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Rear Airbags w/3 aal Questions

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by NorthWestTaco, Jun 4, 2019.

  1. Jun 4, 2019 at 6:49 PM
    #1
    NorthWestTaco

    NorthWestTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey new to the forum first post here. Came from a 2012 Sierra 6.2L and a long line of GM cars and trucks.
    I bought a 2019 TRD Sport 4x4 and almost immediately installed the 3 leaf aal and 5100s (not a fan of the stock look.)
    My questions are, Can I install this airbag kit with the stock mounting system or am i going to have to have some custom brackets made up?
    https://www.amazon.com/Firestone-W217602407-Ride-Rite-Toyota-Tacoma/dp/B001FEOSJY
    Does anyone have this kit installed with the AAL?
    I also plan on running the daystar cradles so I don't have to worry about keeping Min Pressure in them as I will not be installing a compressor and don't plan on hauling often (will need them for pulling a 16' trailer through the mountains to the other side of the country however)

    Let me know what you've got!
    TIA

    P.S. MEET BAE
    IMG_4041.jpg
     
  2. Jun 4, 2019 at 7:02 PM
    #2
    NorthWestTaco

    NorthWestTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Reposted in Correct spot Admin may Delete
     
  3. Jun 4, 2019 at 7:11 PM
    #3
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    Bags will work. I have ran them on stock springs to expiditon lift springs.

    20190601_111437.jpg
     
    jca likes this.
  4. Jun 4, 2019 at 7:16 PM
    #4
    lobsterbait

    lobsterbait The Wall

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    Just a couple things
    I used to run firestone with a toytec add a leaf and daystar cradles. I’d suck all the air out of them when I didn’t use them so I had full articulation and didn’t have the rattling in the cradles with no load on. And when I needed them I just shot some air into them with a little compressor. Only reason I switched is cause I bought a full leaf pack. I ran it for years with the bags. So yes it’ll work. I think my cradles were slightly off, and it worried me at first but i never had an issue with them.
     
  5. Jun 4, 2019 at 7:21 PM
    #5
    NorthWestTaco

    NorthWestTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I Added the leaves and kept the overload too. I didn't notice any difference in ride quality at all and the look is perfect. Just want the bags to take some stress off the suspension going through mountains with a loaded trailer. I've heard that they wont fit with the AALs installed and that you'll need custom brackets so thats why I'm asking.
     
  6. Jun 4, 2019 at 8:26 PM
    #6
    lobsterbait

    lobsterbait The Wall

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    Just a couple things
    I put em on for a trailer. I don’t see why they wouldn’t work with the AAL. if anything you’d just need longer bolts for the bottom cradle
     
  7. Jun 7, 2019 at 6:31 AM
    #7
    GREENBIRD56

    GREENBIRD56 Well-Known Member

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    The Firestone brackets have a downleg that is intended to rest on the axle tube. The downleg is based on the height of the spring leaf pack - back when the pack was only 3 leaves. The fix is an extension that bolts on the downleg and fits down snug to the axle. Hunt down one of the airbag threads and you'll see some variations. I didn't use that method but if I did, I would weld the extension on the bracket. If you don't use the extension - and many haven't - the base support for the bag may bend in an extreme load situation.
     
  8. Jun 9, 2019 at 7:33 PM
    #8
    NorthWestTaco

    NorthWestTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Did you have to make any modifications to the brackets with the AAL pack? did you use the daystar cradles?
     
  9. Jun 9, 2019 at 7:40 PM
    #9
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    No AAL. I have 3" expedition springs.

    20190601_111458.jpg
     
  10. Jun 9, 2019 at 7:42 PM
    #10
    Cody23

    Cody23 Well-Known Member

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    probably hunting or camping
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    No cradle? How the ride with out it
     
  11. Jun 9, 2019 at 7:49 PM
    #11
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    My truck is like driving on a cloud. I think it's truly amazing. My bag kit is the Hellwig bags, they compress very well and will extend with the suspension when the axle drops out. I run 5 psi in them until I tow, then I hit them with about 40 psi. Here is a closer pic when I was running inverted 2.5 FOX shocks.

    20190329_144523.jpg
     
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  12. Jun 9, 2019 at 8:07 PM
    #12
    Cody23

    Cody23 Well-Known Member

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    I think I need to take my cradles off
     
  13. Jun 9, 2019 at 8:10 PM
    #13
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    I have a set and like my setup better. No noise at all. Here is a pic on stock springs. I have been running them this way for years with no problems and I wheel my truck in places like Colorado and Moab UT.

    IMG_1611.jpg
     
  14. Jun 9, 2019 at 9:16 PM
    #14
    NorthWestTaco

    NorthWestTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looks like the Hellwig kit is good competition with the firestone. comes as a ready to install kit? Did you have any issues installing it? Have you had any issues since?
     
  15. Jun 9, 2019 at 9:30 PM
    #15
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    Complete kit, ready to install, no issues in over 30K miles. Just works, great product, uses a Firestone airbag, but different mounts.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2019
  16. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:08 AM
    #16
    danielsthomas57

    danielsthomas57 Well-Known Member

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    what is the bag sitting on on the bottome? can you take a picture from the back side or a different angle. just trying to figure out if you have it floating on the bottom end.
     
  17. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:25 AM
    #17
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    See pic of the kit, left side of pic are the lower mounts. Zoom in on my axle and you can see how they are mounted. This kit has given me absolutely no problems at all. Year after year, trip after trip. They just work and no leaks.

    6305-hellwig.jpg
    20190513_111455.jpg
     
  18. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:29 AM
    #18
    danielsthomas57

    danielsthomas57 Well-Known Member

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    So you didn't go with cradles or anything on the bottom? just the regular hardware? i have a 1" aal and didn't know if i needed cradles.
     
  19. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:32 AM
    #19
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    Had cradles, dont like the clanking. The bags have an internal bump stop, and when you go wheeling, let the air out of them. The suspension drops out 100%. I have never had a bag tear. They are really strong.
     

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