Air Lift
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 353
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From: Tucson, AZ
Air Lift
Is anybody using rear airbags to level out their ride when it's loaded down? I've got the 03 L leaf packs, and it sits a tad too low. I'm going to install the L coils up front to get that 1/2" or so, but I still need an airbag system to lift the back end when hauling my work stuff, or towing.
I don't want to do the whole onboard kit, just a simple setup with the bags and a pair of schrader valves (under the rear bumper) to adjust the pressure.
Can anybody tell me which kits work on the F-150?
Thanks,
Mitch
I don't want to do the whole onboard kit, just a simple setup with the bags and a pair of schrader valves (under the rear bumper) to adjust the pressure.
Can anybody tell me which kits work on the F-150?
Thanks,
Mitch
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I have a 2001 2WD Supercrew that I removed the extra leaf from to lower it level and then added air bags for when I load it up. It has worked great for over 2 1/2years. The ride when unloaded is better than stock and I normally leave just 5-10# in the bags to keep them inflated. I used the Firestone kit from JC Whitney after researching the various sites that do air bag systems. The bags are good for 1500# each and are based on the straight-tube style bags Firestone developed for the Lincoln (they do not look like a stack of donuts). Installation took a couple of hours including removing the extra leaf. I also put shorter center bolts in the springs to make up for the missing leaf.
A few weeks ago I loaded up about 1900# of floor tile in the bed ( a pallet of 672 tiles ). This dropped it down to just above the rubber bump stops. I added 60# to each bag to bring it back up, 45# in the rear tires, and drove home about 80 miles. No problems except I wished I had an onboard compressor to fine-tune the ride. On choppy concrete I think I had too much pressure in the bags. The next week I loaded the bed level with farm compost (unknown weight but prbably less than the tile) and drove back 120 miles. This time I used less air pressure and the ride was better. I now have a compressor and will install it and some pressure gauges.
A few weeks ago I loaded up about 1900# of floor tile in the bed ( a pallet of 672 tiles ). This dropped it down to just above the rubber bump stops. I added 60# to each bag to bring it back up, 45# in the rear tires, and drove home about 80 miles. No problems except I wished I had an onboard compressor to fine-tune the ride. On choppy concrete I think I had too much pressure in the bags. The next week I loaded the bed level with farm compost (unknown weight but prbably less than the tile) and drove back 120 miles. This time I used less air pressure and the ride was better. I now have a compressor and will install it and some pressure gauges.