Firestone Ride-Rites

[Fr@nk]

Has anyone installed the 2299 no drill kit on a 04. 5 Ram 3500 DRW. It looks like the botom bag bracket may interfer with a metal brake line that tees into a brass fitting attached to the top of my driver side axle. I have no interfere on the passenger side.

 

[RAMINSPEED]

I just put one on my 03 3500 SRW with no problems. I havent towed yet but will be towing this weekend with it. It seems like I can feel the road more even with only 5lbs of ain in them. I hope it helps the ride while loaded with the trailer.

 

[GerryDrake]

Been contemplating this myself, but my concerns have to do with whether you can install/use them if you remove the two spacers under the springs, resulting in a 1 1/4" lowering of the rear end . . . Opinions ?

 

[Fr@nk]

Thanks Raminspeed, It looked a little scary down there last night. I guess I'll just order them in and see if they fit. If yours fit mine should fit also.

Fr@nk

Originally posted by RAMINSPEED

I just put one on my 03 3500 SRW with no problems. I havent towed yet but will be towing this weekend with it. It seems like I can feel the road more even with only 5lbs of ain in them. I hope it helps the ride while loaded with the trailer.

 

[SRadke]

Originally posted by GerryDrake

Been contemplating this myself, but my concerns have to do with whether you can install/use them if you remove the two spacers under the springs, resulting in a 1 1/4" lowering of the rear end . . . Opinions ?

You probably should read this thread before you even consider trying to make a truck lower after installing these.



-Scott

 

[EB]

Don't know what the difference might be between the 03 and 04. 5 but I've had them on my 03 for well over 100k miles with no problems. Very simple install.

 

[GFritsch]

Installed these bags about three weeks ago. The only struggle was getting the bottom bracket into place between the leaf springs and u clamps. Had to tap it into place with a hammer. Also the directions showed mounting the top air inlet into the wrong hole on the top bracket. Installing into the hole shown on the instructions put the bag at a bad angle. Using the other hole had the bag straight.



Other then that the install was easy.

 

[GerryDrake]

Originally posted by SRadke

You probably should read this thread before you even consider trying to make a truck lower after installing these.



-Scott

Thanks Scott... I read it 'from cover to cover' and since I am not that dissatisfied with the ride, think I will hold off on the bags. I think I'll just go ahead and lower the 1. 25" and see how well that works. Gerry

 

[Prairie Dog]

I don't think they'll work if you are going to lower the truck. They have to have a minimum pressure at all times to make them keep their shape and prevent a crease from forming and causing a split. Because of this they will actually raise the back of the truck ever so slightly.

 

[Fr@nk]

Thanks for all of the comments, but I like the truck height and that's not the issue. My original concern was mounting the bottom bracket on top of the axle on the drivers side. There is a metal brake line that runs along the top of my axle. If it makes any difference, I've got a 04. 5 Ram 3500 dually with a 4. 10 rear end and 6 speed manual. I have plenty of clearance on the passenger side.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The supplied bracket straddles the brakeline, it doesn't even come close to touching it.

 

[Fr@nk]

Thanks Prairie Dog, that's what I wanted to hear. I found them on line for $240 and didn't want to get stuck with a merchandise return with a cyberspace company if they didn't fit.

 

[crobertson1]

The Firestone Ride-Rites are what I'm considering-kit No. 2299. Also the Dual Air Command III setup. I'm interested in keeping the stock ride height while not towing but let it compress a little while towing. Do the bags change the ride height with the proper pressure?

 

[Prairie Dog]

I just went out and let the 5 psi (min pressure) out of mine and it dropped 3/8" at the receiver.

 

[CLAYTON]

Originally posted by crobertson1

The Firestone Ride-Rites are what I'm considering-kit No. 2299. Also the Dual Air Command III setup. I'm interested in keeping the stock ride height while not towing but let it compress a little while towing. Do the bags change the ride height with the proper pressure?

Mine seems to sit just right with 5psi in the bags. I wonder how much my B&W weighs and if that weight makes it sit just right. 5psi = 250 lbs in the bed of the truck. It sure is nice for towing and not getting blinded by people thinking I had my brights on.

 

[daytripper63]

If you lower truck you will bounce on overloads when you hit bumps when loaded and lessens quality of ride.

After removing blocks under springs I was that much closer to overload spring bumpers and most any bump when loaded truck suspension would go down till it hit over load stop and on poor roads or some freeways you would just bounce down the road

Not a nice ride.



If you have 4x4 and bed hieght is to high

This is what I did to stop 5er from hitting bed rails

Installed 2" level kit to front of truck which lowered rear corners 2" now withno load, truck is still a bit higher in back and when loaded it levels out nice, and no more hitting 5er