Air Lift Air Bags Suggestions on Installation - Diesel Forum

kgeorge · 05-25-2005, 11:07 PM

I got my Air Lift air bags and was suprised at the generic installation instructions. Has anybody installed these on a 03 F-250? It looks as if you need to cut the U bolts to get them to sit properly on the springs, and use one of the shims in the front to get them to sit at the proper angle. I hope someone who has installed these can give me some input.

j_apetersen · 05-25-2005, 11:11 PM

I dont think Id be cutting on the U bolts if I were You.

jcm1835 · 05-26-2005, 09:52 AM

Yes, I've installed them on a few trucks...you have a good plan to get started. it helps to use a couple of 1x6's cut to the minimum bracket spacing, i think 8" apart? that will make it easier to keep everything parallel when marking the hole locations for the upper brackets. The air bags will lift the back end of an empty truck, that is why i recommend the minimum spacing between the upper and lower brackets.

Teebird · 05-26-2005, 07:15 PM

How do you keep the top bracket from looking "crooked" due to the spring mounts not being parallel to the frame?

j_apetersen · 05-26-2005, 07:25 PM

You follow the instructions.

garyt · 05-27-2005, 12:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
How do you keep the top bracket from looking "crooked" due to the spring mounts not being parallel to the frame?

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't. I mounted them 'crooked' so they ARE parallel. To me if they were not parallel they looked 'wrong'. Besides with the tires on no one is looking at them anyway. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
garyT

dgarri · 06-06-2005, 06:33 PM

I had the same problem with mine, so I got some "extra" 1/2 inch "u" brackets that would cleanly fit between the main an helper springs and used another on top top of springs to hellp with alighnment and left the top bracket paraellel to bed. (I suspect some good bar stock, 1 1/8 by 1/4 would also work for bottom brackets, but I didn't want to do the calculations and drilling.) This required a total of 6 of those 1/2 inch brackets and the kit only came with 4. I also canned those 8" bolts and went with some 2" carraige bolts of same hardness. Not sure the bolts are as crticals as axle u-bolts, since they only hold the system in place during rebounding - main loads go directly from bracket to springs. Bellows also don't allow for for and aft binding of loads either. Normal for and aft or torque loads are still handled by spring u-bolts. FWIW I also used independent lines air lines (no "t") to help with stability, which was not discussed in instrucitons. Went very fast after these changes - agree instructions are limited, but allignment seems very forgiving. Given liabilites I suspect system must be very forgiving or they would have berrer instructions.

WannabePSD · 06-06-2005, 11:21 PM

Hey guys,

The Airlifts don't have that problem you're all having with the u-bolts getting in the way. I've seen way too many folks complaing about how the Firestone bags are mounted. They can be used with a lift if your truck has one, as long as it's a block lift in the rear.

The Airlifts use existing holes on the frame and bolt directly to the jounce bumber "wing". Only 1 hole drilled per side. WAY easy. This was on an X, but I believe the SD kits are the same.

Alin

dgarri · 06-06-2005, 11:52 PM

Actually my kit was a 2071 Ride Rite by Firestone. These have bellows that look like two black softballs and have a faily high load capacity. I think they make a more tubular shaped bag that fits lifted trucks but has a lower load capacity. I don't know if your air rides are firstones, but if they are, I think you must have the other type kit. The top of my bellows has two bolts and a air fitting, so I don't see how it can bolt to the flange as it would take three holes or be mounted upside down. the 2071 comes with two large brackets on each side, one with four holes to bolt to outside of frame and one that sits on the top of the top spring and in turns bolts to brakets under the prings on 250s and between the springs on a 350. On my 350 thee were no hole anwhere near the mounting location. Instrucions figures are pretty clear on set up and instrucitons for drilling holes, just don't talk two much about details of leveling the bottom brackets to make them parallel with the top ones. They work great and i would but them again, just some pain on the set up. I'm too old to run lock nuts up 8 8inch bolts on flat at a time when a 8 2 inch bolts will do the trick. Besides the long bolts looked weird and would have to have been cut off either before or after installation.

WannabePSD · 06-06-2005, 11:58 PM

You're getting them confused. Air RIDE is made by Firestone. Air LIFT is made by someone else.(not sure) For the most part, they are the same. I DO have the bags that look like 2 black balls together, 2 bolt fittings on top and and air fitting.....SAME,SAME. The Air LIFT is so much easier, at least on an X and it mounts to the jounce bumper wing. Trust me...check it out. As more guys read this that have bags on their X's....you'll see.

I'd post a pic but don't have anywhere to host it.

Alin

dgarri · 06-10-2005, 01:44 AM

I agree with you, we are both correct . Looked up the specs. on the web site. Yours is for the newer trucks that have a diferent bracket. the Older trucks take at least 4 bolts per side. I notic ethe newer trucks also have a 5-wheel hitch option, but don't think it fits the OBS. Any way I sure they both work well.