Got them in today and set out to install them.....

Jacked the truck up, put it on jackstands, yanked the tires, and let the rear end hang low....



Then, took the bags, rolled them up to get as much air out as possible and plugged the end to keep them flat....






The bags then slide, forced, pulled through a bottom coil to slide inside the spring....

Undid the line and let them return to normal shape....




Popped the top cap into the top of the spring... it fits right in....



Ran the lines up through the holes and put it all back together. Then ran the lines to the back off the truck and picked a nice unobtrusive spot to mount the fittings.....



Didn't like the look of the stock caps so I have since replaced them with some smooth round ones. Looks way better... But if you were not looking for them, you wouldn't even know they were there.

Simple install. Took about 1 hour start to finish. I will hook the trailer up this weekend and see how it does.

The only question now, is do I hook up the onboard compressor kit I have kickin' around? The only issue I have with it is it ties the two bags together rather then keeping them seperate. Not sure I like that idea.

 

I had a homemade set up on a motorhome several years ago that had one way check valves for each bag. I don't remember the part nomenclature but they came from Grainger Supply.

 

Now those ones go in easier, no removing the spring like the Air lift ones. I like that. Where do we get these?

 

For future reference, jacking under the pumpkin on a truck that weighs almost 3 tons is a good way to bend the housing. Take the time to lift each side seperately.

 

what is you have 2 jacks? LOL I was reading the instructions for installation and it requires the spring to be pulled out at least on the top, how did you do it without or did I miss something. Which model number do you have 4185?

 

Great Pics!
I put the Firestone bags in my 1500 about two months ago and the installation was just as easy as yours, about 1 hour. I also mounted the Schedar valves in the license plate. Very inconspicuous.
The axel tubes on the newer trucks can bend if you jack under the punkin. Not recommended.

 

Seriously? Wow...... never would have thought they were THAT weak..... I guess I am used to the good old corporate GM 14 bolt FF's. Never had a half ton before. Thanks.

 

I will have to check on the model number. My instructions say to do it exactly like I did. They did say to gain more room, you may have to remove the shock for more droop, I did not.

As for where to get them, check some auto parts stores or online. I pikced them up from my bro, doubt you want to travel to Williams Lake to pick a set up. LOL I also pay cost through him, you wouldn't.... unless you are a long lost brother of ours?

 

Keep your eyes on the bag material over time fellas.

I went to have a buddy of mine who owns a couple tire/auto shops in the farmlands of south Ga get me a set of Firestones about 4 years ago. A LOT of farmers use bags as they are always dealing with heavy loads.

I specifically asked him to order me a set of Firestones because, quite frankly they were the only ones I ever heard of and I had him get them because we have an arrangement where I do his computer and networking work and in return get tires, etc. from him at his cost.

He told me he would not order another set of Firestones due to the fact that the bags were dry rotting out over only a year or two of installation on almost ALL the sets his shop had installed. So he got me the Air Lifts instead. Almost five years and my bags are still in perfect shape.

As I stated, this was a few years ago and it's entirely possible that Firestone has corrected the issue, but I'd keep a watchful eye on them just the same...

 

My father in law installed Firestone bags 6 years ago, going strong. My bro has had his in for 2. Will definately keep an eye on them though.