Helper Air Bags ...

[Silver_2000]

I am thinking seriously about putting in helper bags for towing and to keep the roush from bottoming

PoorSVTman - if you have a hook up thats great let me know what you find - I know there are both goodyear and firestone kits dont know much else

Doug

[PoorSvtman]

ive installed both kits on motorhomes and such.. Ill call tomorow if i can get a time where its quiet... See if i can find a direct bolt in kit.

[Silver_2000]

cool

sounds good
Im told you can put like 10 lbs of air to avoid doing anything to the ride or the height - just keep it from bottoming

Clearly a bolt on kit would be preferred

I appreciate your help

Doug

[T Hogg]

Doug, thats what I do. I keep about 10lbs in them and you don't notice you have them. Mine are made by Firestone but I don't know the name on the kit. They are easy to install, took me about 2-3hrs. When I'm towing my Gen 1, I put about 85-90lbs in both sides and that will set it at the stock ride height. If you don't have the info by this evening, I'll get it to ya.


cool

sounds good
Im told you can put like 10 lbs of air to avoid doing anything to the ride or the height - just keep it from bottoming

Clearly a bolt on kit would be preferred

I appreciate your help

Doug

[PoorSvtman]

I was going to call today but got stuck with a supervisor all day and he was seeing how i worked out in the field, so i didnt want to make a personal call while out driving around.. Ill call first thing monday...

[Silver_2000]

I was going to call today but got stuck with a supervisor all day and he was seeing how i worked out in the field, so i didnt want to make a personal call while out driving around.. Ill call first thing monday...

No worries

Appreciate your help

Doug

[Mark #2]

http://www.ultimateautoaccessories.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=2320__2

[Silver_2000]

cheaper

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=400136&Nao=80

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/fip-2320_w.jpg

[Mark #2]

cheaper

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=400136&Nao=80

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/fip-2320_w.jpg
What part number? 2071 or 2320?

[Silver_2000]

I think its the same

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=400136&Nao=80

[Mark #2]

What part number? 2071 or 2320?
ttt

[Silver_2000]

It says some drilling is required

I read some where the sport rite ( 2320 ) was the right kit for the F150

EDIT the other model is for older trucks 1975 -1996

[Silver_2000]

here is install instructions

http://www.ride-rite.com/installation_instructions/2320.pdf

[Mark #2]

here is install instructions

http://www.ride-rite.com/installation_instructions/2320.pdf

Do you have the clearance?

[Silver_2000]

Do you have the clearance?

I was hoping you would measure for me :d

Its side clearance they are worried about -

T hogg is runnig these on his truck

[L8 APEX]

I want to bag my 250 as well. I like the 250 ride but I miss the 350 payload sometimes..

[Mark #2]

I was hoping you would measure for me :d


Okay so I did tonight. 6.5625"


Installation of this kit requires a
minimum of 6" of clearance between the
tire side wall and the vehicle frame and a
1/2" of clearance around the air spring
when inflated.

Close fit;)
Mark

[Silver_2000]

Okay so I did tonight. 6.5625"



Installation of this kit requires a


minimum of 6" of clearance between the
tire side wall and the vehicle frame and a
1/2" of clearance around the air spring
when inflated.

Close fit;)
Mark





I love it when a plan comes together ... LOL THANKS !!

Sounds like a weekend project is coming soon - Now to decide whether to double the cost and add small compressor and guage .,

[Nick Tosie]

Add a compressor and gauge, you'll be much happier. Get a good compressior, viair makes good ones for a reasonable price. You can normally find them used on sites like dfwminis and those sort of places.

Nick

[PoorSvtman]

he dosent need a bling air compressor like a viair, that would be way over kill for just some helper bags.. Hes not going to be filling up a tank just the bags...

The compressors that come with some of the helper bag kits are over kill to begin with IMO...

[Nick Tosie]

Right I understand what hes wanting to do, I had helpers on my 96 F150 and I ditched the compressor it came with and put a viair on it, pumps it up fast and the compressor is alot better quality. I wouldnt spend alot of money to do it but in my opinion it was worth what little extra I spent.

Nick

[SpeedyBolt]

Did you ever get these put on Doug? I want to put some on my wife's new truck.

