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WilsonCampers's avatar
WilsonCampers
Explorer
May 28, 2016

F53 Ride-rite air springs - Help

I'm installing some Firestone ride-rite air springs on the front my 2006 F53 Chassis.

The installation guide recommends that you mount one side of the mount behind the U-bolts on the springs... however -- I cant seem to get mine in there and even if I could... the other side of the bottom mount of the ride rites wouldn't be flat and I'd be bolting it to the spring at an angle.

Has anyone else seen something similar? I was thinking of just mounting them forward of the spring U-bolts but I wasn't sure if they'd shift while driving.
Class A

10 Replies

  • timmac's avatar
    timmac
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2016
    WilsonCampers wrote:
    One more question - did you remove the bump stops? Or if you replaced them with another set, where did you find a more narrow set that didn't rub the airbags?


    Yes the bump stops were removed and I just ordered a set made for the F-53 chassis year, if yours don't fit than maybe you got the wrong bags.
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    Jun 06, 2016
    This is what mine look like.

    Front


    Rear


    They helped some on body roll and such much not as much as Koni shocks and the sway bar mod. Being able to reestablish correct ride height for a given load is the big advantage. Also being able to level when parking lot boon docking also.
  • WilsonCampers's avatar
    WilsonCampers
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2016
    One more question - did you remove the bump stops? Or if you replaced them with another set, where did you find a more narrow set that didn't rub the airbags?
  • WilsonCampers's avatar
    WilsonCampers
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    Timmac - Thanks so much for your response and pics. I was afraid that if I mounted them as you did that the bottom clamp wouldn't make full contact at an angle.

    I really appreciate your help!
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    May 29, 2016
    I have the four corner air bags and adjust the air pressure as needed. I pump them up to around 80psi when there are heavy winds and lower the pressure to around 25 psi with no wind and this smooths out the ride.
  • jergeod's avatar
    jergeod
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    Sumo springs are the only way to go for ride, body roll, cross wind for and F53.
  • timmac's avatar
    timmac
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    Yes it does help with body roll, I have air bags front and back, however you only need about 20-25 psi in front and in back I use 65 psi cause I pull a trailer with about 650 lbs of tonged weight.

    You also need to stiffen the sway bars.
  • mc_cc's avatar
    mc_cc
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    What kind of results did you get after installing these? I have the F53 2006 chassis. I am considering putting these on. I have a lot of body roll and hoping that these would correct some of that. Thanks
  • timmac's avatar
    timmac
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    One side is mounted behind U bolt and other in front of U bolt and yes it sits at a slight angle, I am going to be loading pics in a moment for you.

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