I have to install some firestone airbags when ever I get time to do it on a friends truck and I had some questions.

1. How do the firestone bags compare with other brands? This is the kit with compressor and dual guages.

2. Any tips on the install and anything to lookout for?

Thanks for any help or general info on this product.

 

I too am looking at installing air bags, probably AIR LIFT. Good questions, I'd like to know also. What about the gooseneck hitch? The brackets for my hitch are right where the brackets for the air bags bolt to frame. Has anyone ran into that?

I hope this improves the ride as well. I hope you get your questions answered.

 

Looked for some Firestones this weekend at 4WheelParts. They don't list a set for my '02 with a GN hitch (B&W brand). I took a bracket from another make (Air Ride Technologies??) out to my truck and the upper bracket interfered with the hitch bracket on the frame rail.

As far as ride goes, they won't help the ride. The only thing to help the ride on these trucks is putting weight in the bed. The bags are to prevent the tow vehicle from squatting when pulling a trailer.

~Rob

 

Register at hotshothauling.com and look under upgrades>technical>Firestone Air Suspension

 

they rock! very easy install...maybe about 45 mins max...includes drinking beer, but doesnt include doing the compressor and gauge...just straight install and putting the shrader valves out the rear by the hitch

brett

 

I just put mine in this past weekend. I will hitch up this weekend they seem to work as advertised. I have the under bed kit for my 5er hitch and have no clearance problems at all. About an hour and a half for the install with my sons input. I got the Firestone Ride Rite 250.00.

 

With the compressor install you can expect about 2 hours total.

As for the interference with gooseneck..... mark your holes just the same as if you were installing them to the frame and drill. There is no air bag system available for the 2nd Generation trucks that will not interfere with the hitch.

You can forget anything about the air bags making your ride smoother too. The bags are rated at 5000 lbs. for a reason and unless you load to that capacity the ride is going to be rough. My wagon tips the scales at 14K and everytime I hit a bump I am reminded of just how stiff the ride is.

 

Airbags didnt mess with my hitch. Bags alone installed in 30 minutes.
Gauges and compressor and runnin lines was easy, 2 hours of labor on that is correct if you know what your doing. Mounting of compressor was tricky at first to find a place but on the 5.9's that should be no problem. They dont do anything to ride but make it firmer when drooped. They are a leveler system, not a comfort feature. If you want comfort, load up your truck with bean bags!!! OR sand, or cement, or........

Anyways, THESE ARE REALLY WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!!!!!! If your used to your a$$ drooping while your drivin. Let alone that is not safe or good on your truck!!!!!

 

I put the firestone airbags and compressor on my 06 Because my 22.5's would rub when I was loaded. bags work great and so does the compressor, but the compressor is a complete wast of money. I leave the bags at 20 psi and my truck sits level when loaded and that is were I leave it. I thought I would use the compressor a lot. And that is with 7500 pounds on the rear axil.

 

Smokindog said: "You can forget anything about the air bags making your ride smoother too. "

They made my '06 ride smoother, even unloaded. Of course, in conjunction with the air bags, I also did the "Klenger" mod to my rear springs, putting the 3 short sections of spring leaf on top of the stack, dropping the suspension 1.5". Now, when I add the requisite unladen amount of air (5-10 psi), I actually get back to approx. stock ride height. Net effect of this is the first 1.5" of suspension travel is virtually 100% air ride, as the stock suspension isn't really in compression until the travel exceeds that amount.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, that makes me feel better.

And just to be clear, you guys with the 07 6.7s in megas with a B&W, have you had any problems with hitch clearance?

Great info.

 

Hi wap,

I installed the Firestone Ride Rite on my 07 6.7 quad cab with the BW hitch and there were no problems or interference with the fit or install.


Good luck,

George

 

Thanks for the help guys, I may try to install them Friday but it just depends on what kinda time I got on my hands.

 

Just wanted to post my personal experiances with air bags. I carry 5K in the bed and it plays havoc with air bags. I have sheared off a few mounting bolts which in turn allowed the bracket to rotate up and punch thru the bed. The latest thing to happen is the upper bracket broke off fully, tore 1/4 inch steel clean. Who would have thunk that would happen?

Got a new bracket and am adding Timberins to give that a try. Stay tuned. Air bags have been on for 60,000 miles.

 

are you a welder?

brett