Ordered wrong airlift bag setup
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Ordered wrong airlift bag setup
So I had ordered a set of airlift 5000 ultimate airbags so it would work with my b&w hitch. But oops it works with 1105 hitches and 1149r hitches and of course I have the 1108 hitch. Went out tonite to install them and can't figure out a way to mount them up so I guess I'm hooped. I guess my questions is anyone know if airlift has different brackets to work with the 1108 hitches? I want outside the frame bags. Or has anyone modified there's to work? The 88291 is the same as the 57291 just the ultimate version. Thanks everyone. Truck is a 2006 f350 SRW sb
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From: Home Base Nebraska
All of the B&W hitches have brackets mounted on the outside of the frame so you can't mount air bags on the outside of the frame. I downloaded the installation instructions for both hitches and I'm guessing it's the hanger that loops over the frame that's in the way for bags mounted inside of the frame.
Denny
Denny
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That's not correct these bags work with the 1105 and 1149r hitches. Which I'm assuming are for long box trucks maybe. I thnk I am just going to do some modifying of the airbag bracket to get it to work. I'm going to give airlift a call first this morning.
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From: Bristol, TN.
BY all means call the vendor. Do not modify brand new equipment. Most vendors are good about working with consumers. Even if you picked up a restocking charge, it would be worth it, in my opinion.
Steve
Steve
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I phoned airlift and they confirmed this isn't the right kit and they don't have an outside the rails kit to work with the 1108 only an inside. She did not tell me directly if I could modify the bracket she just said lots of people do.
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From: Home Base Nebraska
If you are going to modify the upper bracket I would put the back axle up on jack stands so the weight of the truck in on the springs. Mount the lower bracket on the spring set the bag on the bracket and see where the upper bracket has to set. The bag has to set so both ends are parallel. The ones I just mounted on my 2013 were from a 2000 F350 I had and the instructions said the bag had to be 5" to 8" in height when mounted. I installed a short piece of 1/4 in tubing in the elbow and compressed the bag and bent the end over and held with a wire tie so the bag would stay compressed so I could locate the holes for the upper bracket, in your case it would make it easier to modify the bracket with the bag compressed. I left every thing lose so it could be moved around to find the best position. Good Luck 
Denny
Denny
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If you are going to modify the upper bracket I would put the back axle up on jack stands so the weight of the truck in on the springs. Mount the lower bracket on the spring set the bag on the bracket and see where the upper bracket has to set. The bag has to set so both ends are parallel. The ones I just mounted on my 2013 were from a 2000 F350 I had and the instructions said the bag had to be 5" to 8" in height when mounted. I installed a short piece of 1/4 in tubing in the elbow and compressed the bag and bent the end over and held with a wire tie so the bag would stay compressed so I could locate the holes for the upper bracket, in your case it would make it easier to modify the bracket with the bag compressed. I left every thing lose so it could be moved around to find the best position. Good Luck
Denny
Denny
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I have dove into modifying and glad I did so far very easy. I only get an hour here and there to putter at it but it is coming along nicely. I will post pics once I finish it up. Just has to trim one mounting tab off and it fit right onto the hitch plate with a little more trimming. Heading to the city on Tuesday going to pick up some new 3/4" grade 8 bolts to go through the bracket and b&w side plate. The bracket will be held on with two 3/4" bolts instead if the original (2) 3/4" bolts and the one 3/8's bolt. I might weld a bead in the side of the bracket that I cut the tab off of just to take the place of the last bolt that will be missing, but I will see once I get to that point.
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I agree, when a guy gets looking at how some things are built there is usually room for improvement. Not saying there is anything wrong with the airlift brackets when they are used with the application they were intended for lol. I had the brackets and bags all put into position just waiting for bolts and I have about 5 5/8" of gap between the two brackets, so should be good to go within there specs of 5-8". That is the most gap I can get unless I was to trim down the factory leaf spring u bolts.
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So here is a couple pics of the modified bracket not completed yet just thought I would take some progress pics.
Here is the 88291 or 57291 brackets for the 1105 and 1199r hitches
And here is my modified bracket for the b&w 1108 hitch. Just a grinder with a cutting disc to cut off the extra mounting tab.
Then just had to grind down the gusset enough to rest on top of the c bracket of the b&w.
This is the piece that doesn't allow the 88291 brackets to work with the 1108 hitches
This just shows the bracket mocked into placed bolts are just in there to hold bracket in place don't mind the grade 5 bolt lol. I am going to drilled a hole into that c bracket through the gusset of the airbag bracket to make up for cutting the tab off.
They bag just set up kinda in place not bolted in or anything yet.
Here is the 88291 or 57291 brackets for the 1105 and 1199r hitches
And here is my modified bracket for the b&w 1108 hitch. Just a grinder with a cutting disc to cut off the extra mounting tab.
Then just had to grind down the gusset enough to rest on top of the c bracket of the b&w.
This is the piece that doesn't allow the 88291 brackets to work with the 1108 hitches
This just shows the bracket mocked into placed bolts are just in there to hold bracket in place don't mind the grade 5 bolt lol. I am going to drilled a hole into that c bracket through the gusset of the airbag bracket to make up for cutting the tab off.
They bag just set up kinda in place not bolted in or anything yet.
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Another note I forgot to add had to bend the gusset in towards the middle a bit to get it to sit flush up against the c bracket and allow the main bolt hole to line up with the main hole in the hitch.
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From: Home Base Nebraska
This is how I mounted min; I bent and cut some of the box flange so I could get more bag height.
For my 2013 they only listed inboard bags but I had a this set from my old work truck.
Denny
For my 2013 they only listed inboard bags but I had a this set from my old work truck.
Denny
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