I need to get gauges and controls for the in cab along with an air tank for running air tools and tires.......anybody have any suggestions

 

im thinking of doing the same thing, but instead of using firestones kit, i went to a local place that does custom air bag installs. they owner is going to install mine and build a custom compressor set up using a heavy-duty compressor and a nice set of gauges for about what firestone wanted for the 2 bag set-up. he told me they had bad luck with the firestone stuff so they just use heavy duty compressors and stuff and build it themselves.
just my .02

brett

 

I have the Air Lift SureSet digital onboard air management system. It works great and looks pretty trick. The digital controller box is about the size of a pack of cigarettes and controls both airbags with pressure transducers and is pretty accurate.

 

Very little experience with it, but working well thus far...

I went with bags in the back and fill them with a VIAIR system that includes a fairly hefty pump w/a tank. I have my dual needle guage in a SRT pod with the switched installed on the left and right of the pedal adjust on my 06. Very clean install. We also plumbed outlets to plug in an airhose on the front and rear of the truck so I could easily use it for an impact wrench, fill tires, etc.

I will see about taking some photos and getting thm posted.

 

Once you have incab controls you will never go back. I built my own for the bags and Ranchos. I used a 1/8" NPT 3 way ball valve from Swageloc, 1 1/2" centerless gauges from McMaster Carr, $15 Checker compressor and hardware store brass fittings. Craig

 

thanks guys im def going to go with the incab setup ..but what size tank are you guys using that are runing air tools from time to time... i would really like to install underneath my tool box in the bed.. its about 7.5inchs tall and 48inches wide ...

texasrider....where did u get the airlift sure set...that compressor good enough to fill tank with air tools??

 

Hey Texasredrider, does that use a heavy duty compressor or standard duty?

I was thinking about how a tank could be used in the system and came up with idea of T-ing the 2 bags together and using one side of the controls for the bags and using the other side for airing up a tank. So if your digital gauge said 20lbs for the left that would be for both bags and the right could be around 100 for the tank. And since the controler monitors the preasure and keeps it at certain setting the right side will always stay at 100 or whatever you want it at. Do you think this could work?

 

im thinking about putting the Pac Brake system on my truck,, and it has an aircompressor for it. Can I used this for my existing air bags,, and if so,, how would you plumb that all in??


Kevin

 

Do yourselves a favor, buy the bags (Firestone NOT airlift, the brackets are MUCH better on the Firestones) Buy a compressor and a pressure switch. I then then went to a semi trailer dealer and bought a 5 gallon tank for $30.00 and a leveling valve. Not that electronic one from air lift but a standard mechanical valve that is used on all semi trucks and trailers. I put the tank where the spare used to be and connected the valve between the axle and the frame and I never have to touch it. It rides the same height reguardless of load. I have pics if anyones interested.

 

I thought about doing what Cowboy said, but the compressor is standard duty I believe. I have the Firestone bags and agree about the mounts, which is why I got them. The Sureset system works with any bag, but I want to upgrade the compressor. The good thing about this thing is that it will add or deflate the bags to keep the set pressure which is why the idea Cowboy has will work pretty well. The compressor would work for this, I'm sure, but I still would want to upgrade it one day. The system as a whole works as advertised, and I have not had any problem with it.

 

i like the digital reads on it... but i wonder if i could get the airlift setup and not have there crappy compressor

 

I've been kicking around doing the same setup as yours. Shoot me the pics if you dont mind. What compressor do you use? TIA

 

that is an awesome idea,, if you can I would love to see the pics,, and maybe a bit more detail on the install,, I would love to set that up on mine. Do you think that I could use the air compressor from the pac brake?? Or does it have to be only for the exhaust brake??

thanks

kevin

 

I talked to AirLift today and they said not to use the bigger compressor. The system is sensitive to the higher voltage/amps. They are having problems with people using the better compressor and ruining the system. She said if I want to run a tank or I use my bags more than average I should get there heavy duty stuff.

 

I'll try and get some pics soon (my gf took my truck so I could put brakes on her car, sounds like a fair trade to her!) I'm not sure on the model of compressor. The sticker says it's a Firestone but I don't know who makes it, I'll look when I get my truck back. And I'm sure it will be completely out of fuel!