"Official" Firestone RideRite + Lift Thread

I have 5100's and air bags. To me the 5100 is an upgrade over the stock shocks and allow you raise the front of the truck if you want to. The rears just bolt on.

 

They are pretty good. I did have one of mine start leaking, about 1k later. Luckily i bought them from Amazon and they just replaced it, without me having to fight Bilstein. They were good after that. Pretty sure i put about 40k on them with no further issues, before i beefed up the spring and put the Pro setup in.

 

Look at post #162 for the gap and #179 without gap.

 

Subbed for later. Can someone update me how the daystar cradles mount? I already have the airbags installed.

 

That bolt that goes through the bracket into the bottom of your bag. Take it out. Mount cradle through the same hole in the bracket. You can loosen the bracket and move it around a bit, if needed, for the bag to set right. You can see it in my pic on post 461

 

Thanks Zacowacko, I know exactly what your talking about.

 

What was being discussed was how the bottom brackets fit the axle tube. On some newer 2nd gens there is a gap between the bracket and the tube. Firestone seems to think that is an OK fit. Some are making new brackets, some are bolting or welding on an extension. I simply cut a strip from an old bed mat, placed it on the tube and then bolted down the bracket. The part that had the gap is simply a "support leg" as the Bags don't center on the leaf springs (they are offset to the inside). Sorry if that is above your comprehension level.

 

I’ve got a first gen but the question is probably best answered here.

I got the Daystar cradles and took off my 2” spacers which were way too much spacer for my stock TRD 4x4. When I put on the cradles one side is pretty well centered. One side is not perfectly centered. See the pics. Is this ok or do I need to drill new holes in the frame to move the upper bracket? The lower bracket can’t move any more to position it where the upper bracket is.

 

Anyone on here looking for the 2" spacer for firestone airbags? I have some for sale that I didn't need right HERE

 

Speaking of spacers, is a spacer required when using the daystar cradles with Dakar's? Getting ready to finally install my bags and want to make sure I have everything I need.

 

Has anybody with firestone airbags and daystar cradles had issues with bottoming out? Anybody know if the airbags have internal bump stops? I'm thinking about going with this setup soon but am worried that without a bump stop I will be doing damage to my frame and airbags. I not too often, but occasionally jump my truck and hoon on it pretty good.

 

If you think bumpstops will save your truck from damage doing silly ass shit, you've got some learning and some wallet thinning in your future. I did bottom out once as I unexpectedly hit a drainage ditch, coincidentally at a time when my bags were deflated. Luckily no noticeable damage, and it did feel like the bags had internal bump stops. You'd be better off to keep at least 5 lbs pressure to insure a softer hit. If you watch some of the videos on the cradles, you'll see and hear some slapping under rough road conditions, but that's not bottoming out, just the bags hitting the unconnected cradle on the downstroke.

 

No problems. Your supposed to leave at least 5lbs in them for this reason. 5lbs doesnt sound like much, but it will stop it from happening. Still stiff as hell with 5lbs in them and no load. Just pulled a popup camper, with my bed fully loaded , 3 ice chests loaded/ton of other crap, and i didnt even need to add air past my normal 6lbs i ride around at. AAL i have may have helped a tiny bit, but i doubt it, since OL is out.

 

Mine aren't totally centered and ride on the cup some, its been fine.

 

i'm not sure how thick those are, but i didnt need them with my 3 leaf AAL added to my new stock pack (OL) out. You can see them in my post, 461.

Sorry for all the late replies, i havent been getting any notifications for some reason, lol

 

With Ride Rites in place of the bump stops, and leaving the min pressure of 5 psi, the truck won't bottom-out. I have been keeping 10-15 psi in them, unloaded the past few years and up to 35 psi with a full heavy load. The truck will raise up to 2" in back with the air bags at 35 psi. You will have a rough ride if the truck is empty, however.

 

Jesus, i thought my ride was stiff at 5lbs. You must have a backbone of steel, lol...

 

LOL, it is 4WD Truck, but the ride is not harsher than stock until you are over 15 psi in my opinion. Maybe because I have a double cab with more weight? I have it at 18-20 psi now and will see if it feels harder than at 15 unloaded.
PS I do have just the stock 3 pack leaf springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks. My tires (Hankook DynaPro ATM) are at 34 psi.

 

For a couple years, I ran mine at 15 psi for lift. I liked the ride. When loaded up and towing, I would go as high as 45.

Good shocks make a big difference.

 

I got the bilstein Pro setup now, but added a new takeoff leafpack and took the OL out. Added Icon progressive AAL. It's not all that bad, but the front just feels so good in comparison, with the Pro's. Just soaks everything up at speed. But i came from a 5100 at 1.75 with the added weight of a bumper and wench, so it was pretty bad up front before.