I'm still on the fence regarding whether or not to add these to my truck. One question I have is do the air bags improve ride quality when towing or do they just help level the truck? I'm currently considering going with a air lift system with, compressor, over sized tank, and accessory fill hose for filling tires etc.

 

get them!! They don't do anything unloaded...just lower the psi to around 5 psi. But loaded it will help alot for the heavy loads.

Yes leveling it is one of the main functions but when you are heavy it helps alot for the big bumps in the road.

 

Man I knew you would chime in and make me bite the bullet Senix. I really appreciate the input as these things aren't cheap so wanted to make sure there worth the investment.

 

To me they are. When you hit the bumps and you are close to the bump stops that is very hard on things.

so air bags will cushion most of that shock.

BTW, I love to spend other peoples money

 

So I'm looking at the airlift 5000 and firestone ride rite system. What are advantages and disadvantages of each? One thing I see with the air lift is that I must choose goose next version or without. Currently don't have one yet but may in future. Any thoughts?

 

I have the firestones so don't know much about the airlift. Firestones are good with anything.

 

I also have the firestone airbags and compressor set up, I was happy with the set and would purchase them again for any future trucks. In the past I never had the compressor, just the manual fill airbags, now that I have the compressor set up I would never install air bags without it again. My friend at work has the Airlift setup, I believe it was more expensive then the Firestone system but functions well for him. I don't remember where I got my airbags for sure but I bought the compressor setup from autoanything.com. They usually offer a 10-15% from time to time which could save you some $$$.

 

I have the airlift set up and no complaints at all. A friend with a 2006 truck has the Firestone and and they are virtually identical to the eye. The reason for asking GN or not is that if you install an under the bed (hidden ball) GN the air bag brackets will interfere with the GN brackets (just barely). It depends on what style GN hitch you buy. The airlift bags designed to fit any GN mount under the frame rail instead of on the side of it. But I "think" they also mount on top of the axle shaft instead of the spring plate.
My friend with the 2006 had the interference problem with the Firestones, he just notched the brackets and put a tack weld on the GN hitch bracket for added measure.

 

here is how I mounted my switch and gauge for the compressor.
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Not the best picture but you can see how the air lift set up looks

 

do u guys know if the rear stabilizer bar comes standard on the 11 f350 srw?

 

Man that looks nice Caprang. I just spoke to my diesel shop that does this type work and he's done several of the air lifts but no Firestones. I think both look good but may go air lift since he's done so many. Now he mention using a double gage vs a single. Would this be a gauge for airbag pressure and one for tire filling etc?

 

You will like the bags. I had firestone but others are the same. They allowed me to tow a 17,000 lb 5er with a short bed F250. Be sure to get your compressor out of the weather as much as you can. I mounted on the frame and then put a piece of sheet metal across the area under it. Cost was small and the sheet metal kept the pump nice and dry.

 

Definitely get the bags! With a load it'll ride much smoother, keep you level, and keep your headlights out of everyone else's eyes!

Caprang- I like the gauge placement! Did you remove the aux input, or move it somewhere else? I always thought it looks funny with a large area there with the small aux input right in the middle, a waste of good space!

 

Get the dual gauges, mine will allow me to add air to each side independantly. Great if you load one side more than the other.