advice re: upgrading springs / load capacity

[BCRanger]

Hey all .... so looking like we are going to pull the trigger on an Alu-Cab canopy. Which means a permanent 250KG / 550lbs riding on the back wheels. Almost certain I'll need to upgrade suspension, but wondering a) if I can get away with running on stock for a bit while waiting on suspension (and yes, before anyone asks, safety is *very* important to me) and b) what upgrade I should go with.

A (well regarded) Overland shop up here sells Old Man Emu which is what I was planning to put in, but interestingly he recommended we go with Firestone Air Bag, which is actually much cheaper. (Almost half the cost.)

I've been planning to add a bit of lift no matter what, maybe an inch or so in back and 2'3" in front to level it out. I do like the idea of being able to adjust as we may be taking the canopy on and off at times and will likely have different loads depending on if we are headed off for a long trip or not. I also like idea of being able to have front lower for highway mileage but being able to raise it for off road.

thanks for any advice!

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[Bludrok]

Put airbags and document the install so others can do the same upgrade using your documentation as a guide. ?

 

[BCRanger]

Put airbags and document the install so others can do the same upgrade using your documentation as a guide. ?

Hmmm... this sounds suspiciously like one of those dares you wish you hand't taken. To be fair, this was a Tacoma guy and he was very upfront about not knowing much about what works best with Rangers.

 

[Frenchy]

Hey all .... so looking like we are going to pull the trigger on an Alu-Cab canopy. Which means a permanent 250KG / 550lbs riding on the back wheels. Almost certain I'll need to upgrade suspension, but wondering a) if I can get away with running on stock for a bit while waiting on suspension (and yes, before anyone asks, safety is *very* important to me) and b) what upgrade I should go with.

A (well regarded) Overland shop up here sells Old Man Emu which is what I was planning to put in, but interestingly he recommended we go with Firestone Air Bag, which is actually much cheaper. (Almost half the cost.)

I've been planning to add a bit of lift no matter what, maybe an inch or so in back and 2'3" in front to level it out. I do like the idea of being able to adjust as we may be taking the canopy on and off at times and will likely have different loads depending on if we are headed off for a long trip or not. I also like idea of being able to have front lower for highway mileage but being able to raise it for off road.

thanks for any advice!

I'm going to State the airbags might do the trick for now but won't necessarily be a fix. Airbags don't really increased load capacity safely just for the fact that you don't really know how much air pressure do you need to have in the springs because it's not necessary rated for each individual vehicle. Not sure if that made sense or not but I did what I could there.

As for leaf spring upgrades if you're planning to do a lift I would definitely stick with old man emu. The standard load Springs in the back will level out the track at 800 pounds. I know this because I have the old man emu standard lift kit on my truck. The mid-level Springs are designed for a constant 660 lb in the back and are basically upgrade to where you can have the 800 + a 660 lb in the bed. If you were to go to the heaviest Springs it would be 1320 lb Coston in the bed plus the additional 800 you can put in the bed.

 

[Bludrok]

Hmmm... this sounds suspiciously like one of those dares you wish you hand't taken. To be fair, this was a Tacoma guy and he was very upfront about not knowing much about what works best with Rangers.

Airbags are on my list of "possible upgrades" for my truck. I'd love to see a setup first though. Until then, it's probably just a pipe dream.

The Ranger has a payload capacity of 1431 lbs. (At least mine does, I think others are close if not the same). So youd be fine on the stock setup temporarily. Just dont go over 800 lbs of passengers/cargo.

 

[BCRanger]

Awesome, that makes a lot of sense given just how far up the ass of the truck is now. Of course, my idea of a level is more front lift not less rear lift, but for now this could do the trick nicely. It would be sort of surprising if Ford made a truck rated for 1400 lbs but putting 600 lbs in the back would make it unsafe.

Dumb question but does anyone know if the lights level automatically?

 

[TremorOwner]

Airbags are for temporary load increases, typically for towing -- to level the trailer and rear end.

They will not solve your concern and you don't want them inflated all the time -- they'll wear quick.

550 lbs. isn't the end of the world. I'd run the factory suspension and see how the truck handles. Might be fine. If you dislike, upgrade the rear springs accordingly.

 

[MTBranger]

I installed the OME medium springs. Ride is way better than stock and with RTT, bed rack, gear, compressor, etc I still have rake with the front lifted 2.5"

 

[BCRanger]

I installed the OME medium springs. Ride is way better than stock and with RTT, bed rack, gear, compressor, etc I still have rake with the front lifted 2.5"

I think I will eventually go with OME, i Haven’t heard anyone who has them say anything but good things about them.

And as I’m thinking about it it makes sense that a Tacoma guy would say you need to beef up rear suspension...enough said.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Frenchy]

I think I will eventually go with OME, i Haven’t heard anyone who has them say anything but good things about them.

And as I’m thinking about it it makes sense that a Tacoma guy would say you need to beef up rear suspension...enough said.

Thanks everyone.

Lol apparently you have not read my reviews pf Old Man EMU!!! I love it so much that there are members who think I am getting paid to prais them!!

Side note I am not getting paid

 

[RangerAJS]

Airbags are on my list of "possible upgrades" for my truck. I'd love to see a setup first though. Until then, it's probably just a pipe dream.

The Ranger has a payload capacity of 1431 lbs. (At least mine does, I think others are close if not the same). So youd be fine on the stock setup temporarily. Just dont go over 800 lbs of passengers/cargo.

I have Firestone airbags and I’m very happy with them. They will restore the “attitude” of the truck and take the sag away. Like others said, it won’t increase your payload capacity, as far as I know, but it will get your ride height back to where you want in under load. I use them for towing a travel trailer.

 

[Bludrok]

I have Firestone airbags and I’m very happy with them. They will restore the “attitude” of the truck and take the sag away. Like others said, it won’t increase your payload capacity, as far as I know, but it will get your ride height back to where you want in under load. I use them for towing a travel trailer.

Awesome! Did you install yourself?

 

[BCRanger]

I have Firestone airbags and I’m very happy with them. They will restore the “attitude” of the truck and take the sag away. Like others said, it won’t increase your payload capacity, as far as I know, but it will get your ride height back to where you want in under load. I use them for towing a travel trailer.

Originally I was planning to tow, but now I think I can get what I want with a good overland setup. We don’t plan on towing much if we go down this route.

My guess is we will leave the canopy on for the most part and ok with having the rear end in the air when we don’t. Seems like not a good idea to just run bags inflated all the time, better to just get truck setup how I want it once and leave it. Also leery of upgrading springs but Frenchy says they don’t make the ride more harsh, eh?

 

[RangerAJS]

Awesome! Did you install yourself?

Yes, installed myself. Took about an hour for the whole thing following the instructions provided. Good pictures. Take your time and I recommend buying and assortment pack of airline hose connectors and fittings so you can route it where you want. I installed 90 degree fittings on top of the bags to make a little easier to route the lines. You can PM me if you have any other questions. I don’t want to highjack the thread ?

 

[RangerAJS]

Originally I was planning to tow, but now I think I can get what I want with a good overland setup. We don’t plan on towing much if we go down this route.

My guess is we will leave the canopy on for the most part and ok with having the rear end in the air when we don’t. Seems like not a good idea to just run bags inflated all the time, better to just get truck setup how I want it once and leave it. Also leery of upgrading springs but Frenchy says they don’t make the ride more harsh, eh?

Nice thing about these airlift bags is they have a built in jounce bumper in case the bags go to zero. Not sure if I would run them flat all the time but it’s good to know the bumper is in the bag to protect.

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