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Old 04-10-2015, 02:18 AM   #1
Tom S.
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Air Bag Install

Finished installing air bags on the 2015 Silverado. I bought the Air Lift 5000 series bags, which can be run with no air inside, and the dual control air compressor kit. The prices were considerably cheaper than Firestone, plus both kits had a $50 rebate, so that knocked another $100 off the price. Since I installed Firestone's on the 2006 Silverado, I'm familiar with both products, and the Air Lift is equal in quality to the Firestone product. There are two things I found out to help any one considering doing this project. The first is the air compressor kit comes with two valves hooked together with plastic "Y" fitting. The fitting is brittle and broke on mine. Either replace it with a metal "Y" or buy a splitter valve for a few bucks more. The second thing is buy or borrow the Air Lift tubing cutter. You can get it from Amazon for $15 and it makes cutting the air lines so much easier. Not only does the cutter cut them easy, but more important, it cuts them square to help prevent leaks. On the advice gleaned from another board, I also used silicone grease on the tubes. So far, everything is working as advertised, though I did have leakage problems before acquiring the above mentioned tool. Should anyone decide to do this install, I'll be happy to lend the cutter if they wish.
 
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Old 04-10-2015, 03:26 AM   #2
davidaf
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Thanks Tom for the report. I'm waiting for Airlift to come out with a product for my truck (anyday! lol). I've run the Firestones (Ride-Rites?) on my last two trucks but will jump to Airlift on this one simply because the company seemed more interested in me as a customer when I asked both if they had a product out yet for the new F-450.

Did you buy the Ultimate? The model with the little Timbren looking thing in the center?
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Old 04-10-2015, 04:43 AM   #3
WeBeFulltime
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I am considering the same bags for my F350. Would appreciate a follow-up review after you have run them for a few days. Most interested in how they ride when NOT towing. Previously had Firestones on my Dodge and was happy with performance but not longevity!
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:21 AM   #4
Tom S.
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quote:Originally posted by davidaf

Thanks Tom for the report. I'm waiting for Airlift to come out with a product for my truck (anyday! lol). I've run the Firestones (Ride-Rites?) on my last two trucks but will jump to Airlift on this one simply because the company seemed more interested in me as a customer when I asked both if they had a product out yet for the new F-450.

Did you buy the Ultimate? The model with the little Timbren looking thing in the center?
Yes, I got the ultimate. Those rubber things serve the same function as the stock bumpers (which are removed when installing the bags), and allow you to run no air in the bags when not in use.
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:24 AM   #5
Tom S.
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WeBeFulltime

I am considering the same bags for my F350. Would appreciate a follow-up review after you have run them for a few days. Most interested in how they ride when NOT towing. Previously had Firestones on my Dodge and was happy with performance but not longevity!
David, as long as you lower the pressure, there's no difference when not towing. However adding as little as 20 pounds does stiffen the ride without any weight to counter act it. As for lasting, they have a lifetime warranty, and the Firestone bags I had in our 06 were still in great shape when I sold it, and they were 8 years old.
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Old 04-10-2015, 11:24 AM   #6
WeBeFulltime
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My 2 year old Firestones I had on my previous truck (Dodge) developed a leak in one of the bags when it had only 35 lbs while towing. Replaced them with Timbrens. Won't buy Firestones again. Where did you purchase your Air Lifts?
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Old 04-10-2015, 01:59 PM   #7
J-KB
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I've just installed the airlift bags on my 2014 Ram 2500 HD, still getting used to them but the first thing I noticed is how mush more of a stiffer ride the truck became.
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Old 04-10-2015, 03:53 PM   #8
Tom S.
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WeBeFulltime

My 2 year old Firestones I had on my previous truck (Dodge) developed a leak in one of the bags when it had only 35 lbs while towing. Replaced them with Timbrens. Won't buy Firestones again. Where did you purchase your Air Lifts?
I ordered them from Amazon. Weren't the Firestone bags still under warranty? I'm pretty sure they are lifetime like Air Lift.
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Old 04-11-2015, 12:47 AM   #9
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Tom S.

