Firestone Ride Rite [Archive] - Expedition Portal

fbksurferjoe

11-24-2007, 02:13 AM

Hey just curious whether anyone has an opinion on a setup that I am considering. I currently have converted my rear suspension to something similar to BajaTaco's rear end with resevoir shocks and custom mounts. As of right now due to the weight of the shell and all the gear my springs are inverted. I do not have the money to have deaver springs made so I am considering adding Firestone Ride Rite airbags to my current setup and possibly also bolting on some limit straps between my frame and the axle to keep the airbags from over stretching, I also saw an adapter that bolts onto the airbags to use with lifted trucks so that I do not lose any articulation. All of that considered I was wondering what you thought. Let me know.

Willman

11-24-2007, 03:30 AM

Those Air bags are great!

I was told that they are the best around!

Sounds like a good setup to me!.....

:)

pray4surf

11-24-2007, 12:17 PM

fbksurferjoe

11-25-2007, 03:46 AM

Well my truck is a hard one to miss with the mismatched shell and all. That was definetly me I live in vista half the time and the other half in fallbrook sounds like you caught me on my way back to vista. I even remember eyeballing a white tacoma, as im sure most of us do when they see a tacoma with a camper on it. May have been you.

fbksurferjoe

11-25-2007, 03:47 AM

Actually since you said east I was prob heading into fallbrook either way its a small world

StumpXJ

11-25-2007, 11:34 AM

I was in the same situation as you. Its Baja Taco's fault. :)

My springs were DONE after my shell, roof rack, sleeping platform, and rear bumper/tire gate. At the time, I couldnt figure out how to ship springs over here from the States, so I bought the Fireston Ride Rite kit from Summit. I installed them, aired them up and was able to run about 40 pounds in them with 2-3 inches of lift over stock height and the ride was good. The airbags do just what they are supposed to do.

I have have now since installed a new set of lifted springs on my truck, and dont run any air in my bags unless I am loaded down for a trip, or towing something.

I really like the ability to keep the truck leveled with a load, the bags are great!

The only thing that sucks about them is when you need to flex out the suspension offroad, they dont work great for that. I tried running the pressure down to about 25-30 psi, and it didnt help in the flex department much. Now that I have new springs, I run about 5psi in them to keep the proper shape of them and my truck flexs great, just like they werent there.

They arent a replacement for worn out springs, but they will help until you can get new ones.

~James

fbksurferjoe

11-25-2007, 04:27 PM

Yah its absolutely his fault! :) Good to hear someone else out there has tried this. I was also looking into these http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/30002.html
do you think this would help out with the articulation? Another question I had is do you have a problem with overstretching your bags when the axle articulates, I ask this because if it is a problem I figure I can fix it by adding some limit straps.

fbksurferjoe

11-25-2007, 04:32 PM

Also is there any way you can post some pictures of your rear suspension setup?

StumpXJ

11-25-2007, 04:56 PM

When we were putting my springs on, the shocks were unhooked and the suspension was at full droop. With 5psi of air, they held up very well, and stretch pretty easily. With the shocks on, acting as the limiter itself, they work just fine, even at full flex.

I will have to get pictures tommorow, its already dark here...

~James

StumpXJ

11-25-2007, 04:58 PM

Also, the spacers wont help, in fact they would probably make it worse. The springs them selves dont compress well when they have a normal operating amount of air. They are designed to hold weight, so I guess they are doing what they are supposed to do, but that doesnt help when you need flex.

I dont run any spacers on my truck, and I easily have 2-3 inches over stock of lift. If I put air in the bags with no load, I can get another 2 inches, but it rides pretty stiff.

fbksurferjoe

11-25-2007, 08:29 PM

Alright well sounds like I dont need to go with those spacers then. I just ordered the air bags so they should be here in a few days, ill make sure I post the final result. I am still wondering if I should go with the limit straps just to protect them but I will have to take a look at how it flexes on my truck. Do you have Downey shackles?

fbksurferjoe

11-25-2007, 08:35 PM

This is how much droop I have right now by looking at your airbags and comparing it to the space between my frame and axle how do you think the bags will hold up?
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f354/fbk1surferjoe/101_0919.jpg

StumpXJ

11-26-2007, 07:10 AM

hmm....I have a decent amount of flex, but it looks like you may have more. Like I said, my stock shocks wont allow the bags to overstretch, but it looks like you have different shocks? I also have stock length shackles. I got my lift with a T100/deaver pack.

The spacer would help in the situation of droop, but it would kill you on the ability to stuff the other side. The bag takes place of the bump stop on the axle, so if you have that 3 inch spacer, plus the bag and its brakets, even with 0 psi of air, you will limit your ability. Put any air in them and it wont stuff much at all, and will be made worse by the spacer.

In short, I think you may have to limit the droop. Tha bags are very tough, but they arent indestructable. I think with the droop you have now, it would be pushing the limits of the bag/brackets.

