Firestone 2582 Air Helper Spring Kit , Black

I have a leveled 2019 F150 with Bilstein 5100s front and back, 34" BFG tires. I also have the Hellwig rear swaybar. The install was pretty straight forward. The frame brackets took a bit of tetris to get the screws to line up with the internal frame brackets. I noticed a huge improvement in how the truck tows and handles a load in the bed. The trucks doesn't feel mushy with the weight and the bags also added lateral stability. One comment and word of caution is the bags did considerably stiffen up my ride when i am not loaded. Even with only 5psig in the bags i can still feel the leaf springs compressing the air bags which has a bouncy feeling (definitely not as plush as the truck was). I did add the daystar airbag cradles. I would highly recommend these as they ... MoreI have a leveled 2019 F150 with Bilstein 5100s front and back, 34" BFG tires. I also have the Hellwig rear swaybar. The install was pretty straight forward. The frame brackets took a bit of tetris to get the screws to line up with the internal frame brackets. I noticed a huge improvement in how the truck tows and handles a load in the bed. The trucks doesn't feel mushy with the weight and the bags also added lateral stability. One comment and word of caution is the bags did considerably stiffen up my ride when i am not loaded. Even with only 5psig in the bags i can still feel the leaf springs compressing the air bags which has a bouncy feeling (definitely not as plush as the truck was). I did add the daystar airbag cradles. I would highly recommend these as they allow for more articulation and help with the bouncy feeling. I have also been running 250lbs of sand in my bed and that helps smooth the ride.

This kit was the right way to go for me. I was trying to decide between bags or bumpstops. Glad I chose the bags. They were easy to install, I did mine on a lift in my shop and left the wheels on. The entire kit is very well made. The instructions are ok, look up some videos instead. There are two locations that the top bracket above the bag can be installed. At first I was in the bottom set like everyone else did, this was too much rake and made it more difficult to get my ProPride3P hitch to distribute trailer tongue weight because the back of the truck was so high with only 10psi. So I moved to the top set of holes and everything came out great. Ride height is pretty much stock using the upper bolt holes, perfect for everyday use, no harsh ride at all, and with ... MoreThis kit was the right way to go for me. I was trying to decide between bags or bumpstops. Glad I chose the bags. They were easy to install, I did mine on a lift in my shop and left the wheels on. The entire kit is very well made. The instructions are ok, look up some videos instead. There are two locations that the top bracket above the bag can be installed. At first I was in the bottom set like everyone else did, this was too much rake and made it more difficult to get my ProPride3P hitch to distribute trailer tongue weight because the back of the truck was so high with only 10psi. So I moved to the top set of holes and everything came out great. Ride height is pretty much stock using the upper bolt holes, perfect for everyday use, no harsh ride at all, and with only 15psi (unloaded) I can hitch my trailer and everything levels out perfect. I can run 15psi all the time, with and without my trailer. Stage 3 has always been good to work with as well.

The kit was fairly easy to install after I had to make a run to Home Depot to get bolts and nuts that were missing from the kit. I called Firestone Technical Support and they told me that they were just Grade 5 Bolts and I can go get them at a hardware store. I am disappointed that the kit was missing items, which is not Stage 3 Motorsports fault, it is Firestone's issue. I have not used the air bags as yet as we are in snow country and will not be towing till spring time, but the ride of the truck with the air bags inflated to the minimum of 10 psi is great, no noticeable difference. I am looking forward to towing our boat and horse trailer with the help of the air bags in the spring time.

Bought these bags to assist with squatting when I pull my tandem axle trailer. It ain't no 5th wheel but these bags helped a lot with the squat since I have a lift. I installed this kit on the ground with the rear wheels still in place. You don't need lift or anything fancy. I noticed it came with a plastic L - bracket to mount the air line fill valves to. In my opinion that is kinda lame... zip Tying your fill valves some where. Take the time. Route your lines neat back to the license plate. Remove Your license plate screws. Drill them out. And install your fill valves where your existing license plate bolts were. Simple. No crawling under to reach your valves. Hook up your trailer. Your valves are right In front of you. Looks clean. Very efficient. Over all great kit.

2019 Ford F150 XLT. I had not ever installed these before so the first one one took awhile but th...

2019 Ford F150 XLT. I had not ever installed these before so the first one one took awhile but the second went right on. I felt like the instructions could have been s little clearer. When the parts are laid out, the upper and lower brackets look the same but there is a left side and a right side. This had me thinking they were not going to fit for awhile until I figured that out. Only on the parts list did I see this mentioned. Anyway it did fit very well and not extremely hard to install. I ran the passenger side air line across the rear end to a T fitting and then back along the wiring harness to a drilled hole beside my license plate, zip tying the air line along the way. Had to do one air line attachment over because of very slight leak.

