Deavers w/ air bags?

Currently have Eibach Stage 2 coilovers and Icon add a leaf. I use the truck in a few different configurations; Empty, RTT tent with loaded bed and sometimes with a dirtbike on bumper rack. Looking at U402 Stage 1 thinking they would be good with just the RTT but might sag with the RTT plus dirtbike. Anyone have any experience with these leafs and airbags? I dont want the Stage 2 springs as most of the time the truck bed isn't loaded and don't want 3" of lift in the back and a rough ride with an empty bed.

I use to have blocks and airbags with a smooth ride but when tried the bags with AAL it rode very rough. I still have the bags in the garage so no added cost there.

 

Go stage 1, i run a similar setup(weigh camper shell instead of rack). Riderite airbag system with day star cradles, Deaver stage 1s, Kings. Rides like a dream, and can add psi to bags for carrying the bike on a hitch carrier(reduces roll). Here’s am photo of my truck with the Ktm on the back(Deaver stage 1s)

 

I don't have airbags, as I've got Stage 3 Deavers, but I really can't see a problem adding airbags with their leaf packs. Empty though, You'll probably still have 2+ inches of lift even without the bags. Especially when you first put in the Deavers. Mine and my buddy's took a few months of hauling heavy to get them to settle. Looked silly tall in the rear, much higher than rated lift. Love their leaf pack though!

 

This is exactly what I was hoping for, thank you! Not familiar with the cradles, will look that up.
btw - great avatar, helicopter pilot myself.

 

Awesome, thanks Ryan!

 

The main reason for the Daystar cradles:they only mount to the frame, and have a “cradle” for the bag to rest in, allows full suspension flex without stretching the airbag(will tear).

Basically it allows us to run airbags for towing while retaining full suspension travel for off-road fun and such.

Not a pilot here, but a Huey mechanic

 

Thanks Tyler, appreciate the explanation... will order a up set!

 

Hello Sirs, any feedback on how this setup is working? I have a set of stage ones en route and was hoping to still be able to use the airbags after I drop the popup trailer for the weekend?

 

Im assuming you mean Deaver stage 1s? I have the same leafs, paired with the daystar and cradles(and Kings). I had the old style daystar mount(top and bottom permanent mount) and chose to upgrade to the daystar, it made a world of a difference on daily driving(leafs not fighting the bag during day/day driving) and retained the utilization of the airbags for when towing(simple air up, i put the fill valves as my rear license plate mounts).

 

Correct deaver Stage 1's (I forget all the prevalence of the "Stage 1" term). Awesome, thanks for the quick response, I will be running a similar setup but with TRD pro foxes that I got cheap and rebuilt. Sorry to sub thread this but with the deavers and bags are you also running an upgraded shackle hanger or shackle or needed extended brake lines? I wasn't planning on doing the shackle hangers or shackles yet.

 

I’m using a single Deaver add a leaf (without extra shackle hangers) and kept the overload in for added height, along with air bags on Daystar cradles and have not noticed a rough ride on it- but I do keep a lot of weight in back with tools and a hardtop RTT on it. The only time the ride sucks is when the airbags have too low of pressure.

 

Did you need any extra hardware to do this?

 

Just need long enough hoses and and the Schrader valves you have should have a small nut on them, just pass them through the license plate mounting holes and tighten them down. Here's an Amazon link.

$15 TORQUE 1/4" Air Inflation Schrader Valve with Push to Connect for 1/4" OD Air Line Tubing and Airbag Air Bag Suspension Fittings for Semi Truck Trailer Tractor, Dot Approved, 5 pcs (5 x TR14IV)

https://www.amazon.com/Inflation-Sc...proved/dp/B0CJMWR279?smid=A382740KJTI24F&th=1
easy project and easy access, just make sure you safely secure your airlines.

 

I haven’t done shackles yet, extended brake lines are in the mail currently(good idea to swap those before they become the limiting strap). Rides smooth as is, shackle upgrade will make the rear more “planted” or stiff(stock hangers a do flex easily, hence why theres upgrades available).

 

I don’t recall needing any extras, i ran each bag independent to its own valve to be able to adjust side-to-side for squat while loaded and towing.

 

Sounds good thanks for the info. Glad I finally made a profile to ask and answer questions

 

Hey what shocks are you running? those look like 1st gen raptor takeoffs? I have the Internal bypass TRD Pros on mine that I got dirt cheap and rebuilt (I rebuild shocks on the side), but mine are oriented the other direction (shaft pointing up, piggyback down).

 

That photo is pulled from the google machine, not my setup. I have Deaver stage 1s, ext Kings and the ride rite bag system with daystar cradles.

 

well... That makes perfect sense. Also makes sense why the spring pack looks significantly different from a deaver pack. Alright thank you again

 

Question about the orientation, as i do not know. My thought process may be wrong, but installing the shocks upside down with the piggy back on the bottom would effect fluid flow as the shock is designed to be mounted opposite? Not sure if that is making sense, just wondering if it has any effect on the shock dampening as the res is at the bottom instead of top for fluid expansion flow.