New guy alert LOL I am on a few Super Duty sites but first post here. You guys actually saved me some money. I bought my Firestone Ride Rite system last week and decided this week I want onboard air so I went and bought kit 10007 (thanks to this sites youtube star) So I was all prepared to get started tomorrow and was really not liking the idea of 2 seperate compressors mounted. So I read up here and found the Pneumatic guage...sweet just saved over $200 and not mounting 2 compressors.

Now my issue, I am pretty handy with a wrench in fact I have done all of my upgrades myself but air is new so I am going to have to learn. I have read the posts here about mounting ideas and that you can use the gauge to run the bags out of the VIAIR but can not find any indepth information about how to hook the 2 up together and have a seperate place to run the air.

If anyone could breakdown or show how this all works together I would be in your debt. Now I have to wait until friday for the new gauge to get here to install so I have some time to research. Or is this one of those things that once you get all the parts laid out on the ground it visually comes together?

Semper Fi
Kevin

2011 F-250 4x4 6.7L
Banks Intake & Exhaust
Edge CTS
Pure Performance 4" Triple threat lift w/ Remote Res. Icons
35" Nitto Trail Grapplers / Pro Comp Wheels
AMP Research Powersteps
Front & Rear Ranchhands
Warn 12K Winch
Warn Fogs
Rigid Industries 6" light bar
Fox Racing Steering Stabilizers
Bakflip G2
Bedrug
....many more small custom touches

 

I just did the same thing back a couple of months ago and did a write up in the 6.4L section. Here it is https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-love-it.html . Check out the mounting bracket as it is very easy to work with. I bought the dual pneumatic guage as well. I wanted my bags to be operated independently of each other. I also bought a Viair compressor mount for the frame(only holes I drilled) to locate it near the compressor. I used EpicCowlick's video as a basis for my install. He does a fantastic job of installing his. Once the tank and compressor was mounted(I don't have to worry about salt on the roads that much here-but fluid film would help that) I ran a line out of the tank through the firewall to the Firestone pneumatic guage, that will enable you to use the bags independently of the Viair system. I did use Epic's advice and ran the air intake(breather) inside the cab using the grommet at the right rear of the cab at the bed line. I took out the grommet and used a much smaller hole punch and punched a hole in it so I could feed the line through. (remember to tie up this line so it doesn't hang on anything. I also ran a air line for the Viair guage and put them side by side under the steering wheel. I also have been asked several times how I got the line into the cab, well take a look here. They are up and out of the way.
I also put an air chuck on the right side of my truck under the right side of the cab. After the pics were done, I went back and installed a 1/4" ball shut off under the door to be able to shut it off to keep it form leaking. All these air chucks will eventually leak. Will get a pic if you need me too. I wired the compressor and pressure switch just like Epic using a splitter and ran it to the Upfitter switch #1. Just took a little time, but a pretty straight forward install. If you need any help, just ask away. There are several guys here that will help out.This is by far the best mod I have ever done and will not ever tow heavy again without air bags and onboard air.
Monty

 

I just installed a T fitting behind the VIAIR gauge that feeds the Firestone system.

Line from VIAIR gauge panel to "in" on Firestone gauge.
Line from "out" on Firestone gauge to airbag.

That's it.

 

Thank you both for the responses. I looked over your write up and was hoping you would chime in. Just needed a couple of guys with experience and figured it would make since.

Where can I pick up a "T" fitting? I think my biggest issue was answered as well we will see when the parts get here. And that was the T fitting idea because I understood that the "out" line would go to the bags I just wasn't sure where the "in" line would come from since there was no compressor. I wasn't sure if it went to the tank so when you hit the switch to inflate it would draw off that or if you could somehow run it over to the VIAIR gauge so you could run less line.



Still a little hazy on how the gauges will worked paired up but we will figure it out tomorrow. Can U post up a pic of the gauges linked together and how do you not air up your bags everytime u turn on the VIAIR for other uses if the are linked?

