2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Installing Firestone Air Bags

[InThinAir]

Well 65k miles, hauling the slide in or the horse trailer or both has finally done in the leafs and overloads. I am starting to sag in the back end, that is the truck is sagging. I seem to be on the overloads all the time now empty. So, I bought the air bags over the weekend and was wondering a couple of things on the install.



First, I have to drill 8 holes. Since I have a Short Bed I drilled some 1/2" holes when I put on the Reese Titan. That went no problem. So I don't think I need to use any drill oil, right? These are smaller, 3/8" I think maybe smaller.



Second, I have to pull out the wheel well liners right? If yes do I need to buy anything to put them back in with, possible BOMBS?



Third, Removing the Overloads? Should I? Can I? I mean I have a good set of tools but that doesn't make me a mechanic, if you know what I mean...



Forth, Wondering how to jack up the truck and make sure at the recommended 10 PSI for empty running, that I have not modified, significantly the ride height.



I did a search and found other helpful suggestions on making sure the tubing is sealed and others. But any other advice would be appreciated.



---Doug

 

[Straight6Jeff]

Replacing your rear springs should be on your list. the airbags are a great add on, but if you start with worn springs, that can set up some handling issues. If your springs are sagging that much, check the leaves for cracks where they are clamped down and where the center-pin is located.

 

[InThinAir]

I am dissappointed with the Leafs and the Overloads. Replaced them on the 1500 and put in an add a leaf at the same time as the air bags. I thought that the 2500 leafs with the camper package would do better. I guess not. I will check the springs when I do the install.





---Doug

 

[roadranger]

Most recommend taking off the overloads when you mount the air bags. There's not enough space above the helpers to prevent bottoming out on the bag mounts, tearing them up.



I know this from experience--the Lance camper dealer put the bags on top of my helpers and ended up with only 3 1/2 inches of suspension travel before bottoming out--it ain't enough.



They didn't remove the wheel well liners when installing, but the center plastic hold down "button" won't hook up anymore.



The 10 psi minimum WILL raise your ride height if the bags are mounted above the helper springs. If properly mounted on the mains, it'll just cushion the travel.

 

[InThinAir]

Thanks for the information. I was really wondering about the overloads. I think I will have to figure out how to re-attach the wheel well liners.



I appreciate the responses. I was thinking I wasn't gonna get anyone to reply! I was gonna change the topic to "I just bought Amsoil air bags do they need to be API certified to keep my warranty"

 

[M Barnett]

Yes, I would use cutting oil on the drill. I have Firestone air bags and in the instructions it gave dimensions to cut away part of the wheelwell liners which I did. Also my truck is a 94 with four wheel ABS brakes. I was surprised when I had about 30 lbs in the bags, the brakes surged really bad, empty truck. This was caused from the truck being much higher in the rear and activating the abs sensor. This isn't any problem as the bags shoud only be about three pounds when empty and the truck is pretty level. Just a heads up in case you run into this.

Michael

 

[Reddog1]

Originally posted by InThinAir

Thanks for the information. I was really wondering about the overloads. I think I will have to figure out how to re-attach the wheel well liners.



I appreciate the responses. I was thinking I wasn't gonna get anyone to reply! I was gonna change the topic to "I just bought Amsoil air bags do they need to be API certified to keep my warranty"

You are living on the edge. But the answere to your question is YES, unless you have a stick shift. LOL





Wayne

Oo.

 

[tgrfan2]

bags

I put air bags and rear sway bar on my 95 LB at the same time. It really stiffened the ride. I am thinking about doing the same to my 98 SB, but I am considering removing the bed to do it. The right side install was easy, but the tank side was a bear. Shadetree Mechanic makes removing the bed sound like the easy way to do this and also replace the fuel pump. Anyone tried it this way?

 

[Reddog1]

When I put my bags on, I discovered it was pretty easy after I figured out to use a 2x2 (about 24 inches long) as a pry bar to move the tank.



Use care drilling holes on the tank side. I got a little careless, almost drilled a new vent hole. Fortunately, I had pried the tank over before drilling.





Wayne

 

[CumminsPower98]

Just lay a little piece of flat steel between the tank and the frame, this is what I did to avoid hitting the tank when installing Air Rides on my cousin's truck.



Mark

 

[Reddog1]

CumminsPower98 - I would probably be as calm on my cousin's truck too.



But, this was MY TRUCK, and I was a lot more excited (Oo. ), and impatient to experience the wonderful results. I was so excited, I had to go pee two times.





Wayne

 

[CumminsPower98]

LOL, yea I was wishing I was putting them on my truck. They did make the ride nicer on his even with quite a lot of air in them. I will probably have some one day.

 

[Reddog1]

I have a slide in camper. My Ram did not have an anti-sway bar (rear). It had after market Helwig overload springs.



I knew from past experience, that the anti-sway bar was a must. I installed a 1 1/8-inch diameter Helwig anti-sway bar, then the air bags. After experiencing the air bag overloads, I will argue that they are also a must, unless you never carry a load.



By the by, air bag overloads should not be confused with air ride.





Wayne

 

[InThinAir]

Did the install over the weekend. Everything went pretty well. What I decided is I would only drill two holes for each side. This way I can remove the bags if I don't like them or drill the other holes if I want to keep them. I mounted the brackets as high up on the frame as I could which I think will give me the most travel. I also didn't use any of the spacers to raise the bags up. But I noticed that I didn't get any change in ride height until about 30 Psi in the bags. I think that is how they should be, that way the bags are not spongy carrying the load. I didn't have any leaks, which was good.



By the way I left the overloads on. 2 reasons, where do I get a U bolt that will work for just the standard leafs? The Dealer?



Second, I am lazy



So I will let you know the improvement over the stock overloads when I put in the slide-in over Thanksgiving for a trip to New Mexico.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

You might consider talking with Dr. Bob in your part of the world - his contact details are in my truck profile bio below left.