nremtp143

Georgia

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As several of you have read, I put a Firestone Ride-Rite system on my dually last week. It made a considerable difference in the ride quality of my '10 F350 DRW 4x4, both loaded and unloaded. I had searched several different companies for an on board air system an ultimately decided on the Viair 10007 system. (same one Epic put on with his train horns). I wanted to able to adjust the bag pressures from the cab and have a constant duty compressor with a tank. The Viair was it. First I started off by researching several Ford truck forums, including this one and found a bracket setup for the air tank that I loved. I wish I could take credit for this design, but found it on another forum and it just made so easy to install(almost!).  
I bought 1" square tubing with .120 wall thickness from Fastenal and 1" C channel from Tractor Supply. I used 4-10" by 1/2" diameter grade 5 bolts with nylon lock nuts to secure it to the frame. The tubing was cut 11" in length. Any longer will not work. I tried. Holes were drilled to match the legs of the tank and the width of the frame. After installing it like the pic above, I realized that I could not get my X-Large hands in there to mount the tank to the bracket. So, I took the bracket back off the truck and mounted it to the tank first and then put the bolts for the bracket up from the bottom instead of top down.  
Plenty of room to get hands and 3/4(19mm) wrench up there to tighten the bolts. You have to watch out for the wiring harness for the EGT sensor as it can get caught between the bracket and frame. The tank is mounted under the front passenger door with the pressure sensor towards the rear to protect it and the compressor is mounted under the rear passenger door on a $25 Viair mounting bracket.(only holes drilled in frame)Tank mounted
Compressor mounted  
Air chuck on passenger's side under door.
All wired into the cab for a tank guage and a Firestone Dual Pneumatic control panel. I wanted the guages to be different colors. You can get a black faced Firestone controller but the white is easier for me to see. All wired into the 30 amp Upfitter #1 switch which controls the system. I left the 30 amp inline fuse from Firestone under the dash near where I joined the Upfitter as a safety. Still have to dress up the under dash mount, hide all lines and wires and put wire loom on lines under the truck. Hopefully will get the done in the morning and add more teflon tape to air chuck to stop a small leak. I love the setup. It was a very time consuming install trying to fit everything, but all worth it now. The pressure switch comes on a 110 psi and goes off at 150 which the system is rated for. Each air bag can be inflated individually and I can do it form the driver's seat. Love this setup. If anyone is thinking about a setup like this, I hope this helps.
2012 Sandpiper 365SAQ, Goodyear G614s, TST TPMS
2010 F350 DRW 6.4L 4x4, Edge CTS, B&W Companion, Viair 10007 air system, Firestone Ride-Rites,Flo-Pro cold air pipe
2001 Excursion Limited 7.3L 4x4, V/B Springs
2001 Silverado 3500 DRW CCLB 8.1L/Allison 4x4
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ib516

Up here!

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Nice write up! Good job!
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto
HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY or DIABLO PREDATOR tuning
MBRP 4" Turbo back
Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, Rail press & Trans Temp
Torklift Stable Loads
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Perrysburg Dodgeboy

Perrysburg, Ohio USA

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Very nice write up and very nice work.
Don
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
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45Ricochet

North Idaho

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Good job! Now for the train horn 
LINK
06 Ram 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins Smarty Jr 48RE Jacobs brake
GVWR 12,200 RAWR 9350
06 Grand Junction 34' High profile 15500 GVWR 3200 pin Mor/ryde 5500 Onan genny Dual A/C Wet bolts
27' Hallett 502, 500HP
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nremtp143

Georgia

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45Ricochet wrote: Good job! Now for the train horn
LINK
SSShhhhhhh...the wife might hear you!!!!
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nremtp143

Georgia

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I've had a constant air leak since the system was installed and it was the air chuck every time. I've bought 3 different chucks(all made in Ch**a) and all 3 have leaked. So, I solved the problem by putting a 2" nipple and a ball valve shut off (and a couple of washers to take up the space)on the chuck line under the truck. Can easily be reached to turn it on and off. Until I find a decent chuck, this will do fine. Also wanted to cover the chuck to keep the water spray and dirt from getting into the end of it so after searching around, I found something that works very well for protecting the end
Available at WallyWorld for $0.97 for 4. Here's what is look like on the chuck. 
It fits REALLY WELL, so don't push it on all the way, or you will be prying to pull it off. No cold weather, so I don't how it will react as far as contracting. It is rubber so who knows.
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beardedone

alberta

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Very nice set up. What would be a "ballpark" price on a system like the one you installed?
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nremtp143

Georgia

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beardedone wrote: Very nice set up. What would be a "ballpark" price on a system like the one you installed?
If you already have airbags, around $500. The Viair 10007 system and the Firestone Dual Pneumatic control panel were purchased from www.truckaddons.com for $508 with free shipping. The bracket material cost around $25 from Fastenal and Tractor Supply. The compressor mounting bracket was bought from www.summitracing.com for around $29 with free shipping. The bolts, nuts and washers were around $15. So, under $600 and a little patience(I was a little short on that at times) you can do it similar to that. Now, I have already had to use the compressor to air up my car trailer tire today as well as the '57 Chevy I was loading. Very nice to have. We leave later in the week for a week long camping trip and I look forward to setting the airbag pressure from the cab while in motion to get it right instead of constantly stopping and changing the pressure when conditions of the road change. I bought my airbags back last fall from www.jegs.com for $249 with free shipping then. They had the best prices at the time. Hope this helps.
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beardedone

alberta

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Thanks for the information. I have wanted to do this for a while and may get started on it fairly soon.
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solman

Deep in the heart of Jersey

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Nice job nremtp143. It looks like you secured the wiring to the air discharge hose coming from the compressor. If so that hose gets real hot when the compressor is running. Respectfuly, I would think about moving it to a better spot.
Solman
2011 F-250 6.2L 4x4 3.73 FX4
2011 Keystone Fuzion 295
4 point Equalizer hitch
Wife, Kids, Dogs
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