"Official" Firestone RideRite + Lift Thread

Why do to need spacers?

 

Your terminology... Spacers? If you mean the leg extenders to reach the axle for support, you can make those with hand tools. Zero tools? C'mon! Everyone gets a drill and a hacksaw on their 13th birthday.

 

Sorry. Late night. Yeah I meant the extenders

 

I just had a buddy weld a piece of metal to the existing bracket. The piece rests on the axle and then he laid a couple beads down the sides.

 

I’ll probably just install them and find someone to do that @Pigpen.

 

Yeah hold the front door!! DrewDown I'm in the same boat. I came on to find out if people are using the firestones or the air lifts and low and behold find out about the daystars and the leg extenders. You need half an engineering degree to do anything but add gas to a vehicle. DAMN! But it appears you can get away with putting them on and then finding what gap you actually have, because everyone seems to have a completely different leaf set up than anyone else. I Have the new recalled leaf pack and an AAL. Plan to run them unloaded and rig something someone how to meet the axle. I'm too vested to turn back at this point!!

 

Ben, two tips for you:
One, don't install, only do a dry run to determine the length of the leg. Much easier to do the leg mod on your work bench before installation.
Two, never run the firestones with zero pressure. Always have at least 5 lbs pressure, which is just enough to prevent bottoming out over a nasty speed bump. Remember, you'll no longer have a bump stop on your axle to take the hit.

 

Roger that Alan! The more you know... Yeah and actually I just remembered I have a machinist buddy in town who could easily do a custom piece. Alright I think all my t's are crossed and i's are dotted it's time to eliminate sag and raise the f*@& up!!!

I roll full time with a Yeti(never know when the mood for a cold beer strikes) a leer cap a dog and kennel. And hunting season has gear and summer dog training season has gear. Hell last trip down to DE for hunting camp I had to put 200lbs of corn on my passenger side to eliminate what was already a saggin a$$. Felt like I was about to take off and fly at times. I expect to always roll with about 10psi because who doesn't love a good rake!?

Glad I read this bc I was going to mate both air lines with a T but after reading about cornering and the like they will stay separated. Many thanks for all information on this thread.

 

I think I posted these earlier in the thread, but here's how I mounted my valves - on either side of the hitch receiver, pointed down.

 

i did this with the valves. One on each side and the gauges light up with the taillights.

 

Opinions wanted: Should I remove my AAL before putting the bags on? Also, by doing that, will that negate the need to customize a bracket to reach the axle? I do have the recalled leaf pack.
I can't wait to get the bags on but only wanna do it once and do it right the first time! Appreciate any help.

 

Since there are so many different build heights with lifts and/or leaf sets, and nobody but yourself can know if you're happy with your present suspension or not, just get the longest legs offered and use what you need, saving the cut-offs for a later mod.

 

If you have more than 3 leafs you will probably need to fab some brackets.

 

How much did this set up run you and do you still like it ?

 

Don't remember the cost, it was the cheapest way to go, easiest install to do, extremely versatile and trouble free in use. No regrets.

 

Thanks for everyone’s contribution to this thread! I bought the TRD Pro PTR 13-35150 kit, Firestone bags, Daystar cradles. Just wondering what AAL I should buy to end up with about a 1” rake. My truck is a 2012 DCSB off-road with the attached picture to show what leaf springs I have.

 

Depends on what you plan to do with it. My vote is always a full Dakar leaf pack.

 

I’m not rock crawling but I will haul a trailer quite a bit during planting season. I mainly drive around on farms with hilly terrain and mud. Nothing too crazy here in Illinois.

 

Dakars are awesome. They're designed for (really) rough roads and occasional hauling (and just happen to work well off road) - and are awesome when paired with air bags if you haul stuff.

 

I put a wheelers AAL on my 13 Baja a few years back and have been really happy with it, esp. the cost. I was hauling a lot of stone long distances, fill rock and sod at the time and it fixed the rake and gave me a better ride with the load in it.