FireStone Ride-Rite Install question...

Hi There,
I appreciate all the insight and install advice on the ride rites. I am interested in installing them on my stock suspension 05 TRD Sport. Few questions. Is it over kill to install these bags for two dirt bikes in the bed, or a topper with sleeping platform in the bed? Is there any way to keep the bags on the truck if I were to install a rear lift kit of anything other than blocks (like the full leaf kit that comes with the OME - Dakar leaf kit). Thanks

 

If your bed is sagging that it's not overkill. Having them will also save your leafs from sagging over time with a topper or any other constant extra weight.

I just installed Daystar Air Bag Cradles today and so far (only a day) I highly recommend them. More info on this thread.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/279865-official-firestone-riderite-lift-thread.html

 

You won't need a rear lift kit or a full leaf kit with air bags. I love air bags because I can lift the truck to any height I need to make it level. Whether it's 15lbs empty, or 50 with my sled in the back. They also take the weight off the springs which is the point of them. If you get a full leaf kit, you'll make your ride much rougher.

 

I just want to say that the ride rite are da shizzle!

 

Looking great. Check out the other thread with the new bag cradles. So it does not limit flex.

 

Link?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/279865-official-firestone-riderite-lift-thread.html

 

Thanks for all the advice. I am definitely going with the kit once I get another pay check. It is sad looking at the truck when I have both bikes in the back. As for the suspension lift. I will wait and see, it is a ways off but at least I know there are options with the air lift and springs and multiple combinations.

 

I thought my suspension lift was a ways off. Within a year I went from stock, to Air Ride, to Air Ride with OME, to OME w/ AirRide and All Pro Expos, then to ICON stage 5....

So it happens fast when you least expect it.


The Air Ride is a great start though

 

HA.

Looks like I am on the same road as you.

I have bags and have been thinking hard about getting the front OME.

So....Should I just skip the BS and go straight for the ICONs?

My only problem is I have to keep the bags. Sometimes I tow a 5,500 lbs trailer.

 

Keep the bags, it will make the ICON's last a lot longer

 

Good info on this thread. Sub'd for future reference.

 

I would just skip the OME if your goal is the ICONS in the end. You will spend money on the OME- Then loose it when you sell the OME... I would do this to a tee.

Contact a few of the retailers that sell the ICON product. See what kind of pricing you can get, and see where you need to be financially. THEN possibly see if you can pay in installments til you pay them off IF they even are willing to do something like that.

I got all my ICON gear from MetalTech4x4.com They had the 15% sale going on at the time and were more than accomodating to my situation.

DownSouthMotorsports have some GREAT deals.

If you feel like getting gear ASAP, I hear SDHQ has most everything in stock. Just be careful with them, they get aggressive with the sales and for some can be a bit much.

I am going to see if I can find a local shop to me that might have a variety of the Air Bags themselves in stock. The TUNDRA kit looks like the bags would be a perfect mate for the additional height I gained.

Funny though, I just sold my kit and am already looking for a replacement for it.

Take a look at my build thread for the ICONS I got. I am happy with them so far. Completely different feel than the OME. OME was boom bom boom work work work. Icons are more like squash float squash float.

 

First I want to say that I appreciate the info about the ride rite air springs on the forum. Especially Gregman for the pics and write up and Sam_i02 for the tip about removing the bump stumps and cutting them on a band saw.

Maybe file this under a new thread "Things you thought you were going to do to your Tacoma today"

I ordered the Firestone Ride Rite kit from Amazon (2407 for Tacoma 4wd 05-11) and was looking forward to getting them installed this morning. I start organizing the hardware and tools and do the pre-assembly. I get to the point where you screw the air fitting into the spring and what dah frick? The air fitting will not screw into the air spring. I shake it off for a second, pour myself another cup of coffee, and take a second look. Nope, not even close. The air fitting is way too large.


I belted out a few full volume F bombs (a tradition passed down the male line of my family) and call the firestone number. They are closed, and are open Monday through Friday. Beautiful. I double checked all the other hardware in the kit, and I don't appear to be missing anything else. Looks like Dijon F did a bang up job packing this box up on 05/02/13.

I was considering boxing it up and sending it back to Amazon, but it isn't their fault. I think Firestone needs to make this right. I hope they will expedite the correct sized air fitting to me. I will call them on Monday. Pretty annoying, I really wanted these installed this weekend for a trip next weekend.
I am wondering if anyone else has had any quality control issues on the parts contents of this kit?

 

Thanks for the tip, I don't have any experience with air fittings. I think I will head over to a hardware store and see if I can find a couple that will work.

 

Did you find one?

If not try a truck stop. Trucks have fittings like these.

 

Do the bags act as bumps also? Since you remove the stock bumps. Sorry if it has already been posted

 

yep, in fact you have to cut off the old bump stops to install the bags, a sawzall with a metal cutting blade works the best

 

With these air is now your bump stop.

You have to cut out the old rubber ones to install these.

You always have keep at least 5 psi in these because it will damage them if they compress all the way and touch.

 

I took my bump stop off to save it for replacement or change out at a later date.
Not too hard to pull them off on install.