Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bags

[Bill Stockard]

Has anyone installed the no-drill Firestone Ride Rite air bags on an '03 3500 DRW LB rear axle? The Ride Rites fit on the rear axle inboard of the spring pack and fit on the frame using the frame to axle rubber bump stop bolts as the air bag bracket mounting point.



I currently am using Air Lift 5000s on my '00 3500, but they won't fit the '03s. The Air Lifts for the '03s require drilling the frame.



Also does anyone know if the Air Lift lines will interchange with the Ride Rites? I am using the Air Lift on board compressor and gauges and would like to continue using them if the plastic lines with the push-on connectors will interchange.



Bill

 

[yogibear]

Bill, you should check out the Air Lift bags for the 03's. www.airliftcompany.com

I saw the Firestone kit at an RV show, and did not like the looks of their bags, they do not use the double convaluted bags, their's looks like a football. I don't think the non-convaluted bags will give as good a ride. Just my $. 02 worth.



Larry

 

[Bill Stockard]

Larry,



Thanks for the reply.



The Ride-Rites are 5,000 lb capacity convoluted bags and the same as the Air Lift 5000s. See : http://www.ride-rite.com/ProductInfo.htm



What you evidently saw at the RV show were the Sport-Rites which are the same as the lighter capacity Air Lifts.



I have the Air Lift 5000s on my '00 3500 now and don't want to drill the frame rails on the new '03 3500.



I guess I'll have to be the first one to try them out!!



Bill

 

[yogibear]

I checked out the site, looks good. That is different than they showed me at the show, but wasn't the sport-rite. Let us know how they work out. I had the Air Lifts on 2 trks. 96 & 00, over 500K mi. , same kit, no problems. I don't think theres much diff. bet. the two.



Larry

 

[Bill Stockard]

Larry,



Yep, you are right!! I just looked at the Air Lift web site and they now also have no drill installation. My problems are solved... I'll continue using my Air Lift on board compressor and gauges and use the new Air Lift no drill bags.



I hit the panic button too soon!



The production date on the new '03 is the week of March 17th... gotta make a decision on the air bags, camper tie downs, and Ranchos pretty pronto.



Bill

 

[Prairie Dog]

They all use the same 1/4" pneumatic brake line material, so yes there interchangeable.

 

[johnjackson]

Bill



The plastic tubing is big truck stuff, all the same. I've had trouble with the plastic push together connectors. What I did was went to the big truck store and got brass wrench together, DOT approved for big truck brake systems connectors. No problems.



John