[Silver_2000]

he dosent need a bling air compressor like a viair, that would be way over kill for just some helper bags.. Hes not going to be filling up a tank just the bags...

The compressors that come with some of the helper bag kits are over kill to begin with IMO...

Mike were you able to find a local connection ?

Doug

[TXBLU]

This is exactly what I need for my truck. I tow my bikes around quite a bit, and sometimes a load of crap that maxes out the trailer. It sure would be nice to be able to keep from scaping the driveway every time I pull out with a heavy load.:burnout:

[Silver_2000]

I can get them from Summit but was wondering if you guys knew where I could get them in town ? Thought about trying to install them this weekend
Dont even know who to call
Thanks
Doug

[SpeedyBolt]

I can get them from Summit but was wondering if you guys knew where I could get them in town ? Thought about trying to install them this weekend
Dont even know who to call
Thanks
Doug
Doug, I think Summit is the way to go. I found a place in Cleburne that had them but they wanted something like 375 installed. They can't be that damn had to put in, I'm gonna just get them from Summit and do it my self.

[Tex Arcana]

Did you try Chassis Tech www.chassistech.com/ or Air Ride TEchnologies www.ridetech.com? They might have something a bit more specific for what you need, and for the vehicle. ;)

[Silver_2000]

Did you try Chassis Tech www.chassistech.com/ (http://www.chassistech.com/) or Air Ride TEchnologies www.ridetech.com? (http://www.ridetech.com?) They might have something a bit more specific for what you need, and for the vehicle. ;)
chassistec is all 4 links and Cnotches ridetech has a col over spring that might work but its LESS specific than the forestone one and its over $100 more
http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/airoverleaf.asp
It fits 1935 to 2003 ford trucks beleive it or not and is $299 for just the bags and brackets - no air hoses or fitttings or nothing
http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/productimages/ARK3002.jpg
seems expensive since the bags are firestone bags and retail for $65 each
that makes the brackets and small bag of nuts over $180
cheapest compressor they have is 225

[Moonshine]

Dont even know who to call
Thanks
Doug

Call David Sandlin at Pro Motion Auto in Duncanville 972-572-1866. I think he'll be able to hook you up on the install for a reasonable price.

[Silver_2000]

no one had them and wanted to get them, for me so I ordered them from summit today

Maybe an evening next week or in 2 weekends - the 25th I will be installing them

Thanks for everyones help

[Tex Arcana]

no one had them and wanted to get them, for me so I ordered them from summit today

Maybe an evening next week or in 2 weekends - the 25th I will be installing them

Thanks for everyones help

Does this mean a WWFB session is in the offing?? :d

[Silver_2000]

Does this mean a WWFB session is in the offing?? :d

Perhaps

[Tex Arcana]

hey, Doug, didja pull the trigger on your helper bags? Saw this (http://www.nloc.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=116363) over on NLOC, thought you might want to have a look at this how-to (http://www.timskelton.com/lightning/race_prep/suspension/airbags.htm). :tu:

[Silver_2000]

the sport rites should be here on THursday - Going out of town this weekend - maybe next weekend will be good for install - BUT after reading his nightmare maybe I should just let Terry do it

[Tex Arcana]

the sport rites should be here on THursday - Going out of town this weekend - maybe next weekend will be good for install - BUT after reading his nightmare maybe I should just let Terry do it

I read it *after* I posted the links... damned mess. But, on the other hand, now you know the pitfalls, should ease the process considerably. :tu:

[Mark #2]

Perhaps

Terry is the man...WWFB is open if desired.
This job looks like the Sixpipes Metco lowers or Crawford's traction bar install.
4 case minimum:D

[Silver_2000]

Well - Did you see the pictures of the Garage Tim the Atty was using ?
With that anal retentive gagarge and my knowledge of Attys - My bet is that its really a 2 hour job that simply took him longer. I know Very few Attys that have any common sense or any decent practical knowledge of the physical world ...

His kit is designed for seriously lowered trucks - hopefully the sport rite is easier.

Since Terry wont give me a quote to do the work and since I hate the Drive to Duncanville we may just have to come up with another plan ..

WWFB may be the right choice ....

