If you deflate the bags all the way, does this effectively return the truck to factory ride and handling with all the weight returning the OEM shocks and springs, or am I missing something in this equation?

 

Also, have you gotten a chance to use your setup yet?

 

I misses the minimum pressure post up there, I assume the bag is liable to rupture if the suspension articulates around it without sufficient pressure in the bag?

 

It doesn't say why there is a minimum recommended pressure but I'm sure its to keep the air bags shape so its not folded over itself like the first pic. It would wear the air bag out quick like that. With 10psi in them I can't tell any difference in ride except for maybe on some of the big bumps it actually feels better, not quite as jarring.

I haven't had a chance to use them yet, I was suppose to do the gravel today but my class V hitch didn't show up til yesterday and I didn't want to tow without testing everything out and retorquing everything. Tomorrow I'm going to hook up to my trailer and load my company truck on it to give everything a good workout then next weekend I'll be doing the heavy load.

 

Parts that don't work:
Just finished an attempt at installing an Air Lift # 59209, on an 08 1/2 ton Silvi, with the McGaughy 3-5" drop kit.
NO WORKIE!
The Air Lift and Summit sites list this pt# as being for 4-6" drops. The problem is, they don't tell you that how the drop is done, is the "qualifier".

The McGaughy kit is simply a flip kit, with the spring remaining in the stock, [rear shackle is moved a bit], location, in relation to the frame.
The 59209 is about 4-5" too short, to allow the upper brkt to be attached to the frame. [3 of the 4 holes are below the frame side plate.]
If you use the 59565, or the long bed # 59567, the bags are a different length. [I suspect the brkts are too.] The problem w/ those 2 kits is, there's no "L brkt" included, to keep the bag mount from sliding up the spring.

So, having spent a considerable amt of wasted time, it's now back at the Summit folks....
Air Lift's little disclaimer, that is in the directions: "You mite have to cut and weld some things"... Ya, right. NOT for $300!

Just like Fox News: We report, you decide!

NE1 have any better solutions? I'm about to tow my 55 sedan about 2K miles, and don't need the assend draggin along.

 

i picked up a set of firestone ride rite bags think they were 5000# for my 2010. with a little bit of air in them they are rough riding when the pickup is empty but when loaded they work great so i generaly leave the valve open so the bags can release the air when not in use. picked them up from sd tuck springs for a steal they had a heel of a rebate going on them think the pair set me back around 250 or 300. if you have stock height suspension with the spacer blocks still in factory location and fac ride height they will bolt rite in place. however if you have lowered it a bit you may be best off to remove the bump stop bracket from the frame and make the braket fit the frame which is what i had to do since i dropped mine bout 2.5 or so in the rear.the bags would bottom out when you hit a bump...i also used a compersor setup in the left front corner so i could adjust them..

 

I had the ride rite setup on my 2000 half ton just with just a remote fill and dump. Mainly because I had S10 overloads on it. They worked pretty well but I did have to do some bracket magic since my kit was actually for a 3/4 frame rail... But they worked fine.

 

Seems they don't look at the different lowering methods.
The air bags in the 59209,[listed for a 4-6" drop], are a max of 7" and a min of 2.4". Given the flipped axle didn't move the spring, the bag is too short.
He suggested I use a stock hgt kit,[pt # 59565] and make up a couple plates for the hook on the lower bag mount.
This kit has bags that are max 10.25" min 3.1 ". This will raise the top plate up to allow bolting it on the frame....

More fun, starting over!!

 

I put em to the test yesterday

Crossed the scales just shy of 17K

Made a HUGE difference in how it towed. Had to use about 80psi to get it level(~2" below unloaded height) but it soaked up the bumps great and made me feel much safer. Ill never have another truck without them, well worth the money.

 

Nice Love it! Did you buy a kit designed for our trucks or did you just get the airbags and go from there? Whenever i finally get transferred out pf this desert and back home I plan on following your path and installing bags and a beefy hitch to haul all my stuff back east; just trying to get a really good idea of what all is involved.