Loosely install the three upper strut assembly mounting nuts.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 19

19. Loosely install the lower strut mounting bolt using the original hardware.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 20

20. Reinstall the upper ball joint to the spindle assembly and torque to 40-foot pounds (54 N-M) and then an additional 200 degrees.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 21

21. Reinstall the outer tie rod end and torque to 22-foot pounds (30 N-M) and then an additional 90 degrees.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 22

22. Loosely install the upper anti-sway bar end link, retainer, cushion and nut.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 23

23. Reinstall the front wheel and hand tighten the lug nuts.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 24

24. Safely lower the vehicle to the ground and torque the wheel to 140-foot pounds (190 N-M) for flanged lug nuts and 130-foot pounds (176 N-M) for cone lug nuts.

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 25

25. Torque the three upper strut assembly mounting nuts to 45-foot pounds (61 N-M).

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 26

26. Torque the lower strut mounting bolt to 155-foot pounds (210 N-M).

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 27

27. Torque the upper anti-sway bar end link to 16-foot pounds (22 N-M).

Front Strut Assembly Removal and Installation Procedure - Step 28

28. Repeat the steps on the other side of the vehicle.

 
Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 1

1. Raise vehicle by frame at proper lift points and make sure the vehicle is properly supported.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 2

2. Support the rear axle and remove the rear wheel.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 3

3. Remove the air spring by disengaging the three clips, one at a time, on top of the air spring.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 4

4. Disconnect the air fitting from the top of the air spring using an open-ended wrench. Remove the air spring.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 5

5. Disconnect lower and upper end of the rear anti-sway bar link. Save hardware for reuse.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 6

6. Remove the bolt holding the brake hose and wheel speed sensor cables to the frame. Save hardware for reuse.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 7

7. Remove the rear wheel housing splash shield.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 8

8. Disconnect rear ride height sensor arm.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 9

9. Disconnect the ride height sensor connector.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 10

10. Remove the ride height sensor and bracket from the frame.

Rear Air Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 11

11. Protect connectors with electrical tape or polybag and use a zip tie to secure it to the frame.

 
Rear Jounce Bumper Replacement & Extension Removal/Modification - Step 1

1. Support the vehicle under the frame.

Rear Jounce Bumper Replacement & Extension Removal/Modification - Step 2

2. Remove the jounce bumper extensions by cutting the welds at the bracket. Use caution to not cut into the bracket.

Rear Jounce Bumper Replacement & Extension Removal/Modification - Step 3

3. Make a mark on the brackets 1" (25.4mm) from the centerline of the hole (any direction).

Rear Jounce Bumper Replacement & Extension Removal/Modification - Step 4

4. Drill a 5/16" (8mm) hole. This hole is needed for the tab on the new jounce bumper.

Rear Jounce Bumper Replacement & Extension Removal/Modification - Step 5

5. Test fit the bumper to ensure the hole placement and diameter are correct.

Rear Jounce Bumper Replacement & Extension Removal/Modification - Step 6

6. Paint the bracket to prevent any corrosion.

Rear Jounce Bumper Replacement & Extension Removal/Modification - Step 7

7. Once the paint is dry, install the new jounce bumper and orient so that the tab fits into the drilled hole. Torque the jounce bumper nut to 24-foot pounds (32 N-M).

 
Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 1

1. Remove the lower bolt of the rear shock absorber.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 2

2. Remove the upper bolt of the rear shock absorber. Note: A modified 21mm wrench may be needed to access the upper shock absorber nut for the mounting bolt.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 3

3. Remove the shock.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 4

4. Protect the air spring air line with electrical tape or polybag and use a zip tie to secure it to the frame.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 5

5. Install the coil spring and rubber spring isolator onto the axle with the larger diameter coil facing up. The rubber spring isolator needs to be placed at the top end of the spring.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 6

6. Raise rear axle enough to ensure the upper coil remains properly seated in the upper spring seat.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 7

7. Loosely install the upper bolt of the rear shock absorber using the original hardware.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 8

8. Loosely install the lower bolt of the rear shock absorber using the original hardware.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 9

9. Loosely install the rear anti-sway bar end link reusing the original hardware.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 10

10. Reinstall the bolt holding the brake hose and wheel speed sensor cables to the frame.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 11

11. Repeat steps on the other side of the vehicle.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 12

12. Reinstall the rear wheel. Hand tighten the lug nuts.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 13

13. Safely lower the vehicle to the ground and torque the lug nuts to 140-foot pounds (190 N-M) for flanged lug nuts. Torque the wheel to 130-foot pounds (176 N-M) for cone lug nuts.

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 14

14. Torque the upper and lower shock mounting hardware to 100-foot pounds (135 N-M). Torque the upper anti-sway bar end link nut to 79-foot pounds (107 N-M).

Rear Coil Spring and Shock Absorber Removal Procedure - Step 15

15. Reinstall the rear wheel housing splash shield.

 
Disabling the Air Suspension Service Message - Step 1

1. Disconnect the negative lead on the battery.

Disabling the Air Suspension Service Message - Step 2

2. Locate the fuse box on the driver’s side of the engine compartment.

Disabling the Air Suspension Service Message - Step 3

3. Remove the K03 air suspension relay.

Disabling the Air Suspension Service Message - Step 4

4. Remove the F05 air suspension comp 40A fuse.

Disabling the Air Suspension Service Message - Step 5

5. Remove the F50 air suspension mod 20A fuse.

Disabling the Air Suspension Service Message - Step 7

6. Reconnect the negative lead of the battery.

 

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.


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