Airbag Installation

[RobG]

Who here has installed the Firestone or Airlift airbags on their '03+ trucks?



I have the set off of my '01 that I've decided to install on my '03 (I know they'll fit -- Rickson confirmed it for me), but I'm wondering how you go about bolting the upper bracket to the frame.



On my '01, it was easy... drill four holes, put in the bolts and nuts and tighten. Simple.



But the third gens have the boxed frame, and I don't even see any holes to fish bolts through, and even if I did, how in the heck would you get a wrench on the inner bolts to hold them in place while tightening?



It makes me wonder if I should drill a pilot hole and use a self-tapping screw instead, but I have serious doubts about how well that would hold up given the nearly 5000# camper I carry on the truck (hence the need for the airbags).



So... how have you guys done it??



Rob

 

[Bill Stockard]

I purchased a new set of Air Lift 5000 air bags for my '03. The install is an easy couple of hour, no drill job. I sold my 2nd gen Air Lifts, but kept the on board compressor and controls/gauges and have them on my '03. After selling the 2nd gen Air Lifts, the difference I ended up paying for the '03 Air Lifts was very minimal.



I don't know how you are going to mount the 2nd gen air bags on the outside of the frame rails because of the limited clearance between the tires and frame rail on a dual rear wheel truck. On the '03 Dodges, the Air Lift 5000s and Firestone Ride Rites mount inside the frame rail.



FWIW, with only 10 PSI in the air bags our truck still sets higher to the rear with the camper loaded on it!



Bill

 

[RobG]

Well in that case it sounds like my best bet is to sell these to one of the many people who have inquired about buying them, and pick up a set of the newer ones.



Thanks for the info!!



Inside the framerails, wow...



Rob

 

[Hunter1]

3rd Gen airbags are no drill and will only fit on 2003, no other airbag will work.



DC says you drill in the frame the warranty is void.



I watched a set of Firestone 5000 go on the other day, no drilling what so ever.



Hunter1

 

[MMeier]

Anyone know if it is possible to use a set of bags in combination with a B&W or similar hitch set up?

 

[DeanQ]

Actually you can drill nto the frame; with certain restrictions. Mostly, just stay away from the curved edges and only drill on the flats. See TSB



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/13-001-03.htm



Dean

 

[RobG]

I was just cruising the Airlift website and saw their new "Primary Air" system which is a full air suspension for the rear that replaces the leaf springs. Anybody look into this yet? I'll have to get a price for it before I order up airbags.



Edit: Okay nevermind, just found out MSRP is $1995 and they don't even exist for third gens yet. Heck will probably be two years before they do.



Rob

 

[RobG]

Okay another question... where is everybody mounting the air compressor for the airbags? On my '01 I put it where the airbox used to be, since I had space there lefy by my Psychotty intake.



But now on the new truck, there's no such space under there at all. Looks like it'll have to go underneath someplace. I also have the 1/2 gal reservoir to mount, and then all those lovely air lines to run.



Rob

 

[Prairie Dog]

Can anyone post a pic of a no-drill airbag installation?

 

[sellesd]

Pretty simple install

The instructions a pretty good and available at:



http://www.ride-rite.com/instruction_manuals/rrin2299.pdf





No drilling and it took me a couple hours, was in no hurry.



#ad




Shannon

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thats really nice. Does the truck sit any taller and does it ride any stiffer when your not hauling a load?

 

[sellesd]

Can you say kidney belt...

When I first got them, I thought they should be filled to max (90PSI I think) pressure when the camper was loaded. Lifts the back end right back up. Removed the camper and forgot to air down. I don't believe that the rear axle moves in relationship to the truck at all when going down the road. We stopped in a local parking lot and let the air out.



Now when I am not carrying the camper I run about 5-10PSI, min is 5. They are not really noticeable.



With the camper I run about 60-65 (Which drops to about 50 without the camper) and it lifts the truck back up and rides pretty nice. Also at the lower pressure if I forget to air-down after removing the camper, it is not as painful, however I still try to let the are out as soon as I can.



Shannon

 

[RobG]

On my '01 I had the complete setup with the air compressor and in-cab control. I plan to transfer this part of the setup to my new truck, but I have no idea where to mount the compressor outside, or the in-cab control inside.



Having the ability to change pressures in the springs from inside the truck is really nice. Highly recommended if it's in your budget.



Rob

 

[Kilby]

I bought the Airlift kit for the back of my '03 but I've decided to sell it. Anyone interested? Used only 2 days.

 

[RobG]

Kilby:



PM sent!



Rob

 

[Kilby]

PM returned!

 

[Bill Stockard]

RobG,



I installed the compressor under the floor board which is under the the rear seat on the driver side. I mounted the in cab controller on very low the dash below the steering wheel and to the right just above the area of accelerator pedal. I routed the hoses through a grommet in the firewall. The low pressure safety relays are under the dash tied up to some existing wiring harness out of sight and in the dry.



This made a neat set up without the hoses showing and very easy to vary the pressure in the bags.



I'll get a photo later today and post it if you like.



Bill

 

[Duck]

My install



Here's the link to my installation. Photos and all.

 

[RobG]

How do the safety valves work into the setup? Mine didn't come with those, so I just got in the habit of always making sure I had at least 5 psi in the springs...



What I'd really like to do is find a new in-cab system that is electric instead of pressure-based. Meaning, install pressure control valves at the springs themselves and run pressure lines to them from the reservoir. Then run wires to the in-cab unit and that way you wouldn't have to run so much hose and it'd reduce the chance for leaks significantly. The downside, though, is I bet it'd be costly.



Rob

 

[Duck]

Originally posted by RobG

How do the safety valves work into the setup? Mine didn't come with those, so I just got in the habit of always making sure I had at least 5 psi in the springs...



What I'd really like to do is find a new in-cab system that is electric instead of pressure-based. Meaning, install pressure control valves at the springs themselves and run pressure lines to them from the reservoir. Then run wires to the in-cab unit and that way you wouldn't have to run so much hose and it'd reduce the chance for leaks significantly. The downside, though, is I bet it'd be costly.



Rob

Firestone has an alternative setup (electric gauges, vs pneumatic)that sounds a lot like what you're asking for. The cost is like another $30 or something. Pretty cheap whatever it is.