Removing Firestone Work rites and installing air bags..

[mooring_product]

After testing the Firestone Work rites I have decided they aren't for me or my set up.

I went with these over the Timbrens because of price and adjustable shims. They do what they were designed for but the ride suffered unloaded. If the camper lived on the truck I would recommend these.

Now, I'm a big hatter of air bags because of my old set up. I'm hopping I can get a set that don't bend brackets or leak air.

Ive decided on either the new Air Lift Load Lifter Ultimate with jounce bumper or the Hellwig bags. Both are priced at $400 for the pair.

I like the fact that the air lift can be run with little to no air. I like that Hellwig use larger bags that require less air to hold the same weight.

My truck is my DD. Ride comfort is top priority. My truck is level until my wife packs the camper. No sway.

My goal is to have a leveled truck loaded. Any feed back on either bag.

[AH64ID]

Do you really think the airbags limit travel on a HD pickup? I don't, the shocks and springs will limit before the bags will, and even then it's just not that much travel.

I had Firestone bags on a 2007 Toyota Tacoma and with stock rear springs/shocks the travel was not effected by the bags. I did a bit of 4wheeling in the truck and measured max travel before and after install, the shocks where the limiting factor.

If you feel like you need more travel and change the springs/shocks to allow for more travel then get the Carli long travel bags, otherwise don't worry about it.

[HMS_Beagle]

That's why I had asked if anyone had tried them :).

It seems like if the alignment were fairly close that the cup would catch the bottom of the bag. Daystar has a video on their home page showing it working well. I think a bigger concern for me might be rocks getting trapped and puncturing the bag.

[Bedlam]

Sorry, I completely misunderstood the purpose of this device. I don't think I would attempt to apply much weight on a bag which is only attached on one side. It would seem like the bag could double over instead of supporting the weight.

[HMS_Beagle]

Bedlam wrote:
Spacers on the bags will not increase wheel travel. They will increase the height with the same amount of travel. You will now have to keep your rear jacked that much higher when unloaded to prevent bag abrasion.

If you are referring to the parts I referenced above, those are not spacers. They replace the bottom mount of the bag which is allowed to go float free. On rebound, the bag can lift off the device. By setting the top mount such that the suspension can compress all the way to the original bump, you then have full suspension travel.

[mooring_product]

Reddog1 wrote:
When I installed my bags, The instructions said to remove the OEM top overload spring. I did, and have had no problem for about 10 years.

Interesting. I wouldn't remove my overloads for air bags.

I would like outside mount bags but it seems no one makes them. I'm going to go with the inside mount bags. I'm figuring I won't need more then 40lbs to raise it an inch.

[Reddog1]

When I installed my bags, The instructions said to remove the OEM top overload spring. I did, and have had no problem for about 10 years.

[Bedlam]

Spacers on the bags will not increase wheel travel. They will increase the height with the same amount of travel. You will now have to keep your rear jacked that much higher when unloaded to prevent bag abrasion.

[AH64ID]

mooring product wrote:


Im wondering what everyone with the 4th Gens are running for bags and if sway becomes an issue with inside mounted bags.

Your 2012 uses the same frame/suspension that was released in 2003.

The Firestone airbags are of good quality and get great review on all truck from 03-12, and they do reduce sway as well.

PacBrake and Carli also make bags for your truck.

[HMS_Beagle]

Depending on truck and mount, airbags may reduce your suspension travel by some or even a lot. I tried the Firestone over-the-frame kit on my F350, it reduced the jounce travel severely, bags bottomed before the overload spring hit. Depends on the height of the spring block, etc. My truck is completely stock. Even the over-the-spring mount reduces your travel because the bag itself can only accommodate about 5 or 6" while the stock truck has more like 8 or 9".

Has anyone used these? I can see how they might solve the travel and zero inflation issues, but wonder if there are others that they cause?

[Reddog1]

On my 1996 Dodge 2500, they are mounted on the outside of the frame. The springs/hangers are also mounted on the outside. This puts the air bags directly over the axle spring pads.

I don't know that there would be a big difference between the bags being mounted inside or outside the frame. My logic says the outside would be best in sway control, but there may not be that much difference.

[mooring_product]

Reddog1 wrote:
Are the newer frames boxed over the rear axle? I have seen some that were open in that area.

Yup, boxed all the way.

Im wondering what everyone with the 4th Gens are running for bags and if sway becomes an issue with inside mounted bags.

[Reddog1]

Are the newer frames boxed over the rear axle? I have seen some that were open in that area.

[mooring_product]

The box frame on the newer Rams is the issue with mounting bags over the rear springs. No company is making a bolt on set up yet.

[RWDIII]

I have had good luck with the work rites,but I have a lot less weight and on the F150 they replace the bumpstops.
when
I store the camper the work rites are 1.5 inches above the axles,but it still rides like a truck because of the Monroe coil over shocks and my home made half stable loads.I didn't use any spacers with them

[languiduck]

Think again on mounting bags inboard of the springs. If you can picture it in your mind it is very simple to see why that will help with sag but create additional problems that didnt exist. An air bag mounted inside the spring takes load off the spring and places it on the axle tube closer to the axle center. You now have a big sway issue because its the equivalent to moving your springs closer to center. Think teeter totter.
I dont like bags either. But I hate add on springs, rough riding springs, large rubber jounce bumpers worse. If only I could have two trucks so I'd never have to unload the TC