"Official" Firestone RideRite + Lift Thread

This is a great idea. Thanks for posting. I can't find the answer so will ask: how do you get the sensors in the air bags?

 

If you have Schrader valves like most of us, you'll screw them on the end like a cap.

 

I saw Iggy’s thread on his cubby panel and borrowed the idea to make a panel there. 4- switches control solenoid air switches, 2- 1” pressure gauges(input and output pressure)and a dial regulator.

 

Air can flow either way but it holds against pressure better in one direction. The spring holding it closed is very weak though and if the seal isn’t perfect they leak.

 

It would need to be a much bigger valve with larger tubing to offer articulation. The aperature is only ~1/16” in that valve and not a lot more in the tubing so not enough to allow free airflow in real time. Could be done though. Definitely want them separate though most of the time or long, slow turns or off camber turns could amplify lean.

 

Two-way refers to the function of the valve not direction. It just means it’s on/off. There’s still an airflow arrow. “Way” refers to the number of ways or openings. A 3-“way” valve has one input and two outputs and is either/or.

 

I didn't see pics of your cubby panel on your build thread. Would you mind posting them here? Thanks

 

The first three pics in post #6. Ist is making it and 2nd/3rd completed but not installed. The gauges are angled ~15 degrees towards the driver. Don’t have pics after install. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/5-lug-no-lift-budget-to-match-build-thread.557860/#post-18226310

 

Been running a ball check valve for 2+ years. It’s fantastic.

 

Is the Daystar cradle not unnecessary, or is it even restrictive to compression for those here not running extended length shocks? You can remove the air bag's base bolt with or without the cradle, no?

Maybe stick a thin adhesive rubber pad on the lower airbag mount instead, so you don't lose the 3/4 inch of compression the Daystar takes up. That's easily a full inch of compression at the tire.

Firestone's lower mount sucks in about 10 different ways, but I'm skeptical the Daystar cradle solves anything, other than just inspiring us to remove the lower bolt.

 

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/firestone-vs-air-lift-suspension-air-bag-kits

Did anyone know this? This may answer to those who want the airbag for hauling and bump stop for wheeling. Combined with the Daystar cup. I guess if you bottom out, you'll hear the bag slap the cradle though, and the cradle might crack. Sooo nevermind then! Guess I'd have to remove the bags and re-install bump stops before hitting the trails...

Anyone running the airbags with Allpro leaf packs? I'm thinking of getting bags. The Expo packs are great for hauling but daily driving is too harsh on the internal organs and hauling sand bags to soften the ride is annoying when you only have a 5 foot bed. I was thinking of going for the standard packs with bag combo. Don't like the idea of removing the bump stops though.

I WILL find a way to have my cake and eat it too, so should you!

 

I’d think the best comprehensive approach would be bags, cradles, and hydraulic bump stops as limiters on big hits.

 

What do you consider “off roading”? I’ve been running bags, cradles, and ome xl leafs. Only time I hear the clapping is when my bags are flat, I’m flat unloaded on the truck, and I drop/compress the axle fast. I have yet to crack a cradle, or jar anything.

 

Cradles might be important as locators, not sure if I’d trust the bags alone not to squirt out of place under load but I’d think something thinner could do that job. I like the rubber dampener idea the reduce slap noise.

 

The slapping noise comes from the metal plate on the bottoms of the bag slapping into the cradle.

 

I know. It just seems a rubber pad would reduce the noise and the cradle might not need to be as prominent.

 

So looking at all the pictures I can find of the cradle/ bag setup... it looks like there is nowhere left to put a hydraulic bump stop without doing some clever fabrication work. Normally they are mounted at the same "apex" point on the frame where they will make contact closest to the axle. Also, when the bags are brought to zero psi and "shrunken" toward the frame, do you still lose some travel?

Also, I asked earlier. Does anyone have bags and Allpro leaf springs? What is the full length of the bag when inflated, will they reach? Right now I have a 3 inch lift in the rear. Thanks!

 

Yes, if you are running stock length shocks, the Firestone airbags and mounts reduce uptravel by themselves, and even more so with the Daystar cradles:

Tacoma OEM bumpstops are 3.2 inches tall. The airbag collapses to 2.8 inches (with no air, and it does not have an internal bumpstop), but the mount for the Firestone bag is also 7/8 inch tall. With those combined you lose about half an inch of uptravel. Add the Daystar cradles, and you've lost ~1-1/8 inches of uptravel total. But these measurements are at the frame, and will be even greater at the wheel.

If you are running extended length shocks that require a taller bumpstop anyway, you are theoretically not losing any travel from the stock Firestone bag + mount + Daystar cradle. That setup essentially functions as your extended bumpstops –

Except for two problems. The first is Firestone tells us not to run less than 5psi in their bags, so they don't end up collapsing to 2.8 inches, and they end up impeding uptravel more. The second regards the way the Firestone mounts clamp to the middle ~7 inches of your springs. Those clamps engage the overload leaves full time, even when the axle droops. But regardless of whether you are running an overload spring, the Firestone mount is stiffening the middle seven inches of the leaf pack, making the ride unnecessarily stiffer, and impacting travel and traction by resisting droop of your unsprung weight.

With all these problems, I'd be inclined to trash my Firestone bags, except I am like you and want to have my cake and eat it too. I bought my truck with the Firestone bags already installed, and have fallen in love with the customizable versatility they provide.

So I'm building some custom mounts to fix the problems – 1. lower the mount height of the bag to restore available uptravel, 2. make a place for an aftermarket bumpstop at the axle and reinforced part of the frame, 3. Free up the leaf pack to do its job, unhindered by additional clamps, 4. fix the problem of the Firestone mounts bending under load when they are installed on TSB or aftermarket springs, 5. while I'm at it, might as well flip the U-bolts.

I already did the design work; just need get to around to visiting the fabricator. Happy to have two sets made if you want a pair.

(Also, if you are thinking of replacing your leaf pack, I think the consensus among the folks who build aftermarket spring hangers (and thus have to work with all the different brands of leaf packs) is that Allpros can introduce some problems and Deavers are a solid choice.)

 

I'm interested in seeing the design. I have these, but just installed them, so still working out the details...

 

I saw those but the thing that worries me about them is from the few pictures available is it looks like the bumpstop has been moved away from the reinforced part of the frame. That doesn't affect the guy who designed them because he has modified his frame, but it looks like anyone else would be asking for frame damage. And they still limit uptravel, unless you are running extended length shocks that require a taller bump stop.

Will post photos once I get mine made.