Will Air Lift or Firestone Air Bag Kit Work with a Lowered 2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty

Question:

HI. Iam looking at 2 different air bag systems. Iam looking at the Firestone double convoluted kit vs the Air Lift 5000 kit. Is there a minimum and maximum space these bags need between the brackets? I noticed the Firestone have adjustable brackets but the Air Lift kit doesnt. To me it looks like the Firestone bags will collapse more than the Air Lift bags with very low pressure in them. I have a 2002 f350 dually 2wd with an air lift 5000 kit on it. I would like to lower the rear of the truck 2 or three inches with a shackle to level it a little. Will these bags squish a little or do you recommend another product?

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

Air bag kits are designed to be installed on vehicles with stock suspension height. Some kits allow you to install a spacer if your vehicle has a lift (not all lift kits are compatible), but they won't work with a lowered truck.

The Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs # F2550 you're looking at for your 2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty need the bags to have at least 5 psi of air in them and then the air bags need to be standing at least 5-1/2" - 7" tall before you start traveling. There are different holes in the brackets for the Firestone but the instructions call for you to install them in their lowest setting possible so if you plan on lowering your truck and your Air Lift springs aren't going to work then we need to go a different direction.

To have suspension enhancement on a lowered truck I recommend looking into the SumoSprings Solo Custom Helper Springs # SSR-114-54. These measure 5" tall (including the mounting bracket) and replace your OEM bump stops. If they engage too quickly we've been told by SuperSprings that you can trim off the bottom of the springs.

expert reply by: Jon G