fatedstranger

I just installed an Autospring 2.5" front leveling kit in my 2008 XLT 4x4 and the truck now sits slightly higher (about 1/2 inch) in the front. I plan to install air helper springs at some point in the future so want to make sure whatever I use to level the rear is compatible with the air springs.

Does anyone know if lift blocks and/or lift shackles will cause any issues with the Firestone Ride-Rite or Air Lift Ride Control air bags?

Ideally I would like somewhere around 1" of lift. My preference would be a lift shackle but I am having a difficult time sourcing anyone that makes a 1" lift shackle that ships to Canada. Does anyone know where I could get them?

corey_lax

Lift blocks might not be needed if you get airbags. I have Firestone bags and just keeping them at the minimum 5 psi, it raises the rear almost a half inch. I usually keep them at 10-12 psi for all my driving though, even if I don't have anything in the bed.

corey_lax

Also, the brackets for the bags are very easy to extend if you add a 1" block. I've seen guys with massive 4-6" lift blocks that still adjust the bags to work with a huge spacer. You aren't changing the wheel travel distance so all you need is a slightly bigger spacer.

fatedstranger

Thanks for the feedback [MENTION=31274]corey_lax[/MENTION], it was informative posts from users such as yourself that turned me on to airbags in the first place. I remember reading a couple posts from [MENTION=80845]jerrybizzle[/MENTION] and [MENTION=56721]ScrewdFX4[/MENTION] where they said you could raise the rear a little while unloaded without compromising ride quality too much.

Truth be told, I was planning to install airbags at the same time as my front level. I have been saving for front level, airbags, wheels and tires since I purchased the truck. I bought the front level a while ago and recently had to get the front end aligned so figured I might as well do the level now to save having to do the alignment again after installing the spacers. The tires I had on the truck were toast so I picked up some used tires to tide me over until I can get the wheels and tires I want. Between the tires and the alignment it has left me short in the funds department.

I was looking at doing the blocks or shackle as I thought it would be less expensive, but blocks are going to be close to $200 anyway. Shackles would be much less expensive but I am having a difficult time sourcing them up here in Canada. I wanted to do Firestone airbags but there is a $50 rebate for the Airlifts right now so they would be $150 cheaper, that would bring them close to the price of the blocks. I will have to seriously consider that!

Do you notice any difference in ride with the 10-12psi in the bags? I would also be curious if you notice any more spring chatter while going over bumps, especially washboard breaking bumps.

corey_lax

If the airlifts are that much cheaper, you should probably get them! It seems like Firestones get better reviews, but many people have no issues with the airlifts. I think the main complaint is that some of the airlifts are rated for too much weight, whereas I think the firestones are 5,000 lbs max.

At 10-12 psi, it's definitely a little stiffer when you got nothing in the bed. But I have no complaints. I think it hits bumps better than before I had installed the bags. Maybe that should give me a hint that it's time to replace my rear shocks haha. No chatter coming the springs. Everything is improved in my opinion. I think most people run them at the minimum 5 psi which is barely different from stock.

jerrybizzle

The main difference is a 2000 pound rating on the air lifts. 2000 pounds is above most payload ratings so shouldn't be an issue.

fatedstranger

The additional capacity of the Firestones is one of the reasons I initially wanted to get those instead of the Air Lift's. I know the Air Lifts still have a higher rating than the max payload for my truck, but it's pretty close and I liked the idea of having more tolerance. I'm not sure what happens if these things are overloaded but I didn't want to find out. I don't tend to haul heavy loads in the back of my truck, but there are times where I really have no idea how much weight I have back there.

The price of the Air Lift kit ended up being too good an offer to pass up. With an additional 15% off the sale price as well as the $50 mail in rebate the discount was a little over 40%! The cost wasn't much more than what a 3" block would be so I ordered the kit and am eagerly waiting for it's arrival