Question about Firestone airbag install
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: WA
Question about Firestone airbag install
Hello all. I received my Firestone airbags today and will probably install them tomorrow. I put the Firestone bags on a F350 I had years 5 or 6 years ago, and remember having to take off the rear tires. It looks like with these new kits you don't have to take off the tires (in fact the instructions say you don't even need to jack the vehicle up). So...for those of you that have done this, is it easier to work if the tires are off? I did go out an look and it does not look like it will be too easy to work under there without at least jacking the back of the truck up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
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From: Greenwood, SC
Best thing to do is to remove the spare tire. Most all of the work is inside the frame rails.
The only advantage to removing any drive wheels would be for some reach above the passenger side tires, or, crawling in/out.
I have no idea if the height of your truck is different than my srw 350, mines plenty tall for me to sit up when the spare is removed.
Good luck bud, it's not a bad assembly. Once you dry fit one bottom bracket you can assemble a few parts on your workbench.
The only advantage to removing any drive wheels would be for some reach above the passenger side tires, or, crawling in/out.
I have no idea if the height of your truck is different than my srw 350, mines plenty tall for me to sit up when the spare is removed.
Good luck bud, it's not a bad assembly. Once you dry fit one bottom bracket you can assemble a few parts on your workbench.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: WA
Thanks Sam and Rusch. I will lower the spare (just went out and found the spare tire key which was not in the glove box, but under the back seat). I am not too big (5' 10") but will probably jack it up a bit and get some jack stands under it just to have a little more room to maneuver. -Glenn
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Kaysville Utah
I did mine a few weeks ago with the tires on and sitting on my driveway. I rolled around under the truck on a creeper and had plenty of room. I installed the airbags with out dropping the spare tire, But I did drop the spare when I installed the onboard wireless compressor.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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I did mine in a driveway without jacking it up or removing the tires, and it wasn't bad at all. Just go step by step, and it all comes together relatively easily. The real trick is making sure that the fittings are airtight, makes sure you use some good pipe thread compound, and then make sure the tubing is cut square and is pushed all the way into the fitting.s
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: WA
Thanks Painted Horse and Rich. I like these little projects, makes for some good quality time with the truck (other than driving it). I put the "Super Duty" black lettering on the grill this morning. Not really a "project" but added to the good looks of my truck. My wife thought that it off sets nice with the white paint. -Glenn
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Pflugerville, tx
Thanks Sam and Rusch. I will lower the spare (just went out and found the spare tire key which was not in the glove box, but under the back seat). I am not too big (5' 10") but will probably jack it up a bit and get some jack stands under it just to have a little more room to maneuver. -Glenn
getting the bolt thru the drivers side upper bracket hole is the hard work.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: WA
Thanks Sam, did you just have to keep working that bolt on the drivers side to get it in or are you willing to let me in on the trick to getting it in? By the way, I like the color of your truck, that is the same two tone I had on my '08. I could not find a gently used '12 F450 in that color, so I went with just the white tricoat. I have had a lot of white vehicles in the past and I actually believe they are easier to keep clean. -Glenn
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
Thanks Sam, did you just have to keep working that bolt on the drivers side to get it in or are you willing to let me in on the trick to getting it in? By the way, I like the color of your truck, that is the same two tone I had on my '08. I could not find a gently used '12 F450 in that color, so I went with just the white tricoat. I have had a lot of white vehicles in the past and I actually believe they are easier to keep clean. -Glenn
I also had this same color in 08 dually.
for me the drivers side airbag is the troublesome one. have to remove the ford bolt that holds the def tank bracket, then break the spring clamp that holds the nut on the def tank (it wouldn't slide off for me either time).. on the 250 I should have loosened the def tank a little, then the bolt would have been easier to install.. on the 350 it was no problem (also second time so maybe that was why it was easier).
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: WA
I am still wondering why this truck squats about 3" with a 2200 lb pin weight 5th wheel. I know I should expect a little, but even the bumpers are touching the overload springs when I hook up. Seems to me that with a 450 it should be able to handle that weight a little better. Still a lot more power towing than my '08 450, but the '08 didn't engage the overload springs as much as this one does with the same 5th wheel. Oh well, the bags will fix that. -Glenn