Hey, just got a used truck couple weeks ago, 04 dodge ram 1500 quad cab. And when i put my first load in it, about 800 lbs and my 6x10 enclosed trailer. I was sitting ridiculously low, it looks like my suspension is bagged out, i think the previous owner may have been towing something huge. I was just considering adding some firestone air bags to the rear to fix the problem. Would this be the most cost effective/reasonable solution? I found the bags for roughly 300$ shipped to me. Was planning on installing myself, is this a hard install for a beginner? A shop in town offered me 500$ for parts and install, but if its not bad id rather save the 200$ and get some knowledge myself.

Any input again is very appreciated, thanks!

 

I bought the Air Lift bags, simple install (do a search I got pics all over).

I went to buy the Firestones, but a buddy of mine with two tire shops in farm country (where everyone bags their trucks) said he had tons of problems with the Firestone bags dry rotting pretty quick, so he switched to selling/installing the Air Lifts.

Easy install, took me about 2.5 hours in the driveway. Only thing I did that was not "by the book" was I welded my brackets onto the frame instead of drilling and bolting.

I paid just over $200 to the door for mine, have seen them on Amazon for under $200, and some clones on ebay for even less...

 

Hammer I would leave out the dry rot issues with firestone because I have had mine for a while, i don't leave any air in them when not in use and they are still perfect. The ride rite uses the heavy duty 5k bag and is no drill or weld installation. Just don't wanna frighten everybody with a issue that was taken care of a long time ago.

 

You know, I stop mentioning that a while back, since I've never had them and never seen it. I originally started mentioning it just to basically pass on information that I had received and why I bought what I did. In all honesty, I went to buy the Firestones because they were all I ever heard of and went with this guy's suggestion.
Being in farm country, his shop has probably installed a few dozen sets, minimum.

But you are right, this information I received was five years ago. I have heard of the Firestone 4th Gen coil bags being total garbage, but the type we use on leaf rears I hadn't heard of the issue in a while now.

Air Lift bags are available in 2k and 5k versions. The 5k version installs just like the 5k Firestones. Problem is, this installation is not conducive to having a lift, which is why I opted for the 2k bags. Besides, this is 2k lbs of LEVELING strength, not tow strength. 2000 lbs of bed weight or tongue weight is A LOT OF WEIGHT and I just don't see the need for 5k lb. bags on a half ton truck, myself. I tow a 7,000 lb tractor & rough cut on a heavy dual axle trailer and I can stay at dead level with only about 40% of the capacity of the bags.

 

Right on, ok thanks again for the great reliable info. I do tend to overload my truck :/ im a roofer so i get stuck carrying a large load of shingles here and there, also with my 6x10 trailer. The bags i found for 300$ are the 5k firestones, so i figure i mayaswell just go with the big ones and not worry about it in the future.

 

I'm pretty sure I read this before but just curious as in a few weeks I will be purchasing new shocks and thinking about the bags soon as well. Will the bags improve the ride at all unloaded?? I'm thinking not, but just wanted to double check. Also, is dropping the shocks required to do the install of bags? Just wondering cuz when I do the shocks, if it would be a huge pain the take the same stuff back apart to do the bags a little later or should I order the rear shocks and let them sit until I order the bags and install them all at once.

 

I installed the Firestone ride rite bags and compressor, I love them loaded or unloaded. They make the ride alot better and stable. When you are unloaded have 5lbs of air in them. No, you do not have to drop the shocks, They are a simple bolt on system. The only thing you have to remove is the bump stop on the frame.

 

Nope, don't have to mess with the shocks. I keep 5 lbs. of air in mine unloaded and I don't know if they make the ride unladen any better, but unlike "helper" springs I've used in the past, they sure don't make the road harsher.

The 5k bags be it Firestone or Air Lifts install by basically just bolting on, the down side to this bag type is they don't work with either a body lift or a suspension lift. Can be modded to do so if you can get things like longer U-bolts, etc.

I went for the 2k bags which are WAY strong enough for my purposes (remember we are talking 2000 lbs. of tongue/bed weight here, not trailer weight), and although you need to drill the frame for the included bolts or weld the brackets on (as I did), their setup will accommodate any lift...

 

As previously posted, these bags are quick and easy to install. The bags tokk me about an hour or so to install, the plumbing however is a bit more time consuming. I also got the on board compressor and running all of the wires and hoses takes the majority of the time. I use mine just about daily pulling a 4 place Jet Ski trailer. They get air'd up to 60 psi stay there for the day and then deflated at the end of the day. I have had them and used them daily for the last 4 years. I have never regretted the decision. They're also great when you need to match the tailgate height to something as well. LOL

 

I went the same route as Hammer, with the 2K Air Lifts. I primarily only need them in the winter when I mount a liquid de-icer tank in the bed. But they handle the #2800-#3000 easy. And that's at 90psi or so(they'll go to 100). It might sag an 1"to 1 1/2" max. Pretty good for a 1/2 ton truck.

Installation was simple. I didn't opt for the on board pump, simply because I only use them a few months of the year. Make sure you have a couple of decent drill bits if you don't weld the brackets on.

They did, however make my little travel trailer tow better. I had an issue with swaying, but 40 psi made all the difference. .

After all my q's on this board a year ago, these were an excellent investment for me.