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Firestone Airbag pics?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by goldenbear926, Jul 21, 2009.

  1. Jul 21, 2009 at 1:43 PM
    #1
    goldenbear926

    goldenbear926 [OP] Member

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    Hello all,

    I was interested in putting some airbags on my Tacoma, and was wondering if anyone had any pictures of airbags installed on their truck.

    Thanks
     
  2. Jul 21, 2009 at 4:09 PM
    #2
    RCBS

    RCBS How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    Harden your bark, there are storms on the horizon.
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    Goodbye 06, Hello 21. TRDORDCSBMT
    Tornado intake, Duralube, Fartcan.
    not my truck...
    i've been wanting to put a set under mine for a while now.
     
  3. Jul 31, 2009 at 4:08 PM
    #3
    macwired

    macwired Member

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    The firestones are great, especially if you missed the spring TSB that has been talked about extensively on this site. I think they are the best of both worlds, as you retain the great ride with the soft spring pack but can level the truck when you have a load or are towing.
     
  4. Apr 1, 2011 at 2:13 AM
    #4
    pete4www

    pete4www Member

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    Pete
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    I have a question about the fire stone air bags, I have searched all over and can't find a definitive answer. My 05 double cab TACO bottoms out with the stock springs, and I would like to install the fire stone bags. Occasionally, maybe once every 2 or 3 months, I drive my truck off-road on camping trips. I drive carefully off-road, but what happens if you hit a pot-hole, or do something else that causes the suspension to flex, will this cause a problem with the air bag system? Will I lose my ability to off-road by installing this? To those who have the airbag system installed, have you ever had something bad happen with the airbag system installed? Just want to know what I'm in for once it's installed. Some people in forums have said NO MORE off-roading with the bags installed, and I have heard others say no problem as long as you don't drive too crazy, so which is it?
     
  5. Apr 1, 2011 at 3:06 AM
    #5
    Cogge89

    Cogge89 Well-Known Member

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    If you read some of RCBS's link:
    "So I have been out playing a time or two and the bags do not limit travel at all... Its great."
    "Shocks still limit droop, and according to firestone there are no issues stretching them that way, I specifically asked."

    I have them installed on my truck. I've never been offroading with them, but I've hit some major pot holes. No problems yet, just really stiff on the big holes. I'm debating doing an AAL to get my rear height where I want it, that way I can run less PSI than I currently am. I'm not sure if it will be just as stiff with an AAL + airbags, or not. But I'll find out I guess.
     
  6. Apr 1, 2011 at 10:23 AM
    #6
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Differential Breather Mod Light Bar: 4 Cree LED lamps Bilstein 5100s Ride Rite Air Bags
    You haven't read all of my posts on my '05 air bag installation, have you???

    I have posted photos and reviews... the Ride Rites were fantastic. Before the truck bottomed out (with a load in back or back seat passengers) over any bump or pot hole.

    I complained to my dealer... but nothing was offered... I wasn't on TW nor knew of a TSB. I asked friends for ideas. New springs, re-arched springs, add a leaf, Dever progressive springs, and air bags were all mentioned. So, I called some spring shops then I went to Off Road Warehouse in Escondido, CA.

    Spring mods all would make the truck ride firm all the time... and I only needed it with loads in back or 4 adults in front... The Ride Rites were the answer... I also upgraded to 5100 shocks (they were cheap) from the yellow Bilsteins in back.

    I took my truck to Ocotillo Wells to test it off road... It was great! I then took it to Baja, well loaded for camping... Never a harsh ride since!

    I traded my '05 for a '10... The dealer removed my air bags, in case I needed them on the 2010 DC... They are still in the box in my garage. Toyota fixed the problem... still three leaves, but the new truck doesn't bottom out under the same conditions.

    AirbagTest003_960cab4a8a6ae60278a61b4c2928f276474afa93.jpg

    AirbagTest004_be181b5209beec34f8c3abd991547d1d055153e7.jpg
     
  7. Apr 1, 2011 at 12:39 PM
    #7
    pete4www

    pete4www Member

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    Thanks, I must have missed the post when I searched, thanks for pointing that out, and that answered some of the questions I had about them. When I take my vehicle into a shop and they need to lift it to work on it (oil changes, tires, etc...), do I need to do anything special or will the airbags be ok when they lift my truck up? I read someone post that they lift their vehicle by the frame all the time with their airbags on, and they never had a problem but I wanted to be sure. Does anyone have a preference between the firestone vs. air lift brand? Does one provide more travel than the other? I actually went on both manufacturer's websites and could not find any information on how much travel either one supplies, but I would assume both provide about the same???
     
