Air Helper Springs

[winter texan]

Has any one installed the firestone air helper spring kit on a Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 by removing the jounce bumber from frame and bolting up. Requires no drilling. Looks pretty simple and how well do these perform? Estimated installation time? Best place to order? Replies appreciated.

[capn chris]

Ed,
Good to see you here! I put them on my F250 w/the on-board compressor. Use them to take the sag out of the rear end. They also help dampen the ride, some. Got mine from local Trick Trucks shop and they installed. Good luck!

[Art-n-Marge]

Yes, I think all installations of air bags require removal of the jounce bumper since it takes its place and provides more functionality than what the bumper provided. The installation time varies due to ability and the components you have. I think we would ALL recommend an onboard compressor and in-cab controller. I would allow a minimum of all day. I had mine professionally done on my Ford 3/4 ton 4x4, and the pro had my truck on a lift and it took him under 4 hours for the complete install. My installation included each air bag on each side, install an onboard compressor and air lines under the truck frame near the bags, and running the electrical to it and also installing a dual digital controller and wiring to provide separate control of each side. I hope this gives you an idea what to expect timewise. I had this done at a truck accessory specialist and the out-the-door price was a little over $1,000 (parts, tax, & labor) in San Diego county.

As for the benefits, for your 3/4 ton, you will love them when you are towing or hauling. They fixed the rear end sag, the quick and rapid jerking I would get when I took off from a stop from the rear end sagging too much and the ride smoothed out for not-so-smooth roads. Another benefit is they improve your headlight aim at night which oncoming traffic appreciates. DW as a passenger really noticed a difference in ride quality; her description was, "Oh my gosh, this is great!", so that's good.

Within 3 months of ownership, according to the read out of the dual controller the right side solenoid failed while hitching up to return from a trip. I called the installer for help and their explanation was, "this is rare, but it has happened". They provided Firestone's support number. The best Firestone could do is ship 2 replacement solenoids to my house, but I had to pay $10 shipping. A few days later I replaced it while I was at home and I have had no problems since and I now have a spare.

[Emmel]

Purchased mine from amazon.com for around $400, bags and compressor and mtg hardware.(Firestone) I installed them myself in less than 4 hours right in my driveway. I have one controller rather than two as I don't want to lose air on just one side when towing, my personal preference.

[KTManiac]

It's a fairly easy install. For simplicities sake, I decided against the on board compressor and gauges. I ran individual left & right hoses to the corresponding rear license plate screw holes.

It shouldn't take more than a couple hours to install if you don't have all of the fancy stuff like the compressor, gauges, and in cab controls.

[winter texan]

Thanks. I'm looking to do what KT did and thought it might take a couple hours. I better get busy as I'm just over 3 weeks away from heading to South TX.

[scductman]

Ed its good to hear from you. You just about waited to long to start to work on the truck. besides you dont have to help a dodge pull nothing "LOL". Yall be careful and take care of yourself.
bobby

[1Happycamper]

Ed..Bobby is right, dodges don't need any help pulling. I also have the firestone air bags and they are great. The hardest part of the job is getting the jounce bumper off. To protect the air lines from the exhaust and rubbing on the frame I purchased some clear tubing and ran the air lines thru it.

Bill

[mail2us]

Ed,

See my email to you on Firestone airbag install. Have a safe and great winter in Tex. Best to you and Laura.

[scductman]

Bill Its good to see you still kicking.
Ed I know I am old and cant remember much but what are jounce bumpers. I think in the south we must callum sumpin else.LOL
bobby

[winter texan]

quote:Originally posted by scductman

Bill Its good to see you still kicking.
Ed I know I am old and cant remember much but what are jounce bumpers. I think in the south we must callum sumpin else.LOL
bobby

Bobby it's the rubber piece attached to the frame. In SC how would you say that??

[richfaa]

After having the Mor Ryde IS suspension installed in Sept and learning from Mor Ryde the importance of having the rig as close to level as you possibly can we are leaning toward installing the air bags on our F350 dually. We drop 2 inches with the 3400 anchor attached... pin weight 2915 as of 9/30/09.

[winter texan]

Started the Air Helper Spring installation yesterday. Very easy even for someone who hates to read directions. Top mounting plate for a Dodge 4x4 have an interferance with a brake line bracket. Called Firestone and the fix was to cut the interferance out of the top mounting plate. Hacksaw, grinder and 10 minutes that problem was solved. Air bags mounted and ready to run air lines. No Air Fittings in the kit for the top of air bags. Called Firestone again and am now waiting for UPS to make a delivery. Should be good as we won't be leaving for So Tx for 2 more weeks.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by winter texan

Started the Air Helper Spring installation yesterday. Very easy even for someone who hates to read directions. Top mounting plate for a Dodge 4x4 have an interferance with a brake line bracket. Called Firestone and the fix was to cut the interferance out of the top mounting plate. Hacksaw, grinder and 10 minutes that problem was solved. Air bags mounted and ready to run air lines. No Air Fittings in the kit for the top of air bags. Called Firestone again and am now waiting for UPS to make a delivery. Should be good as we won't be leaving for So Tx for 2 more weeks.

Good grief, someone in quality control must have been off sick that day! Here I thought I was the only person to have stuff like that happen to. Welcome to my world!