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air bags
- Thread starter Bluhaven
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Bluhaven
Check at www.riderite.com . These are bags made by
Firestone. You can check for applications for your truck and find dealers in your area. I looked at your application (#w21-760-2071) and it appears that you'll have to drill some holes in the frame. The installation instructions can be viewed at the site. I haven't figured out how to install links in posts yet. I ordered my bags through a local dealer I found on Ride Rite's site, paid about $230 and installed them myself(I have a different animal than yours though).
Hope this helps.
Check at www.riderite.com . These are bags made by
Firestone. You can check for applications for your truck and find dealers in your area. I looked at your application (#w21-760-2071) and it appears that you'll have to drill some holes in the frame. The installation instructions can be viewed at the site. I haven't figured out how to install links in posts yet. I ordered my bags through a local dealer I found on Ride Rite's site, paid about $230 and installed them myself(I have a different animal than yours though).
Hope this helps.
JRG,
They seem to work really well. I have only made a couple of trips with the camper on though. Looks like the only difference between the 2500 and 3500 kits is the bottom bracket. The top bracket mounts in place of the bump stop and the bottom one butts up to the leaf springs on the inside. Only concern could be that the top bracket on drivers side is against the parking brake cable support.
Puts the bracket a few degrees off.
I'm saving my pennies for a incab controller and air compressor.
MD
They seem to work really well. I have only made a couple of trips with the camper on though. Looks like the only difference between the 2500 and 3500 kits is the bottom bracket. The top bracket mounts in place of the bump stop and the bottom one butts up to the leaf springs on the inside. Only concern could be that the top bracket on drivers side is against the parking brake cable support.
Puts the bracket a few degrees off.
I'm saving my pennies for a incab controller and air compressor.
MD
Take a deep breath and say goose faba, goose faba... .
No it is not a difficult project, and of coarse you have to drill, what else would hold the top mounting bracket?
You have a 3500, the best thing to do is remove the over load spring pack, this will give you the needed room required to mount the 5000lb air bag kit.
You have the choice of Firestone or Air Lift. It does not make any difference, they are both pretty much identical. I choose Air Lift, only because I have used them several times in the past, and always had good luck with them. The decision is all yours.
They both mount the exact same way, and both require the same amount of space, both top mount to bottom mount, and mount to inside tire.
The overloads need to be removed for the proper mounting distance. It's simple enough, just remove the u-bolts, and pull and spring off. The ears for the overloads can remain on. The u-bolts will now be a little to long, so get smaller ones or put the spacer (it was between the main springs and the overloads) back on top of the main springs and a few washers under the u-bolt nuts. There isn't much room for the top mount so it pretty much needs to go right up to the bottom of the bed, and get mounted to the frame side rail. The bottom mount has one end on it's mount under a u-bolt and the other bolt on. You will need to drill 4-3/8 holes in the frame. Not to bad, just remember there are a few thing on the other side that need protection.
You should not install this kit, unless you also plan to install a on-board air compressor. All air bags are porous enough to leak down, this is how they are, so they need to have a convenient supply of air. If you do go with the air compressor, spring for a good one like a QUICK-AIR, or QUICK-AIR II. The puny ones Firestone and Air Lift sell are not worth the money. Again, if you do not install an on board air compressor, the bags are worthless. Running them without air will kill them and it is no fun to fill them everyday.
There is a bright side to all this hard work. The ride you will experience with the over loads removed and the air bags carrying the weight of the rear, will amaze you. The truck rides very nice like this and makes the job worth the time and money.
No it is not a difficult project, and of coarse you have to drill, what else would hold the top mounting bracket?
You have a 3500, the best thing to do is remove the over load spring pack, this will give you the needed room required to mount the 5000lb air bag kit.
You have the choice of Firestone or Air Lift. It does not make any difference, they are both pretty much identical. I choose Air Lift, only because I have used them several times in the past, and always had good luck with them. The decision is all yours.
They both mount the exact same way, and both require the same amount of space, both top mount to bottom mount, and mount to inside tire.
The overloads need to be removed for the proper mounting distance. It's simple enough, just remove the u-bolts, and pull and spring off. The ears for the overloads can remain on. The u-bolts will now be a little to long, so get smaller ones or put the spacer (it was between the main springs and the overloads) back on top of the main springs and a few washers under the u-bolt nuts. There isn't much room for the top mount so it pretty much needs to go right up to the bottom of the bed, and get mounted to the frame side rail. The bottom mount has one end on it's mount under a u-bolt and the other bolt on. You will need to drill 4-3/8 holes in the frame. Not to bad, just remember there are a few thing on the other side that need protection.
