Installed: Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags

Just wanted to follow up with a couple pics of the install and send a thanks to the OP and ajohnson for the help!! I did add a 2inch firestone spacer because of the add a leaf...so far the bags are holding air! Just curious how many pounds of air people are running around town with nothing in the bed?

 

Glad you got it figured out.

I run about 5 psi when empty, or 2-3 pumps with a bicycle tire pump.

 

Thanks! I have to get to a store now for the bike pump! At some point I will start asking question about getting a utv in the bed or pullling it with a trailer! Have to save up some money first!

 

I'm rocking about 20 psi with an empty bed. (Just cause I can!) haha but yea 5 is all that's required.

 

Nice pics! Good job on the install; welcome to the club!

I usually run about 20-25psi with no load in the back. Thinking I might go down to 15-20!

 

I run about 15 with the cap and rack, seems like a happy medium, not too soft, not too hard

 

Where did you get the spacers?

If you are empty run 5-10 psi.

 

Is the spacer easy to install after installing the stock bags?

 

Not sure where he got his, but Firestone and Tuff Country make them (Airlift makes a spacer system with some funky stackable pucks). I just google searched "airbag lift spacer".

For a currently installed airbag setup, there will be some disassembly required. The spacer bolts to the bottom of the bag, and the lower bag bracket bolts to the bottom of the spacer. Its pretty straight-forward.

 

I bought the spacers off Amazon, they are Firestone and cost about 65 with shipping.

 

Like ajohnson said, you would have to disassemble the stock bags. I think you would have to take the top and bottom bracket off, I can't see doing it any other way. The install would be much easier and much quicker with air tools. Unbelievable slow with hand tools with very little space to work in!

 

I still have a slow leak from the drivers side. Losing about 5psi per day!

I was thinking about changing the 90-degree air fitting valve to a straight one (and adding some Teflon tape).

Anyone know where I can get one (and the correct size)?

Also, I tried pushing in on the collar to release the air hose, but it wouldn't budge! Any suggestions?

 

I just installed these over the weekend. Took me about 4 hours (cause I work slow, hah).

9psi empty, very slight rake... I really like the firmer ride- it feels like a real truck now! And pulling a trailer full of landscaping machines is a breeze now; she's not dragging her ass down the road lol

 

I don't where you would find one off the top of my head but those air hoses are a bitch to get out. It took some damn hard pulling to get them to break loose. You still have to push the collar but they won't just slide out. takes some ass haha. And you could just put some red silicon thread sealer (from autozone etc...) on the threads and I would think that would do the trick. Unless you're losing air from the collar part with the air hose?

 

Nice one!
I was just thinking about these the other day, wondering if there was a kit available for the Tacoma.
I keep finding more ways to spend money.....

 

I really like how these bags changed the ride and look of my truck. The stock springs were crap and I didn't need to change them by adding these bags. I change loads from day to day and almost never need to change the pressure unless I add a really heavy load. I keep between 20-25# normally but do have to check them as the weather changes here in Colorado. Remember if you start with a really cold morning when they are filled and end up in the desert (moab) in the afternoon your pressure increases and as does the stiffness of your ride. Converse is also true, if you normally ride them with 5# and it gets really cold you may be below the specs for min pressure.

 

Been running 10, but bed/truck somewhat loaded. Today on commute to work with no load, just me, a little harsh in the back. Going down to 5 for the drive home to see if that makes a difference.

 

It's expensive, but Loctite 545 beats the crap out of teflon tape on hydraulic/ air fittings.

 

Thanks for the help bro! I'm going to try again to get the damn air hose out of the collar; maybe this time I'll try pushing in with some needle nose pliers while pulling on the hose with my other hand. Worked perfectly fine right after I installed the bags; but won't budge at all now

If this doesn't work, then I have no clue what to do next!

 

Thanks Richard! I'll definitely use some Loctite 545 on the threads if I can figure out how to get the damn air hose off haha...