Traded for a DRW
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Thanks for all of the compliments! Really enjoying the truck.
I was poking around on it last night and got to looking at what was going to be involved with putting the airbags on this one. Last truck had the B&W gooseneck hitch in it. This one has the ford factory gooseneck in it. It looked to me like I'm going to have to take the side plates off of the Ford hitch to access the big holes in the frame for the large bolts that go on each side for the airbags. I didn't have to do that on the old truck with the b&w hitch. Is there an easier way that I'm missing?
I was poking around on it last night and got to looking at what was going to be involved with putting the airbags on this one. Last truck had the B&W gooseneck hitch in it. This one has the ford factory gooseneck in it. It looked to me like I'm going to have to take the side plates off of the Ford hitch to access the big holes in the frame for the large bolts that go on each side for the airbags. I didn't have to do that on the old truck with the b&w hitch. Is there an easier way that I'm missing?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
yep, only one hitch thing.. you just didn't get the GN ball kit..which is separate
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
mine has the gooseneck and 5th wheel prep. 5 holes. I am wondering if I have to remove the plates from the prep under the bed on the sides of the frame in order to put airbags on it. Looks like a lot of extra work that I didn't have to do before.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
I believe there is a different part number for the trucks with the factory hitch installed. If your bags were Firestone, you could call SD Truck Springs and just order the new brackets for the same bags. That is what I did mine across model years. I am not sure if AirLift does the same. You could call SD and see though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
That is the color I have and I absolutely love it!
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
I believe there is a different part number for the trucks with the factory hitch installed. If your bags were Firestone, you could call SD Truck Springs and just order the new brackets for the same bags. That is what I did mine across model years. I am not sure if AirLift does the same. You could call SD and see though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 1
From: Wasaga Beach, ON
Congrats on the "newer" truck 
I like my fat *** F350 (only for trucks, not women). I have the same hitch setup but haven't done bags yet, nothing heavy enough to tow right now that needs them. Next summer probably though.
I like my fat *** F350 (only for trucks, not women). I have the same hitch setup but haven't done bags yet, nothing heavy enough to tow right now that needs them. Next summer probably though.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
You don't have to remove the side plates. There is just enough room to sneak the nut in there between the side plate and frame. I've got the airlift 5000 ultimates, and all I did was drop the spare for some extra room, though jacking it up and removing the rear wheels would help too. Word of caution, the bolts that came with the airlift kit were a hair too long and bottomed out on the side plates, I ground them down a bit so they did not interfere.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 63,232
Likes: 6,666
From: Great Falls, Montana
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
You don't have to remove the side plates. There is just enough room to sneak the nut in there between the side plate and frame. I've got the airlift 5000 ultimates, and all I did was drop the spare for some extra room, though jacking it up and removing the rear wheels would help too. Word of caution, the bolts that came with the airlift kit were a hair too long and bottomed out on the side plates, I ground them down a bit so they did not interfere.
I'd rather eat worms than to have to pull the wheels for this install, but if I have to I will..
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
Hmmm... Maybe an extra flat washer under the bolt head would work? How much did you have to take off of the end of the bolt? I'm trying to visualize what the install looks like with these factory side plates.
I'd rather eat worms than to have to pull the wheels for this install, but if I have to I will..
I'd rather eat worms than to have to pull the wheels for this install, but if I have to I will..
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
Hmmm... Maybe an extra flat washer under the bolt head would work? How much did you have to take off of the end of the bolt? I'm trying to visualize what the install looks like with these factory side plates.
I'd rather eat worms than to have to pull the wheels for this install, but if I have to I will..
I'd rather eat worms than to have to pull the wheels for this install, but if I have to I will..
I had to take off a VERY minimal amount. Minimal enough that if you aren't paying attention you may really never notice. But, as a mechanic I'm somewhat **** with my stuff and it was something I noticed. I think the extra washer would have made it a hair short. There is very little space to work with between the side rail and frame.