  8. Apr 1, 2011 at 4:09 PM
    #8
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Differential Breather Mod Light Bar: 4 Cree LED lamps Bilstein 5100s Ride Rite Air Bags
    Not an issue ever... nothing special needs to be done when lifting the truck... at least for me. I had the Firestone Ride Rites, I cannot say a word about something I never used or ever heard of.

    There is no concern over 'travel' either... Before, I couldn't drive the speed I wanted to because the suspension bottomed out and I didn't want to break anything. Once the Ride Rites were installed I could drive at any speed off road that I wanted and the air bacgs absorbed it all.

    Normal pressure around town driving is 15 psi in each bag.

    When I loaded the truck and needed to level/ raise the back... then about 30 psi did the trick.

    Once with a super heavy load, I went to 45 psi.

    Don't run them over filled as I did hear from a mechanic that it is possible to crack an axle... maybe the kid went to the maximum of 100 psi... Never do that!

    The Ride Rites go in where the bump stops used to be, so unless you let them go flat, you will never bottom out again. Check the pressure about once a month, like when you check your tires... it takes a real brief puff of air to change the pressure in the bags.
     
  9. Apr 1, 2011 at 4:23 PM
    #9
    Cogge89

    Cogge89 Well-Known Member

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    I find a little bicycle pump works good to put air in them. It doesn't take much of a blast to fill them
     
  10. Apr 1, 2011 at 6:43 PM
    #10
    pete4www

    pete4www Member

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    Thanks for everyone's help, I went ahead and ordered the Firestone bags for my truck.
     
  11. Apr 1, 2011 at 6:54 PM
    #11
    spamy

    spamy Truck guy

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  12. Apr 1, 2011 at 7:34 PM
    #12
    tim3939wil

    tim3939wil Member

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    A.R.E. cap w/vented windoors-ride rite's-5100's/OME884- satoshi grill- debadged- always on camera-blacked out/chrome free mods
    I returned air lift/ride control, holes in brackets didn't line up right, plus looked like major pain to install/cheap product imo. installed ride rite today,fairly eazy 3hr. by my self. way better product, should work fine for me. I have a.r.e. cap & could feel bump stops on our pothole infested roads yesterday.
     
  13. May 4, 2011 at 8:55 PM
    #13
    jeepmor

    jeepmor Well-Known Member

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    OP,

    Please follow up with pics and initial impression comments. I was hellbent on 33" tires and a lift because of weak OEM suspsension until I mentally conceded it is my DD and I don't need to hurt my mileage with bigger tires. I do, however, want that heavy load option and these ride-rites will be perfect since this is more of an expedition vehicle for me with much more road travel than offroad travel. I do load heavy for vacations and often drive for lunch with a bunch of 200ish lbs guys. Plus I have a canopy on the back. These will be perfect.

    I have a jeep CJ, a serious one with 35s, and I can't turn my Taco into that....must resist.
     
  14. May 6, 2011 at 4:39 AM
    #14
    Gregman

    Gregman Well-Known Member

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  15. Jul 14, 2011 at 12:16 PM
    #15
    glwood6

    glwood6 Well-Known Member

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    Anyone got close-up pics of the air fittings in their final installation place?
     
  16. Jul 14, 2011 at 12:21 PM
    #16
    Cogge89

    Cogge89 Well-Known Member

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    Yep, Just let me upload them real quick and I can post some
     
  17. Jul 14, 2011 at 12:29 PM
    #17
    Cogge89

    Cogge89 Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    View from the ground looking up under, into the spare tire location.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Jul 14, 2011 at 1:38 PM
    #18
    glwood6

    glwood6 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks!

    Nice job! I like what you did.
     
  19. Jul 15, 2011 at 6:30 AM
    #19
    pudge151

    pudge151 Well-Known Member

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    nice pics. i'll be doing mine this weekend
     
  20. Jul 15, 2011 at 6:47 AM
    #20
    bcb97

    bcb97 Well-Known Member

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    I have the firestone airbags for sale if anyones interested! Link below:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/166509-fs-firestone-ride-rite-airbags.html

    I put the fill valves in the two compartments in the bed. It was a great way to hide them from everyday driving conditions and nobody would ever know they were there. I've seen people also put their valves/controls in there also.

    My truck is a '11 prerunner so these should fit a '05+ Prerunner and 4x4.
     

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