2008 Tundra Ride-Rite Airbags

Grizzlygibbs · 05-13-2013, 12:30 PM

Background:

I have a 2008 Toyota Tundra that we bought brand new in August of 08. It is a 4x4 Crewmax

This year, we bought a 2014 Rockwood Roo 233s from All Seasons RV in Michigan.

We met the delivery driver in Billings, MT to save on gas, time and money. We came home with a 35-50 mph headwind from Billings to Missoula. It was miserable for fuel economy, but the truck and trailer both felt great with the equalizer 4-way sway. Loaded with all of of our gear, the truck squatted and the WDH was not set up properly for the trip home. I am in the process of getting the hitch set up correctly so the trailer and truck are even.

I was doing some searching at online retailers and I got a great deal on a set of Firestone Ride-Rite airbags at AutoAccessoriesGarage.com - Auto Accessories, Car & Truck Accessories, Aftermarket Performance Parts. I got the airbags, which are normally $337 at many other retailers, for only $286. This was a great deal for my particular model truck that I could not pass on. I will try to get some good pictures so I can do a detailed installation. I do not think I will need them with my hitch set up properly, but it will be nice to have them when hauling other loads and to provide some extra suspension and bounce protection.

They should be here later this week and I will try to post some pictures of the install.

Thanks

checca · 05-13-2013, 02:13 PM

can't wait to see your installation

Grizzlygibbs · 05-13-2013, 02:17 PM

Once the kit comes I will try to get it on ASAP. I did not order a compressor so I will likely plumb the tubing and the air valves near the back bumper or in the fuel cap area. I will cross that bridge when I get it. Thanks for your interest.

Camping Buddys · 05-13-2013, 05:26 PM

Looking fwrd to see the pics.

checca · 07-03-2013, 05:22 PM

Did you ever get them installed?

Grizzlygibbs · 07-03-2013, 08:04 PM

I did not, unfortunately. Once I got the equalizer hitch tuned in I have not had a need for it. I regret buying them now as I do not need them and can not return them. I may put them up for sale here in the classifieds but shipping would likely be a deal breaker for most

**dcheatwood** · 07-03-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzlygibbs

I did not, unfortunately. Once I got the equalizer hitch tuned in I have not had a need for it. I regret buying them now as I do not need them and can not return them. I may put them up for sale here in the classifieds but shipping would likely be a deal breaker for most

i was wondering if you really needed air bags with a wdh. i have the tundra but tow a 5th wheel. bags are needed there. glad yours worked out. you might post your bags for sale on this forum. someone else might need them.

Grizzlygibbs · 07-03-2013, 08:25 PM

I was thinking of that. Yeah I did not think I did, but my hitch was just way out of whack and I kind of jumped the gun on buying the bags although it might be nice when hauling firewood.

I will still post up if I end up installing soon.

Grizzlygibbs · 08-02-2013, 12:35 AM

Installed the bags tonight. Sure made a difference in the ride for me, I like it with about 40 psi, although, I will probably decrease that to around 25 or 30. 40 gives to much rake.

Install was easy. The most difficult part was getting the lug-nuts off that some dim-wit over torqued.

Step one: Chock front wheels, jack rear, and remove rear wheels/tires.

Step two: Use reciprocating saw to cut out rubber bumper.

Step three: Pre-assemble the bag to the top and bottom mounting plates and place in position.

Step four: Bolt lower bracket to spring assembly and install nut on combination stud in frame-well.

Step five: Install top L-Shaped air inlet and insert the red tubing.

Step six: Beer

Step seven: Run red tubing to desired mounting location. I chose rear bumper, top license plate bolt hose. (note, these did have to be drilled out slightly.)

Step eight: Repeat for driver side, add a step in between step two and three that will relocate the fuel pump control module with the supplied brackets and hardware:

Step nine: fill bags

Step ten: beer

Step eleven: inspect for leaks using soapy water on all connections.

Grizzlygibbs · 08-02-2013, 12:39 AM

Moar ;-)

Cutting the drivers side rubber stop

shot of the bag

shot of the truck at 40psi, lots of rake.

Grizzlygibbs · 08-02-2013, 12:53 AM

Last few shots showing the location of the Schrader valve mounted to the license plate. Hopefully they will not get bumped here.

More of the "after." Sorry, I forgot to get good before shots.

The picture of the guy in the pigtails with the purple shirt shows the stock height of the truck. That is my brother BTW, a bearing sea fisherman.

Hope this helps someone do the install on their Tundra. It was easy and mounting the Schrader valves to the license plate was a no brainer for me. I do not want to put a hole in your bumper. You only have to widen out the license plate hole enough to fit the Schrader valve.

golfmedik · 08-02-2013, 05:12 AM

I think you will be most pleased with the bags. Makes hauling anything heavy a delight

wfmdfm · 08-02-2013, 06:02 AM

I have them on my tundra. After doing some reading and discussing with the shop that alines my front end I found I need to keep them very low when not caring a load. Without and load I keep them at about 7lbs. Under load I try to keep the truck at its normal height. I made up a stick to check the wheelwell hieght and try to always keep it the same. They are great with a load in the truck. ^0 lbs with the trailer loaded gets me where I need to be for height. Nice looking Job!!
Wally

OldCoot · 08-02-2013, 06:59 AM

Why not loosen the spring U bolts and remove the bumpers?

**dcheatwood** · 08-02-2013, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Why not loosen the spring U bolts and remove the bumpers?

I thot that too when installing mine in 2010 but installation manual actually said "cut bumpers off." Must be too much trouble to remove them. And not having a reciprocating saw, I had to use a hack saw. Busted 13 knuckles. Lol.

**dcheatwood** · 08-02-2013, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfmdfm

I have them on my tundra. After doing some reading and discussing with the shop that alines my front end I found I need to keep them very low when not caring a load. Without and load I keep them at about 7lbs. Under load I try to keep the truck at its normal height. I made up a stick to check the wheelwell hieght and try to always keep it the same. They are great with a load in the truck. ^0 lbs with the trailer loaded gets me where I need to be for height. Nice looking Job!!
Wally

My AirLift 5000 only adjusts in increments of 5lbs. When empty I run 5lbs. Seems like no bags. Towing 5th wheel at 45-55lbs. Bags make a huge difference.

**dcheatwood** · 08-02-2013, 07:46 AM

Good install. The bags were not to complicated. The wireless air controller took a little more time and thot.

Grizzlygibbs · 08-02-2013, 10:13 AM

Thanks everyone. I did look at taking the U-bolts off to remove the rubber bumper completely but I am glad I did not as this would have added more steps to complete and, frankly, would have been a pain the the ***** (PITA). Plus good old Toyota has gone lean and about everything has a good coating of oxidation and rust so it would have been a pain to remove.

I hope your able to decipher what the pictures are and it helps someone in the install process.

Yes, the wireless does look fairly complicated.

Grizzlygibbs · 08-12-2013, 04:06 AM

You can clearly see that the rear of the truck is higher than the front. More so-than stock that I unfortunately do not have a good picture of.

This is with around 15 or 20 psi in the bags.

You may also like: