Hi all
I managed to snag a gently used Firestone Ride-Rite air bag system for my 2000 F250 XLT 4x4 w/ 7.3 PSD. Since I have a 5" lift kit on my truck, I ordered the 5" spacers for the bags. Anyone else used these with a lift ?

My main question is this: the guy I bought the kit from also threw in a T-junction for the air lines so that I'll only need one valve instead of two. Is it better to have one airline valve or two...Will they equalize ? or do they need to be filled independently ?

Thanks !

Scott

 

Seems to me that separate is necessary if loads might be unequal side to side.

 

You'll get the same air pressure which might not be appropriate for uneven loads, as BillO said.
There are two schools of thought on the independent valves. If separate and one side fails, you go down the road lop-sided. If combined with the T junction, and one fails, both air down to nothing and you are back to riding on a stock suspension.

 

You will be better off with seperate fills for each bag. That way you can adjust for uneven weight, and more importantly, when turning a corner the air won't transfer from the side that is getting more weight (outside of turn) to the bag that is getting lighter (inside of the turn).

 

After spending several minutes trying to equalize the air pressure in mine each time with separate fills, am going to install a tee today (if it stops raining). The bags don't take much air volume so you add a little, take out a little - and do that a few times is a royal PITA. If you carry an unequal load on a regular basis, then the dual fills are the way to go. As far as an almost unheard of line failure, I would just as soon have them both deflate at the same time while hauling our 2500 pound pin weight 5th wheel, the trucks suspension will handle it. Of course, the best solution is an on board compressor but I sure don't need that added $300 cost for an occasional minute's convenience ( a bike air pump will work )

 

Ditto... IMASAP is exactly right!!!

 

Not sure about a 2000 but on my 06 I ran my Schrader valves (fill valves) through the bottom 2 holes on my license plate & frame. I still have the (black) dealer license plate frame on my truck and with the valve stem caps on the fill valves you don't even notice them. I split my bags with separate fill valves too. With the minimum 5 PSI in the bags that Firestone recommends it raised the rear of my truck 1/4" but I didn't notice any difference in ride quality when empty. I also bought my setup used and the PO stated that when towing his 32' 5th wheel he only needed to have 20 PSI in the bags to bring his truck to normal ride height. I've yet to pull my 28' tow behind since I added my used air bag set up so I can't give you any input on that but as stated earlier - it sure doesn't seem to take much air pressure in the bags for loads or towing.

 

I ran these Firestones with a custom "Off Road Unlimited, Burbank Ca." set up. They do any size lift. That was a 8" lift with custom rear springs. Everyone has a opinion on a "tee" fitting. I ran individual fillers because................... That is what felt right to me. Not sure but I think I ran 3lbs on a no load and 80ish when I had my appox 17k 5th wheel on it.

On the first picture the air bag bracket is welded to the 5th wheel hitch bracket.