Firestone Ride Rite Question

Hello all,
I have a 2008 Tacoma Pre Runner and am seriously considering buying some firestone ride rite air bags for the rear due to the fact that the truck sags when I pull my boat or carry my atv. My only concern is that you have to leave at least 5psi in them when not in use. I don't want to affect the ride hight when unloaded! Does anyone have any experience with these and if so will 5psi even change rear ride height unloaded?

 

I've got them on my '07 dbcb Sport 4x4. I normally keep 15 psi in the rear. 15 psi raises the back about 1" over stock w/ the worn out 3 leaf rear suspension. 5 psi might raise the back end 3/8" over stock.

HTH

David

 

i am running the ride rites on my reg cab and love them. I don't think the little bit of ride height at 5psi will be too big of a deal compared to how they improve hauling and towing.

 

Ok, thanks, I can handle that. I beleive it will be well worth it, I love my truck but just hate how weak the rear suspension is!

 

Thanks for asking this. I have also been thinking about adding the kit since I put on my shell. If I have a sag from the shell it doesn't bother me much, its more the soft ride. I was worried about the extra ride height but I guess I may not need to have it as a concern. I have a small trailer that holds an ATV or what ever I need to haul never really noticed a big difference with it on, I have been thinking about a smaller RV trailer to tow.

 

I have posted here many times about them on my 2005 DC Tacoma... to cure the harsh ride from the too soft springs. Worked amazing on and off road. 15 psi with bed empty or light load... and up to 35-40 psi max. for heavy load.

 

I like the ride better with the 5psi in the bags. Didn't notice much at all with the ride height with 5psi in the bags.

 

I had them for some time, and I generally ran 15 psi empty as well. 5psi is not going to raise the rear unless you measure it with a micrometer. They work extremely well. I've since installed much heavier springs so the bags are unneeded.

 

5 psi? Why bother, as that is little more than a bump stop for the saggy 3 leaf spring? 15 psi is the minimum to actually add something to the suspension and yet maintain a nice highway ride. Try it, you'll like it!

 

Per manual 5 psi is the min.

 

Exactly, why bother if you are not going to use the boost in suspension it easily provides... 5 psi is the min. to keep it from 'falling out' (just a visual here, it won't fall out)... and it is little more than a bump stop.

At 15 psi, you achieve an extra bit of suspention, the bags don't allow bottoming and the truck is at the firmness it should have come from the factory with. To carry a heavy load and keep it at correct height or even raise the body, go to 30-40 psi range. The max. is 100 psi, but there is serious risk of axle damage as you will change the geometry of the rear suspention with that much air. The most I ever had mine at was 45 psi... and it was very 'truck-like' in the ride.

 

I usually have mine at 8-10 psi empty and its very well mannered with TRD billies, have run as high as 40 psi loaded, but I'm pretty certain that with my 3 leafers, any load that requires more than 30 psi to level it out is into overweight territory. I love 'em!

 

What happens to the bags if the truck is lifted by the frame or over extended while off road? Is there enough play not to cause damage?

 

I have wheeled mine, I let all the air out when i do, so far no damage, but I'm not trying to mess them up either.
To the OP My rack and shell weigh 450 lbs, I have an add-a-leaf and billie 5100's empty i keep around 10-15psi in the bags, it feels fine, levels the truck and helps it handle better, in your case 5psi should be fine.

 

They tell you not to lift the truck by the frame, but I've wheeled mine too and never had any problems. It may be one of those precautions that is over kill. The stock suspension does not have a ton of articulation, so maybe that is why. I can't imagine a system that would dismember itsefl the first time is was fully extended. They would be replacing by the truck load under warrantee.

 

I've been told that to about lifting the truck, it makes sense, the bags limit the travel somewhat and are taking the most stress when you do.

 

ATRAC ? Why bother?


The 5 psi is so that the internals of the air bags do not touch when the suspension is compressed. If they touch they will destroy themselves. Easy as pie.

 

1) So you can go further without aftermarket lockers added.

2) Obviously, the bare min. on the bags... and is why I state that if you went to the trouble to install them, why run at the bare minimum..?. no advatage gained.

I simply encourage those with Ride Rites to try them at 15 psi for empty running... it is a truck, afterall... and the ride is still good.. actually better, as it feels firmer when driving.

Sharing my discovery so others can try it for themselves if they haven't already... just like with A-TRAC (since YOU brought it up, lol)!

 

Mine are there to help the leafs handle the added load of the rack and shell and to pump up when i haul loads. The truck corners better with 15-20 of air in the bags, more than that though and it pops up into the air over speed bumps and such. My sweet spot is around 15.