Need help with Ride Rite air bag install

I'm installing the Ride Ride 2304 air bags onto my 4WD Tacoma. The instructions could be improved by showing a side view of the alignment of the bags relative to the U-bolts and the bumper stops, but I think I've got that figured out.



My main problem is that after drilling holes through the frame to attach the top mount, I can't figure out how to get the nuts into the frame and aligned with the bolts because I can't easily access the inside of the frame to position the bolt because of metal blocks on both ends.

There's one small hole that I should be able to get one nut through, but the extension on the nut then blocks me from getting the second nut through. I think my only hope is to drop the nut on the extension into the frame and then get my fingers into the hole and try and snag it and line it up.


Any ideas from those of you who have installed these? The 2nd generation Ride Rites look like a breeze to install because they use existing holes in the frame. Not so, the 1st gen.

P.S. This is the first time I've attached photos and it appears I should have kept them larger. Let me know if you need me to resend a larger version.

 

After drilling your holes put your first blind nut in loosly and then push the rest of the handle in to the hole or cut it off with a pair or tin snips. That way you can put the next blind nut in and repeat process. I would start with the hole that is farthest away from your access hole. You will want to snug them just enough that you can still work the bracket around to get the rest of them.

 

I did my install today. You shouldn't stick the blind nut through the small hole at all.

On one side you can easily attach the blind nut as the frame is open at that point.

On the other side, the frame has a large opening towards the front of the truck maybe 8 inches from the air bag. Put the first nut through there and slide it far enough that you can reach through the rounded rectangular hole. Feel that the flat side of the nut is against the frame correctly. Use a finger or two to align the nut with the hole. Get the bolt threaded finger tight while holding the nut with the other hand. It's actually pretty easy. Once you get the first nut, do the exact same process with the other nut. Don't stick it through the rounded rectangle hole.

Note that some guides indicate using the 2" spacer with the TRD 1st gen. If your spacing measures 5.5-6.5" you don't need a spacer. If it measures more, you may need the 1.25 or 2" spacer. I'm not fully clear on what is the right spacer for me (I measured, but I had a topper and other weight in the bed), but I used 2" and so far my truck hasn't exploded, but it's only been one ride.

 

I just got done installing a pair on my 04 and i can say that the bottom mount is in the wrong spot. If it is a 4x4 using a cradle is highly recommended for axle drop.

 

Do the Daystar cradles bolt right onto the ride rite bottom mount for the first gen? No modification necessary?

I have a pretty noticeable lean as well. Should I run different PSI to fix the lean or just live with it?

Also I noticed two of you have the lower bracket affixed to the rear of the bump stop and U bolts. The OP and myself have the lower bracket resting half on the cut off bump stop. Which is correct?

And last question: am I supposed to use a bolt with thread locker into the bottom of the bag? I used pipe thread sealant because I thought the bolt in the bottom of the bag is to hold air, but now I’m thinking it’s probably not a bolt that is an air seal.

 

This threads old af but subbing. @Running Man you don't happen to still have the setup do you?

 

Thank you for finding it. I'll be installing these airbags soon so shared experience is priceless.

 

I'm kind of interested in the air bags. Is that mounted on a Daystar air bag cradle by any chance?

 

I like that you had the bags in front of the bump, not behind it. Something I think I would need to do based on where my rear shocks land currently.

 

This is where I was confused with installation manual. It says to put the bottom of the airbag over the sawed-off bump stop (just above the axle - which I actually like from the suspension geometry) but the top bracket is behind the jounce spacer (that is just above the cut-off bump stop). So is the airbag tilted towards the rear of the vehicle?

 

No it's straight up and down, the bracket is half supporting itself, half on the jounce spacer.



From one of the other pics in the thread ^

I couldn't understand it looking at the instructions either, this thread helps a ton.

 

That's exactly what I'm seeing. The jounce spacer is just above the original bump stop (this is what bump stop is hitting when suspension is bottoming up). The instruction shows to lay the upper bracket partially over the jounce spacer with the airbag air connector (which is at over the airbag itself) to fit in the "bridge" created by the bracket and the jounce spacer. It means if the airbag is hanging down vertically from that position, the bottom of the airbag will be behind the bump stop, not over it. This is where I see the instruction being inconsistent with the real life. Am I right?

What I imagine is something like this:



According to the instruction (I put the picture in post before) the upper bracket in red,the airbag itself in blue. Then the bottom of the airbag will not be over the axle (like instruction shows) but and inch towards rear. What am I missing here?

My goal would be to place the airbag over the axle so there is no twisting force acting on the springs in any way.

 

Yeah as far as I can tell it’s set back or set forward, not directly over. And I think that’s cause of the jounce spacer placement that forces that for this install.

 

Got it. The last question: is any chance the airbag will interfere with the shock?

 

Good point about axle warp, but looking into it from geometry the airbag should be behind the axle to prevent the axle warp. When moving forward the force will try to squeeze the bag if the bag is behind the axle and stretch the bag if the bag is in front of the axle.

 

pretty old post but figured id ask anyway. where did yall mount your switch and gauge ? any photos would be appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

There are supposed to be switches/gauges? I just have the valve stems going to my gas door.

 

I put the valves next to my license plate. No need for gauges. Just more places for leaks.

 

The drivers side is a huge pain because of the hardware over there. I was able to bend that arm on the nut and push it into place and get the hardware attached. It's possible - just not that easy.