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Old 01-02-2011, 05:51 AM   #1
cgaskins
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Ride-Rite Air Bags.....

Good morning everyone.... I am thinking about purchasing and installing the Firestone Ride-Rite air bag springs for my 2011 F250. Has anyone here done the install themselves? Based on some info I have seen on other forums, I don't think it looks to difficult especially if I get the no-drill kit.

I assume I can do it without even taking the wheels off, right?

Any "gotchas" I should look out for?

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=9563

Thanks and Happy New Year.

-Chris
 
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Old 01-02-2011, 06:14 AM   #2
Slufoot733
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I installed a pair of Firestone Airbags several years ago. They were not hard to install. The biggest problem I encountered was drilling through the frame for the mounting bolts. The frame is VERY hard steel. With the no drill kit I think it would be a snap. Just be sure you take your time follow the directions. You should do fine. Don't forget to use jack stands.

Kevin
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Old 01-02-2011, 07:48 AM   #3
pineranch
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I put them on my 2009 F-250. NO problem at all except for old bones and a stiff back. A young lad like you should have them installed before lunch. Helps to have someone assist in handing you parts and tools.
Mike
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Old 01-02-2011, 08:40 AM   #4
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I installed them on mine several years ago with no problem. I didn't have to take the wheels off, and I didn't have to jack the truck up. It took me about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs to do the job from what I can remember. Rich
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Old 01-02-2011, 10:54 AM   #5
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This is good info. I got a set from Santa to put on my 2010 F250. I bought the no-drill style for F250 with 5th wheel set-up. After having read a bunch, I plan to put the air fill lines back to the lic. tags holes and not have an on-board compressor. I did buy a $50 Goodyear 12 volt air compressor and a $10 guage. Garry
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Old 01-02-2011, 11:16 AM   #6
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I installed Ride Rites on my Ram myself. No more than 1-2 hr. job. One of the easiest mods to do yourself. No jacking, no wheel pull. I don't need to adjust each side individually so I ordered a 't' fitting so I only have to use one Shrader valve, always equal pressure each side. Have fun with your project. You'll like the air bags.
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Old 01-02-2011, 11:26 AM   #7
pineranch
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The installation is straight forward and carry vs on-board air is to each his own. My usually Oh Wow Christmas gifter daughter came up with this;
http://store.boatandrvaccessories.com/m001.html
I have one from Slime that looks identical to the Goodyear and put up with dragging out air and elect attachments. Put this little guy to the task and Holy Cow, problem solved.
Mike
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Old 01-02-2011, 12:40 PM   #8
cgaskins
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Thanks everyone for the comments and help.
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Old 01-02-2011, 12:58 PM   #9
sola123
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I piut airbags on my F250 as well...2 hrs or so....but the best thing I did was add the bolt on overload springs from Hellwigg....easy and much better handling since then...dont really think I need any airbags now....but we keep 20 lbs in them anyway...rig is level...we got the 2500lb spring set instead of the 3500lb spring set......less than 300.00..best thing we did for our F250...but...we are presently looking at both a 3500hd LTZ Chevy and a F350 lariet..comparing the two side by side as best we can...we'll see how it goes....with price of fuel going up just may stay where I am with the F250....and Chris...we both like the Silver Ford you have..we are considering that color..thanks for the example hooked to you Montana...
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Old 01-02-2011, 03:41 PM   #10
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Pineranch,

Thanks for the link, I have birthday number 62 coming January 14th, and that little problem solver looks good to me. Garry
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Old 01-02-2011, 04:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by sola123

I piut airbags on my F250 as well...2 hrs or so....but the best thing I did was add the bolt on overload springs from Hellwigg....easy and much better handling since then...dont really think I need any airbags now....but we keep 20 lbs in them anyway...rig is level...we got the 2500lb spring set instead of the 3500lb spring set......less than 300.00..best thing we did for our F250...but...we are presently looking at both a 3500hd LTZ Chevy and a F350 lariet..comparing the two side by side as best we can...we'll see how it goes....with price of fuel going up just may stay where I am with the F250....and Chris...we both like the Silver Ford you have..we are considering that color..thanks for the example hooked to you Montana...
You may want to check the Super Duty site online...has some pretty good side by side videos....
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Old 01-02-2011, 09:15 PM   #12
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Pretty straight forward installation, see no reason you can't do it your self. Have put a set on a Chevy and Dodge 1 ton dually's. You may have to jack up the frame a little bit to slide the air bag into place, I didn't have to remove wheels on either truck. Git'er done.
How was Garner, did you get your hot water heater going ?
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Old 01-03-2011, 04:11 AM   #13
cgaskins
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by ole dude

Pretty straight forward installation, see no reason you can't do it your self. Have put a set on a Chevy and Dodge 1 ton dually's. You may have to jack up the frame a little bit to slide the air bag into place, I didn't have to remove wheels on either truck. Git'er done.
How was Garner, did you get your hot water heater going ?
Garner was great. Here is a link to some photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cgaskins...nksgiving2010#

As far as the hot water heater, it is gas and electric as you guys stated. The electric heating element was burned out and the electronics panel board that controls the gas valve was defective as well. I had them replace the gas valve and the electronics board just to be safe. We are all good to go now.
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Old 01-03-2011, 11:55 AM   #14
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I put them on our GMC and not needing the separate fill valves I ran the schrader valve up into the fuel door. plenty of room there and easy to add or take air out. No bending down under the Monty to adjust the air.
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Old 01-03-2011, 01:28 PM   #15
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Put them on my GMC without a problem. The first side abiut 1.25 hr, the other about .75 hr. Wish I had put mt schrader valve in behind the fuel door like restez did. I put mine in the back bumper.
By the way they work great.
Joe
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Old 01-04-2011, 11:56 AM   #16
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This forum is great, most of the time I just read, but this subject was exactly on target with the information I was needing. Thanks to cgaskins for bring it up, and to restez for talking about putting the air-fill in side the fuel door with one schrader T-line, and pineranch for the rechargeable (drill looking) air pump suggestion.
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