Rear air bags?

I'd like to add a little bit of extra spring to the rear. I know it's just for looks and won't increase actual capacity, but I hate a sagging truck and have 350 & 450 "F" series trucks for heavier work.
I built a set of pipe racks and it doesn't take much to make my little friend squat. I was thinking air bags vs. a cheesy bolt on helper. I like the factory ride & would rather not change that with an added leaf(s), my usual cure on my other trucks.

The racks slide in & sit on the bed floor directly above the frame and only take a few minutes to remove or install. They are usually NOT on the truck.
Any experience or suggestions?

 

I had Firestone Ride Rites on my '06 after the TSB replacement springs started to sag. That's a great product, I really liked them. There are a few things that you need to know about them.

1. You have to keep a minimum of 5psi in them so you don't pinch them.
2. You have to saw off your rubber snubbers when installing, so no going back.
3. During install you'll swear that the top bracket installs wrong, read the directions.
4. You will lose a little bit of articulation after install, no big deal unless you wheel the truck. Don't be surprised if you go over a big curb and you lift a back wheel off of the ground.
5. Speed bumps will be noticibly rough.
6, The 5psi will give you a very slight rake, much like it was when it was new.
7. I never found a reason to put in more than 15psi even when hauling heavy.
8. Expect your ride to be firmer, but most people like it.
9. Expect less body roll.
10. There are existing holes downward facing in the bumper that make great mounting points for the valves.
11. They say 1 hour install, maybe if you've done it before. Give yourself 2 or 2.5.

 

I've been very happy with Air Lift bags on my Tacoma.

 

Firestone Ride Rites. Do it. You'll like it.

 

Excellent! I really haven't thought about air bag's for 20 years or more, wasn't sure they were still around for the little stuff. Thank's!

 

Ride rites with Daystar cradles. You'll be very happy. I've run the shit out of mine for years.

 

Kalispell?

Daystar cradles - is this the mounting, or at least one side of it?
What's the issue with the 2407 Firestone "kit"?

I got this kit "in my cart" ready to go at Parts geek for $291.98 free shipping.

 

Just looked up the "Timbren" thinking that basically bump stops would be WAY less than $300 that I see for the Firestone bags, not. That's a crazy lot of money ($220) for just a rubber bumper. I was thinking around $80-$100 for them, at least that's my limit before I went to the (adjustable) bags.
What am I missing?

 

Look at cheesy. Could be you save a lot of cheese. Without some of the issues mentioned above.

Airbags are great, but it really depends on your application, as other suggest.

Hellwig helper springs.

 

Thank's Billy, I did look, and for $100 that's definitely saving some cheese
Most of the time I run around empty and I like the ride. This kit along with the other metal springs will alter the empty ride.
The roads in FL must be like floating on air compared to our frost heaved, pothole canyon, goat paths that we call roads here in Maine.

 

I'm happy with my riderites! Easy install an they hold pressure fine.

 

Nice, I went ahead and ordered them earlier today.

 

Yep, Kalispell area

Daystar makes air bag cradles that allow the bottom of the bags to not be bolted down. This lets the bag lift off the mount when the suspension articulates.

I love my Firestones. I have them paired with Dakars now and I could over load my truck to a ridiculous degree if I was dumb enough to do so - and it would ride fine. Starting and stopping would be the only minor issues.

 

The only downside to air bags is that they don't do anything for axle wrap. Easy starts and stops are all you can do for that until you get real leaf springs.

 

I still get axle wrap with my Dakars.

 

You know it's not a race car, right?

The truth is that no matter how beefy the springs, you'll get change in the pinion angle on starts and stops. I have a hard time believing you get enough change to have negative effects. If so, you need to change some of your driving habits, whether it's on or off road where you're getting the axle wrap. My truck weighs 6000 pounds and I frequently haul a loaded trailer in addition to that. I don't experience the effects of axle wrap with my current setup.

 

Yup i take off slowly but of course if I do take off quick I feel it even more. Truck has a cap on it and rock sliders, skid plates to be added soon and I will be towing a 4600lb travel trailer soon

 

Your timing on this upgrade is canny.. I just ordered mine yesterday to have installed from a local shop. I want to take the load OFF the springs and Icon Lift kit I have installed when I pull my RV .. I do believe it will keep the back end level with the front and support the load .. I'll post pictures after I install and hook the RV back up... I'm going with the same Firestone Ride-Rite bundle...

 

I bought a set of Firestones off of here with the compressor, have to wait until the dealer gets rid of the vibrations before I can install anything though!

My truck is 100% stock and vibrates like a $1500 beater. I do realize it's not a race car but it would be nice not to be scared of the gas pedal!
Here is a video from the single piece driveshaft thread;