Airbags?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Airbags?
Any help with where to buy the following or recommendations on the competition or alternative solutions would be greatly appreciated!
Looking to install airbags fairly quick. I'm the keyboard jockey while my dad is the mechanic. I do plan on driving down to his shop to install these things. While I am approaching 40 I am still pretty good at handing him the tools.
With that said, I'm thinking:
1. Firestone "Ride Rite" Airbags 5000. It seems these are the most commonly referred to airbags.
Firestone 2535 - 2011-2016 Ford F250, F350 Ride-Rite Air Bag Helper Springs - 2535 Air Springs | $406.39
2. Airlift WirelessOne Compressor System. Had one recommendation for this.
https://www.amazon.com/Air-Lift-2587...ype=automotive
Thoughts? There have been a few other things mentioned but the most frequent has been airbags. And I'm thinking you need a separate purchase to make sure you can get air in and out of those suckers, thus the need for the wireless one system.
Again, help is greatly appreciated!!
Looking to install airbags fairly quick. I'm the keyboard jockey while my dad is the mechanic. I do plan on driving down to his shop to install these things. While I am approaching 40 I am still pretty good at handing him the tools.
With that said, I'm thinking:
1. Firestone "Ride Rite" Airbags 5000. It seems these are the most commonly referred to airbags.
Firestone 2535 - 2011-2016 Ford F250, F350 Ride-Rite Air Bag Helper Springs - 2535 Air Springs | $406.39
2. Airlift WirelessOne Compressor System. Had one recommendation for this.
https://www.amazon.com/Air-Lift-2587...ype=automotive
Thoughts? There have been a few other things mentioned but the most frequent has been airbags. And I'm thinking you need a separate purchase to make sure you can get air in and out of those suckers, thus the need for the wireless one system.
Again, help is greatly appreciated!!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Magnolia, TX
Look at the load lifter 5000 airbags. I just installed them myself on my truck. They have an internal jounce bumper so you can run the bags at 0 psi. They are also a little less expensive than the ride rites. I didn't get a compressor. I ran my lines thru the license plate and fill with a portable compressor I keep in the fifth wheel.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 5
From: Fort Smith, AR
I installed the Firestone bags myself in a morning and had never done it before. It was a straightforward install and I ordered the optional "T" where I joined the lines and then ran one line to the rear so the pressure is equalized at the bags. They also provide a heat resistant protector for the line by the exhaust pipe. Very satisfied.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,357
Likes: 5,954
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I may have been the one to suggest the Wireless One compressor, not sure. I just bought (starting to install today) AirLift 5000 and Wireless One compressor for my 2000 F-250. I too was going to route the valves to the rear of the truck and fill up when I needed, but I don't have easy access to a compressor and thought it would be a bit cumbersome to find one and fill them each time.
AirLift has a $50 rebate on the compressors right now found here.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/suppo...tes/rebate-50/
The best price I could find for the compressor was here.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just thought it was worth the peace of mind with having an on-board compressor for adjusting the pressure and having preset settings for with and without our 5th wheel. As Tom suggested, I was going to tote around a bicycle pump to air the bags up, but thought that I spent money on the bags and making everything right, but then was going to go cheap on the pump and use a hand pump each time, that just seemed silly.
I have no opinion on how they work because they are still in a box, but the reviews and thoughts around the net are they are good.
Again as Tom suggested I bought the 5000 series bags so that I could run them at 0 PSI and not worry about it.
AirLift has a $50 rebate on the compressors right now found here.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/suppo...tes/rebate-50/
The best price I could find for the compressor was here.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just thought it was worth the peace of mind with having an on-board compressor for adjusting the pressure and having preset settings for with and without our 5th wheel. As Tom suggested, I was going to tote around a bicycle pump to air the bags up, but thought that I spent money on the bags and making everything right, but then was going to go cheap on the pump and use a hand pump each time, that just seemed silly.
I have no opinion on how they work because they are still in a box, but the reviews and thoughts around the net are they are good.
Again as Tom suggested I bought the 5000 series bags so that I could run them at 0 PSI and not worry about it.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Magnolia, TX
Originally Posted by Iceman1777
I installed the Firestone bags myself in a morning and had never done it before. It was a straightforward install and I ordered the optional "T" where I joined the lines and then ran one line to the rear so the pressure is equalized at the bags. They also provide a heat resistant protector for the line by the exhaust pipe. Very satisfied.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 5
From: Fort Smith, AR
You might want to consider separating the lines to the air bags. Here's why: if you have a load that is on one side of the truck, the air bag on that side compresses and pushes all its air to the other side. This magnifies the side to side body roll. No fun if you're towing or hauling a load. Just my .02
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
I have the Firestones on my truck. Had them installed and have a single fill inlet that sits behind my gas door. Hides the fitting out of sight, and also mostly out of the elements. Not having any issues with a single fill nozzle. I'm not road racing my truck with a 2K weight hanging off the side of one bed rail, so I seriously doubt I'll have any issues with bags moving air from one side to the other.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
Hanging a sharp corner will also force the pressure to the high side which you definitely don't want. Disaster looking for a place to happen.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 889
Likes: 38
Or forget about the separate fill lines or the sway if you don't use separate lines or heat shields for the one by the exhaust pipe or on board compressor or separate compressor or bicycle pump or where to put the nozzle or what pressure to have hauling or not hauling.
Timbrens install in about an hour with the appropriate beer break.
JMO.
Timbrens install in about an hour with the appropriate beer break.
JMO.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,552
Likes: 2,511
From: West Michigan
Or forget about the separate fill lines or the sway if you don't use separate lines or heat shields for the one by the exhaust pipe or on board compressor or separate compressor or bicycle pump or where to put the nozzle or what pressure to have hauling or not hauling.
Timbrens install in about an hour with the appropriate beer break.
JMO.
Timbrens install in about an hour with the appropriate beer break.
JMO.