I got a set of Air Lift Air bags from Autoanything.com. I want them for when I make a 2500 mile trip with a bed full of my stuff. I will also have my wife, two kids, and dog in the truck. I want the ride to be nice and I don't want the rear end sag.

Here goes, in case anyone wants to see how they install before buying them.

Step 1. I put the truck in 4x4 and chocked the front wheels to keep it from rolling.

Step 2. I checked the kit to make sure everything was there.



Step 3. I unbolted the shocks, with the truck sitting on the ground. The shocks are going to extend, but not violently. The bolt and nut are both 13/16.



Step 4. Jack up the truck. I did not support the rear axle with jack stands since the 4 link will keep it from going anywhere. I used a Hi-lift on the trailer hitch. Be prepared, the truck needs to go really high to get the springs out. This pic is about half way up.



Step 5. I pulled the springs out from the wheel well. There is a rubber mount on the top of the spring that will fall out. Be sure to put it back in. Also, mark the springs with a marker to make sure they go in the exact way they came out.



Step 6. Install bag with hose attached. Then put the hose through the spacer and drop the spacer into the spring.




Step 7. Put the spring back in. Make sure it goes in the EXACT same way it came out. Run the air hose through the top center of the spring perch.



Step 8. Let the truck down and put the shocks back on.

Step 9. Run the hoses how you would like. Here is how I did mine.



I put the tee on the passenger side.



I used the little square hole next to the winch hole to mount the valve.



The valve barely shows. It comes with a black cap to cover the gold.

 

Okay. Now I am done.

I will update when I load the bed up.

 

Nice thread, I did mine a little different. A cheap spring compressor, jacked up the truck, collapsed the spring and installed the air bag. I didnt have to remove the shocks or the sway bar.

 

Nice. I didn't think of that. I didn't remove the sway bar either.

Off topic - How does that Bully Dog work for you? Any MPG increase/decrease?

 

Nice writeup! Are you able to easily access the valve?

 

Thanks!

Yes. The valve is hidden enough but easy to reach.

 

nice write up!

just curious but what is that cable lock for?(shown in step 9's pic)

 

Heres mine with a 4000lb car on my 16 ft car trailer, with a thousand pounds of tools in the bed.

 

I forget, with 85 psi in the bags.

 

The spare tire. It came with it.