Thanks again for the input. I will get some pics up once it is all done, get to do my brakes and a couple other upgrades as Friday is "Truck day".

 

I got a T from my local truck outfitter shop..

sam

 

On the tank there are 5 openings for fittings, 2 on each end and one on the side of the tank. 1 will be the pressure switch. 2 will be the drain port(as I have mine pointing down to make it easy to drain. 3 I put going to the tank guage. 4 I put a line going to the Firestone Dual Pneumatic guage and 5 is where the main line from the compressor goes in.
I used a T in the line going to the tank guage, to supply my air chuck on the right side of the truck. I bought my Ts and a few in line connectors (in case I have a hole that gets rubbed in the line ) from Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924 . Here is a link for the T fitting Firestone Union Tee for 1/4" Tubing Firestone Accessories and Parts F3025-1 Make sure they are DOT approved if you buy them form somewhere else. They are much easier to get on and off. A lot of mobile truck services sell the Ts as well. You may need more airline than what comes with both kits. About 20 feet more, but it depends on how you set up your bags. I went with mine independent from each other for stability. I bought a couple of spare fittings, inline unions and Ts from Etrailer just to have on hand. Being a Paramedic, I am used to being prepared .
When you have one line going to the tank guage(T'd off and going to air chuck like mine) and one line feeding the main Firestone guage, they are separate. So, when you turn on the compressor, the tank guage is accurate and you will have air to the Firestone guage to control the Left and Right side airbags. That is how mine is wired up and I know there are a few a little different..Hope this helps
Monty

 

I know this is a childish drawing but here is how mine is set up.



Maybe seeing it will help understand. Disregard the tank lying on the right. Forgot to take it off the drawing.
Monty

 

Thanks for the picture it actually helps alot. I really want to find the T's local so I can get complete tomorrow we will see. When I ordered my firestone gauge I ordered 18' more hose just to be safe as an Eagle scout I get the whole be prepared thing.

Slowly coming together except for the T's the new gauge will be here tomorrow and should start putting it together.

 

Do you by chance have a Fastenal store near you? Sometimes they carry DOT T fittings in the 1/4" size. My store was out of them.

 

I do called them and they will have them by 9 tomorrow morning. Thanks......again

 

Any luck on getting your system in?

 

LOL man oh man what a weekend. After all the GREAT info you guys gave me. I got up Friday and had some things to do and I was waiting on the FEDEX guy to bring my new control ( which by the way came with all the parts I thought I was going to have to find it was more than just the gauge) Was having a little tooth pain and it was getting late but wanted to at least get started..................... My biggest obstacle I knew was going to be mounting the tank because I have the AMP steps, so I crawled under the truck to figure it out and found this



Broken lower shock bolt UGH!!!! Ruined a $400 Icon Shock. After this news and it getting dark I messed with the air tank and called it a night.

Got up Saturday and went to 4WP and got 2 new front shocks (switched brand and much happier) so I replaced both. I also mounted my Powerstop rotors and EBC pads. That took a while but I then started on the air tank.

I finally got the air tank mounted but am not happy with it because it is pressing on my AMP steps and is rattling pretty bad so still kind of square one.

So I have done a TON of work but don't feel as though I am getting anywhere. I have all the parts but.............I ended up having an emergency root canal on a tooth so I am on pain killers so I don't think I need to be using power tools till I am recovered.

 

Dang son, you should have stayed in bed last weekend! On a side note, there is also some room to mount the tank behind the rear door, under the bed. The tank will have to be mounted with one end high though. You could the use the lowest hole in the tank as the drain. That may be an option to stay away from the steps.

 

I would like to do the AMP steps.
I already have my tank and compressor mounted up and am afraid I would have to move them and not really wanting to do that.
One of these days I hope to come across another one of these trucks with AMP steps and I will be able to do some measuring to see how much moving I would have to do.


_

 

I need to adjust the rear mount but it looks like I can get the tank to fit under rear passenger door. I will let u know.