2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Firestone Air Bag install

[Nate]

Any pointer on airbag install?



I bought the Firestone kit, and the instructions are for Ford trucks with a loose paper about cutting the plastic fender liner for Dodges.



I'm wondering where they mount in regards to the frame... . my rear springs are saggy, so should I jack the body up a bit... . or... . ??

 

[Softe]

Nate,



These were the #'s for the Firestones that I installed on my '99...



W21-760



2071



DPU 92 A





Do not cut out your liner... . take the liner off and then you will have full exposure to where they are going to mount... ... they mount right over the axle. . when the job is completed, use aluminum rivets and secure the lining back in the wheel well. . Nothing rubs on mine nor does anything rub on my sons '97. . I also installed limiter straps to my shock bolts so if and whenever the truck is lifted by a hoist other than under the axles. . the straps would prevent the bags from pulling apart :{ I ran my airlines back right under the tailgate material right above the license plate..... good luck!

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Ditto to what he said, I did the exact same thing!

 

[CarlJensen]

These are the people I get my parts from. On there site they have instructions to install the ride rite kits and they have the replacement pieces too,





http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/air_bags.html



Here is another site for you,



http://store.towshop.com/store/products.asp?Category_ID=41

 

[Nate]

This is what I got:



http://www.ride-rite.com/installation_instructions/2071.pdf



Now it doesn't mention where to put the bracket on the frame... . it says to bolt it up to the axle and they you drill the holes.



Now I am wondering since I the springs are saggy, if I should "guesstimate" where it should since by lifting the back of the truck off the axle a little bit?

 

[NoSeeUm]

Fender liner? Are you talking for the rear? Maybe my 02 did not come with them.



I did the install. Basically, I leveled the truck first. Matched the shackles in the kit to make sure the air bags would be installed plumb to the axle center. Drilled the holes in the frame for the upper mount to where they matched up. Then bolted everything on. As I recall, it has been awhile, I had to use a bolt snake on one or two of the bolts to get them in.



I did get the auto compressor who-ya thing for remote operation for free because of a promotion Rancho had going at the time. It is still in my shop. Looked like too many connections that could leak.



Jim

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

This is what I got:



http://www.ride-rite.com/installation_instructions/2071.pdf



Now it doesn't mention where to put the bracket on the frame... . it says to bolt it up to the axle and they you drill the holes.



Now I am wondering since I the springs are saggy, if I should "guesstimate" where it should since by lifting the back of the truck off the axle a little bit?

I've installed a couple kits and it didn't say in any of the kits where exactly to mount to the frame. Jack the truck up via frame rail till the truck is level. There is a certain distance that needs to be maintained between the two brackets, I can't remember off hand what that measurement is. Put the lower mount on. Hold the upper mount at the required spread and mark the holes. Do the same for the other side.

I'll dig around and see if I can find what the required spread is. When you run your air lines, run them seperately to two individual valve stems.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

OK, I found some more info. The distance between the brackets is anywhere between 5 to 6 1/2". On the upper bracket, when positioned on the frame rail, the holes you drill are not supposed to be within 1 1/2"s from the top and bottom rail flanges. The upper and lower brackets are to be mounted as parallel as possible. And, when the upper bracket is pressed against the frame rail, if there are any dimples or indentations between the bracket and frame where the mounting holes are, you have to insert a spacer so the bracket or frame doesn't get distorted by sucking them together.

Hope this helps.

 

[Nate]

I still haven't installed them... box has been sitting on a chair in the living room for over a month.



I was wondering when I pull the overloads, will the U bolts be too long? Easy enough to check after I pull it all apart, but I'd need to drive the truck to be able to get the u bolts if I need them.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Why are you pulling the overloads?



Jim

 

[ScottLewis]

On my '98, I did not pull o'loads, nor was cutting liner needed. The provided u-bolts fit OK. I wouldn't jack up before installing since that would put the bags under load from the get-go.

I did find a couple of sheared off mounting bolts after a long, heavily loaded trip. I replaced them with grade-8 bolts but never took any big trips afterward.

 

[Nate]

The kit I got is for no overloads #2071... I figured there was no reason to have overloads since they will never come into play with the air bags.

Why are you pulling the overloads?



Jim

 

[Tardog]

I think if you are worried about the U bolt length, I've seen some use the spacer between the overloads and spring pack moved below the main spring pack so as to be the same thickness. I think this intent is so you can reuse the stock U bolts?