"Official" Firestone RideRite + Lift Thread

The extensions are all the same price, so just get the longest ones and cut them down as needed. You could probably have enough cut-off to make a second set for a friend.

 

So the distance from the axle arch to the bottom holes all remain the same and you all are just cutting off the excess at the top. Also, even w/the stock 4 leaf setup its a given that I will need the extension as the ride rites were intended for the older 3 leaf pack right? I've already ordered the firestones and cradles, didn't know about the gaps until I read this thread...

Thanks

 

So look at the pics in my previous quite above, kinda self explanatory.

 

Thanks so the distance differs from the arch to the hole pattern then, I'll just see what the gap is when installed, I'd prefer to keep the factory arch and cut the top as I also saw in this thread so a 2"-3" may work given the factory no aftermarket lift current setup.

Edit: Never mind reread your post, either the scribe method you did or cutting the top and adding the extra third hole will work. Senior moment I guess.

Thanks again.

 

Finally got around to getting mine installed this weekend. Install wasn't bad, I ended up just scribing the bottom of the extension brackets to match the axle arch. Bags seem to hold the air w/no issues. Looks like the air pressure has to be higher in the passenger side to get the rear level. (10PSI on drivers side vs 14-15 on the passenger side gives me 37.5"...

 

If any of you have ordered the extensions part # 5652 would you be willing to measure them for me? I have scrap metal lying around and would like to make a set. Thanks!

 

I bought the 2" extensions and they are already cut/mounted, but some 1/4" flatbar 3" wide will work. The factory extensions are tapered at the bottom but they don't need to be as the brackets will not interfere with any brake lines etc. And at 3" wide they do not extend beyond the sides of the ride rite lower brackets which would normally sit on the axle.

My bags sit on Daystars and w/o the extensions I had a 3/8" gap like most others in this thread w/a factory setup. If your close to this you can make a 3 X 3 bracket and I'd simply measure up 1/4" on one side dead center and taper it outwards to the edges to get your radius. You may need to blend it up a bit for a perfect fit.

Good luck, your definitely better off making them yourself, wish I had gone that route myself to save cost...

 

Thanks. I should just buy the extensions but I'm feeling cheap today. Gotta go slide under the truck before it gets dark and take some measurements.

 

Id still fabricate vs buying them IMHO. $50 is to much for what they are since they need to be modified anyways. Its just flatbar and it doesn't need to be 3" wide or 1/4" thick. If you look at the pics all the way up top that cowboytaco quoted that member is using what looks like 3/8" flatbar maybe 2" wide w/only 2 holes. The brackets are just for support, so there's options on how wide/thick or long to make them based on whatever material you have available.

 

So I have been having a hard time finding answers to a couple of my questions, and I haven't seen a specific answer in any of these threads, but I have a set of Ride-rites on my '96 tacoma and am about to replace my front struts and rear shocks. I am going to get the bilstein 5100 and crank up the front to either 1.25 or 2.5". The bilstein 5100 rear shocks say they only work with at least 1" of lift... If I don't have anything other than the airbags, will that suffice? I had been considering adding a 1" block, I know most people here would recommend a new leaf pack or AAL but I don't have that cash at the moment. Also at what point do you need to replace the whole leaf pack? At this point I think the airbags are doing most of the work supporting things back there. I am also not intending to lift much, just a little bit to level it out and give enough room for 32" tires. It is a 4 cyl and can't push much bigger than that or much weight anyway...

 

Knocked out some brackets this morning.



Took 15 mins to draw and about 30 minutes to make them.

 

If you already have the airbags, then you must know they are capable of the 1" lift required by the Bilsteins. What you must also know is that a 1" lift can go away in the blink of an eye if you hit a nasty speed bump too fast. The shocks must have that clearance without any if's or maybe's, otherwise the shocks are trashed. I think you made a wise investment in the ride Rites, don't now follow up with a foolish mistake with overinflated bags, Bilsteins, and 32's on a (for cryin' out loud) 4 banger.

 

There are a couple of recent comments in the thread about fitting the Ride-Rite's with a U-bolt flip. This one uses the "total chaos" bolt flip brackets, and Daystar cups with the air bags.

 

For those not wishing to utilize the skinny brackets and associated hardware of the Firestone kit - here is a way to use some homemade plates and All-Pro U-bolts with the Daystar cups....

 

^ Those are slick. Are the u-bolt nuts inside the daystar? Is it tough to re-torque after 500 miles?

I just added Dakars with 3rd leaf removed. Needed to extend the bracket bolts to accommodate the thicker springs. I also added the Air Ride gauge and compressor so can adjust in the cab. The automatic low pressure switch is nice. You can set it to whatever pressure you want.

 

Looking good!

 

Burnout - I'm thinking that a U-bolt retorque will require a temporary removal of the Daystar cups. The base of the cup is 3/4 thick and on mine, I had to relieve the nylon base enough to clear and seat properly over the two inboard U-bolt nuts. I'm using the All-Pro flip kit with an extension disc laminated over it to carry the Daystar cups.

 

the Official, Original Air Suspension!

 

I ran my bags with 35psi for a couple years to level it with my front 2.5" lift. The quicker rebound was hard on the shitty stock base model shocks, so I replaced them with OME N182s worked great, no problems. These are made to be run with up to 100psi in them for extremely heavy loads (way heavier than a Taco can haul). You won't hurt the bags by getting some extra lift with them.

 

Just aired mine up to haul a load of water bottles for a 5k/10k road race. Estimated about 1000-1200 lbs of water. Had 15 psi in the bags before loading. After loading (before adding air) they had compressed and pressure reading was about 25 psi. Aired up to 45 psi to level the truck out again. After unloading the water, the pressure read about 30psi in the bags and then I aired back down to 15psi.

What I'm trying to say is the pressure reading is dependent upon the load. 15 psi unloaded becomes more when loaded since the bags get compressed.