AIR BAGS = AWESOME!!!

Well a while back I purchased a set of Air Lift air bags. Long story short, I didn't like them. Seemed to be good quality but I didn't like the way they installed on the truck. So they went back and I went with the Firestones and Daystar cradles. Man I couldn't be happier with this set up! Probably my favorite up grade to date. I tow and haul frequently, if you do then these are a must have. Right after install I took the company fork lift and threw a skid of antifreeze in the back that goes right at 1k lbs, with 30 lbs in the bags the truck didn't squat enough to even tell! My boat and utility trailer are fairly light tongue weight. You can't even tell they are hooked up now. My truck always has close to 400lbs tools and etc in the bed as well. I drove it home with 25lbs of air in the bags. Gave me close to another 1" of lift and took a lot of body roll out of the truck. Made for a firm yet good ride. The Daystar's are great if I am off road no worries with these. I know there is a good bit of info on here about these already but I wanted to let you guys know that I am another happy customer!

 

Great for pavement.

Just understand that you are now riding around on a giant, soft bump stop. Would remove them prior to offroading or any other situation where you will be cycling the suspension.

 

I have the Firestone kit too. Definitely the best mod I've done. It makes a WORLD of difference.

I also installed a compressor and gauge in one of the bed cubbies.



Thread is here if it's anything you care about:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/299944-my-ride-rite-compressor-install.html

Nice looking truck by the way!

 

Thanks man! There is no doubt you would like them. Just regular driving or hauling/towing it makes mine really feel like a truck.

 

I've had my Firestone Ride-Rites installed for about 3 yrs now. They have served me very well.

 

Thanks man! That's awesome how you done your compressor! I may do one in the future. I thought it would be nice to have the 2 individual gauges in cab.

 

Awesome! That's good to hear.

 

Yes I completely understand what they are and how they function. Are you familiar with how the Daystar cradles work? The bags do no connect to the leaf springs they float freely in the cradle. When the suspension down travels they simply lift out. If off road you would probably run them with the minimum of 5psi. When the suspension up travels they will compress easily. I was messing around and flexing the truck a bit, I don't see how with the location and how they mount that it could do any damage. I'm not rock crawling, what off roading I do is for hunting/fishing that type of thing. Thanks for the insight though.

 

Nice clean install, will consider getting a pair.

 

Thanks!

 

I should have bought these from the beginning. still thinking about it. do you have any lift on the front at all? cant tell to much from the side shot but truck looks great with out to much rake if any.

 

I had RideRites on my 2006 and I loved them as well. For towing, you can't beat them, for fixing an issue with weak springs, again, perfect. If you're an off roader you will experience issues with articulation, I lifted rear wheels off of the ground quite a few times. For us roadrunners, that wasn't an issue.

I ran 5 psi 99% of the time, even for normal towing. That occasional heavy haul usually required 15 psi.

 

Yes 2.5" in front, 1" in rear plus about 1" from bags.


This pic was before bags but you can see how the front sets.

 

1" from the bags. is the other 1" from an add a leaf? or the tsb springs?

 

Actually my truck has the TSB pack and I also added a 1" block just to get it right where I wanted it. 1" block is harmless IMO. I was able to get my hands on some factory GM 1" blocks which actually create a larger pad (near 1") wider than the factory perch. Worked out well, I love the way my truck rides and with the bags you can adjust to anything your doing and keep any unnecessary strain off you leaf spring pack.

 

OP looks great...I have the ride rites with daystar cradles in the garage sitting for about 4 months....I need to get them installed just have to find the time!!!

 

Thanks man! Yeah get them on there! You can do it in under 2 hours and you will be glad when you do.

 

For those doing a lot of towing, you might want to give this thread a look. I've been very happy with mine.

 

I would suggest connecting both air bags to one air line. That way they would always have the exact same air pressure in each one.

In the event of a leak or blowout the truck wouldn't lean to one side. I drive a semi truck and that's the way each axle is set up. It could be dangerous to have a loaded truck leaning to one side.

 

What size/type tires are you running?