Firestone bags and Brake proportion valve

[QWaller]

I started the install on my bags last night. The sales write up was "easy, no drill" etc. No big probs so far but far from straight forward. My kit goes on the inside of frame. Hade to remove the e-brake axle clamp and grind to different shape and move cable. Next was working around the brake proportiong valve. I took lever arm off and bent away from the bag. Also ground down the arm for clearance. The actual bracket that mounts to the frame also had to be ground quite a bit to fit nicely against the truck frame on the bottom. Question is, how important is the proportiong valve? Instructions came with a TSB about removing it and running a direct brake line. Seems that this applies only to some 97 and 98 models. Anyone familiar with this issue feel free to advise. I am not against removing the valve altogether, just thought it would be useful at times.

 

[jelag]

I've thought about this for the last 20 or so hours since I first read it... thinking about how and what I wanted to say...

We've installed a lot of air bags, but not on this old of a truck. .

We've never run into a clearance problem in the past with the brand we install...

I guess I need to really get to the point... I'm thinking that I'd do nothing to alter the existing brake including removing the proportioning valve... If you did so... . even with a Chrysler TSB I think you'd be taking a lot of risk if you were ever in an accident with this truck...

The valve is designed to allow more flow and pressure to the rear wheels when the valve sees a lower bed or higher loads... this moves some of the breaking action from the front wheels to the rear... always remember that in a real panic stop the fronts do about 70% of the work. . so this valve also limits the pressure to the brakes during these stops as the weight moves off the rear brakes and the load on the rear axle becomes lighter... . The weight shifting forward puts a very large load on the front tires, and brakes where the rear brakes do a lot less work...

I think I'd be very careful about changing anything that might later be considered modification of the brake system... .

 

[jheier]

I installed Firestone air bags on my '97 2500 4x4. Although I had to drill 4 holes in the frame on each side, it was very easy and seemed a lot less complicated than what you had to do.



On my '08 3500 4x4 dually the airbag install took me all of 30 minutes to install, that's both sides in less than 30 minutes. No drilling, no prying, no cursing... easiest install I've ever done.

 

[QWaller]

I bought the kit that is 0222 I think. Made specifically for these trucks with overload springs. The bags sit to the inside of the frame. Supposed to be straight bolt on. Probably went the wrong way with decision, oh well. I got them installed and still using the brake valve. Prob could have simply bolted the brackets up, but grinding them made them fit proper and I am glad I did it now. The bags sit nice and square now. They work well and the ride is impoved. I have a heavy steel flatbed on my truck and they work well.

 

[Andersonville]

On my '06,the air bag bracket vibrated loose and moved over next to the brake valve and broke the brake line. Make sure you tighten the air bag clamps down and use locktite or lock washers on the clamp nuts. Firestone air bags.

 

[QWaller]

I actually was thinking about doing that all the way around after I put some miles on them and let everything seat well. I have placed some lock nuts in areas already.

 

[Andersonville]

I was pulling a 35' portable silo across rural SD and luckily there was no traffic at the stop sign I went through!!! I got to Winner SD and the Dodge dealer had to order the part for me. Only took 2 days to get it! I will eventually get it to a REAL spring shop and get it done right. The airbags are only good for leveling the headlights.