Anyone with Airlift air bags, need help deciding... any issues with factory puck system?

[jdavenp3]

I talked to my local installer and he said some of the Airlift bags may have issues clearing the factory puck system during installation and to contact Air Lift directly. I did that and the rep said that there shouldn't be an issue. He did comment that their Ultimate Plus with the internal jounce bumpstops were a pain the in ass and recommended not going with those.

I just wanted to talk to those that have had them installed about which kit you went with and if there were any clearance issues during installation, etc.

Also, what controller did you go with?

 

[SamuraiJones44]

I talked to my local installer and he said some of the Airlift bags may have issues clearing the factory puck system during installation and to contact Air Lift directly. I did that and the rep said that there shouldn't be an issue. He did comment that their Ultimate Plus with the internal jounce bumpstops were a pain the in ass and recommended not going with those.

I just wanted to talk to those that have had them installed about which kit you went with and if there were any clearance issues during installation, etc.

Also, what controller did you go with?

Sounds like you need to talk to a different installer. The bags will not be anywhere near the Ford factory pucks.

 

[LoneStar Tremor]

I’ve got the airlift ultimate plus on mine and so far they’ve been working great. I paid a shop to do the install to save on time, but as far as I know there weren’t any issues.

 

[hedge]

Agree with above, the air bags replace the bump stops so they sit in the same place so can't see how anyone would think they have any issues with the factory 5th wheel. I do have the 5th wheel kit on my truck and no issues at all. I went with the airlift 74000 controller, I wanted the dual-path as I carry a truck camper. Below is a link to my install which is a bit different as I installed a set of used bags that a buddy gave me off his 2017.

My airbag install

Everyone and their dog has installed air bags so nothing earth shattering there. I just wanted to document a couple things that I did differently. My bags were given to me 2nd hand from a buddy. They were meant for a 2017 truck so I had a couple issues. -2 of the 4 air bag 'cups' was ruined...

www.fordtremor.com

 

[jdavenp3]

Thank y’all. It was a bit weird on both ends of the conversation from the installer and the rep. I didn’t want to argue with either as I’m not an expert but both sides didn’t seem like they knew the products very well.

I explained to the rep a few times about it being a Tremor package and he said well if the u bolts supplied don’t fit just go to the hardware store and buy longer ones and you may need axle spacers. I said well I’m looking online at different sites and these part numbers specifically say Tremors are included. That’s when I mentioned the ultimate plus kit and he proceeded to tell me the jounces were PIA.

I may very well call a different installer and speak to them.

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

I talked to my local installer and he said some of the Airlift bags may have issues clearing the factory puck system during installation and to contact Air Lift directly. I did that and the rep said that there shouldn't be an issue. He did comment that their Ultimate Plus with the internal jounce bumpstops were a pain the in ass and recommended not going with those.

I just wanted to talk to those that have had them installed about which kit you went with and if there were any clearance issues during installation, etc.

Also, what controller did you go with?

Why are the Ultimate Plus with the internal jounce bumpers a pain? I just ordered mine, but have not installed them yet, so any details would be appreciated. My installer also recommended them because you can run 0 psi when not towing...

I ordered the 25980EZ WirelessOne controller which has a single path. The 74000 EZ has dual air paths. I also ordered the Daystar Cradles KU09140BK because they allow full suspension travel on the Tremor without tearing the airbags.

 

[jdavenp3]

Why are the Ultimate Plus with the internal jounce bumpers a pain? I just ordered mine, but have not installed them yet, so any details would be appreciated. My installer also recommended them because you can run 0 psi when not towing...

I ordered the 25980EZ WirelessOne controller which has a single path. The 74000 EZ has dual air paths. I also ordered the Daystar Cradles KU09140BK because they allow full suspension travel on the Tremor without tearing the airbags.

I have really no clue honestly. Thats just what the AirLift rep passed along to me. He recommended the 7500 bags for "overkill", I wanted the Ultimate Plus 5000 so I could ride at 0psi when not in use, all others have to be at 5psi. Not sure that makes a hill of beans but it is what it is.

Thanks a ton for that daystar cradle part number. I probably will never push my Tremor to off-roading limits but that would be great to have peace of mind if we travel out west and do some minor off-roading.

