Use of Cradles with Airbags

Gents,

Last year I installed a set of Firestone Airbags in the rear of my 2017 Crewmaxx. I installed them to help carry the load and even the truck out a bit while towing.

While I was there I installed Daystar Cradles thinking that I didnt want the dealer to full droop the suspension and messing up the airbags.

My truck does NOT have any suspension mods in the rear. It seams the airbag is short and fat when not in use.

Should I remove the daystar cradles and let the airbags attach to the rear mount for the airbags like they are supposed to?

Looking for some advice.

 

as long as you keep a minimum of 5 pounds in the air bags you will be fine. I have the same set up (no suspension mods and cradles with my Firestone air bags), no problems.

 

Do you find that going over bumps it bottoms out?

 

I am not sure why you would want to do that, they are designed to work with a stock suspension. Like stated above, keep 5lbs of air in them and there should be no problem.

 

No. Even though you have removed the bump stops the 5 psi or more in the bag will keep it from bottoming out. The thickness of the base of the cradle isn’t more than 3/4” if I remember correctly, it’s not a significant difference.

 

Any pictures of the install?

 

I’ll try and get some today

 

Here are some, hopefully they came out ok.
This is with 6 psi.

 

Another

 

You have an excellent setup and can’t see an advantage in changing it.

 

That looks excellent...So what was the problem again?

 

I wasn’t the OP, but I believe the OP thought using cradles with the bags made the bags too squished with a stock suspension.

 

Let me make a guess. With the cradle the airbag is not attached at the bottom. So if your like rock crawling the axle can drop down farther.

 

Thanks

 

Not sure if this is designed this way or not but the washer under the bolt puts the bolt further than the cradle. That means when the air bag hits the cradle it will hit the bolt. Anyone else notice this?

 

When you aren't under load, your suspension should be more than capable of handling any bumps. When you asked about bottoming out, are you bottoming out when you don't have a load? If you are, sounds like there is something wrong with your suspension. If you are bottoming out with a load just add more air to the bags.

 

The issue is with the hardware they provide. If you do bottom out it will put a dent in the bottom of the air bag.

 

@Northbound Train

Glenn, did you have this with your install?

 

I just order hex key bolts that have a smaller head height. I could have just used the hex bolt they provided without the washer but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

Nick, do you have a link or info? I plan on doing this. Thanks.

 

They do bottom out. You only need to keep 5lbs in the bags when the bottom is attached to leafspring bracket to help fight tearing. If using cradles you are able to suck them up to gain some uptravel in the rear.

What I do after I am done towing for a bit is right before I unhook my trailer is I let the air out of my bags. With the tongue weight compressing the rear springs it will force almost all the air out. Then when I unhook and truck goes back to normal ride height the bags are about a inch higher than the lip of the cradle. No more bottoming out around town.

 

$13 FullerKreg M10-1.5 x 35mm ISO 7380 Hex Drive Class 10.9 Black Oxide Finish Alloy Steel Button Socket Cap Screw (Pkg of 10)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BS9VVHX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yCmmFb9J91S2S

I purchased these bolts.

 

I got my cradles on ebay, they were opened bags without hardware and were cheap. I got my own bolts and don't remember seeing this and I would have noticed if they weren't flush.

 

I just did mine this weekend, the back sits about an inch higher now with 5lb. I'm going to try putting some weight on it and getting all the air out. I noticed the same thing with the cradle mounting bolt, but it also felt like there was a recess under the sticker on the bottom of the air bag that would line up with the head of the bolt. I bought my cradles on Amazon and didn't realize that they are knock-offs until I received them. They have the same numbers stamped into them and look identical to the one Nick posted. This is my second set of bags, the first set was on there when I got the truck and somehow developed a tear in one, it had been on a lift a couple of times so that may have done it, thats mainly why I went with the cradles, cheap insurance.

 

The bottom of the air bag is actually a thread for the bolt if you are not using cradles. With cradles, the head of the bolt will have contact with it.

 

Installed cradles on my Tundra yesterday. I run Firestone Ride Rites. It felt like I went back to having a rake on my drive to work today. I’m running 6112/5160 and I was pretty damn level before install. They were easy to install and I like the cradles but I’m not going to like the rake. Maybe it’s placebo? I’m going to measure when I get home.

 

So what are lifted guys using for airbag mounting ?

I have a 1" lift block under mine, plus 2" rear shackles.

Just curious if they make a spacer kit or taller bags ?

 

I'll be interested what you end up doing.
I've thought about adding some bags in the back so if/when i put a heavy load on the truck i can level it easily.....but i dont want a crazy rough ride in the back and dont want the suspension height in the rear to change when there's nothing in the back. I'm assuming if you lower the psi then the bag will bulge and rub on the cradle?