"Official" Firestone RideRite + Lift Thread

Are you referring to the Daystar cradles when you say relocation brackets?

 

No offroad truck specific adventures are planned. This was mainly for load support. I've had a couple hunting trips where the truck was really loaded, plus a topper. It was just time to do something. Plus I'm thinking about one of those Decked systems, so add that weight to the shell and thats a decent amount of weight not counting cargo.

 

Working alone? Nobody to hand you cold beers? That sucks, yeah. I scrapped out the shitty nuts that came with the bags and opted for Nylocs instead. And about the trailer light mounting for the valves, that's where I put mine, and sorry i did just for the having to stand on my head to read the pressure gauge.

 

I need to sleep more.

Fixed post to add “trailer plug”

 

Mine was fine on the test drive with the cap but loaded up with tools and platform it needed the help that bags could offer.

 

I stopped drinking a few years ago, but a few beers would have been nice. I picked up one of those JACO air gauges with the hose to keep in the truck. Hopefully it works ok, don't know where I would have put them otherwise, except for maybe the gas door.

 

Does anyone know the size of the big bolt and nut that goes through the frame? I only had crescent wrenches that big to tighten them down, but after driving it for a week I'm going to retighten everything and wanted to pick up a socket. I think it's 1 1/8" but I'm not positive.

 

1 ⅛” is correct

I just received mine today...the box was a bit beat up and all the parts were loose and banging around inside. There’s some chipped paint on some of the brackets.

Is this normal or did anyone get nicer packaging with padding to keep things from bouncing around? Wondering if I should request a discount or replacement.

 

Have had the Daystar cradles for 7 years with my RideRites. Only way to go.

 

Bump to my question earlier...did you guys get a box of rattling parts like i did with chipped paint on the brackets? Wondering if I should send it back or touch up the paint myself.

 

I actually had two delivered and both had the same loose parts and kind of beat up box. Nothing was really scratched up or looked damaged so on they went.

 

thanks, i guess i'll go forward with the install...i'm more worried about rust developing, but maybe i'll touch up the areas with bare metal first

 

I used a flap disk to knock the paint off the brackets so I could weld the spacers. I just hit them with some matte black rustoleum/primer and they came out fine, you can see the brackets in the first post on this page.

 

I see that, just went out and started with the passenger side. Crappy Harbor Freight Sawzall crapped out on me so I used a hacksaw which was nearly useless. Had a finecut tool (vibrating sawblade) that worked by melting through the bump stop. Didn’t feel like removing U-bolts and reading a million threads to decide if it was ok to reinstall the same ones.

Anyway, looks like I have the same gap due to the TSB leaf springs so I guess I’m on hold to weld something up...Firestone should have the kit matched to the truck better. Everyone should have the TSB Leaves by now and if not they can grind the bracket down to fit much easier than grinding paint, welding and repainting. Better yet make them height adjustable.

Oh well, so much for 1-2 hours of work.

 

I spoke with a 4x4 shop about this today. I have OME medium duties and though I should add a leaf to raise it up. He advised that it will just increase the harshness and they will eventually bend and loose strength. Airbags are always adjustable to suite your needs when you need it. Kind of make sense. I have a Select Comfort bed (sleep number) I bought in 1989. No leaks and I can still adjust as aches and pains warrant. As long as there are no holes they both should keep working. He runs the air bags on his own vehicles for trailering and sells a lot of them. He wants $700.00 installed so I'll do it myself.

 

They're easy to install.

Consider using the Daystar cradles as well.

 

Absolutely. I guess I need the axel brackets. Not sure how long. What I need to know what the standard distance from the top of spring to axel and I can measure mine to see how much I need. That is a dimension I have not seen.

 

There is no standard distance. Many, many variables - springs (and lift provided), SUA/SOA, weight carried in bed, etc.

There is also no requirement for distance. Only 1 airbag is made for our trucks, and it adjusts its height with air.

 

You missed my point. Firestone brackets are designed and built for a certain size. If I knew how they measured that I could measure mine and know the size I need to buy or make. https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=Firestone+Axle+Bracket+Extension+Kit+for+Lifted+Vehicles

 

Here is what you are trying to avoid...........don't go there!


If you have the bags installed by others - make sure they understand the problem.



Make sure the fill valves are up and protected. Two small bumper holes are a not too hard to come by.