Helper Springs: Remove before installing airbags?

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My '96 4x2 didn't have the helper springs, so installing the airbags was straightforward. But my new 2001 4x4 has them, and I'm not quite sure how to take them off.

So I was thinking... should I even bother removing them? It looks like there are two very long U bolts holding the springs on, and a single bolt on top of the extra leaf of the helper. One concern is when that leaf and the spacer is gone, the U bolts are going to be quite long, and I may even have to get shorter ones.

Heck, while I'm asking questions, can anybody confirm or deny that Hellwig's air springs come in separate 2wd and 4wd kits? Or can I use the kit that was on my '96 on my '01 without a problem?

Thanks!

Rob

 

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I'm looking to put airbags on my 01. I had a set of airlifts when the truck was new but I decided to try the factory overloads first so I sent them back. I measured everything out and my overloads needed to be removed for the bags to work right. With the truck empty and the overloads on, the bags would be compressed to their minimum working height. There was no room for compression and the mounts wouldn't go any higher on the frame. When I do mine I'm going to get shorter U bolts either from the dealer (depending on price) or a 4x4 shop.

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2001 black dually,4x4, 6 speed H. O. ,loaded up and then some!

 

[Archive]

RobG
It ain't the best way, but a friend has a 97 3500 with overloads and Firestone airbags. He had to have the top bracket of the bags welded to the frame to get it to fit right. He's got over 320,000 miles of oilfield hauling, so I guess it works.

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1997 3500 club cab, 10' flatbed, 3:54, auto, 4 Firestone air bags, 252,000+ miles