Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags

Newbie here, so forgive me if this is asked elsewhere...

I have a 2016 Tacoma Sport, stock, nothing has been done to it... I'm wondering if adding the Firestone Airbags will impact the suspension sag with 0 psi (lowest amount) in bags?

Specifically asking because I have a slide in pop-up camper that I keep in my garage. When put in the truck bed, the suspension sags, and I can drive in/out of the garage with it on. However, there is basically no increased height tolerance as it scrapes a little getting it in/out with stock suspension sag.

I would like to install airbags so the truck handles better with the camper on, but when fully aired down to 0 psi, I can't have the suspension be effected at all, and need the suspension to sag the same as it does w/o airbags.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance...

 

Unless things have changed, they require a minimum amount of PSI that is greater than zero.

If it doesn’t fit in your garage without sag, you’re either keeping sag or not parking in the garage.

 

Firestone bags have a bumpstop impregnated into the bag housing. With 0 psi the ride is horrible and it will only go as low as the bump will let it. If your trying to fit into a garage it most likely wont go low enough. Might need a bigger garage.

 

Ah, got it thanks. The 0 psi would only be while loading/unloading the camper.

At the minimum required psi and with the bumpstop, any thoughts on how much height that would add to fully loaded suspension? Other option with airbags is just airing down the tires while loading/unloading...

 

I have them in my truck for when I tow my camper. I don't know about the bump stop impregnated inside of it but you do take out the factory bump stop when installing. cant see it being any higher than the factory and I doubt you would be riding on them with 0 psi. I only run 5 in mine around town and have had them at 0 also. rides fine.

 

I love my bags. I actually run 10-15 consistently and has perfect ride height with leer cap and other assorted goodies in the bed. They recommend always keeping atleast 5psi in them at all times. Now when loading and unloading not a huge deal but be careful as I believe at 0 they could pinch if you hard slam the rear suspension. There is an official ride-rite thread going on that is many pages deep on here. Check it out. And then get em and enjoy level driving with heavy loads!!

 

SOME of their bags have the *integrated* bumps, not all.

With 0 PSI the bags will be a non issue as long as they don't have the integrated bump.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

And if you even think you'll be flexin off road look into the Daystar cradles. Also helps peace of mind when truck goes on a lift so they don't get stretched. Think they were 60$ or something insignificant. Well worth the extra investment.

 

100% agreed! I should have mentioned them earlier.

 

The Firestone literature says they DO NOT have an integral bump stop. What they do have is a ''zero pressure'' stack height when fully compressed. If this height is enough to fill the sag space - you could have a problem. The Daystar seat is about 3/4 inch thick and would be an addition to the stack.

 

Air down your tires before you back into the garage.

Cheers

 

The bags don’t take up much room with no air in them. Between airing down the bags and tires too if need be you should be fine. Just don’t drive off without airing both up again. The lift gained will depend on the load, your current spring condition, and the air pressure. For mine the correlation is about 15:1 . With just the cap I run 20 psi, with my tools added up to 40 psi. With the bed full of concrete rubble instead it took 65 psi to level it.

 

Firestone stack height info - looks like they come "solid" at 2.8 inches.

 

It's probably better that they allow slightly less travel than allow too much and over compress the shocks. And it's not very much less, maybe 1/2-3/4", I think the stock bump stops are ~2".

 

Follow up on this... I went ahead and bought Firestone Ride Rite's with an Air Lift Wireless One compressor and wireless kit. Great set up and only increased stock sag fully loaded maybe 1/2 to 1 inch at the 5 psi minimum. Just wanted to share what I learned if anyone looks at this thread in future and wants to know.

 

Nice, I installed bags also. I tow a trailer and the bags let me level out the truck when fully loaded.