I posted this in the 04-07 F150 area, and got no replys. So I am posting it here hoping for some.

Want to do something to my truck so that when I have my 2 quads (Yamaha Banshee and Yamaha Kodiak 4X4)on my bed rack, towing my boat, or camper that my truck won't "bulldog"/sagging like it does. Since my truck sits perfectly level when empty. I just can't decide what I should do, AAL, 3" block or Airlift/Firestone airbags.

I know that the AAL will give my truck some rake back and also alittle more load capacity, but it will also stiffen up the ride.

A 3" block will give me the rake back, and won't stiffen the ride at all, but its the same price as the AAL, so why not just get the extra capacity, right?

Then there is the airbags, they won't stiffen the ride, I can get alittle rake back, maybe .5-.75" with only 10psi or so without making the ride horrible. But the one thing that worries me is will the bag rot or anything from non use (only keeping 10psi in them) and my truck sitting alot? Plus the airbags are the most expensive option of them all. But this is also the path that I am leaning towards, so who has the best price?

What would you guys do??

 

We put on a lot of bags.,

If you are afraid of them going bad think Expedition or Navigator...been using them as principal suspension since '97...on some models.

10psi is suggested to keep in the bags, to prevent the bag from getting rolled over and pinched creating a wear spot and/or potential hole. More than likely they will outlast your truck.

Another way of thinking of these air bags....look at most new tractor/trailer trucks. They use only air bag suspension...springs went the way of the dinosaur quite a few years ago.

Bag it and don't look back...your ride will act like normal until you put a load in it and then it will support the added load as much or as little as you decide.

By far it is the best option.

 

I noticed you said "...so why not just get the extra capacity, right?"

Technically, you are not increasing capacity at all.... Even after adding any of the mentioned mods, you will still have the same rear GAWR and the same GVWR as you did before.... All you are doing is adding something that will reduce the amount of 'sag' you get from a given load.

I went the overload spring route. It accomplished everything I wanted it to and then some! I can now load a 'ton' of stuff in the back and not be on the bump stops! It did 'firm' up the ride, but now it'll corner a lot better, not feel like my old LTD did on the road (like a boat rolling up and down on the swells) and just drive like a 'truck'... It's still a much better ride then my Dad's old 1971 F250, but will haul just has much stuff and tow as much as well!

Bags are fine, but I just didn't want the hassle or expense of them and went a different route... Everyone is different, so you just have to go the route that works best for you... Good luck!

Mitch

 

you can get the bags and mount them so you can manually inflate/deflate at will, then upgrade to an onboard compressor later on down the road.

 

I know about the whole "you not increasing the GVW of the vehicle" thing, and the only time that I worry about the GVW of a vehicle is when I am hauling for hire/commercialy. Otherwise for my personal things if I am overloaded past the GVW, so be it.

What I ment by more capacity was, that with the AAL and the 3" block I am going to get roughly the same height in back (about 1.5" more). But when loaded with the camper and my 2 quads the truck will sag more with the 3" block than it will with the AAL even though they both provided the same amount of lift when empty.

I looked into some Hellwig overloads, I was looking for either the 2500 or 3500lbs models but they don't have them for my truck all that they make is the 1500lb model. I was thinking about ordering a pair of 2500/3500 for either a 99-04 superduty or 80-96 F-series since all have the 3" leaf springs and then just making them work. But even doing that I will still have just as much money into the overloads as if I just put airbags on.

 

Ok, I was just checking....

I'm 'technically' overloaded each and every time I hitch up and go out for a weekend jaunt by my trucks numbers..... Is it right or wrong?? Well, 170,000 miles on the rig so far and the drivetrain is still all original!

I certinally am NOT a member of the "weight police", but I do what the manufactures do and try to put in a 'disclaimer' whenever it seems appropriate...

Mitch

 

Its all good .

 

x2. that probably what i will end up doing in the next couple of months

 

First off, thanks for the replys! And I just wanted to let you guys know that I ended up buying a pair of Firestone Ride-Rites from another member here that only had them on his truck for about 8 months and then traded the truck in. The came with everything, all hardware, air lines, directions, even the receipt, I got them for $180 including shipping. So not too bad of a deal I dont think.

 

I will be installing air bags on my '04 soon. How do you determine how much PSI the bags need when loaded with a trailer? Do you measure the height from the ground to the hitch with no load and then inflate to the same height with the load?