I will go out and flex the truck and snap a few pictures for you.... you have me curious now. Stay tuned

~James

fbksurferjoe

11-26-2007, 12:25 PM

Yah like I said I have a setup similar to baja taco with fox 2.0 resevoir shocks and custom shock mounts. I also have the downey shackles. Im not to worried about the droop as much as I just dont want to ruin the bags so if I have to sacrifice a little in flex for a nice ride so be it. Looking forward to the pictures. thx for the help

StumpXJ

11-26-2007, 02:01 PM

Ok, you DEFINITELY have more flex than I do. The pictures of the truck flexing below have 5psi in the bags, which is the minimum requirement from the manuf. to not damage them. The stock shocks are maxed out on each side, and keep the bags from ripping themselves apart. I honestly think I could get another inch or so out of them before any damage occured, but just a guess. I have a set of Bilstein 5100's on the way to replace to worn out stockers, and will find out just how much stretch they can take.

The pictures dont really show it, but each flex shot, the rear tire is off of the ground, teetering on the front and back. Its a sad amount of flex, but maybe it will help with your decision.

I see in your signature that you also have 32inch tires, where as mine are 31's. Id say you easily have 4-5 more inches of flex/droop than I. (there is a hint of jealousy in there somewhere...)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100144.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100143.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100142.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100141.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100140.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100139.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100136.jpg

~James

StumpXJ

11-26-2007, 02:06 PM

Tried to get a good shot of the rear suspension set-up, but the screen on my digital camera is broken, and there is no view finder, so all of these shots were just "point, shoot and hope for the best". You can kind of make out the bags here though.... pretty straight forward installation.

~James

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100137.jpg

fbksurferjoe

11-26-2007, 09:29 PM

Oh you know what, that is a mistype in my signature. I have 31's not 32's. At any rate I like your ride, it actually looks like you get quite a bit of flex out of those bags I am really suprised, and I think with my shocks extending a little bit more I may even get a few more inches out of them. Thank you so much for those pictures they help out a lot. I was wondering where they would go when I looked in my wheel well and saw that big metal bump stop on the frame but now I see it just bends out of the way.
Oh this morning I also removed my front stabalizer on my truck and llllloooovvveeee it! If you havent given that a try I highly suggest it. That is if you dont mind a little body roll.

fbksurferjoe

11-26-2007, 09:33 PM

Im sure once you throw those 5100's on you will be suprised at how much more droop you will get. The question is though, once you get that much then you have to worry about the bag ripping or breaking which is why I think I will throw on some limit straps to prevent that from happening.

StumpXJ

11-27-2007, 02:02 PM

Well, my bilsteins showed up today, so i will know very soon how much difference they make, and if the bags will hold up.

I thought I was ordering 5100's, but I was sent 5125's.... Are these the same thing? I assume that wheelers knows what they are doing when they sent them to me, I gave them my truck info, so time will tell.

When I get them on, I will take some more flex pics, mostly for my curiosity, but will post them up here as well when I do it.

I have considered removing the sway bar, but have not tried it yet. Just how much body roll do you have? Its not like im road racing my truck, but the roads here in Germany are prety twisty. Was a it a HUGE noticable difference on the street when cornering? Im sure it has to help offroad.... I may pull it off when I install the shocks. Might as well take advantage of the autolift if I can.

~James

fbksurferjoe

11-27-2007, 06:22 PM

I think the 5125's have a longer shaft than the 5100's so more flex.....? not 100% on that. As far as the sway bar honestly I drive 80mph on the freeway and drive in a rural area with curvy roads and barely notice any body roll, but most of those noises you hear when you go over speed bumps vanish once you remove it so that was nice. The best part is you do not have to remove any skids it took me 15 minutes to remove mine with some powered tools a total of 6 nuts :). If all else fails and you dont like it, spend another 15 minutes putting it back on. You will see when you get around to doing it.

StumpXJ

11-27-2007, 08:02 PM

yeah, I have decided to try the truck without a sway bar. Like you said, worst case scenario is I have to put it back on.

I looked up the Bilstein info, apparently the 5100, 5125, and 5150 all can be purchased in different lengths, but the higher the number, the heavier the valving is the best I can tell. I suppose the 5125 is a little better for my application, due to the extra weight. Kudos to Wheelers.com for providing the extra larger size bushing with the shocks, they are required on my truck and I didnt know it.

Anyway, I am going to put them on the truck this Friday. Thanks for the sway bar info, and let me know how the airbags work for your application.

~James

StumpXJ

11-30-2007, 02:24 PM

Holy cow. I got finished putting the bilsteins on, and also removed the sway bar. I noticed very little body roll over what I normally had, but damn the suspension works so much better now. I am kicking myself for not doing this sooner. Thanks for the extra nudge to do this, I cant wait to go wheeling and try it out. The biggest difference I have noticed with the swaybar gone and new rear shocks is when I back out of my drive way.... I used to actually lift a rear wheel becasue the drive is off cambered (hard to explain, but now everything stays planted... Its great!

