2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Air Bags

[AWallace]

Has anyone used Air lift or Firestone Air bags on the rear of their truck that has OEM helper springs? If so do you have to removed the helper springs. I have a 5th wheel with hitch weight of about 1700 lbs and also a TC that pushes me to my GVWR when loaded an ready to go. I am looking at the air bags because of the ride also. I have contacted a spring shop that I have purchased springs from before and they said they could add another leaf to the helpers. The springs make to much noise now when they slap the brackets. I don't know what they would do then. Also what is the life of the air bags?



95 2500

 

[the whale dog]

if you arelooking for a great ride when empty and the ability to load what you want and still ride level check out the Kelderman four link rear suspension it totally does away with the steel springs and smooths out the bumps the life of an airbag is dependant on how it is maintained but the one on my coach are 15 years old with no maintenance the ones on my dodge should last the life of the truck hope this helps you make a decision

Kevin

 

[Regcabguy]

OEM overloads

I removed the factory overloads seven years ago as they wouldn't come into contact with the bumpstops without a severe load i. e. 2500lbs and extreme spring sag. Firestone Ride-Rites and Sean Lorenz's revalving of my KORE shocks have been my saving grace. The Ride Rites are a quality product. They've served me well.

 

[Bob V]

Firestone does make a kit that is no drill AND keeps the factory overloads. The bump stops are removed and the bags go in there place. Should be part #2220 for second gen and 2299 for 3rd gen, but please check first

 

[MegaRocks]

Bob V is correct. The kit for 3rd gens sits in place of the bump stops; no need to remove overloads. Agree, quality product.

 

[Nate]

I had looked into that kit for my 2nd gen, though I was concerned with the tail pipe routing in relation to where the air bag would sit.



Also, I figured if I had air bags, I couldn't see a use for the factory overloads. I ended up ordering the kit that installs with the helpers removed.



Used them for the first time this past weekend, was pulling a trailer loaded with a Suburban on 44" Boggers to the mud drags. Worked very nice, and I was happy driving at night that my headlights weren't pointing in the trees as it would have with the stock setup!

 

[AWallace]

Do you keep air in them when unloaded? I do not want the truck any higher in the rear then. A truck driver told me that if you ever let the air out to where the bag on big rigs are flat it would crack them when in motion or moving. That is on a semi trailer. Probably just a small amount of air to keep them expanded. One more question are ya'll useing the cab monitor and pump or just adding air from out side?

 

[Bob V]

IIRC the min amount of air recomended is 5psi, wont make much difference in height.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I keep 10 pounds in my bags when unloaded and it makes no difference in height on my truck. I also have the factory overloads still in place. My 97 I have to manually fill the bags, my 06 has in-cab control.

 

[Nate]

Yeah you need to keep at least 5 psi in them.



I setup mine up that I fill them manually. I don't tow trailers daily, so it wasn't worth the added expense or install time to do the in cab deal and pump, tank, etc.

 

[AWallace]

Thanks for the information on the air bags. I will probably install some soon before spring. I just returned from a 5000 mile trip up through the New England States with the TC and new I would have to do something. The OEM overload springs are not up to par. I never did bottom out but I was on some pretty rough roads but the colors were great. But I still don't like all of the racket when the springs hit the pads.



Let me throw this in while I am here. For every one that has a 94 up with the 12 V check the return fuel line. My truck has 75000 on it now and I had changed it in 2000 but I was about 40 miles out of lake Placid NY and pulled over to look at the map a bit. OOPS I smell fuel. That sucker was spraying all over. I had orded the Trident Marine grade before I left but did not have time to get it on. Luckly I had it and tools with me and a empty parking lot near by. About a dozen people stopped to see if they could help and to young boys 20 or so even went and got 2 pieces of hose in case I could not get that stiff hose on it ain't easy with the fuel filter on. There are good people everywhere. But why does things like this always happen on a SAT evening when every thing is closed? I left the hose a little long and when I change my filter I can work with it better.

 

[rwitt]

#ad


I hope this picture comes through as I've never posted a picture before. Along with the air bags I made some spacers that allow the camper/auxillary springs to engage immediately. It really helps with stability when the camper is on the truck.

Rich

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

rwitt, on my old truck I did the same as you with the spacers. As you said, it really helped with stability.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

I also didn't want mine to ride any higher than stock so I put about 2psi in my bags, set them on the leaf pack then punched my holes in the frame where the holes in the bracket lined up at. It rides at the same height. I've had mine for years, even took them off my other truck to put on my current truck.

 

[AWallace]

Good picture, Do you still get the slap on the bumpstops? That is whats so irritating to me even when empty. I can get a leaf added to the helper springs from Big Moe in Tuscaloosa AL about 150 miles from where I live but I would probably still get the slap and I don't know if it would help with the load all that much. I would have to take them off so they could match the curve in the springs. I am leaning towards the air bags and good shocks.

 

[rwitt]

I have no slap with them on when the camper is loaded because I only add enough air to bring the truck up to within 1. 5" to 2" of the unloaded height. At this point the main and auxillary springs have compressed slightly to acheive a fairly stiff spring rate which really helps with sway. I'm mostly using the air bags for side to side leveling as my camper is heavier on the passenger side. When empty I remove the spring spacers(5 minutes), run 5 psi in the bags and have no spring slap. For shocks try the Rancho 9000's, they do make a difference.

 

[AWallace]

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering about the spacers I saw that they were bolted on. I had thought about the Rancho 9000 or the 9000's that are adjustable 9000RSX I believe. I have read several post on the good sam club about the 9000 Adjustable and most seem to like them.