U-bolt flip + airbags

Anyone figured out how to combine a U-bolt flip with airbags on a thick leaf pack (Dakar, APex, etc)?

 

If not, and you're interested in doing so, you may want to subscribe to this thread.

 

If you check the ride rite thread, it's already done

 

Sorry man. Mobile. Searching is difficult. I posted in it if you want to look at my post history. It has been quite some time though.

 

Actually,

heres a couple I posted in/.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-lift-thread.html?highlight=firestone+skygear

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...all-question.html?highlight=firestone+skygear

 

Sorry, I know I saw it somewhere. Either way. I believe it was a daystar cups - shortened bolts and a plate made to screw into the center of the flip plate and utilising the inner 2 bolts of the bolts.

 

Sounds like everything out there now is overly complex. Mine is a one piece setup. I'll get pics once I paint them, and more after install.

 

For those running the mounting bracket that came with the airbags AND running a thicker-than-stock leafpack (OME Dakar, AP, Deaver, etc.), this is what you have to look forward to once you load some weight into the bed and then go wheeling.
I've been running like this for a couple years now, ever since my very first trip with the airbags (Death Valley deep backcountry for 8 days).

 

A while back I tested the waters on managing to run both a U-bolt flip kit and my airbags concurrently, but due to the bolts of the flip kit protruding significantly (even if I cut them flush) through where the bag mounting bracket was sitting, I figured it was a no-go.
At that time, I had not heard of the DayStar cradles. As soon as I had, I immediately bought a set, knowing they would solve my bent bracket issue, and the fact that the bags were acting like a limit strap.
I recently acquired a set of AllPro Expedition leafs, with the AP U-bolt flip kit included. With the cradles already in hand, I realized I had the perfect solution to running both a U-bolt flip kit AND airbags concurrently.
















I bought two 10" square pieces of 1/2" plate steel, traced the AP U-bolt flip bracket, then traced the cradle where it would mount on the truck. I then spent about an hour with an angle grinder and seven cut-off wheels to cut the contour (would have been a couple minutes had I had a plasma cutter!). Drilled the holes to the same size as their original models, then buffed out all the rough edges and gave them three coats of paint.
I then drilled out the cradles to just the right depth the holes for the U-bolt nuts. You can see which holes I drilled -- they're the ones with a little notch in them (used spade bits, because it's what I had on hand. Were I to do it again [possible!], I would use a Forstner bit).

 

Having successfully tested fitment with all intended bolts, now I had to see if things would actually install in the truck the way I was seeing it in my head.

 

Took it out to Berdoo Canyon in Joshua Tree NP this weekend. Needed to give a LOT of upgrades a good shakedown. Everything did very well, and learned a few things.
1) The now-free-hanging metal base of the airbags makes an annoying clapping sound against the cradles over most bumps.
2) The King COs I picked up for the front are way too soft, but are a major improvement over the OMEs I had in there.
3) The OME shocks I still have in the rear are way too stiff. Good thing a completely new approach is in the works!
4) At full stuff, a few psi in the bags is all I need to get maximum uptravel while also maintaining a minimum clearance between springs and frame.
5) At full stuff, taking all air out of the bags is not a good thing, and results in a severely collapsed bag (but no damage!).
6) An Auburn LSD needs friction modifier in the lube.
6a) Lucas 85/140 gear oil has no friction modifier.
6b) Can't wait to burn off the remaining 150 miles from my new-gear break-in period so I can get some good Redline synthetic in there!

 

Take one off and get some fabled up. Resell them on TW as kits.

 

After I had already cut up the plates (of course!), I realized a better approach would have been to get the 12" square plates and allow room for a bumpstop (hydraulic or otherwise). Oh well, maybe in the future.
Also possibly in the future, depending on how they hold up, is welding a gusset on the bottom to support any weight a 1/2" plate can't take without bending.

For any fabricators out there, this is a very, very easy part to manufacture and offer for sale for the expedition crowd. If you have any kind of computer-controlled cutting device (waterjet, punch, plasma table, whatever), these could be made by the dozens very quickly and very cheaply, with minimal time on CAD.

 

Been thinking precisely that. Thinking of working with Jerry, Tyler, Jason, or the guys at AllPro.

 

Minimal time on a jet. Could be very profitable.

 

Make one for a 1st gen too man.

 

That's actually a good point, one I hadn't considered.
I don't think so. They're lined up perfectly with the bags, which are installed 100% according to the Firestone instructions. To move them inboard would require a complete re-design of the entire mounting system, which would likely require a complete redesign of the overall rear suspension and frame.
What *would* work would be some gussets. Either simple angle gussets against the side of the leafpack, or a leg that sits on the axle housing, like the original mounts that I bent early on.
As I mentioned, I may revisit this later. If I do, I would incorporate a leg on the bag side, add a bump-strike extension on the wheel side, and maybe gusset that bump-strike extension. But for now, I've got too many other projects pulling at me, so this will do for now.

 

Agreed. The other poster who shows his brackets bent did not replace the short bracket that rests on the axle, so there was no support underneath. Very simple fix to cut out a longer bracket.

I ran air bags on my old f150 with a 1.5" lift block on the springs and had to make a longer bracket to the axle too (it was also not centered over the leaf pack). No issues with it at all.

 

Curious how well this has turned out since completed last year @Mach375?

 

Perfectly. I've pushed them hard, including a week-long trip to Moab at around 8,000# PLUS towing a trailer back. Literally perfect. No complaints, and no problems to report