Anyone who does serious towing with their diesel knows the value of an auxiliary airbag system for leveling the truck under load. Diesel enthusiasts with lifted trucks also know the value of airbags for towing. With added vehicle height, and more than likely a tall set of lift blocks at the rear, lifted trucks tend to sag more when loaded with a trailer, so airbags are pretty much a must to level the truck.
The trick becomes the additional bracketry required to put the bags in the correct position to do the job. The drawbacks for both lifted and stock-height tow rigs can be a semi-choppy ride when empty, especially with the added rebound from the airbags.
So what’s the fix? Firestone Industrial Products has developed a completely new rear suspension setup for lifted 2011-12 GM trucks that’s a hybrid air-over-leaf suspension system featuring Firestone Airide™ air springs, Firestone Ride-Rite™ air accessories and SANLUIS Rassini® suspension technologies.
The new Lifted R4Tech system is designed to completely replace the factory leaf spring suspension on lifted GM trucks. The Lifted R4Tech system is comprised of Firestone air springs and SANLUIS Rassini’s leaf spring suspension, positioned in a unique architecture to create a fully functional system that adjusts for varying load capacities, according to Firestone.
The Lifted R4Tech system is available for trucks with 6-inch lift kits since the Lifted R4Tech system is a rear-only setup, which is perfect for diesel enthusiasts with lifted rigs looking for more towing capacity and improved ride quality.
“In our industry, we come across many enthusiasts who tow with their lifted truck. In these cases, ride quality and functionality are sometimes compromised,” said Paul Fessel, Division Manager, Light Duty Business, Firestone Industrial Products Company. “The Lifted R4Tech systems are designed to improve the ride quality of an unloaded, lifted truck while delivering level towing when loaded. The suspension is the best of both worlds: excellent ride coupled with great towing capability.”
According to Firestone, the system was developed to allow the suspension to move under all load conditions and deliver an improved ride by utilizing the variable spring rate of the air spring to stiffen the spring rate when the truck is loaded, or soften it when it’s unloaded. It also increases axle control during acceleration and braking for improved torque management and reduced wheel hop.
The Lifted R4Tech system is a true bolt-on installation and comes complete with the Rassini foundation suspension—including leaf springs, lower trailing link, J-spring and mounting brackets—the Airide air spring and an air compressor control system that maintains the proper air level in the spring for the exact load you’re carrying. The company says professional installation is recommended for the Lifted R4Tech systems, but the system installs in the original suspension holes, so theoretically an average driveway mechanic could accomplish the install before the turn of the century.
Firestone debuted the system at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and Diesel World Magazine is the first publication to get the inside scoop and installation photos. We hit the highlights of the install here to give you an idea of what all is involved for a typical install.
If you do serious towing with your lifted rig, and are sick of the ride quality compromises and a sagging rear end under heavy load, then the Lifted R4 Tech system is worth a serious look-see.
SOURCE:
Firestone Industrial Products Company
www.ride-rite.com
800-888-0650
(Lead) Lifted trucks don’t have to compromise load or towing capabilities any more thanks to the new Lifted R4 Suspension system from Firestone.
1) While this diagram looks complicated, the system is pretty basic once you remove the factory leaf spring setup as it mounts in the factory mounting holes. Plumbing and electrical are the hardest part of the install.
2) With the truck safely off the ground, and the axle on jack stands, you start the install by removing the rear leaf spring suspension.
3) Remove the factory bump stop from the cup on the frame rail and toss it.
4(a-b) Insert the upper bag mounting bracket into the bump stop cup. There are internal tabs in the cup and bracket that need to be rotated to sit securely on top of the tab.
5) Attach the upper air spring bracket to the frame rail with the enclosed hardware.
6) The bottom spacer bracket goes on next.
7) Next, attach one of the air springs to the lower mounting bracket.
8) Set the spring assembly onto the axle spring pad.
9) Install the front inner frame bracket onto the frame rail so that it’s flush with the inside of the front eye bracket and contacts the frame rail surrounding the cross-member tube.
