Firestone Ride-Rite vs SumoSprings

Yes, all is good. Am planning on taking the blocks out and install a set of Dakar leaf pack (2.5")that should give me some arch then fill the bags to 15-20psi so there's no bottom out

 

I have had bags on my trucks for a long time. First on my '96. Then moved them to my '99 when Toyota bought the '96 back. The springs my my '99 were not the best shape, so I kept about 3-5 PSI more on the driver side to keep the truck balanced.

Even when you have no load you should keep some air in the bags, (5-10 psi), if not, they become a hard bumper if you bottom out, that is not good for the bags.

One nice thing about the bags is they work like a progressive spring, as the bag compresses over bumps, on or off road, the air pressure in the bag increases in proportion to the amount of compression. As you near bottoming out the pressure is highest.

If you put new springs on your truck with a lot of arch, then put 15-20 psi in the bags, I would think your truck would be way high in the back..

 

That makes sense, I have to play with the psi until I get the stance am looking for.

Thanks

 

My does not see extreme off road use like I see some of you guys doing. My off road use is muddy, work site situations.

The installation instructions do have a special note right at the bottom:
NOTE:
Once the air helper springs are installed, it is recommended that the vehicle not be lifted by the frame,
as over-extension may occur, resulting in damage to the air helper springs. However, should it become
necessary to raise the vehicle by the frame, deflate both air helper springs completely.

I have jacked mine up by the frame to change one tire with no problem. But if I work under the truck with the frame on jack stands where both wheels are off the ground, I let the air out. The bag looks pretty stretched when I do that.

Ask these guys, there where I got mine.

www.TruckSpring.com

1-800-358-4751

 

I like my truck level side to side. I plumbed my Ride Rites separate because you always have more weight on the left side... the driver, gas tank, battery. 20gal. of gas weighs 120lb. You may need to keep 10+ psi more on the left side. Empty, mine levels out at 15psi left air bag, 5psi right with 1/2 tank of gas and no one in the truck. I don't weigh much, so I call it good to go.

 

Just joining the conversation. I will be building out my bed with a drawer system, (plywood), approximately 150lbs along with a camper top of 300lbs and gear ranging and changing between 0-600lbs. Currently, stock suspension ('18 OR/LB). I will be upgrading the suspension once I get the actual weight of the bed system and gear. I had been researching rear springs, Dakar, Deaver, AAL, and now I think Toyota is introducing their own progressive rear springs in the new TRD line, maybe even Icon has this... Would the Ride-Rite circumvent the need for replacing the rear springs with any of these after-market solutions?

 

I have been using air springs for a long time. Back in the '70's I had them on my Chevelle SS396 so I could put different tires on for street and track. While other guys used jacked theirs up with bigger springs, or ugly shackles, I just added or released air as required. I had them on my '96 Taco that I bought with bad springs. Then moved them to my '99. Now I have a new set ordered for my 2005. I would think they are perfect for your situation, it seems the same as mine. The only difference is you are going to push down on them with camping gear, I use tools, building materials, or a trailer tongue to push down on mine.

The only problem is, as mentioned a few posts above, they may not be good for serious off road use since they might be stressed at the extreme limit of extension travel. I have never experience that as I have not done that kind of off roading.

 

They used to come with just one fill valve. You had to purchase an extra fill valve if you wanted to plumb them separate. Now they come with 2 fill valves, and you have to purchase a T if you want to plumb them together.

Plumbing them separate has a couple of advantages, As you mention, you are able to level unequal static loads side to side.

When plumbed together, extra load on one side, compresses the air, raising the pressure on that side. The excess pressure then flows to the other side extending that side and making the truck more out of level.

Dynamic loads are a bigger problem. When cornering, the truck rolls, loading one side. The loaded bag then pushes more air to the unloaded bag, increasing the amount of roll.

I recommend always plumbing separate.

 

I plumbed mine separate!

 

I'm sure water condenses inside the air bags, like it does in an air compressor. Would be a bitch to remove. Any long time users ever have an issue?

 

Short answer, water is not a problem in your Air Bags.

Long answer...I have had bags on my trucks for a long time. I pull trailers and carry various weight loads so I am add and releasing air a lot.

I first installed them on my '96 when I got it in 2001. Then moved them to my '99 when Toyota bought the '96 back in 2008. The springs my my '99 were not the best shape, so I kept about 3-5 PSI more on the driver side to keep the truck balanced. I drove the '99 until the frame failed in 2018. So those bags were in use for 17 years.

I installed a new set on the 2005 that I got in July 2018 to replace my '99. I have never had an issue with water collecting in the bags. Of course I have never looked inside to see.

If you think about the difference between a shop compressor system and an air bag system there are significant differences in use. Your shop compressor runs for extended periods. Depending on the size, it will pump from 4 to over 20 cfm. Using those figures it can pump from 360 to 1200 cubic feet of air through the tank for every hour or run time.

In addition the air is squished into the tank at higher pressure, typically between 100 and 150 PSI, this helps to force the water vapor out of the air. I have never filled my RideRites over 50 PSI, typically they are between 20-40PSI when the truck is loaded. If you need to fill them to the 100 PSI they are rated for, your truck is way over loaded.

If you are using a nail or impact gun, on a big project, lets say your 20 CFM compressor runs for 3-4 hours on a given day, that is 4800CF. If you drain your compressor tank, you mighty get a couple of ounces of water from that 4800 CF or air depending on the humidity that day. Not saying this is insignificant, it can certainly ruin your air tools.

However your air bags do not pass huge volumes of air through them. In addition, they do not hold than much air. You compressor tank might have a capacity from 2 to over 60 gallons. 60 gallons is about 8 cubic feet. An air bags hold less 0.16 cubic feet each.

In all of the years I have had mine, I doubt I have put 4800CF of air through them.

Water vapor is a much greater problem in your tires, where what little vapor is in them changes pressure significantly as tire temperature changes.

 

Thanks hemmjo, appreciate your in depth answer!

 

I just got some last month! I can't wait to install them. I think I am missing a bolt?

 

I don't think I could live without ride rites.

Between hauling loads at or above payload, towing or doing these in combination Ride-Rites have helped!
Specifically how much they restored road manners / handling makes them worth it alone.

 

@hemmjo I have an 02 thats been running ride rites for about 4 months. Was the ride ever rough with your setup on the 99' & 96'? I have the air bags set at 10-15 psi with my shell and side storage (+/- 200lbs). I get bucked around to the point its killing my back! Ive adjusted psi up & down. Same ride outcome. Not sure if the daystar cradle is causing pre load or if this is how this bags work and I need to keep it even more loaded (will kill my mpg)

 

Roscoe, I do not believe your rough ride is caused by your air bags. I had never heard of the daystar cradle until now. I had to look that up. It is possible the jerking is caused when the air bags come down onto the cradle. I do not have a need for the extra suspension travel the daystar cradles would provide. I just have the standard Bilstein shocks on my truck. Other than the air bags, and bed racks, my truck is stock.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I use my truck as a service truck and daily driver. When I am on a service call I often drive on muddy work sites. (Why is it that equipment always breaks down in the mud, and when it it raining or snowing?) I carry a lot of heavy tools and sometimes big parts for heavy equipment. That can add up to 1,000+ pounds pretty quickly. The air bags are perfect for me. When it is washed not loaded with tools it just looks like a plain Jane truck.

 

Good to know. I was recommended to have the daystars but that might be my issue. Mostly city and dirt roads for me. I'll remove them and see if my ride improves...