 

[LoneStar Tremor]

Why are the Ultimate Plus with the internal jounce bumpers a pain? I just ordered mine, but have not installed them yet, so any details would be appreciated. My installer also recommended them because you can run 0 psi when not towing...

I ordered the 25980EZ WirelessOne controller which has a single path. The 74000 EZ has dual air paths. I also ordered the Daystar Cradles KU09140BK because they allow full suspension travel on the Tremor without tearing the airbags.

I don’t think there was any real issue with the install. I’ve got the 5000 ultimate plus with the internal bumpers on mine. I didn’t personally install them, but while trying to figure out how to install the daystar cradles, the shop I went to installed the airbags, removed them and then reinstalled them all in the course of an hour or so so I could help walk them through what the point of the daystar cradles were and how they needed to line up. It didn’t seem like installing the airbags was a chore at all, especially considering they make a set specifically for this generation of superduty.

The cradles were a bit of an issue and right now they’re sitting in my garage until I have time to install them myself. The issue I ran into was the holes the cradles have for mounting to the plate that sits on the axle doesn’t line up with the pre-drilled holes in the plates provided by air lift. The guy installing them at the shop said he thought they would bolt right on to a firstone brand setup, but apparently airlift uses a different bolt pattern. Not a huge deal, but it seems like if you want to install those with an airlift kit you need to drill your own holes in the mounting plate. Hopefully someone else who has installed those on an airlift setup will chime in on whether or not that’s the best way to go about that.

Other than that though the bags are great. Even with 5psi in them they ride really nice, and I cross a 1.5 mile bridge almost everyday dropping the kids off at school. I wired my compressor to an upfitter switch so when I’m not using the bags I can turn off power to the compressor and drain the bags through the manual fill line that they installed above my license plate. Played with that a little and I don’t think it makes a big difference in ride, but it’s nice to have.

 

[hedge]

I wouldn't go with the 7500 bags. I believe they are bigger diameter so you may have problems installing and entirely unnecessary on our trucks.

I have also read that people had dislikes with the Ultimate system but can't remember if it was because of the ss lines or the jounce bumpers. I think it was on ford-trucks.com back when I was reading every thread on there trying to find anyone else that installed their compressor in the cab. Sorry don't have direct links.

 

[hedge]

I don’t think there was any real issue with the install. I’ve got the 5000 ultimate plus with the internal bumpers on mine. I didn’t personally install them, but while trying to figure out how to install the daystar cradles, the shop I went to installed the airbags, removed them and then reinstalled them all in the course of an hour or so so I could help walk them through what the point of the daystar cradles were and how they needed to line up. It didn’t seem like installing the airbags was a chore at all, especially considering they make a set specifically for this generation of superduty.

The cradles were a bit of an issue and right now they’re sitting in my garage until I have time to install them myself. The issue I ran into was the holes the cradles have for mounting to the plate that sits on the axle doesn’t line up with the pre-drilled holes in the plates provided by air lift. The guy installing them at the shop said he thought they would bolt right on to a firstone brand setup, but apparently airlift uses a different bolt pattern. Not a huge deal, but it seems like if you want to install those with an airlift kit you need to drill your own holes in the mounting plate. Hopefully someone else who has installed those on an airlift setup will chime in on whether or not that’s the best way to go about that.

Other than that though the bags are great. Even with 5psi in them they ride really nice, and I cross a 1.5 mile bridge almost everyday dropping the kids off at school. I wired my compressor to an upfitter switch so when I’m not using the bags I can turn off power to the compressor and drain the bags through the manual fill line that they installed above my license plate. Played with that a little and I don’t think it makes a big difference in ride, but it’s nice to have.

I installed the daystar cradles and found that they indeed did not line up with the center of the bracket. I just did a test fit and found the natural landing spot and that's where I drilled my hole. The bigger pain is the axle cup as I then had to drill a bigger hole in the axle cap to allow clearance for the bolt head that attaches the cradles. Maybe you'll come up with a better way of doing this. I should have taken pictures but sorry i didn't. I do have a pic with them installed in the above link.

