"Official" Firestone RideRite + Lift Thread

So back on topic...anyone have an extra shield laying around? I pulled my airbags and cleaned all the rust and repainted the brackets. Just didn't feel like messing with this part. If I can't find one, l'll prob just make something out of sheet metal. Let me know.

 

I didn’t use any of my mounting kit, let dig around and see if I can find it.

 

Reviving a dead thread. Sorry. This is what I have now- as you can see, it goes straight to the leafs and bolts to it. Can I order a cradle kit and convert? I’m not very familiar with the bag side of the world, sorry.

 

Looks kinda stretched. I don’t think you’re supposed to let the axle hang that low.

 

Yeah truck was on a lift, I’m aware. But I should be able to just bolt the cradles on, correct?

 

That’s how they work. Then you get back the up travel.

 

Yeah was just making sure. This is all I need? Or do I need to order some other plate or something. The truck has just the Firestone kit on it right now.

 

I think that’s it but there should be more info on them in this thread if you do some digging. Mine’s a 5-lug spring under and I don’t wheel so I can’t say from personal experience. I use them to augment my truck for work.

 

Unless you're driving around in Gravedigger, the air bags are not going to "limit suspension travel". On a stock setup, the shock can't extend far enough to damage the airbag. If your springs can extend far enough to stretch the airbags and you like to jump sand dunes, your decision to install airbags was not a smart one to begin with. The cradles are also going to eliminate about an inch of uptravel, if that's important to you.

You can spend $100 and make two pieces that aren't supposed to, slam together, rub against each other and make noise, but it's a waste. The airbags aren't fragile. If stretching them ripped them apart, so would hitting potholes...

Mine have been on a lift a few times. I just take the schrader valve core out of inflator.

 

I tow 6500-7000 with my truck semi regularly. Airbags were needed.

 

All you need is the Daystar cradles. I just pulled my original install off and cleaned up the rust. Then reinstalled with the cradles and new straight push-in valves instead of the right angle ones that came with the kit.

 

Thanks! Mine already had the straight in fittings because I’ve got it wired to the wireless compressor haha. Gonna install this weekend.

 

If you want to do the least amount of work, you'll have to pull the 4 long bolts that hold the plate to the leafs and lift the body so the axle hangs and gives you room. There's one short bolt attaching the plate to the bottom of the bag. You pull it and discard it. The Daystars will come with a short bolt and nut that will attach them to the support plate. Once plate and cradle are together, remount to the leaf spring and then lower the body so the bottom of the bag fits in the cradle. You can then position the plate where it fits best and tighten those 4 long bolts down again.

 

Thanks! Makes sense.

 

Going to bump this thread. Finally got my bags setup on my truck. Did not like the stupid lower mounting bracket how it clamped the leaf springs and decided to make a much cleaner and more proper mount thats secured by the u bolts and center pin. 1/2in thick 3x7inch piece welded to a 1/8th in plate. Centered over the leaf pack and it becomes the center pin's top nut. 2 little adjustable "feet" for more support at the far end of the bracket.

This IMO is how the lower bracket should be from the factory on these kits.

 

if you beat your truck that bolt standoff might not hold up. i did something similar as i have a ubolt flip and offset mine like yours but used sq tubing in that spot

 

This is just awesome. Thanks for sharing! Do you plan daystar cradles or do you think they are not necessary?

 

if you offroad your truck and have long shocks then i think its a must.

 

Figured I’d give an update.

It’s been over 4yrs and thousands of offroad miles, still on my kit and still happy with the purchase. I had on leak in my right bag that was a loose fitting. Fixed that two years ago and been flawless since. Daystar cups replaced stock bump stops, and bags mounted to the bump stop pads on the frame.

 

the cradles just go underneath and it’s actually easier and you get the droop. Have had the riderite/Daystar cradle combo for over a decade on my taco and by far the most useful combo ever. I tow a lot and when you wheel or work on the truck it doesn’t put stress on the bags. Never had an issue with that setup paired with a 1” block and it’s perfectly level even with a shell and towing with camping gear. Front end is 3” lift midtravel setup.