10) Using the original front eye bolt as an alignment tool, insert the outer frame bracket inside the main eye frame bracket.
11) Attach the original spring shackle to the new leaf spring assembly.
12) The new leaf spring assembly fits into the new R4 bracketry.
13(a-b) Locate the J-spring link and attach the lower height sensor bracket. We included a shot of the spring out of the truck to show you where it goes.
14) Next, install the J-spring link into the axle spacer and lower J-spring reinforcement bracket.
15) Install the link into the front eye bracket with the proper hardware as per the instructions. A drift or punch can be used to line up the spring and bracket holes.
16) Locate the new U-bolts and nuts along with the factory lower retainer.
17) On the front U-bolt, rotate the lower J-spring reinforcement bracket around so that it slides over the U-bolt and below the lower retainer plate.
18) The e-brake cable-mounting bracket can now be reinstalled in the factory location.
19) Additionally, the axle brake line can now be reinstalled onto the axle jounce bumper pad through the lower bracket.
20) The Haldex height control valve is assembled per the instructions and mounted into the two small holes on the rearward edge of the front eye frame bracket.
21) The kit includes a heat shield to protect the air spring from the exhaust heat.
22) The factory e-brake cable can now be reattached to the new bracketry.
23) The next step of the install is to plumb up the air system, starting with the air tank. Mounting straps and clamps attach the tank to the frame.
24-25) The air compressor is assembled next with the enclosed T and pressure switch. It’s then bolted to the mounting plate.
26) Install the compressor assembly onto an open section of frame rail, which will also double as the ground connection.
27) The compressor system comes with an air filter for the inlet port of the compressor. Firestone says the engine compartment is the best place to mount it. Follow the instructions to plumb it in correctly.
28) Wiring is next. The kit comes with a complete harness, relay and fuse system so all you have to do is hook up the wires to the battery.
29) A key component in the system is the dump switch, which allows the vehicle to be lowered for loading.
30) With all the lines in place, they can be secured with the enclosed zip-ties.
31) One of the final steps of the install is adding the linkage arms and adjusting the system per the instructions, which also gives you a detailed troubleshooting and system operation guide.
By Kevin Wilson
Photography: Courtesy of Firestone
Source: Diesel World Magazine
The trick becomes the additional bracketry required to put the bags in the correct position to do the job. The drawbacks for both lifted and stock-height tow rigs can be a semi-choppy ride when empty, especially with the added rebound from the airbags.
So what’s the fix? Firestone Industrial Products has developed a completely new rear suspension setup for lifted 2011-12 GM trucks that’s a hybrid air-over-leaf suspension system featuring Firestone Airide™ air springs, Firestone Ride-Rite™ air accessories and SANLUIS Rassini® suspension technologies.
The new Lifted R4Tech system is designed to completely replace the factory leaf spring suspension on lifted GM trucks. The Lifted R4Tech system is comprised of Firestone air springs and SANLUIS Rassini’s leaf spring suspension, positioned in a unique architecture to create a fully functional system that adjusts for varying load capacities, according to Firestone.
The Lifted R4Tech system is available for trucks with 6-inch lift kits since the Lifted R4Tech system is a rear-only setup, which is perfect for diesel enthusiasts with lifted rigs looking for more towing capacity and improved ride quality.
“In our industry, we come across many enthusiasts who tow with their lifted truck. In these cases, ride quality and functionality are sometimes compromised,” said Paul Fessel, Division Manager, Light Duty Business, Firestone Industrial Products Company. “The Lifted R4Tech systems are designed to improve the ride quality of an unloaded, lifted truck while delivering level towing when loaded. The suspension is the best of both worlds: excellent ride coupled with great towing capability.”
According to Firestone, the system was developed to allow the suspension to move under all load conditions and deliver an improved ride by utilizing the variable spring rate of the air spring to stiffen the spring rate when the truck is loaded, or soften it when it’s unloaded. It also increases axle control during acceleration and braking for improved torque management and reduced wheel hop.