 

[SMP220]

I tried to install ultimate 5000 plus on my 2020 tremor. Nope it doesn’t fit well at all. When wheels were back on on the ground. The jounce bump stop was already being squished. Had 3.5 inches of travel. No f&$king way! Took them off and went with Firestone model 2600 and took off the overload springs. Installed daystar cradles. I test them when towing my toy hauler. This is the way to go!

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

I tried to install ultimate 5000 plus on my 2020 tremor. Nope it doesn’t fit well at all. When wheels were back on on the ground. The jounce bump stop was already being squished. Had 3.5 inches of travel. No f&$king way! Took them off and went with Firestone model 2600 and took off the overload springs. Installed daystar cradles. I test them when towing my toy hauler. This is the way to go!

Sounds like you got the wrong ones. The Ultimate 5000s fit great on my 2021 Tremor and after using them on the drive from SE Texas to Yellowstone, they were fantastic!

 

[stufarmer]

I have zero issues with Air Lift 5000's. I chose their up-graded Stainless hardware kit a Braided Lines. A very nice, easy to install kit. The ride, if anything is improved. Don't use the the word Tremor when Buying Air Bags. Get bags designed for factory Overloads. ie .. a standard F350 SRW.

 

[SMP220]

Sounds like you got the wrong ones. The Ultimate 5000s fit great on my 2021 Tremor and after using them on the drive from SE Texas to Yellowstone, they were fantastic!

That’s the one I ordered and tried to install. For some reason it just doesn’t fit right. Also careful how you go off-road or when your truck gets a service at the garage (lifts up on a hoist) the bags will tear apart.

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

That’s the one I ordered and tried to install. For some reason it just doesn’t fit right. Also careful how you go off-road or when your truck gets a service at the garage (lifts up on a hoist) the bags will tear apart.

As Stu mentioned, I bought the ones for a standard rear wheel drive F250, which work great on a Tremor. I also added daystar cradles, so they will not rip. Read my build thread for the details.

The search feature can be your friend and would have saved you the hassle of buying the wrong ones.

 

[911Tremor]

I’ve searched the threads that popped up in regards to installing Airbags, but I didn’t see any mention of the location of the control box and compressor other than underneath the truck bed along the frame rail. I saw a great pic of one installed along a frame rail in a fairly open space underneath but I couldn’t get the location figured out for it.
I have heard of people installing the compressors in the truck bed or inside the cab behind the rear bench seat, but no pics of those.

My question is would there be room to install the compressor if an aftermarket higher capacity (55/65 gal) fuel tank was already installed?

Has anyone here installed a larger fuel tank and then the compressor for the airbags?
I plan on installing a larger fuel tank before I have the airbag system installed.

Thanks!

 

[SMP220]

I’ve searched the threads that popped up in regards to installing Airbags, but I didn’t see any mention of the location of the control box and compressor other than underneath the truck bed along the frame rail. I saw a great pic of one installed along a frame rail in a fairly open space underneath but I couldn’t get the location figured out for it.
I have heard of people installing the compressors in the truck bed or inside the cab behind the rear bench seat, but no pics of those.

My question is would there be room to install the compressor if an aftermarket higher capacity (55/65 gal) fuel tank was already installed?

Has anyone here installed a larger fuel tank and then the compressor for the airbags?
I plan on installing a larger fuel tank before I have the airbag system installed.

Thanks!

I put mine behind the rear seat on left side

 

[911Tremor]

VERY nice install! ?
Thanks for posting!

 

[penn-stomper]

I’ve searched the threads that popped up in regards to installing Airbags, but I didn’t see any mention of the location of the control box and compressor other than underneath the truck bed along the frame rail. I saw a great pic of one installed along a frame rail in a fairly open space underneath but I couldn’t get the location figured out for it.
I have heard of people installing the compressors in the truck bed or inside the cab behind the rear bench seat, but no pics of those.

My question is would there be room to install the compressor if an aftermarket higher capacity (55/65 gal) fuel tank was already installed?

Has anyone here installed a larger fuel tank and then the compressor for the airbags?
I plan on installing a larger fuel tank before I have the airbag system installed.

Thanks!

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[SMP220]

VERY nice install! ?
Thanks for posting!

Straight battery power with a fuse link to compressor and a relay, upfitter switch #2 trigger relay and turns on air compressor.