I installed these bags on a 2015 F150 3.5L Ecoboost. The truck rides great from the factory but s...

I installed these bags on a 2015 F150 3.5L Ecoboost. The truck rides great from the factory but sags with the slightest amount of weight in the bed or on a trailer. I tried Timbrens and although they are a decent product the negatively effected the ride and I pulled them off. I purchased the Firestone bags & paired it with an Air Lift Wireless One on board compressor and couldn't be happier. The ride is not effected and the bags fill and empty quick as needed. I ride with 5lbs as instructed with no issues. I haven't had a chance to put a large load behind the truck yet but I will return and update the review if towing anything heavy drops my rating. As of right now they are as advertised, easy to install, and a solid product all around UPDATE 1/29/2020: I hauled an ... MoreI installed these bags on a 2015 F150 3.5L Ecoboost. The truck rides great from the factory but sags with the slightest amount of weight in the bed or on a trailer. I tried Timbrens and although they are a decent product the negatively effected the ride and I pulled them off. I purchased the Firestone bags & paired it with an Air Lift Wireless One on board compressor and couldn't be happier. The ride is not effected and the bags fill and empty quick as needed. I ride with 5lbs as instructed with no issues. I haven't had a chance to put a large load behind the truck yet but I will return and update the review if towing anything heavy drops my rating. As of right now they are as advertised, easy to install, and a solid product all around UPDATE 1/29/2020: I hauled an 11,000lbs load with my half ton truck and was able to level out the load safely with the bags. They enhanced stabilization and handling and made me a lot more comfortable pulling the big load. 5 stars all around.

I would not be able to recommend this item enough. It is amazing! I pull a 9,000lb 35ft travel tr...

I would not be able to recommend this item enough. It is amazing! I pull a 9,000lb 35ft travel trailer with a 2018 F-150 Super Crew with a short bed. My trailer would squat my rear suspension and cause lift on the front tires. Even with a load leveling, weight distribution hitch, I would still have sway issues. After installing these bags, my truck was able return to stock height and regain the needed weight over the steer tires. It was a night and day difference in the quality of ride allowed better control in windy conditions. They also alleviated the suspension bounce while driving down the highway and no more sway issues. Installation was not difficult and could be completed with basic hand tools. Though removing rear wheels would make the install much easier, I ... MoreI would not be able to recommend this item enough. It is amazing! I pull a 9,000lb 35ft travel trailer with a 2018 F-150 Super Crew with a short bed. My trailer would squat my rear suspension and cause lift on the front tires. Even with a load leveling, weight distribution hitch, I would still have sway issues. After installing these bags, my truck was able return to stock height and regain the needed weight over the steer tires. It was a night and day difference in the quality of ride allowed better control in windy conditions. They also alleviated the suspension bounce while driving down the highway and no more sway issues. Installation was not difficult and could be completed with basic hand tools. Though removing rear wheels would make the install much easier, I was still able to complete installation without removing them. Firestone included a mount for the air up valves but I decided to run my air lines to the rear if my truck and have them set up to pass through my license plate. Having them set up this way makes adjusting pressure very easy and also protects them from road debris.

Installed on 2018 F 150 XLT 2WD Supercrew. Towing a 30 ft Aluminum frame travel trailer. Likely 5...

Installed on 2018 F 150 XLT 2WD Supercrew. Towing a 30 ft Aluminum frame travel trailer. Likely 5500-6250 with gear. 4 bicycles, firewood usually in bed of truck. Truck was sagging 3+ inches before bags. F150 with 2.7 Eco is likely light in the front, needs towing help. Ease of install, not as easy as some of the others say. First automotive project in my life at age 46. You need the Milwaukee cordless ratchet with regular and deep sockets to make this easier. I attempted without, stopped went out and bought the tool. Was then much easier. I purchased jack stands but did not buy a floor jack. Test for air leaks frequently. I had one leak around one bag, my fault. Tightened as mentioned in the instructions, has stopped leak, had bags on about a month. Towing, made a ... MoreInstalled on 2018 F 150 XLT 2WD Supercrew. Towing a 30 ft Aluminum frame travel trailer. Likely 5500-6250 with gear. 4 bicycles, firewood usually in bed of truck. Truck was sagging 3+ inches before bags. F150 with 2.7 Eco is likely light in the front, needs towing help. Ease of install, not as easy as some of the others say. First automotive project in my life at age 46. You need the Milwaukee cordless ratchet with regular and deep sockets to make this easier. I attempted without, stopped went out and bought the tool. Was then much easier. I purchased jack stands but did not buy a floor jack. Test for air leaks frequently. I had one leak around one bag, my fault. Tightened as mentioned in the instructions, has stopped leak, had bags on about a month. Towing, made a 250 mile roundtrip up to a local lake, made towing much better. You can still tell you are towing, but towing while level gives more confidence. I hook up, use weight distribution then put 35 lbs of air in bags to get level. Then use two Camco sway bars. Ride with 5lbs of air is stiffer, no doubt. I am getting used to it. Truck sits 3/4 " higher in the back without load. Would I purchase again, yes.

