I have a set of firestones in mine as well - I ran individual lines to the back where schrader valves allow individual filling, but I plumbed in a crossover line with a 1/4 turn ball-valve in it to ensure equal pressure but allow me to "isolate" each bag from each other so reduce air transfer and hence "sway".
I cheaped out and didn't install the compressor, but I have a 30 dollar cigarette lighter compressor that I made up a harnes with a 7-wire trailer plug on one end and a cig. lighter socket on the other - I pkug that into my trailer plug at the back and use it to supply 12v for the compressor to pump up my bags.

One thing you will notice is your spring rate goes up with the bags added, but the damping doesn't... SO unless you add a heavier shock absorber, you're gonn pogo-stick a bit when they are pumped up and you are loaded.

My installation took one hour.

 

Yeah, I didn't opt for the on-board stuff either, be it the manual or automatic leveling system. Figured I'd only use the bags once or twice a month and all the extras go for more than the cost of the bags.
I have air compressors all over the place, big one in my garage, 220v one up at the farm, one in my truck toolbox and even a small one on my ATV. I just did the valve on the back thing...

 

I see the shrader valve, but can I ask what the switch is for??

Also, did you weld it just because you can? Or do you think it is THAT much better than bolting?

 

I welded it mainly because it took 2 minutes a side to weld on rather than the 10 minutes or so PER HOLE (not to mention going thru a couple of bits) I figured it was gonna take to drill thru the frame. Functionally, I don't think there is a bit of difference, although it'd be easier to remove bolted on. I didn't see a reason where I would ever want to remove the bags and if I did, I could disassemble everything and just leave the brackets on.



Switch is for rear lights. When I have them plugged in, they act as standard reverse lights with the switch in the "OFF" position and stay lit when the switch is in the "ON" position. I currently have them mounted on a small hitch type light bar, but I'm thinkin' I need to fab up a slide on type so I can use the trailer hitch with the lights on or just permanently mount the lights under the bumper.

 

HELLWIG makes bags, I just installed them on my 2004 quad cab. no drilling needed. less than 300.00 to my door. from suspension connection.

 

I have Arnott bags.....Identical to Hellwig but $75 cheaper. Hellwig just slaps their brand name on the product that they don't even make. Arnott makes the stuff and come with Goodyear bags rated for 5,000lbs.


Looks like Arnott isn't selling the 1500 non-megacab kits anymore? odd? Must be that Hellwig has the contract or something because Arnott makes Hellwigs kits. They come with Goodyear 5,0'0'0'lb rated bags. Hellwig won't advert them as 5k because that is past the trucks capabilities. But, that's how I bought mine from Arnott 2yrs ago.
*HERE but is for Megacabs...??? Maybe they didn't sell enough?

 

Ahh just ordered my firestones, 330$ to my door :/ heh maybe woulda went for some hellwigs and saved some cash but w/e.

Quick question, anything wrong with just keeping my bags at like 40 psi even when unloaded? I never know when im gonna have to a fair bit of weight in. Not to mention my suspension is real bad as it is.

 

I keep 20psi in mine regularly and it's fine. 40psi is a bumpy ride empty as that is enough to support 1,000lbs in the bed and keep the suspension even. The firestones are a little different though, but I'd bet it's still a bumpy ride at 40psi

 

I typically only run about 5 psi when I'm empty and it's a little bumpy. However, I think a set of Bilstein's in the rear would probably help.