Doug

[Tex Arcana]

Terry is the man...WWFB is open if desired.
This job looks like the Sixpipes Metco lowers or Crawford's traction bar install.
4 case minimum:D

Think you'd be up to WWFB for, say, a BBK install and shock install? :d

[Tex Arcana]

Well - Did you see the pictures of the Garage Tim the Atty was using ?
With that anal retentive gagarge and my knowledge of Attys - My bet is that its really a 2 hour job that simply took him longer. I know Very few Attys that have any common sense or any decent practical knowledge of the physical world ...

His kit is designed for seriously lowered trucks - hopefully the sport rite is easier.

Since Terry wont give me a quote to do the work and since I hate the Drive to Duncanville we may just have to come up with another plan ..

WWFB may be the right choice ....

Doug
Yeah, he's got a heckuva garage.

He knows more'n you'd think... I'd say he's an enginer trapped in a vampire's body. :d Not to mention he's freely admitted that he enjoys -ahem- "herbal refreshment" while working on his L, which DEFINITELY accounts for most of the time. :d

[Silver_2000]

well the summit box arrived today - got a cool tire guage with the bags..

[Tex Arcana]

well the summit box arrived today - got a cool tire guage with the bags..

Pics or shens... :d

[Silver_2000]

Pics or shens... :d

Im too dense to know what shens means but here is a picture - looks JUST Like the pic on summit posted earlier

[Tex Arcana]

Im too dense to know what shens means but here is a picture - looks JUST Like the pic on summit posted earlier

Did the washer come with it, or was that extra?? :d

[L8 APEX]

I am ordering a set of these as is Jimmy for our tow vehicles. I noticed after a few days of towing the trailer the springs start to fatigue. Jimmys trailer is so tongue heavy it even squats my truck badly. So we have been tensioning the WD hitch bars a LOT to make up for this. The Super Duty kit is the FIP-2400 @ 5000lbs support for 239 at Summt.

[Silver_2000]

Terry did the airbag install today - took a few pictures

The install came out great - the ride is exactly what I was hoping for.

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/medium/P1080713sm.jpg

the install is about 1/2 done here - didnt get any pics after we aired it up, the bag looked more normal with some air in it.

Thanks Terry

the airbags are designed for stock height truck and firestone doesnt supoprt any lowered trucks even though they make shorter airbags than the ones that come with this kit -they dont sell any Ford kist with the shorter bags - The space between the brackets was a little tighter than they call out - Firestone tech support was worried that the brackets would hit each other on a lowered truck - no chance of that on my truck the bump stops prevent that.

Doug

[L8 APEX]

Thanks for the work Doug, now I am Jones'n for some.... Must resist! Because it doesn't stop with the airbag kit. You have to buy the onboard compressor, pillar gauge, auto leveling sensors..... Then you have $850 bucks in airbag system:eek:

[wesman]

Sweet...thinking of this mod myself for towing the boat etc.

Mind sharing what the total is/was ?

--wes

[dboat]

Thanks for the work Doug, now I am Jones'n for some.... Must resist! Because it doesn't stop with the airbag kit. You have to buy the onboard compressor, pillar gauge, auto leveling sensors..... Then you have $850 bucks in airbag system:eek:

hmm, what about a total airbag conversion so that you can run low for autocross and then be able to tow, plus put it on the ground for entrance and exit to the vehicle (esp for the little lady) and for show.. hmmm
Dana

[Silver_2000]

I havent tested it enough yet BUT it seems that its tougher to spinthe rear tires now. With the roush I could spin the rears at will at any time from a start.

We also rotatated the tires so I have to wait to let the tires sorta run in to be sure.

As far as cost the Airbag kit was from summit - the link is ealrier in the thread - it was under $200 - BUT it comes with 2 valves to air up the shocks - I need to either t off the airlines to one valve or but out anothre $180 for the compressor they sell
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=2158&searchinresults=false&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&N=115&target=egnsearch.asp]

here is kit link
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=2158&searchinresults=false&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&N=115&target=egnsearch.asp $189

its too bad they dont sell the ford kit with these shorter bags - in my opinion would be a better fit for lowered lightnings
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=2158&searchinresults=false&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&N=115&target=egnsearch.asp

BUT mine seems to work fine

also sucks that they dont sell the T fitting by itself