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WeBeFulltime

My 2 year old Firestones I had on my previous truck (Dodge) developed a leak in one of the bags when it had only 35 lbs while towing. Replaced them with Timbrens. Won't buy Firestones again. Where did you purchase your Air Lifts?
I ordered them from Amazon. Weren't the Firestone bags still under warranty? I'm pretty sure they are lifetime like Air Lift.
That happened 5 years ago. I think warranty has been improved since then. Was a long way from home and on the move. Had to do something fast.
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Old 04-11-2015, 02:41 AM   #10
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Tom, got to ask, why did you need air bags on your DRW? What are you trying to correct?

Jim

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Old 04-11-2015, 02:45 AM   #11
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quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

Tom, got to ask, why did you need air bags on your DRW? What are you trying to correct?

Jim

Ride height when the trailer is connected. Even though it's a dually, it still sagged when the trailer is added.
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Old 04-11-2015, 03:17 AM   #12
jlb27537
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Tom, were you down on both overload pads?

My Ram has staggered overload pads and I am down on the rear one, but not the front. I got a bit of sag also and feel the rear is too soft when towing. Was thinking of using a product called stable load. since I am not down hard on the overloads the rear is still giving a soft ride/some bounce when loaded.

So add stable load (to the spring pads only) and a set of Blisteins on the rear. You ever been down this road?

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/pr...ion/stableload

Jim

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Old 04-11-2015, 04:42 AM   #13
Tom S.
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

Tom, were you down on both overload pads?

My Ram has staggered overload pads and I am down on the rear one, but not the front. I got a bit of sag also and feel the rear is too soft when towing. Was thinking of using a product called stable load. since I am not down hard on the overloads the rear is still giving a soft ride/some bounce when loaded.

So add stable load (to the spring pads only) and a set of Blisteins on the rear. You ever been down this road?

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/pr...ion/stableload

Jim

No, it dropped the bed around an inch and a half, IIRC. I'm familiar with the Stableload (the are a supporting vendor on Dieselplace.com), but have not used them, nor spoke to anyone who has.
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Old 04-17-2015, 02:39 AM   #14
jlb27537
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I think I am going to try the stable load. The stable load's are 2 1/2" tall. Empty I am 2 3/4" off the rear pad and 4" off the front pad.

So for my overloads to totally pick up the load it has to sag over 4" in the back.

Maybe put a block on the front pad only and go from there. I have 2 issues, sag and bounce. May have to also go with Blistien's on the rear.
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Old 04-17-2015, 03:20 AM   #15
davidaf
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I've used upper Stableloads on both my 05 Ram and the 15 Ford. I liked them on the Ram but not so much on the Ford for two reasons. First when empty the ride was more harsh with the stable loads, a bit too tight. There was a fraction of an inch of space (if any) between the SL pad and the leaf. Second when loaded if I hit a big bump it seemed the FW pin would bounce a lot higher than w/o. Flat smooth towing seemed better but bad roads, not so much. After towing two times with the SLs installed I opened the monty to find things had shifted a lot more than previous trips. The SLs are now stored under my seat so I can test them when I load the Truck Camper for the first time on this new truck. I expect some benefit in that application (and my primary reason for the purchase) since the TC is 4.5k LBS where Monty pin weight is 3k. I didn't have any issues with the Ram. I suspect the spring pack is simply heavier on the new Ford than the older Ram.

FWIW Torklift, the company that makes StableLoads, is an excellent company with very good customer service. You may want to call them and see what they have to say.
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Old 04-17-2015, 05:05 AM   #16
jlb27537
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David, were the overload pads staggered on your '05 like my '12 is?

By putting the block on only the front pad location, I will have 1 1/2" space there and the original 2 3/4" on the rear.

I think you are right, the new Fords have a stiffer rear spring pack. I just don't want to have to mess with air up/down.

Thanks Jim
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