Just wanted to share my experience. i just installed my Billsteins and the Firestone Ride-Rite Air Springs (5K Overload Capacity). I love them. Did the Billstiens first and test drove. The truck rode alot better. Almost as good as a car. But I have 2k lbs in the bed of the truck.

I then installed the Firestone Ride-Rite air springs. I had the Air Lift air springs in my old Tahoe and I loved them. I love these as well. Took the added load off the leaf springs to keep from early deteriation. Rose my truck up a bit as well. Test drove it and enjoyed the ride. I put 53lbs of pressure in mine. The max capacity is 100lbs of pressure. There was a heat shield for the passenger side spring that I never got with the air lift ones before.

It was a fairly easy install. I only had to drill the 2 holes for the 2 valves. I didn't put in a compressor or anything extra. I place the valves on the hitch near the holes for the chains.

Copnsiderring I have no luck at posting pics, send me a pm with an email address for me to send some pics of the install.

I also just installed the Firestone riderite system. At first I did not do the compressor but 1 week later I went ahead and installed the single valve system and do I love it now, WOW is all I can say. Did the billsteins really help the ride, my truck is so STIFF. Go better not hit a speed bump over 1 mph and no I do not have but 5 psi in the bags when not loaded.
DAN

i too just installed ride rite bags i like them alot seems like it rides softer in the back but feels like a pogo stick in the front when im towing do those billstein shock make a diffrence thanks :help:

i too just installed ride rite bags i like them alot seems like it rides softer in the back but feels like a pogo stick in the front when im towing do those billstein shock make a diffrence thanks :help:

YES

yes, the billsteins make a great deal of difference.

I also just installed the Firestone riderite system. At first I did not do the compressor but 1 week later I went ahead and installed the single valve system and do I love it now, WOW is all I can say. Did the billsteins really help the ride, my truck is so STIFF. Go better not hit a speed bump over 1 mph and no I do not have but 5 psi in the bags when not loaded.
DAN
you may want to check but I think the minimum level should be 10psi. i will check mine. but with my load, I am at 53psi for now.

My air rides state 5-100 PSI with 5 being Min. and 100 being Max.

cwq21, who is the manufacturer of yours air rides? they are all different for the manufacturer specs on the safety side of things. I have yet to look at my documentation right now. will do in a few when I go into the garage.

yes 5lbs is the minimum. but as i was reading their information on line, 50lbs is good for 2500lbs of added weight. so you can figure on the weight in the bed of the truck as to how much air. 5lbs will help you with 250lbs of weight in the bed of the truck.

I put the firestone air bags on mine, also went with their automatic air leveling system. You don't have to put any guages in the cab, and you never have to worry about having too much, or too little air in the bags. Truck is always level no matter if its empty or loaded. Works great, although I'm sure a lot of you guys want to be able to fiddle with the air pressure a bit.

Hey socal, do you you have any pictures or does anyone else have any pictures of the airbags installed on a 2005 GMC or Chevy?

Also, what was the cost of the airbags with auto leveling system, that sounds like the one for me...I would rather not fiddle with it.

I got the whole thing done for $550. The leveling part only added another $90, the rest was the bags and air compressor, which if you did the inside controls you would need anyway.

I've got to get some pics up. Just been lazy I guess.

Let me attempt to attach pics again . if it doesn't work, then pm me with email address.

I just installed Billsteins to get rid of the pogoing, they made the ride better. I haven't towed yet but I feel it is going to help. Mine pogoed so bad I thought I was going to bounce off the road going around a curve on a bridge, can't be any worse than what came on the truck.

I install the Bilsteins with only 300 miles on my truck and they made the biggest differance in handling... I also have the Firestone Ride-Rite bags, which will go on this weekend... Thanks NCMIC for the pictures as I was trying to come up with a place to mount the air valves... I tow a 12,500 lb. 5th wheel and I'm sure the air springs will help... The Bilsteins made a big change, for the better, in towing........Triffid

Triffid, the only thing to be aware of is when installating the heat shield on the driverside. I did most of my assembly tightening while I was under the truck. Didn't even have to jack it up. This way everything is where it needs to be. Also the heat sleeves are nice, that come with the kit, for being near the exhaust. when you are underneath, the best way to route the airlines are through the frame and between the truck bed frame. you'll see once you are under it. and you'll be able to tiewrap the line to existing cable runs on drivers side. on the passenger side, find anything you can secure the line to in order to keep clear of the exhaust.