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Crap ride after installing air ride, Bilstein B6 4600 shocks, Firestone bags any better?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by GNX6, Mar 29, 2021.

  1. Mar 29, 2021 at 5:05 PM
    #1
    GNX6

    GNX6 [OP] New Member

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    Alright, so I put in the Load lifter 5000 air springs with the daystar cradles and now the truck rides like absolute crap. The beautiful ride quality is gone. Even when letting all of the air out of the bags and bed is empty. I'm wondering if a shock is locking up or seizing? I have seen it before when I was at GM for 22 years. Only a few times but I have seen it.. Also wonder if the Firestone bag kit allows more travel? Thanks!
     
  2. Mar 29, 2021 at 5:28 PM
    #2
    Oats87

    Oats87 Dirt Rider

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    I believe the Air Ride bags have a built in jounce bumper/bump stop, which is potentially causing your rough riding condition... but even the Firestone bags at 5 psi when unladen cause the truck to "bounce" more on the rear.
     
  3. Mar 29, 2021 at 5:39 PM
    #3
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    Yea the jounce bumpers in the bags blow. The best solution I found was unplug the compressor fuse, and then unplug the quick connect air lines from the air bags so there's no air at all. That improved the ride a ton for me, if there's 5psi in the bags there may as well be 100psi if there's no load in the back.
     
  4. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:07 PM
    #4
    GNX6

    GNX6 [OP] New Member

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    I pulled the fuse and let all the air out but still a bit rough.

    Do the firestones have bumpers in them?
     
  5. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:08 PM
    #5
    Oats87

    Oats87 Dirt Rider

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    No: I wouldn't run them with no pressure in them because of this (I'd be afraid of having them compress too far and smacking something they shouldn't)
     
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  6. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:40 PM
    #6
    GNX6

    GNX6 [OP] New Member

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    Not worried about that with the bump stop. Damn bag doesn't even compress 1/3 before hitting the stop.
     
  7. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:41 PM
    #7
    Oats87

    Oats87 Dirt Rider

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    Sorry, I should have made it clear I was referring to running the firestone bags without pressure, not the Air Lift bags.
     
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  8. Apr 3, 2021 at 7:10 PM
    #8
    GNX6

    GNX6 [OP] New Member

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    I bought the Firestone bags, they have a lot more travel. I am going to return those Air Ride bags if I can. They are fucking awful, had to take the kid to a class in the countryside on Thursday and I had a headache by the time I got there. Disgusting..... I will call Air Ride Monday to see if I can get different bags, exchange or return. Otherwise the Firestones are going in. (I will probably put them in anyway)
     
  9. Apr 3, 2021 at 7:11 PM
    #9
    Oats87

    Oats87 Dirt Rider

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    While I don't have personal experience with the Air Ride bags, I will warn you the Firestones definitely affect rear end feeling, albeit from the reports, not as much as the Air Ride bags.
     
  10. Apr 4, 2021 at 2:48 PM
    #10
    GNX6

    GNX6 [OP] New Member

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    I understand it will be firmer and potentially a bit hoppy but even with the air rides totally flat it is still shit because of the bump stop inside. There is literally 1” of travel before you hit the stop with the daystar cradles. It has ruined the truck to the point I don’t even want to drive it.
     
  11. Apr 7, 2021 at 5:50 PM
    #11
    GNX6

    GNX6 [OP] New Member

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    Air ride has offered to send me bags without bumpstops. I’m tempted to run the bags without the daystar cradles and just not connect the bottom to the bracket..... that will give max travel without the jarring on extension.
     
  12. Apr 7, 2021 at 5:58 PM
    #12
    szabo101

    szabo101 New Member

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    I have to disagree a little. I've found the sweet spot of the Firestone ride rites to be between 10 and 12 psi. At 5 psi they might as well be empty and I can feel them bang. If I take speed bumps, etc. a little to fast. But at 10-12 psi, they are perfect with an unloaded truck and the ride is extremely smooth.
     
  13. Apr 7, 2021 at 6:06 PM
    #13
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    Not the same truck but I had the Firestone bags in a 2012 Tacoma and it made for a rough ride.

    I also saw that you mentioned you installed Bilstein 4600’s...they give a much firmer ride over the factory Bilsteins. The factory ones are much plusher but not as good when towing or for heavy payloads.
     
  14. Apr 7, 2021 at 6:27 PM
    #14
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I firmed up the rear suspension on my 2007 using 4600's, air bags and more. The ride is smooth on most roads, and my PSI sweet spot is 30. More if there is additional weight in the bed, or if I decide to tow something.

    IMG_7252.jpg IMG_1683 (3).jpg
     
  15. Apr 7, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #15
    Oats87

    Oats87 Dirt Rider

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    Interesting. I'll pump mine up to 10 psi unloaded tomorrow for a trip I'm taking over the mountains and see how they feel.
     
  16. Apr 15, 2021 at 8:53 PM
    #16
    snhrph

    snhrph New Member

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    STILLEN COLD AIR INTAKE, AIRLIFT LOADLIFTER 5000 BAGS WITH WIRELESS ONE COMPRESSOR, WEIGHSAFE DROP HITCH
    any updates after you trip?
     

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