Oh hi,

Well I choose option 3. Installed the Torklift this weekend, went with 2 (of 3) plates on both front and rear. 2 plates slide in easily, 3 was too thick, though since I am keeping the airbags, I could have just inflated them to slide in three.

Well now I need to hook up and do some testing...we'll see.

 

Hi,

Just an update on my trip with both Tork Lifts and Airbags. From the above you can see I got a bit paranoid about bent frames with just Airbags.

With about 780 lbs of hitch weight I would set the bags to 50 psi with the WDH set to restore 1/2 falr. That would give me 1.5" of positive rake...basically like my unloaded setup...I lifted the front end by 1.75 when I put in the Bilstiens 5100s.

With the Torklifts installed (all 3 wedges) I set the air bags to 26psi. That gave me 1" positive rake...I was good with that.
My WDH is the spring bar type calibrated for 4 links. In the new set up with the Tork Lifts I think move to much weight forward and I noticed it while driving, so I reduced it to 3 links and it was fine.

It is nice have the airbags for the purpose of "tuning" the rake, and I think they provide a smother ride than just springs...could be in my head, but my head is happy. Also airbags make disengaging the Tork Lifts a breeze. Basically my setup is:
Inflate to 26->engage Tork Lifts-> hitch and go. Then unhitch-> disengage-> deflate.

I din't notice any noise or such. I did spray the wedges with Tri-Flow. I have not inspected the springs, if I find something wierd I will post.

Oh yeah, my axles weights were Steer 3300, Drive 3680, Trailer 5420 for a total of 12400 That is with WDH engaged. I only did that weighing at the Cat scales.

There you go!

 

Curious if you noticed any difference with the TL's and lower bag pressure than without and increased bag pressure? I run similar weights, at max, with both TL's and bags around 25psi, and a 4pt EQ. I run straight and true and faster than I probably should at times, but it's been solid.

 

Hi

No...well maybe. Before with just Airbags it seemed like going 68 or faster was getting "wiggly" With the TL's and bags I actually went over 70 a few times. In Nevada on I80, the speed limit is 80mph for everybody. So I was concerned about going too slow...big rigs would pass me at when I was going 70. However when going 70 or even 75 I seemed to be okay...I was not really happy, but handling was ok. Of course maybe I had a Tail wind or something. Gas mileage seemed to be the same as other trips at 9.5 hand calculated. My comfort speed is under 65, but when passing you do need to get up there in speed! That is also when I don't mind the turbo kicking in.

I can't explain the above other than maybe when all on airbags one loses some stabilization from the leaf pack?

 

Are your air bags two independent lines or are they tee'd into one fill valve?

The price on the TL's seem a little steep for a few piece for stamped steel. I think I paid ~$225 for my Airlift Ridecontrols

 

Independent, and actually one was 24 and one was 26. That all depends on how I load my truck. In the old config, I think I was 52 and 48 one time. I measure the the rear wheel well heights and adjust to be the same.

 

I use 37LBS pressure to keep level on a 6,000 trailer loaded... 770 TW. Rides good & no bounce. Without airbags, shudder on take off with unacceptable performance. Was ready to sell the Ford. The airbag solved that issue immediately. I keep low pressure for the reason you mentioned. I now have Ride Control with excellence performance, had Airlift 5000 with poor performance (bottom out due to little travel of the bag) and used Airlift 1000 on my Chevy Avalanche with good ride and confidence. I have not noticed any issue with bent frame / axle on any truck.

 

Ride controls are the way to go on these trucks. The 5000's are completely overkill and I think result in some negative tradeoffs, whereas the ridecontrols go in and are invisible until you fill them. I've seen so many threads with people complaining about the ride with the 5000's.

 

I don’t have either of those, but have the Firestone RideRites. I can’t tell a difference with them back there. Even if I have 15 psi in them without a load. The truck still drives and feels as it did before.

 

Yeah, I think the point is airbags really work well.
Those that have like them…I know I do. The concern or maybe over concern is about the F150 frame. The bent frame article spooked me.

In the bent frame thread I asked how over loaded he was but never got a response. I really would like to know.