Which Ride-Rite Airbags?

[Gaylord]

I need some information as to which model Firestone Ride-Rite air-bags to install on my CTD.



One model requires drilling the frame, which I'm reluctant to do and the other requires removing the small rubber stoppers from the frame. The later also includes an exhaust shield.



Anyone have an experiences with either model? Any pros or cons?



Thanks

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I have the other requires removing the small rubber stoppers from the frame. The later also includes an exhaust shield type.



So far everything is good. I have had them on for almost 3 years.

 

[JFaulkner]

Mine remove the rubber blocks also, they work great. Definately get the firestones, I got the Air Lift brand by accident and the brackets are junk by comparison.

 

[jelag]

We have an air compressor on our trucks that came with the pacbrake... 04, 04. 5, 05 and we've installed a regulator and check valve from that compressor to supply air bags...



I got the 3 kits from www.summitracing.com and used the other brand they carry other than firestone... we bolted them in place... they have worked great... the 04 has the highest mileage at about 235K miles... . Might be www.summit.com... . in either case its Summit Racing... .



I need to add..... after reading some posts here... . my BIL has a 3500 with a service body on the truck... he hauls a lot of weight and the guy that installed the service body drilled the frame on the side of the tube... and it later cracked and the cracks spread... . he had to lift part of the service body and strengthen the frame... I also saw a baby Freightliner in one of our customers locations. . we sell to some Freightliner stores, an ambulance with one frame rail out of the truck... seems the ambulance company modified the frame when they installed the body... . and with less than 15,000 miles the frame cracked and would have failed if it hadn't been caught in an inspection. . The body builder picked up the cost of the repair as they had modified the frame outside of Freightliner standards... . I personally would not drill the frame.....



Hope this helps...

 

[BGlidewell]

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/2220D.html

might be useful.

 

[Nate]

Mine is bolted to the frame. I don't see the problem with putting holes in the frame??

 

[C.E.SMITH]

GAYLORD, I JUST COMPLETED INSTALLING AN AIR LIFT kit No. 57280 on my 2005 3500 4x4. . no drilling of the frame required. . You just remove the Jounce bumpers and bolt the air lift air bag assembly to frame at old bumper location... I routed the fill lines to back bumper ajacent to license plate for easy filling and checking.....



HOSS

 

[Prairie Dog]

The kits with brackets fit so nice there's just no reason to drill the frame. Stick with either brand and you wont have any problems. I saw a 1 ton ferd that carried a heavy camper and cracked his frame after just bolting bags on.

My Firestones have been working great for 3 years.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I have both. '97 has Air Lift bolted to the frame and '06 has Ride Rites in place of bump stops. Not a hint of problems with either set-up.

 

[Gaylord]

Thanks guys for the information. I was leaning toward the bags that remove the jounce bumpers.



Does a 4" exhaust present any problems?



Nate, as a general rule, one should never drill the web portion of any frame. This is where the strength is and you do not want to compromise same. Drilling the flange portion does not present the same issues.



So far the best price is $234. 26 from trucksprings.com & summitracing.com is a close second at $235. 95. Shipping is the determining factor and Summit Racing is closer.

 

[Bob V]

Another vote for the no drill kit, had one on my '97 and on my '05. Much easer to install and looks much better. You didn't say if you have overload springs on the truck, if you do they would have to come off to put on the drill kit.

Bob V

 

[BDeMartile]

I have no experience with the drill type but the Firestone ride rites (from summit racing) were painless just remove the jounce bumpers and bolt in the airbags.

 

[JFaulkner]

Nate, as a general rule, one should never drill the web portion of any frame. This is where the strength is and you do not want to compromise same. Drilling the flange portion does not present the same issues.

Not sure where you heard that but I've always been told that you can drill the frame as long as it is NOT in the flanges. i. e. on a "C" channel frame you can drill through the side, not the top or bottom. There are warning labels all over every semi truck\trailers stating "Do not drill flange" If I had a truck here I'd take a pic of the stickers.



Local truck dealer bought a Pete at an auction that someone drilled through the bottom of the frame in order to remove a motor mount bolt, it's currently having the entire frame rail replaced (huge job) in order to be sellable. (wouldn't pass DOT inspection otherwise)

 

[Gaylord]

Thanks for the post JFaulkner. I went out and checked a couple of tractors (Freightliners) and they have stickers that say "Do not drill the frame". I asked a mechanic and he said "Never drill the flanges".



I stand corrected. Thank you.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

You didn't say if you have overload springs on the truck, if you do they would have to come off to put on the drill kit.

Bob V

Don't want to start an arguement, but I didn't have to. I put the Air Lift bolt on kit on my '97 and left the overloads in place. No fitment problems at all.