Air Bag Suspension System for 2000 Ford F-250 With Reese In Bed 5th Wheel Hitch  

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Helpful Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but most AirLift systems like the # AL88298 typically can only be used with certain 5th wheel hitches, require drilling during installation or both. For these reasons I usually recommend going with something slightly different, like the Firestone Ride-Rite # F2550. The Firestone Ride-Rite air bags are made from 4 layers of reinforced rubber as opposed to the AirLift systems which are 2-ply, so the bags are going to be a bit more durable. Additionally, the Firestone system does not require drilling into the frame during installation and is compatible with all in bed hitches, which would be especially helpful if you decide to upgrade your 5th wheel hitch at some point and still plan on using the same truck.

When using the Firestone Ride-Rite springs on your 2000 Ford F-250 it is recommended that you add the Firestone Ride-Rite LS Rear Shock Absorbers # F4351 to replace your rear shocks and really add another layer of stability to your towing setup while further reducing the stress on the vehicle's suspension components. These aren't required to be used as part of the system, but they'll definitely help provide you with a better towing experience.

Since the Firestone Ride-Rite systems provide you with bumper mounted air valves to allow for easy inflation of the air bags and shocks, you don't need an on-board air compressor system to make everything work. However, if you wanted to go that route I recommend using the Firestone Air Command I - Analog Gauge w/ Standard-Duty Compressor # F2158. This compressor system will allow you to adjust the pressure on your air bags as needed from the cab of your truck and will eliminate the need for stopping at gas stations to fill up with air before each trip. Since this is a single path compressor system, it will inflate both of the bags equally and does not allow for side to side leveling for off center loads. If you wanted to go with a dual path system to inflate each air bag independently, you'll want to go with the # F2168.

I've attached some really informative videos that go through all of these products and their installation on similar Ford trucks that you may want to reference back to in the future.

expert reply by: Erik B

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