Hi all plan to install firestone airbags on the ol girl and lose the slap happy overloads. Was reading up on them on the towing/hauling /rv forum here and notice imput from some of the 1st gen guys .
so question............ any of you guys installed them your self, any tips /advice/warnings tks

 

I don't think there's a downside, other than having to spend money on things that don't make the truck faster I've never experienced the o-load slap, as I have none, but I just imagine something worse than my buckboard-o-matic and I think I get the idea. I plan on softride springs and bags when finances permit. I don't tow often and that combo will give me the best of both worlds. Before any of that, I'm going to address the front suspension. Kelderman has a front bag system for 4x4 1st gens and I fully intend to copy that setup without shame I feel that's where most of the poor ride comes from.

 

on my 250 i took one trip after installing the bilstien shocks and before the bags... the ride improved a TON. then i installed the bags, and found that a little when empty and a lot when hauling an empty trailer i was getting POUNDED. on this last trip i lowered the rear tire pressure and that helped a ton, i had to go 600 miles with an empty trailer and empty bed. i had always run around with the rear tires set to about what the door said (like 80) on this trip i dropped the rears to 50 psi. i have to make the same trip this summer and will probably run about 45psi.
on the upside with the bags pumped up the truck didn't even squat a little with over 3000#'s in the bed. it also rides like a dream with a big load. if you are looking for a system to keep the bags in line i went with an "air lift" compressor with 2 gallon air tank. it's great to have the air on demand.

 

I'll bite...who's Kelderman? I'd sure like to see some pix.

 

http://www.keldermanairride.com/category.php?id=21

scroll down and drool

 

Who has the front front air bags that arn't air?........never mined i did save it to my favorites!!!
Here's the link!!!
http://www.timbren.com/