The rear flexes soooo much better with the new shock, and now the bags are whats keeping it from flexing more. They held up ok, but im not sure how much more they will take. I know the shocks had another inch or so of travel left, and I still had room on the other side to stuff the tire. I may end up taking the bags off...:(

I think this is about all we can expect out of the beg set-up as far flex is concerned. Here are the pics:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100154.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100153.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100152.jpg

~James

StumpXJ

11-30-2007, 02:28 PM

Before new shocks and with the sway bar.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100144.jpg

After new shock and removed sway bar.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/SS100152.jpg

Big difference, easily a couple inches. Now I have to learn how to wheel all over again...LOL

~James

fbksurferjoe

12-01-2007, 07:59 PM

Good to hear that the sway bar worked out for you. Looking at your set up you look as close to as much droop as I get without bags. I say if it rides well I would keep them seeing as new leaf springs cost in the range of 800+ dollars and even then you would maybe only get 1 or 2 more inches. With my current setup of downey shackles, stock springs, fox 10" travel 2.0 resevoir shocks, I am bottoming out my fox shocks and my springs are making an n shape, i dont know if yours will due the same if you take the bags out. I really just dont want to ruin a good pair of shocks:). Here is a pic of my springs and shocks as of right now sitting flat on my driveway
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f354/fbk1surferjoe/101_0845.jpg

StumpXJ

12-01-2007, 09:30 PM

Wow, yeah your springs are almost as bad as mine were before I put the bags on and then replaced the springs...(in fact, since you have the shackles, they may be just as bad) Ill leave em on for now. They arent eating anything, and I do like the ability to put air in them if I am hauling something. If they stay in one piece, great, if not oh well...

~James

PS, I am really loving this non sway bar thing. Got a chance to drive it more today and the truck feels great!

fbksurferjoe

12-01-2007, 09:40 PM

Yah my springs are hurting. But worse off are my shocks, as you can see in the picture they only have 2 inches of shaft showing I dont know if it is a design flaw on my part or if I am just sitting so low that they are bottoming out.

articulate

12-01-2007, 10:33 PM

The rear flexes soooo much better with the new shock, and now the bags are whats keeping it from flexing more. They held up ok, but im not sure how much more they will take. I know the shocks had another inch or so of travel left, and I still had room on the other side to stuff the tire. I may end up taking the bags off...:(

I think this is about all we can expect out of the beg set-up as far flex is concerned.
~James
Just as an FYI, I recently installed the Ride Rites on my Frontier and had the same impressions about the rear articulation. So I purchased a urethane bumpstop . . . my plan is to unbolt the bag from the lower bracket, screw on the bumpstop to the bottom of the bag. Strictly to test out the viability of leaving the bag disconnected from the axle to allow it drop as much as it can. Catch my drift?

I'm in the theory stages still, but I think I'm going to give it a test run and see what happens. So far, I believe the bag will be able to hold the load and the axle might be able to "flex" around all she needs. 100% theory still . . .

RHINO

12-02-2007, 04:47 AM

I dont know if it is a design flaw on my part or if I am just sitting so low that they are bottoming out.

yes its a design flaw on your part,,,, yuour shocks are too long, you have more travel to the bump stop than the shock will allow, so your shock is acting as the bump stop,,, not good.
either get the lift,,,, raise the bumpstops, or reconfigure the angle of the shocks to get more uptravel,,,, your most likely not using all the downtravel the shocks offer anyway. keep in mind with more angle= less damping of the shock but your mounted on the shackle side so that will give you some back.

p1michaud

12-02-2007, 05:40 AM

Strictly to test out the viability of leaving the bag disconnected from the axle to allow it drop as much as it can. Catch my drift?

I was just about to ask why both sides of the bag have to be connected. I'm currious to hear how this works out. You may have to devise some method of "guiding" the bag back in place once the suspension compresses.

Cheers :beer:,
P

Willman

12-02-2007, 09:27 PM

Just as an FYI, I recently installed the Ride Rites on my Frontier and had the same impressions about the rear articulation. So I purchased a urethane bumpstop . . . my plan is to unbolt the bag from the lower bracket, screw on the bumpstop to the bottom of the bag. Strictly to test out the viability of leaving the bag disconnected from the axle to allow it drop as much as it can. Catch my drift?

I'm in the theory stages still, but I think I'm going to give it a test run and see what happens. So far, I believe the bag will be able to hold the load and the axle might be able to "flex" around all she needs. 100% theory still . . .

Sounds like a great plan! Let us know what you find!

:D

fbksurferjoe

12-03-2007, 03:12 PM

My truck is sitting pretty low right now though I think it is more that, then a design flaw because when my truck was sitting level there was a good length of shock shaft showing. I think with these airbags bringing me back to level I should be a lot better off. If not I will weld on some new upper brackets and lay the shocks down a little more. I dont want to mess with the lowers because I dont want them hanging down lower than the axle.
As far as disconnecting the bags sounds like an interesting concept it will be interesting to see how they hold up and perform.