The install is straightforward. I didn't take off the wheels, remove the spare, move the brake li...

The install is straightforward. I didn't take off the wheels, remove the spare, move the brake lines, or even jack up the truck. There was enough room for me to do the install without it, although it's tight and you will have a much easier time if you do some or all of those things. You will need a deep 14mm socket for the bolts included in the kit. The bolt holding my bump stop to the frame -- which you reuse for this kit -- was actually 1/2 inch, and you'll need a deep socket there too. I didn't have one, but the 14mm socket fit well enough for hand tools. Don't use something like an impact driver unless you have the exact right size socket, though. You'll round off the bolt if you do. Before screwing the fittings into the airbags, figure out which direction is ... MoreThe install is straightforward. I didn't take off the wheels, remove the spare, move the brake lines, or even jack up the truck. There was enough room for me to do the install without it, although it's tight and you will have a much easier time if you do some or all of those things. You will need a deep 14mm socket for the bolts included in the kit. The bolt holding my bump stop to the frame -- which you reuse for this kit -- was actually 1/2 inch, and you'll need a deep socket there too. I didn't have one, but the 14mm socket fit well enough for hand tools. Don't use something like an impact driver unless you have the exact right size socket, though. You'll round off the bolt if you do. Before screwing the fittings into the airbags, figure out which direction is "front" and which is "back." Unless you have specific plans in mind already, you want the fittings to be pointing toward the back of your truck. You don't need to tighten the fittings like crazy. The threads are taped so they will hold and be airtight if hand-tightened. If you back out the fitting, you either need to go a full extra turn around, or reapply tape. You don't want to discover a leak around the fitting when the kit is installed. Once installed, they work great. As high as 10psi there is no noticeable difference to ride quality vs. stock except when going over speed bumps. I bought the kit because the stock rear suspension is too squishy when towing a heavy travel trailer, even with a properly set up weight distributing hitch. With the trailer on the WDH and 30psi on the bags, everything was still level but the rear suspension was vastly improved. It was immediately noticeable. Most people run 50psi but at that pressure my trailer was nose-up and I didn't feel like redoing the WDH to correct it. The reason for the 4-star rating is that the threads on the U-bolts don't seem to match the threads on the nuts. Or maybe it's designed that way to keep the nuts from backing out, I don't know. With my regular handheld socket wrench I'd get them a couple turns, and then they'd bind so hard that it needed all my strength to get them to move even a tiny fraction of a turn. I ended up buying a right-angle adapter for my electric impact driver. That actually had an even harder time turning the nuts. What I'd do is drive the nut until it froze, then back it out maybe 1/8 turn. At that point it would go maybe 1/4 turn before seizing again. Lather, rinse, repeat. It ended up taking me close to 4 hours to get the U-bolts secured, but I spent probably half that time trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. There's only one type of nut included in the kit, so I couldn't have been using the wrong kind. With a long-handle wrench (which would require removing the wheels) or a high-torque impact driver it would probably have taken no more than 15 minutes.

This airbags does everything it means to do exactly, from performance, balancing the load, improv...

This airbags does everything it means to do exactly, from performance, balancing the load, improved ride with/without load, eased of installation and so on. I have never install one on any truck before yet it took me 3 hours to do it, it took me more time in the first and a fraction the time on the other side. I was skeptical at first about ride quality when unloaded, but on my f150 it ride rather smooth. I have the air at 5psi I can feel a little different from stock ride in a better way. It's smoother. I try at 10psi feel a little stiffer but still feel good in ride quality. I highly recommend this airbags. It good to have it for when you need it. It doesn't compromise stock ride quality on my f150. I can't say for any other truck. Overall I am a happy camper with ... MoreThis airbags does everything it means to do exactly, from performance, balancing the load, improved ride with/without load, eased of installation and so on. I have never install one on any truck before yet it took me 3 hours to do it, it took me more time in the first and a fraction the time on the other side. I was skeptical at first about ride quality when unloaded, but on my f150 it ride rather smooth. I have the air at 5psi I can feel a little different from stock ride in a better way. It's smoother. I try at 10psi feel a little stiffer but still feel good in ride quality. I highly recommend this airbags. It good to have it for when you need it. It doesn't compromise stock ride quality on my f150. I can't say for any other truck. Overall I am a happy camper with this airbags.