I currently have a set of Firestone airbags that have yet to be put on but will be doing it in the next 2 weeks. I would like to put on a compressor, and need your advice. For a slight difference in price, I can get a Viair 10007 kit for my truck. I want a 100% duty cycle compressor and this fits the bill. However, I just realized I will need a Firestone control panel as well. Is anyone out there running a setup similar to this? If so, how do you like it? I want to be able to adjust the air on the road, the wireless would be nice but for similar money I could get this system. Thanks for your help.
I'm currently installing this very same setup in my truck.
I didn't run the wireless because in order to do so, you have to have a dedicated compressor for the airbags. I spent about an hour on the phone with the Ride-Rite tech line and neither of us could figure out how to run such a system with an auxiliary air tank (I wanted on-board air, not just airbags)
I decided to use an "analog" in-cab inflation system to avoid having 2 compressors. I just ordered a 2149 single cab control kit, my 2535 airbag kit, and the Viair 10007. I am plumbing/wiring the rest myself.
Quite frankly, the most difficult part was fabricating a mount for the airtank. I have electric steps, so mounting the tank alongside or directly to the frame rails was a no-go. I ended up making a mounting plate to fit the tank just in front of the passenger side fender well on my DRW. The air compressor goes right next to the tank on the frame rail.
If you're not interested in having the airbags inflate independently, make sure you order/source a union t-fitting since the airbag kits don't normally come with 'em. P/N 3025 (they come in a 25 pack from Firestone, so don't freak out over the $100+ price, just order a single one from etrailer.com or someplace like that)
2012 Ford F-350 6.7L 4x4 Lariat CC DRW
2011 Blue Ridge 3025RL
Go to the auto wrecker, get a compressor from a vehicle that has air suspension. They have a switch mech. that will let you pump up the system to whatever pressure you need(You'll need a guage in the line). I used a 3 way switch to operate the pump. One way it pumps, middle it's off, the other way it lets the air off the system. Works perfectly for the last 5 yrs.
45 ACP wrote: I'm currently installing this very same setup in my truck.
I didn't run the wireless because in order to do so, you have to have a dedicated compressor for the airbags. I spent about an hour on the phone with the Ride-Rite tech line and neither of us could figure out how to run such a system with an auxiliary air tank (I wanted on-board air, not just airbags)
I decided to use an "analog" in-cab inflation system to avoid having 2 compressors. I just ordered a 2149 single cab control kit, my 2535 airbag kit, and the Viair 10007. I am plumbing/wiring the rest myself.
Quite frankly, the most difficult part was fabricating a mount for the airtank. I have electric steps, so mounting the tank alongside or directly to the frame rails was a no-go. I ended up making a mounting plate to fit the tank just in front of the passenger side fender well on my DRW. The air compressor goes right next to the tank on the frame rail.
If you're not interested in having the airbags inflate independently, make sure you order/source a union t-fitting since the airbag kits don't normally come with 'em. P/N 3025 (they come in a 25 pack from Firestone, so don't freak out over the $100+ price, just order a single one from etrailer.com or someplace like that)
Just ordered a couple of t-fittings from Etrailer. Found a place with an awesome deal on a Viair 10007, just trying to justify it to myself(as well as my wife). I like the idea of having air when I need it, for the same price(maybe less) as a wireless system. A forum friend of mine posted a Viair install on youtube with this system and his train horns. Going to try and follow his fabrication of the tank bracket. I liked the way he ran his breather for the compressor up into the cab to keep it clean. Nice idea. Thanks for the etrailer source for parts. Have used them for years, didn't think about them in this situation though. Also found a plastic line tubing cutter that I have been scouring the net for there. Let us know how it turns out.
EDIT** Did you run the bags through the tank , or did you put in the T from the compressor to the tank and run the bags on one line and the tank on the other ?
* This post was
edited 05/09/12 07:02pm by nremtp143 *
EDIT** Did you run the bags through the tank , or did you put in the T from the compressor to the tank and run the bags on one line and the tank on the other ?
I ran the bags through the tank. The compressor runs off my Upfitter 2 switch along with the pressure switch on the tank. The compressor only turns on when the air tank pressure drops below 110 psi. I didn't want to have to source fittings for the large hose on the outlet side of the compressor.
I ran an airline from the tank, into the cab, and to the "in" side of the controller. Then I ran the "out" line back out to the bags with the T-fitting inline to make the bags inflate/deflate equally.
I am also planning on tapping into the tank to cab line for a pair of QD connections (airing up tires, air tools, etc)
Train horns are in the not so distant future as well!
** Edited for clarity **
* This post was
edited 05/09/12 10:46pm by 45 ACP *
Perrysburg Dodgeboy 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT Cummins HO
2005 Keystone Cougar 304 BHS
Chrysler the only one to pay back 100% of their loans from the Government. *The Old Car Company" still owes 1.6 billion. Is that better Chuckles
stsmark wrote: Aren't the bags supposed to be independent to keep the pressure's balanced on a side to side load like a corner?
The way I understand it is that dual controls are particularly helpful if the load you are carrying is uneven. For pulling trailers, either by bumper or 5th wheel, single controls are fine due to the load being centered and no possibility of shifting.
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