Rear air bags Install - Firestone Ride Rite & Air Lift Compressor Combo
05-08-2015, 07:23 PM
#33
2nd Amendment Supporter!
Thread Starter
lol! No problem. Many don't even get s compressor & just manually fill it when they need too.... But when you finally add a compressor to the system, it'll just "T" into the existing manual fill lines. (You'll still keep those lines too), but it's an add on that you can control right at your finger tips.
Glad to help.
Glad to help.
05-08-2015, 08:27 PM
#35
2nd Amendment Supporter!
Thread Starter
I only used one (1) manual (Schrader) fill valve right next to the license plate light. (I "T"d them behind the bumper - to the one fill Schrader valve). I don't need to fill them independently, so they will fill exactly the same time and pressure.
Unless you expect to have a heavy load on one side of the bed & much less on the opposite side, I personally don't see a need to have different pressures in the air bags. (The only way I could justify running the bags independently, would be an example like: a construction truck with tool boxes on both sides, and having an uneven load to store heavy tools they need to access on one side and different & lighter tools on the other).
When I installed the compressor, I cut a small piece & then "T" 'd that to keep the manual line running to the rear, and also now plumb the compressor in. ....[see pic]
I guess you could eliminate the "manual fill valve(s)" if you wanted to and just run the bags direct to the compressor if one plans on doing BOTH bags & compressor at the same time.... It would actually be a cleaner set up.
In the event of a compressor failure or blown fuse (Which really - should NEVER happen)... the manual lines could always be used as a back up. So ideally it's a install choice if you plan on installing both at the same time, if you want to run manual lines to the rear.
Added note: Extra line and extra "T"s will be included with your compressor unit, so you'll have all you need when you install them and plumb them up.
Last edited by Lethal Weapon; 05-08-2015 at 08:45 PM.
05-09-2015, 10:22 AM
#36
Senior Member
Air Lift mounts their larger 5000 lb bags inside/in-board of the leaf packs. Now granted the upper mount is now under the frame..... But then they straddle Over the ear/tong of the OE rear lift block. In my case, I also installed a suspension lift with a larger block, which meant modifying the lower mounting points and that would just look kinda funky, in my opinion. Besides, I think that any air bag will work better being directly over the leafs...not "in-board" of them. NOW...their smaller 2500 lb bags mount directly over the packs...So I really don't know why they did not keep the same idea for their larger bags. ?????? Plus they use the same part number for the 2004-2014 model trucks versus making a new part number for our gen F-150's. So in my opinion, the Firestone definitely prevails in the mounting points ....& even looks a lot better too! Here's a pic of the Airlift "in board" mounting of the leaf packs... (note the funky lower mounting points): .
05-09-2015, 04:36 PM
#38
Senior Member
Thought I would post an update since I got everything installed. I went with the same compressor and bags as Lethalweapon. I spent way too much time trying to decide where to mount the compressor. I decided to put it above the spare tire. I used the cross support for the spare and added an L bracket for the other half of the compressor to sit on. For the gauge I mounted it in the dash next to the light switch. I found I am not nearly as talented and could not use the fuse taps in the little bitty low profile fuses. I ended up buying an add a fuse and that worked great. The entire install took me a full day for everything.
I've used the system for about three weeks hauling the work trailer almost everyday. Lethalweapon was right, the only thing I would regret was not adding the system sooner. I typically run about 25 lbs of air in the system while towing and 8 lbs when the truck is empty. The system seems to hold air perfectly throughout the week. The ride is great both empty and towing.
Thanks Lethalweapon for this thread, it helped tremendously. Now the truck is begging to be lifted or leveled, but one thing at a time!
I've used the system for about three weeks hauling the work trailer almost everyday. Lethalweapon was right, the only thing I would regret was not adding the system sooner. I typically run about 25 lbs of air in the system while towing and 8 lbs when the truck is empty. The system seems to hold air perfectly throughout the week. The ride is great both empty and towing.
Thanks Lethalweapon for this thread, it helped tremendously. Now the truck is begging to be lifted or leveled, but one thing at a time!
05-09-2015, 06:57 PM
#39
2nd Amendment Supporter!
Thread Starter
Thought I would post an update since I got everything installed. I went with the same compressor and bags as Lethalweapon. I spent way too much time trying to decide where to mount the compressor. I decided to put it above the spare tire. I used the cross support for the spare and added an L bracket for the other half of the compressor to sit on. For the gauge I mounted it in the dash next to the light switch. I found I am not nearly as talented and could not use the fuse taps in the little bitty low profile fuses. I ended up buying an add a fuse and that worked great. The entire install took me a full day for everything.
I've used the system for about three weeks hauling the work trailer almost everyday. Lethalweapon was right, the only thing I would regret was not adding the system sooner. I typically run about 25 lbs of air in the system while towing and 8 lbs when the truck is empty. The system seems to hold air perfectly throughout the week. The ride is great both empty and towing.
Thanks Lethalweapon for this thread, it helped tremendously. Now the truck is begging to be lifted or leveled, but one thing at a time!
I've used the system for about three weeks hauling the work trailer almost everyday. Lethalweapon was right, the only thing I would regret was not adding the system sooner. I typically run about 25 lbs of air in the system while towing and 8 lbs when the truck is empty. The system seems to hold air perfectly throughout the week. The ride is great both empty and towing.
Thanks Lethalweapon for this thread, it helped tremendously. Now the truck is begging to be lifted or leveled, but one thing at a time!
Good move on the fuse tap!.... I added an auxiliary fuse box (from Painless Wiring) so I can add more with the lights I just got.
Nice set up & sharp truck!
05-11-2015, 01:23 PM
#40
so I've watched the a few install videos (they look pretty straight forward)
here's a question... I have a 6" BDS lift (like LeathalWeapon), when I inspect my truck it looks and feels like there's enough room to install everything without having to lift the truck and remove the wheel. do you think that's possible?
here's a question... I have a 6" BDS lift (like LeathalWeapon), when I inspect my truck it looks and feels like there's enough room to install everything without having to lift the truck and remove the wheel. do you think that's possible?