Firestone RideRite install

[Duck]

Installed my Firestone RideRite (Kit #2299) airbags last week. Went pretty well, all things considered. Thought I'd post some pics for anyone who might be considering the same.



I went with the Air Command 1 gallon tank setup.



Here's the passenger side bag,

 

[Duck]

I mounted the gauge inside the lower center storage bin in front. I wanted to know the pressure of the air tank, but didn't want a separate gauge, so I opted for the Dual gauge designed to inflate each bag independantly. But instead of attaching each bag to the gauge, I use one of the needles for the air supply reading.

 

[Duck]

Even though I wired the compressor to an "ignition hot" source, I wanted a way of turning it off completely if I had to. That's what the blue switch is for

 

[Duck]

The compressor is right at home in the passenger side rear storage bin. The "button screw" that the strap snaps into makes an ideal ground source, and there's even a hole (covered with metal grommet) under the carpet for easy access to the under carriage.



The compressor does get rather hot under there when used for a long time. I'll leave the lid open in those cases though...

 

[Duck]

The one gallon tank mounts nicely just below the rear passenger door also. It's tucked up out of the way, and you can't see it at all unless you're laying on the ground.

Note the convenient hole I mentioned earlier, handily patched with the silver stuff

 

[Duck]

I mounted the Painless wiring box to the top of the factory fuse box. I'll get some split loom to dress up the spare wires later. There's enough slack on the wires to make removal of the fuse box lid easy.

 

[Duck]

Here's the grommet in front of the clutch pedal everyone keeps talking about. Thanks DC!

 

[Duck]

The kit comes with a remote valve and a 25' air hose for filling up tires and what not. I was about to drill into my bumper to mount the valve stem, when I noticed the hole in the reciever hitch was roughly the same size! Gave the drill the night off.



With some fish tape, jet line, and a little luck I was able to route the air hose inside the tubular hitch frame. No exposed hoses! Hard to tell from the picture, but it looks OEM to the casual glance.

 

[Spooled-up]

Man, that's sweet. Is that system designed to just be an overload spring? It looks like it is mounted to the outboard of the leaf springs. How does it change the ride?



How are those tires and wheels working out for you?

 

[Duck]

Yes, it's like an overload spring, except that you get to choose (by how much PSI you load it with) when it kicks in and how much.

Ride doesn't change at all if you keep 5-10 PSI in there. Gets noticeably more stout with 20+ PSI.



Dieselman has the same setup. He puts some pretty intense weight on his truck and says it rides like a champ at 80 PSI.



Love the M/T BFG setup. That was the first mod

 

[RJ2]

What is the cost factor?

 

[Duck]

~$600 for the Firestone pieces. I could have gone cheaper, I think you can get teh system w/o in-cab adjustment air for like $300.

But, you get in cab adjustable air springs, an on-board air source w/ in-cab gauge, an external valve and 25' hose for tire fills.



Air horns, here I come

 

[SilverFox]

Man I wish I had those on my truck for $600. Very nice install.

 

[TAllen]

Duck

I hate to revive this thread, but I need to know something. On your control switch for your airbags in the underseat storage compartment. How did you get the electric and air lines out of there? Did you drill a hole out of there and the down through the floor? I'm going to put airbags on my 08, and there's not a good place for the air gauge and switch on the instrument panel. Thanks



Tim

 

[rbattelle]

Duck

I hate to revive this thread, but I need to know something. On your control switch for your airbags in the underseat storage compartment. How did you get the electric and air lines out of there? Did you drill a hole out of there and the down through the floor? I'm going to put airbags on my 08, and there's not a good place for the air gauge and switch on the instrument panel. Thanks



Tim

I don't know if Duck will chime in here, and I haven't installed one of these systems, but I wanted to note there are body plugs that can be used to pass wiring/air lines through the floor or the cab.



Some of these plugs are visible from beneath the truck.



I've attached a drawing that indicates the locations for the floor plugs on a quad cab (drawing courtesy the 2003 service manual).



Ryan

 

[AH64ID]

Very nice... I need to get them on my rig... I had the firestone on my 07 tacoma...

one question: Is the hardware cheap china junk like it was for my tacoma. . i had to replace all of it with real crap half way thru the install the OEM crap was so crappy...

 

[TAllen]

Thanks Ryan, those plugs are handy. I want to get out of the under seat storage space in the front. I think I'll have to drill some holes.



Tim

 

[Cattletrkr]

I'm going to guess Duck won't see this.


"Last Activity: 09-12-2006 07:32 PM "