Rear Airbags For Lifted 1500?

YZINGERR · February 23, 2009

I want to install some airbags for the rear of my truck (for leveling when dirtbikes are present).

I have read several posts about clearance issues and such. Anyone install them with 35x10.5-16 on the rear?

I am looking into several kits out there and need some help deciding what will work for me.

Thanks!

J-man67 · February 23, 2009

The tire size doesn't matter at all. What we do need to know is how much lift you have....

dlstewart01 · February 23, 2009

The tire size doesn't matter at all. What we do need to know is how much lift you have....

Tire size will matter. You have just so much room between the tire and the frame. Thats were the air-bag will be. If the tire is too wide, it will hit the air-bag.

Don

2000DV4.8 · February 23, 2009

The backspacing on the wheels is also important, but from your sig, it looks like you've got a ton of negative offset.

blankey · February 23, 2009

The AirLift Ride Control systems needs 6" between the frame and tire. So if you have that you'll be alright. You'll have to just make a spacer and will need longer U-bolts.

YZINGERR · February 23, 2009

the truck is up 6 inches in the rear (excluding the tires- just axle to frame). How is ride/handling affected with bags in the rear. I have heard of wallowing or a super stiff ride.

dlstewart01 · February 23, 2009

the truck is up 6 inches in the rear (excluding the tires- just axle to frame). How is ride/handling affected with bags in the rear. I have heard of wallowing or a super stiff ride.

Air bags will not affect the ride. Add in helper springs affect the ride. Adding air bags is the best single thing I have done for towing.

When not hauling or towing you only run 5 lbs in the bags. And I have never had to add more than 30 lbs to level me out.

I guess if you were to max out the bags it would ride stiff, but thats not what they are for.

blankey · February 24, 2009

I agree with Don, you can't tell the bags are there when it's not loaded. They were also really easy to install. If you're looking for something to keep the rear from sagging the airbags are the way to go.

YZINGERR · February 24, 2009

thanks for the replies, thats what im going to do.. now for the best-bang-for-buck kits?

blankey · February 24, 2009

When I purchased mine over the summer Amazon was the cheapest I could find and it also had free shipping.

YZINGERR · February 26, 2009

When I purchased mine over the summer Amazon was the cheapest I could find and it also had free shipping.

What kit did you get?

blankey · February 26, 2009

When I purchased mine over the summer Amazon was the cheapest I could find and it also had free shipping.

What kit did you get?

The kit I have is Air Lift Ride Control #59501. This should be the exact kit you need, since you have the same truck as I do, minus the lift kit. As I said before you'll need to come up with some sort of spacer and longer U-bolts to use.

This is a new product that Air Lift makes but I'm not sure if it would work for the Ride Control series (might only be for the 3/4 and 1 ton systems). If they would then it would solve all of your problems. Guess you would have to call and ask. http://www.airliftcompany.com/Lock-N-Lift.html Looking at the page more it says "Works with all brands of air springs," but I'd call to double check first.

If you decide to go with this let us know how it turns out. Everyone on here that uses airbags loves them.

nbscanuck · February 26, 2009

I've got a 4" lift (with blocks), I got a welding shop to weld a 4x6 block to the bottom air bag mount. If you don't do this the bags will be stretched out and they WILL fail. Here's a pic.

Air bag lift modification

blankey · February 26, 2009

I've got a 4" lift (with blocks), I got a welding shop to weld a 4x6 block to the bottom air bag mount. If you don't do this the bags will be stretched out and they WILL fail. Here's a pic.

Air bag lift modification

Yeah that would work. The only difference between the GMT-900 and the GMT-800 is the kit sits in front the the axle on the leaf spring in our kit. Yours looks like it sits on the axle.