19 replies to this topic

[Bajaahh]

I've been running RideRite airbags on my 08 Taco since putting the Finch on my truck in 2009. I also had the Toyota 4 leaf TSB added to the truck. I have never had a single problem with this set up since installation. 
The install was easy if you have a basic set of tools, a floor jack, some beers, and a little patience. The airbags are usually "no drill" depending on the year of your truck. Which means you dont need to drill a hole in your frame. It was EASY.
When I have the camper on(80% of the time), or if Im towing my 6000# boat, I inflate the bags to 50psi. It keeps the truck level and rides just fine. The only "roll" you will feel is when you are trying to take a turn faster than you should be with a 1000# camper.
Otherwise, I take the camper off and keep 5psi in the bags to keep them exercised.

I did add some FOX Shocks with reservoirs since I tend to do a lot of dirt roads and off-roading. If you add a big leaf package, the truck will probably ride real stiff in the rear when your camper is off. I believe I paid $325 for them. Why not have the best of both worlds with the airbags..?

[Hardcastle]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll be going with the OLd Man Emu HD setup. I'm trying to avoid the air bags but it sounds like it's the best option.

[JHanson]

If you plan to remove the camper between trips, air bags are really the way to go. Any leaf spring setup sufficient to level the truck with the camper on it will be absurdly stiff without it. We have stock Tacoma springs with Australian Boss air bags and adjustable Boss shocks on ours. With the camper off we can deflate the bags and dial down the shocks to regain a reasonable ride.

[Hardcastle]

Just wanted to report back in case anyone else has the same question. Like many mentioned above i think the airbags were a good choice for my setup as i don't keep the FWC on full time. If I did keep it on full time i'd probably go with a custom spring sufficient for the load. I used the Firestone bags with the Daystar cradles. Super easy install and I went a head and replaced the hardware with grade 8 stuff to avoid failures that I read happen frequently. 

 

With Camper

The ride is more stable and it leveled out the truck. I went on some pretty bad roads and it was an ok ride. You definitely know the bags are there and your suspension travel is limited. I'm used to no camper and going fast so it's an adjustment. Overall i'm happy. 

 

Without camper

I keep the bags at 5 psi when unloaded. The ride is a bit firmer on bumps but i'm driving a 13 year old pickup so it's not too concerning. Time will tell how the bags hold up to the salty winter roads here in Utah. I am losing about 1 pound of air a week in one of the bags and i can't seem to find the leak. The other bag stays perfect. I've read the supplied air lines are less than desirable so if anyone has recommendations on what's better let me know. Thanks. 

[coho51]

I have a1998 extra cab with same motor. I have a Falcon and I put on the Old Man Emu rear springs. I only had 1" clearance before I would put the camper on and it dropped 2" so I then installed the Timbren bump stops and this is a sweet ride now. I also haul a drift boat around and there's no more drop and still nice ride.

[RC Pilot Jim]

HardCastle,

I went to a local truck spring shop, said I needed to support 1500 pounds and bought a custom 5 leaf set for the 1999 Tacoma, X-cab 4cyl, 4WD.(about $600).  Our Eagle shell weighs 1000 pounds dry. We mounte the Shell full time.

 

Additionally we had a Helwig sway bar and 31x10.50 R15 LT tires. Other than the no performance over 60 MPH.issue the Truck easily handled the load and sat flat filled with gear, food, water, etc for a week off the grid.

[MidnightRider]

I run Airbags and do pretty well.

 

 

[Hardcastle]

I'm reporting back on this again. I ended up buying OME supsension. I went with the full kit. 882 coils up front and the standard leaf pack in the rear. The un-loaded ride height is perfectly level and considerably better than my old worn out suspension. I kept the air bags on to help when the camper is on the truck. I'm headed to Moab next week and hopefully this setup works well.

[MidAtlantic]

I took delivery of an ATC Bobcat about a month ago, and put it on a 2014 Tacoma TRD Offf Road with only Firestone air bags installed beyond the stock suspension and tires.  With 35 psi in the bags on very rough dirt roads, it was bone jarring.  When I got home, I tried 50 psi - what  difference!  I could see the truck rise up as the air went in and the ride was so much smoother, albeit with a bit more sway.  So, my advice is experiment with the air pressure.  (Doh.)

[Hardcastle]

Reporting back again if anyone has a similar setup and cares. The OME front and rear springs along with airbags has been great. I've been on and off road and everything is performing well. It handled a trip in Moab flawlessly and i'm headed to Toroweap today for another long weekend.