Air Bags

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I did airlift on my current truck in 3 hrs by myself, but I also wrench “on the side”. Did a buddy’s ‘97 F350 dually with onboard air in 2 1/2 hrs.

I don’t normally do airbags at work.

I installed Firestone bags on my F 150 King Ranch in about 3 hrs, including a dedicated air compressor and control. My f 250 took about 30 minutes longer. My install was to help raise the nose of trailer when backing into our driveway which is an incline from the bottom of the "crown/gutter" on the street. With wt equalizing hitch it's not required for squat as that's the purpose of the equalizing hitch. I did not need bags on either truck for weight capacity either as both trucks were well within limits. On both I maintained around 5-10 psi empty (mfg recommended) and around 30 psi towing which tempers out the effects of the pot holes.
Edit: I should have stated that I am a tool fool. My install was a bit faster as I used air tools (impact gun) and have 2 floor jacks, 12 ton bottle jacks, jack stands etc.

[scottz]

I installed the Air Lift system on my truck, with the wireless air compressor. I did it to improve the ride; not to change height or "increase" load capacity. I did not want to raise or "restore" bed height because I am already a little nose high on the 5th wheel with the original sag. I run 30 PSI in them; it does not change the towing height but it sure helps with the ride. Before air bags the truck would do a lot of bouncing on some of our wonderful interstate systems; the air bags stopped that.

The wireless air compressor is nice and makes installation easier (no hoses or wiring to cab).

I have a set of the Firestone air bags that I installed on my work F350. Can't say there was much difference in the installation. I take all day, but I'm probably a little slower than the average bear. The work truck was a pain because it is a C&C and had a lot of frame drilling. You should not have to do any drilling on a pick up.

As said before, an F150 is not up to the job you are asking it to do; air bags are not going to change that. You probably don't want to hear that you need to buy a bigger truck (I wouldn't, but it's real easy for us to spend your money) so just take it easy and be careful with that F150.

[Hodgy]

.

There are others such as Hellwig and Load lifter 5000 but here are the "Stones" that I found. Hellwig has a "no drill" listed for my 1500.


This is the one listed for my truck on all of the sites, I don't like it.

Firestone #2320 light duty, listed application for 1500 —> DRILL
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/firest...hevy-silverado


This is the one for the 1500 HD and 2500, from looking at the photos and videos I don't see why it would not fit my little truck.

Firestone #2190 for 1500 HD also for 2500 —> DRILL
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=4441



This one is for the 2500 & 3500 HD with no drilling and this is the one I really want to put on my little 1500.

Firestone #2250 for 2500 & 3500 HD —> NO DRILL
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/firest...-2500hd-3500hd

.

[Desert185]

I went with a Timbren SES system, which works realy well for me. 20 minute install. Might be something to look into if anyone hasn’t heard of them.

www.timbren.com

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Desert185

I went with a Timbren SES system, which works realy well for me. 20 minute install. Might be something to look into if anyone hasn’t heard of them.

www.timbren.com

They aren't adjustable, great if you don't require adjustment to varying conditions.

[Nailz]

I installed the Air Lift Ultimate 5000 series bags on my F250. It took me 1 Saturday. I'm slow and methodical and very OCD, All the parts fit fine and the instructions were easy to follow. I'm not a mechanic but I have stayed in several Holiday Inn Expresses...

The concern for me was lifting the truck by the frame to let the axle hang to provide plenty of room to install each air bag. The truck already sits high off the ground, factory, no lift, and I did not have a Jack that had enough reach. I had to cobble together a solution to lift from the frame. I used 4 Jack stands to prevent the truck from falling on me. BE CAREFUL

Curtis

[Hodgy]

.

I looked at the Timbren but the non-adjustabe was a non-starter.

Good point about being safe while lifting the truck. On mine in the past I used my 3 ton floor jack and blocking placed on the trailer hitch to lift. Then I used jack stands to support the frame, leaving the floor jack in place for good measure.

Thanks for the report on the 5000. I am really wanting a no drill situation but if I have to I will do a drill one. I have a supplier in town (Calgary) who carries various air bags, it will end up as a saw-off between convenience and cost.


.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by flybouy

They aren't adjustable, great if you don't require adjustment to varying conditions.

I guess I haven’t found a need for adjustment other than how they self-adjust anywhere between empty (no contact) and full load with the SRX hitched. My stock spring rate with factory trailer package, combined with the Timbren SES, must be ideal for that load range. Lucky, again.

I just suggested that the Timbren system might be a consideration for some over the more complicated and expensive airbags. Because of the design and included spacer (which I didn’t use) there is an inherent adjustability as a load is applied, like with spring rate increase due to the spring stack. Coils, on the other hand, introduce their own issues. Rear coils may not be the optimum solution for varying loads in a pickup. Hello airbags. Dumb down the suspension for a Lincoln Town Car ride empty and create a need for airbags.

[Hodgy]

.

For all the Canucks, the Timbrens' are on sale this week at CanTire, starting at $200.


.

[goducks]

I installed AirCell's. You add or subtract plates for ride height. Zero effect on unloaded ride. No air lines to run. Super easy install.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/products/other/aircell/

Never seen the reason to adjust my ride height. My 5er is level when the trucks 2" lower in the rear. I set the AirCell up so that the truck drops 2" after loaded. Easy peasy.

[Danny5]

I just put in an AirLift 1000 in my truck this afternoon. It took me 2 hours total, but probably 30 of that was trying to find an adequate Jack Stand point that would allow me to access all the suspension. Another 30 minutes was removing and installing fender liners so I could run the air lines properly. Easiest suspension related mod I've ever done.

[Hodgy]

.

That does look easy.

.

[KHBama]

I have an appointment Wednesday to get the airlift 5000s installed. The airbags look simple enough but no chance I would be able to install the air compressor. Pretty excited to see how it improves my setup with our Laredo lite 5er

[Tinner12002]

Originally Posted by Hodgy

Did that, some are not really that helpful, they just want to sell you. I looked at a few youtube videos and they were not bad for showing you the pitfalls.

I wanted some real life information from ones on here who have installed bags themselves.


.

I put a set of airlift 5000s on my dually, if you can use a wrench and ratchet then its about a 1 1/2 hr job depending on where you run the air lines. Pretty simple really.

[fable081]

I installed the Airlift 5000's initially to level off the combo as I was slightly rear end low with my X lite attached. I did not install the Auto Compressor. After some experimentation I need to have 12 -15 lbs in each bag to keep everything level when fully loaded. The added bonus to adding the bags was that the chucking reduced to near nothing. Took about 3 hours to install.

[rhagfo]

I love air bag post, those that say I just put on to smooth the bounce. Then those that just need to level and run at 50 psi+.

I put a set of Bilstein 5100's to control the bounce, that is what shocks are for, and don't need air bags to level, as my TV cam with Camper Package springs.

[ChuckS]

Installed air lift on my 2007 club cab duramax when new.. would not care to be without them.. they do a fine job for the purpose I wanted.. leveling up truck... onboard compressor to adjust as needed depending on load, road conditions, etc...

Great product

[mtlineman2010]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

I love air bag post, those that say I just put on to smooth the bounce. Then those that just need to level and run at 50 psi+.

I put a set of Bilstein 5100's to control the bounce, that is what shocks are for, and don't need air bags to level, as my TV cam with Camper Package springs.

Another Copper Canyon owner. Although I have the Airlift Loadlifter 5000s along with their WirelessOne Compressor. This is my 3rd pickup with the Airlifts and will continue with them. Definitely helps level the ride out. Without them it was bouncy and you could tell you were staring into the sky due to the squat.

Sent from my Note 8