You should not install this kit, unless you also plan to install a on-board air compressor. All air bags are porous enough to leak down, this is how they are, so they need to have a convenient supply of air. If you do go with the air compressor, spring for a good one like a QUICK-AIR, or QUICK-AIR II. The puny ones Firestone and Air Lift sell are not worth the money. Again, if you do not install an on board air compressor, the bags are worthless. Running them without air will kill them and it is no fun to fill them everyday.
There is a bright side to all this hard work. The ride you will experience with the over loads removed and the air bags carrying the weight of the rear, will amaze you. The truck rides very nice like this and makes the job worth the time and money.
I just got off the phone with Apache Camping in Portland,Or. and finished buying our camper of our dreams an Arctic Fox 990. Kevin Baker, the manager, made it real easy to make the purchase. I can't believe we finally did it!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all the detailed info. With everything going on and having to leave next wed. to pick up the camper, we are just going to have them install them. Sorry to have you go thru all the trouble of writing this up but I'm sure someone well use this good info. Thanks againOo.
Normally I try to do the work on my truck myself, just don't have the time. Believe me I like to save a buck when I can but I figure I have p----- away alot more money than the price of installation for the air bags in my life, so I don't feel that bad about woosen out. I will be right next to my baby when the installation is done so she wont be upset. 
(my wife will be there to
) I sure do appreciate all the help and information this site gives. Oo.
(my wife will be there to ) I sure do appreciate all the help and information this site gives. Oo.
I am running an airlift air bags with a 3/4 hp 100% duty cycle air compressor, 10 gallon air tank and a airlift in cab gauge/controller. The reason for this setup is I can run a 1/2 impact to remove lugs if needed, and I also have a set of 150 db air horns that will get the attention of just about anyone within 100 yards 
.
The install of the airbags is easy but the key is measure TWICE drill once !. As already stated removing the overloads should be done. While I was doing all this I also swapped the stock 4 11/13" spring spacer block for a 3" one. this lowered the truck down 2" and leveled it out some. Reason for lowering the truck is for towing my 5th wheel level and I don't need a step latter to get into the truck now.
The compressor is located in a steel box I welded into the inside of the bed wall up by the cab. the air tank is stuffed inside the quarter panel on the passengers side and is just below the compressor. the air lines used by air lift are nothing more than standard plastic air lines for semi's air brake. All the fittings and extra air line you should be able to get at any good size brake shop that does trucks.
With this setup the truck rides MUCH better and I can adjust the ride on the fly to compensate for load and road conditions. I normally run around 15 psi empty and adjust pressure for load to keep the truck at normal ride height so I won't blind anyone with my headlights. With a load of firewood and bags aired up the truck rides better than a caddy !
One benefit of this setup I just discovered is that when I put 40 to 50 PSI in the bags, I get much better traction in 4X2 in snow. Somehow the bags are allowing the truck to transfer weight to the rear axle. If the weather ever breaks and you are interested I will post some photos.
Hope this helps
Kyle
. The install of the airbags is easy but the key is measure TWICE drill once !. As already stated removing the overloads should be done. While I was doing all this I also swapped the stock 4 11/13" spring spacer block for a 3" one. this lowered the truck down 2" and leveled it out some. Reason for lowering the truck is for towing my 5th wheel level and I don't need a step latter to get into the truck now.
The compressor is located in a steel box I welded into the inside of the bed wall up by the cab. the air tank is stuffed inside the quarter panel on the passengers side and is just below the compressor. the air lines used by air lift are nothing more than standard plastic air lines for semi's air brake. All the fittings and extra air line you should be able to get at any good size brake shop that does trucks.
With this setup the truck rides MUCH better and I can adjust the ride on the fly to compensate for load and road conditions. I normally run around 15 psi empty and adjust pressure for load to keep the truck at normal ride height so I won't blind anyone with my headlights. With a load of firewood and bags aired up the truck rides better than a caddy !
One benefit of this setup I just discovered is that when I put 40 to 50 PSI in the bags, I get much better traction in 4X2 in snow. Somehow the bags are allowing the truck to transfer weight to the rear axle. If the weather ever breaks and you are interested I will post some photos.
Hope this helps
Kyle
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
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