The Lifted R4Tech system is a true bolt-on installation and comes complete with the Rassini foundation suspension—including leaf springs, lower trailing link, J-spring and mounting brackets—the Airide air spring and an air compressor control system that maintains the proper air level in the spring for the exact load you’re carrying. The company says professional installation is recommended for the Lifted R4Tech systems, but the system installs in the original suspension holes, so theoretically an average driveway mechanic could accomplish the install before the turn of the century.
Firestone debuted the system at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and Diesel World Magazine is the first publication to get the inside scoop and installation photos. We hit the highlights of the install here to give you an idea of what all is involved for a typical install.
If you do serious towing with your lifted rig, and are sick of the ride quality compromises and a sagging rear end under heavy load, then the Lifted R4 Tech system is worth a serious look-see.
SOURCE:
Firestone Industrial Products Company
www.ride-rite.com
800-888-0650
(Lead) Lifted trucks don’t have to compromise load or towing capabilities any more thanks to the new Lifted R4 Suspension system from Firestone.
1) While this diagram looks complicated, the system is pretty basic once you remove the factory leaf spring setup as it mounts in the factory mounting holes. Plumbing and electrical are the hardest part of the install.
2) With the truck safely off the ground, and the axle on jack stands, you start the install by removing the rear leaf spring suspension.
3) Remove the factory bump stop from the cup on the frame rail and toss it.
4(a-b) Insert the upper bag mounting bracket into the bump stop cup. There are internal tabs in the cup and bracket that need to be rotated to sit securely on top of the tab.
5) Attach the upper air spring bracket to the frame rail with the enclosed hardware.
6) The bottom spacer bracket goes on next.
7) Next, attach one of the air springs to the lower mounting bracket.
8) Set the spring assembly onto the axle spring pad.
9) Install the front inner frame bracket onto the frame rail so that it’s flush with the inside of the front eye bracket and contacts the frame rail surrounding the cross-member tube.
10) Using the original front eye bolt as an alignment tool, insert the outer frame bracket inside the main eye frame bracket.
11) Attach the original spring shackle to the new leaf spring assembly.
12) The new leaf spring assembly fits into the new R4 bracketry.
13(a-b) Locate the J-spring link and attach the lower height sensor bracket. We included a shot of the spring out of the truck to show you where it goes.
14) Next, install the J-spring link into the axle spacer and lower J-spring reinforcement bracket.
15) Install the link into the front eye bracket with the proper hardware as per the instructions. A drift or punch can be used to line up the spring and bracket holes.
16) Locate the new U-bolts and nuts along with the factory lower retainer.
17) On the front U-bolt, rotate the lower J-spring reinforcement bracket around so that it slides over the U-bolt and below the lower retainer plate.
18) The e-brake cable-mounting bracket can now be reinstalled in the factory location.
19) Additionally, the axle brake line can now be reinstalled onto the axle jounce bumper pad through the lower bracket.
20) The Haldex height control valve is assembled per the instructions and mounted into the two small holes on the rearward edge of the front eye frame bracket.
21) The kit includes a heat shield to protect the air spring from the exhaust heat.
22) The factory e-brake cable can now be reattached to the new bracketry.
23) The next step of the install is to plumb up the air system, starting with the air tank. Mounting straps and clamps attach the tank to the frame.
24-25) The air compressor is assembled next with the enclosed T and pressure switch. It’s then bolted to the mounting plate.
26) Install the compressor assembly onto an open section of frame rail, which will also double as the ground connection.
27) The compressor system comes with an air filter for the inlet port of the compressor. Firestone says the engine compartment is the best place to mount it. Follow the instructions to plumb it in correctly.
28) Wiring is next. The kit comes with a complete harness, relay and fuse system so all you have to do is hook up the wires to the battery.
29) A key component in the system is the dump switch, which allows the vehicle to be lowered for loading.
30) With all the lines in place, they can be secured with the enclosed zip-ties.
31) One of the final steps of the install is adding the linkage arms and adjusting the system per the instructions, which also gives you a detailed troubleshooting and system operation guide.
By Kevin Wilson
Photography: Courtesy of Firestone
Source: Diesel World Magazine
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