overload bags

[LM6000]

I've been wanting to put a set of 5000lb overload air bags on the rear of my 2500. I got on Air Lift's website and looked at their installation instructions and it looks like you still have to drill four

holes in the frame, use 4" long bolts that pass all the way thru with a nut on the other side, and they don't include spacers for inside the frame. I'm waiting for Firestone to email me back on a part number and suggested retail.



Has anyone put this kind of setup on their truck and, if so, what is the mounting config?

 

[smartineau]

L6000,



I was just looking at air bags, and am about to do a search on 'Timbren' does any body know about this product? Which would be better for a slide in camper, Timbren, Air ride, or firestone what evers?



thanks steve

 

[monkfarm]

FORGET AIR LIFT : JUNK air bags

You do not want Air Lifts:

I had purchased air lifts for my '95 ford powerstroker, these were (and probably still are) mostly made in China. I purchased thru an auto parts store and I purchased the only one listed. I had constant problems with it: air leaks, inferior hose that caused leaks, inferior hose conections, etc etc. I then had the compressor go out (all within 2 yrs or less of purchase. I found the paperwork that came with it and called customer service, and talked to a canterous, snappy, hatefull woman that assured me that I could not just buy the compressor (a ringeydink contraption if i ever saw one (also made in china)) (don't know why I wanted a replacement, just junk) but I could buy a new improved model (she refused to tell me where that was made: probably chinese junk as well) for a lot more money. FORGET AIRLIFT!!!!!

I'm really happy with my Firestone airbags (made in USA or at least it was in '99) And I took a look at a Goodyear airbag, It seemed to compare well with my firestones.

 

[yogibear]

I put the Airlift Bags on my 96 before it had 5K mi. on it. Had 300K on it when I traded for my 00, changed them to my 00, left them on it when I sold it to a friend, had 200K on it, and never had a leak. Compressor went out at about 150K on the 00, and they charged me $25. 00 for new one. They are still on the 00, and have never leaked. If they would have fit my 03, they would be on it.



Larry

 

[Dean Upson]

I used air bags on my 98 and liked them, no leaks no problems. I went with Timbrens http://www.timbren.com/ (a rubber spring) on my '03 because they require no drilling. I like them so far and you cannot tell they are on empty.



Dean

 

[rrl989]

If 03's come with a camper pkg. , I would not use them. Mounted on top of the overloads has the bags bottoming out before the helper springs engage. I hit a few potholes and severely bent the Ail-Lift brackets.



Ron

 

[Bill Stockard]

I’m glad to see someone interested in installing air bags on an ’03. My Lance dealer says there might be clearance problems on ’03 DRW 3500s between the tires and springs with the Firestone Ride-Rites and Air-Lift 5000 air bags. I haven’t crawled under an ’03 DRW 3500 to check the clearance yet.



I have the Air-Lift 5000 air bags, dual gauge/control, and on board compressor system on my ’00 DRW 3500 and am assuming I won’t be able to change it over. This and a couple of other things are delaying my decision on ordering an ’03 DRW 3500.



Bill

 

[Fireman]

LM6000,

I have a 3500 an it probably has a heavier spring package than the 2500, but if I wre you I would load the truck and see what happens before adding anything. My 5th wheel has a pin weight of 2000# and it only squatts the truck about 1 1/2 inches, that's nowhere near level with the front. I'm sure that it would be a waster of time and money for me to add anything to mine at the moment.

FWIW
Fireman

 

[Scooby]

A fifth wheel is "light" compared to many slide in campers. For example, mine weighs over 3,000 lbs when empty and probably around 4,000 lbs when loaded. I have an '01 2500 with Firestone air-bags and Rancho 9000 shocks and roadmaster springs (I removed the factory overloads). The combination handles the weight just fine (in terms of looking level and suspension travel), I just wish I had the training wheels to help with the side-to-side swaying - and to bring me back within proper weight limits.



I'm considering an '03 dually for this exact reason and am interested in the results of this post.

 

[monkfarm]

difference

the difference between the firestones I have now, and the goodyears that I have looked at; and the airlifts that I had (I'm not sure which model they were, were astounding. Larger airbags, heftier brackets, airhoses that didn't leak, (an obviously higher quality hose, hose connections that actually worked well. )

The Airlifts that I had (bought way back in '95 admittedly) were obviously inferior. A comparison shopper that looked at the different products would not want the Airlifts I had. :-{}

 

[Prairie Dog]

I had Firestones on my last truck for 70K and never had a problem. However, I know of a newer Ford (I know, I know bear with me) that has air bags and is also equiped with a hydroframed tubular frame like ours. When a load was placed on the bed his frame cracked at the air bag mount. Looking at my own frame, it looks like Dodge has spread the load out alot at the point the springs attach to the frame. I'm a little concerned that our frames could crack as well if a heavy load is placed in one small area of the frame. Just a thought.

 

[LM6000]

Thanks for the replies. You guys are great.

I had emailed Firestone last night and asked if they made a kit and what the part number and suggested was. I got an answer today saying the part number was W21-760-2299 and the price was $299 so now I just need to find best place to buy around here. I went on Timbren's site and I'm definantely interested now where there is no drilling. The number was DR2500C but no price. I assume the load rating was 2500lbs because it was used in many different part numbers than just on 2500s. Someone was wondering about putting bags on for a camper? My last ride was an 01 srw 2500 4X4 with an 11' Northland camper(pushing 4000lb) and I can tell you those 5000lb(Airlift) bags made all the difference in the world. They even helped sway quite a bit. I'll know more tommorrow on which route I'll be going.



Thanks again!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I'm sure a lot of us would like to see a picture of the final install!Oo.

 

[Dean Upson]

This is what the Timbrens look like on my truck without a load.



Dean

 

[Dean Upson]

This is what the timbrens look like with my fiver attached.



Dean

 

[TBOB]

Bags

I ran the Airlift on my '99 2500 with a 5er pin wt of 3200 LBS. They worked well and had no leaks.

I took a good look at the bag mounts for my 03 3500 and it looked like they would work ok. At this point the 03 only drops 2. 5 " with the 5er weight. The rear is still above level. To see the top of the spring on the 3500 just stick your head above the tire, it's a fine view. TBOB

 

[robertsmith]

Hey TBob,



Do you have an SRW or DRW? A Quad or Regular Cab? A Short or Long Bed?



I have ordered a 3500 SRW Quad Short Bed, and plan to put an 1800 lb (dry) pop-up camper on it. I need to decide whether to have the camper dealer install air springs, or to try it without air springs.

 

[LM6000]

Dean Upson



Sorry it took so long for me to get back but thanks for the picks. They're great. After seeing them on your truck, I'm going to get some for mine. I still like the idea of being able to adjust height with the air bags, but the mounting systems leave something to be desired. On Air Lift's Site, you can clearly see the bolts passing through both sides of the frame and there aren't any spacers inside to keep from crushing the frame. Do these aftermarket people even try to keep tabs on the industry they're serving? The Timbren's mounting approach is so easy and worry free that, at least for now, I'm going that route.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I'm thinking of going with the Firestone Ride-Rite no drill air bags on my '03 3500 DRW. I have the Air Lift 5000s on my present '00 3500 DRW with the on board compressor and gauges.



Does anyone know if the Firestone and Air Lift air lines will interchange? I would like to use my Air Lift on board compressor and gauges... and save a few $$.



Bill