Air bags? - Diesel Forum

hockeymaine · 03-11-2006, 09:22 PM

What is everyone using for airbags on their Excursion? I hate the sag while towing or when back is full of wood. Is the install easy?

WannabePSD · 03-11-2006, 09:55 PM

You can go either Airlift or Firestone. Make sure the kit is for an X. The install takes like 2 hors max if you don't run the compressor.

jward · 03-12-2006, 09:24 AM

I went with the airlifts and was a fairly easy install.

fastersteve · 03-12-2006, 10:53 AM

[ QUOTE ]
You can go either Airlift or Firestone. Make sure the kit is for an X. The install takes like 2 hors max if you don't run the compressor.

[/ QUOTE ]

A buddy of mine offered me the bags off his '03 F250. I was thinking they would fit. What's the difference in the kits?
Thanks!
FS

turbodave · 03-12-2006, 12:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You can go either Airlift or Firestone. Make sure the kit is for an X. The install takes like 2 hors max if you don't run the compressor.

[/ QUOTE ]

A buddy of mine offered me the bags off his '03 F250. I was thinking they would fit. What's the difference in the kits?
Thanks!
FS

[/ QUOTE ]

They wont fit. The mounting system that the air springs use on the SD pickups is totally different than that used for the X's.

WannabePSD · 03-12-2006, 12:23 PM

^^^this is true. That's why they have the X kit and the SD kit. Now if you can get the X brackets cheap and your buddy gives you his set cheap or free....that would be sweet.

fastersteve · 03-12-2006, 05:36 PM

Damn, that's what I was afraid of. I'll have to see if I can get just the brackets.
Thanks
FS

86GLHS · 03-14-2006, 09:54 AM

Firestones here on the F250. They've been on for almost two years and work good.

boatpuller · 03-14-2006, 04:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You can go either Airlift or Firestone. Make sure the kit is for an X. The install takes like 2 hors max if you don't run the compressor.

[/ QUOTE ]

A buddy of mine offered me the bags off his '03 F250. I was thinking they would fit. What's the difference in the kits?
Thanks!
FS

[/ QUOTE ]

They wont fit. The mounting system that the air springs use on the SD pickups is totally different than that used for the X's.

[/ QUOTE ]

HOLD ON A MINUTE!!! I THINK the SD runs the bags outside the springs, while the X runs inside them on the bump stop. The Excursion has a decrative pannel between the wheel well and the frame which the SD does not have. If you are willing to drill holes or modifiy the pannel, the SD's MAY work. I said MAY. If so, you will be better off, as the X's force the bags to be pretty compressed while sitting unloaded, and the SD's allow a couple of more inches of room for the bags while unloaded. The lack of space in the X's bags allows the bag to bottom out with 5psi in them. So you have to run 10+psi to prevent that, and this adds to a rougher ride than it should be. I wish I'd know that before putting X bags on my Excursion.

If you get brackets, please let us know where you got them. If you make the SD brackets work on your Excursion, please let us know how much work it was. thanks.

fastersteve · 03-14-2006, 05:52 PM

According to the tech guy @ Firestone, the brackets aren't available seperately. I ended up doing another trade w/another buddy who also has an F250. So, my bags aren't quite free, but I'm in them pretty cheap. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
FS

hockeymaine · 03-14-2006, 06:26 PM

Where is everyone buying the bags? Any sponsors carry them?

MotionMan · 03-14-2006, 06:40 PM

I have the ridrites, with a 3" lift they are not compressed and lift the truck about 1.5"s when inflated. They have worked great and have no air in them when not used, this can happen because of the lift, they don't rub on themselves. I don't have the ears on my blocks, they are actually chevy 4" blocks and the install worked fine. I was able to put them all together out of the truck and slide them in and bolt them down, again because the lift gave me room. I checked the specs on the bags to make sure the height was not too much and I can even go another 1.5"s and still be in spec. I love them and have never owned a truck without them and never will.

Mudraga · 03-14-2006, 10:50 PM

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Where is everyone buying the bags?

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I like mine from Airlift (see link in my signature). I have the on-board compressor with the in-cab gauge controls which is cool but the downside is that when you release the air, it comes out in the cab and smells like the inside of a tire[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]. Its not real bad. But I think I'm going to figure out a way to route the expelled air back outside when I change out my gauges.

boatpuller · 03-16-2006, 10:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I have the ridrites, with a 3" lift they are not compressed and lift the truck about 1.5"s when inflated. They have worked great and have no air in them when not used, this can happen because of the lift, they don't rub on themselves. I don't have the ears on my blocks, they are actually chevy 4" blocks and the install worked fine. I was able to put them all together out of the truck and slide them in and bolt them down, again because the lift gave me room. I checked the specs on the bags to make sure the height was not too much and I can even go another 1.5"s and still be in spec. I love them and have never owned a truck without them and never will.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are your riderite's bottom bracket attached right on the rear axle, or did you fab something else to mount it to?

hockeymaine · 03-19-2006, 08:00 PM

What is best method to install air bags. Each with seperate air line or T the two sides together?