Installed: Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags

If you guys are looking for a spot to put your air vavle inflators on my last truck (dodge) i used the two bottom holes on my licences plate it worked out really slick

 

If you just have AAL and stock shocks you're on the borderline. I have 3" lift and the spacers are a must. Unfortunately it can be a pain to add the spacers later but I think you'll have a raised tail at the 5psi minimum with the spacers and just 1-1/2 lift.

 

hmmmm, I think ill go without then. I do have the TSB too because its just the 5th 1.5 AAL, but Im not trying to raise the truck with the bags, just want to eliminate the massive sage when I put my bike in the back (840 lbs) and pull my camper

 

I had the same setup on my '06 DC/SB without the spacers. They were great for towing and eliminating the sag. I had the TSB springs too, they eventually flattened out. Articulation.... definitely affected it, multiple times I lifted a back wheel off of the ground because it was stiff, but I don't off road so who cares.

I always kept 5 psi in mine while driving around town and towing my boat, I did go up to 15-20 when towing a loaded dual axle enclosed trailer. IMO, above 5 psi it rode too harsh. I think if you put too much air in them, you'd have so much rake that you'd fall out thru the windshield.

I didn't realize how much it actually affected the ride until I traded my '06 back in August for a '13 DC/LB Sport... it rides SO much smoother without the bags. Don't get me wrong, if my springs lay down on this truck, I'll be bagin' it again, but different bags this time.

I put about 100,000 miles on my Firestone bags with not one issue, but there is a bag out there now by AirRide if I recall, that has an internal snubber, you can run them at 0 psi. That sounds like the best of both worlds, run them at zero and not pinch them, blow them up when you need them.

Those push in fittings on the Firestones are amazing, I never expected them to work, but they did. I just fixed my AprilAire home humidifier with the leftover red tubing....LOL.

 

thanks for the info!

 

What I have installed is this: daystar cradle. The cradle attaches to the axle while allowing the bottom of the bag to be free. Also the cradle is thick enough to barely touch the bags.

 

I'm definitely running the daystar cradle when I install some ride rites!!!!

 

What's the benefits of the cradle and not having one?

 

Read this thread.....pretty much the reason i'm going with the cradle.

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

 

So it's basically the ride that's improved? I'm not that worried about the ride and offroading but ya sounds like a good idea for who does

 

It doesn't necessarily improve the ride. The bottom of the airbag "floats" in the cradle, instead of being attached to a bracket. This allows the suspension to droop further without possibly destroying the bag. Articulation will not be limited by the bags.

 

Ok ya that makes sense. So anyone doing trails and stuff often would have a wheel drooping a lot and maybe wreck the bags. I will never have this issue but i might get them anyways as i have the 1.5 AAL too

 

Hey guys, I have a set of Firestone Ride-rites that are new in the box. I ordered them, don't get around to installing them before my wife had our son and I traded to a Tundra. Been sitting in the box in an air conditioned garage since. Check out the for sale section or pm me for info. Part number is 2407 and they are new but I could use the money and have no need for them.

 

Still trying to decide on getting the cradle or not. Any suggestions for a non offroading truck?

 

The cradles are not necessary if you don't go offroad.

 

I just finished installing my firestone ride rites and daystar cradles on my 2011 tacoma 4 wd. I put the cradles on even though I dont go off road much either. If I do , Im all set. Running aprox: 5 ibs. and feels about the same for ride comparison. It did raise the rear a bit. Love it so far. Friday I will haul a couples loads of wood and will let you know how it goes with a load.

 

Hauled three loads of wood friday. Had approx: one and ahalf rick of wood on trailer. Tires squating on trailer. Had 20 ibs. air pressure in air bags. Truck stayed level.Handled great. Very pleased with the firestone ride rites.

 

Pics?

 

No pics sorry

 

I just recently installed ride rites as well. I have 5100's with AAL. Initially I did add the air bag spacer. This lasted about 200 miles before the spacers got yanked because everytime I went around a corner it would lift the inside tire. Totally screwed my articulation. Installed the daystar cradles and its a night and day difference in ride quality. I hated my bags at first but now I love them. It makes the suspension feel more progressive as opposed to very linear like it did with the spacers.