went to Napa to get this set up,no problem unless the truck has heavy duty springs (2 on top of the spring block).....now there is a problem as what to do now as they have no ans except mabe to get rid of the overloads .Anyone have the ans.??

 

I've read that folks do just that--lose the overloads. As long as you replace them with airbags that provide the same support the o-loads did, you're good to go. The benefit is, when you run empty, deflate the bags and no more o-loads slapping down giving you whiplash every highway expantion joint you hit!

g

 

Yes the overloads go and the air springs take their place. Check out my web site to see the installation of the Firestone Ride Rites. Takes about an hour to install.

 

im probably wrong but i thought the overloads where the 2 leafs ontop of the regular leafs and what i removed where the bump stops?

 

You are correct, I was being STUPID

The OVERLOADS do stay. My bad

 

Now I am confused,remove the over loads (the 2 springs on top of the spring blocks?)...thats the only logic I can see....and they would not be needed anymore......right??

 

You are correct, the overload springs are removed on a 2nd gen when bags are installed.......you will have no use for them once you have airbags. I have Airlift SD bags on my 3500 and happily got rid of the overloads.

 

ok then,stops,springs (top two) and all are going to be pulled and tossed!Least I hope this solves the problem as the guys at firestone said they have not come up with the solution as of yet,???seems elementry....................................

 

I've had Firestone Air Bags on my 96 with the overloads for over 7 years without any problem. The bumper stops were removed but the springs are still in place; no problems at all.

 

Hmmmm well your just luging aroung more unsprung weight then??why??...my story is I am builing a roll back and the overloads and stops all got in the way,,and if the air ride helps with the bumps all the better

 

ok, i think i ve got it now. yes im still carring around the extra small lbs of the overload springs, but i think i would leave them there even after reading this thread just in case a bag blew out for some reason. but thats on my 3rd gen and don't know the diff setup for u there thumper.

 

we run air bags on our semi and trailor.....rarely hav problems......over extention is what kills air bags.....like axles hanging,that sort of thing

 

I just went thru trying to get air bags, and was told the "top" overloads had to come off. I didn't want to do this, because I don't mind the way the truck rides, and only need something to decrease the "roll" when I have my cab-over camper loaded.....which is not very often.

Do I understand it right that some have put the bags on a 2nd gen, like my '99, by removing the stop pads? I wouldn't mind doing that......

 

Crobtex,

With your truck empty, you may find that the truck will ride a bit better with the overloads removed because they won't come up and smack the bump stops on rough roads....I know the ride on my 3500 was improved as a result of this.....at the very least, with the truck empty, the ride should be identical - overloads or not.....remember, the overloads are only supposed to come into play without a load on the truck......technically, they should not be contacting the bumpstops when the truck is empty. With the overload bumpstops removed, the overload springs will be 100% non-functioning and you will be carrying around more unsprung weight for no reason at all. You will have absolutely no use for overloads when you install airbags.

 

Thanks for the input.