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Old May 28, 2013 | 10:02 PM
  #1  
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Airbags

I'm in the market to add airbags to my 2005 V10 4X4 Limited with stock suspension.

What brand and model number do you recommend and how was the install.

Thanks for the info.
 
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Old May 28, 2013 | 11:40 PM
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I'll have Tom post up since he just added them to his Ex a few months back.

Stewart
 
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Old May 28, 2013 | 11:53 PM
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I just did Firestone ride rites and I've been very happy. Had a friend help me install but it's pretty darn easy.
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 12:02 AM
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Did it improve the ride at all or was it just for leveling out when towing?
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 06:14 AM
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I installed the AirLift bags, part 57340, back in September. I added them because I wanted a way to add capacity to the rear suspension without sacrificing ride. Airbags fill this role because they are adjustable from 5-100 PSI. At 5 PSI they add a meager 250 lbs of capacity, and 100 PSI a whopping 5,000 lbs of lift support.

I chose the AirLift kit because they carry a lifetime warranty on the entire kit, not just the bags like other manufacturers. They are also manufactured in Lansing, MI as opposed to using imported components like some others. With my V-code front springs I run ~20 PSI in the bags which brings the rear level with the front without sacrificing ride. In my sig pic I have ~2,000 lbs on the tongue and another 1,000 lbs in the X, and I simply adjusted to 60 PSI after setting up my WD kit and it rode well with an additional 2,800 lbs on the rear axle.





I've been completely satisfied with mine and would recommend them to anyone.

Air Lift Air Bag Suspension Kits - Videos & 635+ Reviews on Air Lift LoadLifter Air Bags for Towing - Ride Control, 1000 & 5000 Ultimate Install

 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 08:06 AM
  #6  
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Just like Crazy001 posted, the 57340 would be the kit for your application. You can learn more on that kit here: 57340 LoadLifter 5000; Leaf Spring Leveling Kit.

Our newest product line is the ULTIMATE kits. We offer the 88340 LoadLifter 5000 ULTIMATE Premium Leaf Spring Leveling Kit. This is the same as the kit above, but features an internal jounce bumper for the best in ride quality and safety. You can check this kit out here: 88340 Kit.

For either kit, we have various compressor/controller options. You can view those here: Air Lift On-Board Air Compressor Systems.

We even have a promotion going on to save money on an air spring kit, or compressor kit, or better yet, both! View the rebate here!
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Apocalypse
Did it improve the ride at all or was it just for leveling out when towing?
It was originally to level out when towing. When I first installed them I put about 45 psi in them unloaded and I honestly like the ride better. When I tow I air the rear tires up to 80PSI and then the bags to whatever levels it out. The ride is also much better when towing and sway has been downright eliminated (I use a WDH).

Last time I forgot to air the tires out after our trip. 80psi in the rear tires + 60psi in the airbags made me think my teeth were going to fall out!
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 07:38 PM
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I have the ride rite on my 6.0L Ex. Had 30 psi unloaded...Made the truck look much better..rides like crap in the very back..any bump shoots my kiddos off the seat. 15psi is much better. Mostly air up to 30psi when towing our 8K lb travel trailer. No squatting here! Handles great with the Rancho XL 9000 shocks and an Equalizer WDH. Getting ready for a 1200 mile pull next week.
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 08:40 PM
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Another satisfied Firestone Ride Rite customer here. I keep mine at 25 psi when unloaded and I like the ride. I also run the Airlift 1000's in the front, they keep the front firm with the added weight of a Warn Trans4mer winch mount and 12K winch.

You can't really go wrong with either brand. They are both quality products as far as I can tell.

James
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 09:07 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by DSN46
Another satisfied Firestone Ride Rite customer here. I keep mine at 25 psi when unloaded and I like the ride. I also run the Airlift 1000's in the front, they keep the front firm with the added weight of a Warn Trans4mer winch mount and 12K winch.

You can't really go wrong with either brand. They are both quality products as far as I can tell.

James
Agreed - they are the only 2 companies I'd consider.
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy001
I installed the AirLift bags, part 57340, back in September. I added them because I wanted a way to add capacity to the rear suspension without sacrificing ride. Airbags fill this role because they are adjustable from 5-100 PSI. At 5 PSI they add a meager 250 lbs of capacity, and 100 PSI a whopping 5,000 lbs of lift support.

I chose the AirLift kit because they carry a lifetime warranty on the entire kit, not just the bags like other manufacturers. They are also manufactured in Lansing, MI as opposed to using imported components like some others. With my V-code front springs I run ~20 PSI in the bags which brings the rear level with the front without sacrificing ride. In my sig pic I have ~2,000 lbs on the tongue and another 1,000 lbs in the X, and I simply adjusted to 60 PSI after setting up my WD kit and it rode well with an additional 2,800 lbs on the rear axle.





I've been completely satisfied with mine and would recommend them to anyone.

Air Lift Air Bag Suspension Kits - Videos & 635+ Reviews on Air Lift LoadLifter Air Bags for Towing - Ride Control, 1000 & 5000 Ultimate Install


You definitely live up to your forum name! That's crazy!!!!!

Not me, man.....
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 09:44 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by housedad
You definitely live up to your forum name! That's crazy!!!!!

Not me, man.....
Yeah, that one scared the hell out of me. The closest scale to my route was 2/3rds of the way there, and by the time I weighed there really was no turning back.

I do not plan on ever doing that again; the thought of ripping the hitch from the frame terrifies me.
 
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Old May 29, 2013 | 11:56 PM
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Another satisfied Air Lift user here. They've been on probably 5-6 years now, front and rear. Started out with a digital controller for them, which was really nice, but it quit almost immediately. They replaced it with another, which also failed, so it got replaced with an analogue gauge/ manual adjustment. Still works fine though, and serves its purpose.

Never had a problem with the bags themselves. I have blown out the air lines before on some hard bumps. Once on the front, once on the rear. I actually noticed when the front happened. I simply cut the line straight around the break, inserted two elbow connectors, and put a short piece of air line between them to fill the gap. Apparently that was a weak spot because it happened again when going over a railroad track shortly after that first time, but all I had to do was replace that short piece of filler hose.

No issues recently, and I think now that I finally got rid of the awful factory shocks, it shouldn't be taking such a harsh, hose-breaking shock any more.
 
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Old May 30, 2013 | 12:42 AM
  #14  
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Thanks for making this thread. It reminded me that I needed to buy new U bolts (bails) that hold on my Firestone bag brackets. Getting a bit rusty.

Found them at Summit. Shipping cost more than the parts. Sigh.....
 
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Old May 30, 2013 | 06:47 AM
  #15  
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Thanks to all of you for the info. I tow a Jayco 32BHDS and I have 6 kids all getting bigger every year. It's probably about time to give the rear suspension a little help.
 
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