Airbags - Firestone vs Airlift?

[Cruizer8]

I am looking to install some airbag helpers and see there are two options, Firestone and Airlift. From what I can tell, there isn't really a difference between them besides price. I am leaning toward the Firestones solely because they are blue instead of red and I have a blue truck. What are everyone's experiences with either brand?

Sponsored

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

I'm wondering the same thing. I have had nothing but positive from the Airlift bags in my JKUR, but I've heard people recommend the Firestone bags over the Airlifts.

 

[Cruizer8]

From my research, the only thing that I notice as being different is the fact that the Airlift has a max 35 PSI and the Firestones have a max 75 PSI. Not sure how much of a difference that makes in performance tho.

I was able to find somewhat of a comparison on etrailer.com. It was on their install video for the Firestone bags, but the comparison was just a initial quality comparison. I would like to see some real life comparisons.

 

[Ironhide]

I was looking around and found this the other day it may help. I can't get the link to post but try to You tube "Best 2020 Jeep Gladiator Vehicle Suspension Options" it's a review by ETrailer.

 

[Gren71]

I have had the airlift bags in for nearly a year now and i love them. Theyve done a fantastic job.

i think i saw a video a while back the said the blue bags had a metal fill nipple and the airlift bags had a plastic one, with the video implying the metal was better.
??

who knows.

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

I was looking around and found this the other day it may help. I can't get the link to post but try to You tube "Best 2020 Jeep Gladiator Vehicle Suspension Options" it's a review by ETrailer.

I have had the airlift bags in for nearly a year now and i love them. Theyve done a fantastic job.

i think i saw a video a while back the said the blue bags had a metal fill nipple and the airlift bags had a plastic one, with the video implying the metal was better.
??

who knows.

Thanks guys, I found the video you both mentioned, and it does appear that the Firestone kit is worth the small extra investment over the Airlift kit. Both airbags use brass fitting for the air lines to connect to, but while the Airlift kit relies on a spring hose clamp to retain the air lines on the small brass nipple, the Firestone airbags use a threaded Shraeder-type connection that seems like it would retain the air lines much more positively.

The Airlift airbags in my JKUR have been flawless for several years now, but I think I will give the Firestones a try in my JTRD.

 

[Trickster]

Done 5 sets of Airlift and 0 Firestone, so really no help sorry.
But, I can attest the little spring clamps on the Airlifts are a PITA.
Tough to get on properly, and a real bugger to find in the garage when they sproing off when mounting them on the airline.
Airlift is definitely less expensive, but really like the airline securement of the Firestones.
When towing my travel trailer with my previous Ram 1500, had an airline pop off the bag, glad I had my equalizer bars in the trailer for the ride home.

 

[Gren71]

Thanks guys, I found the video you both mentioned, and it does appear that the Firestone kit is worth the small extra investment over the Airlift kit. Both airbags use brass fitting for the air lines to connect to, but while the Airlift kit relies on a spring hose clamp to retain the air lines on the small brass nipple, the Firestone airbags use a threaded Shraeder-type connection that seems like it would retain the air lines much more positively.

The Airlift airbags in my JKUR have been flawless for several years now, but I think I will give the Firestones a try in my JTRD.

im interested how you feel about the bags once theyre in. If they can hold more pressure they may be worth while for some members who use them to support RTTs and such.

Some one on here had a great idea and I cant remember if it was from a video or not. but when they installed their bags they flattened them and then folded the bag in half (hot dog style) and used zip ties to hold the bag in that fold. it made it much easier for them to insert the bag into their spring, and then position it once it was inserted.

Theyre not hard to install, but the potential decrease in frustration may be worth a try.

 

[Trickster]

im interested how you feel about the bags once theyre in. If they can hold more pressure they may be worth while for some members who use them to support RTTs and such.

Some one on here had a great idea and I cant remember if it was from a video or not. but when they installed their bags they flattened them and then folded the bag in half (hot dog style) and used zip ties to hold the bag in that fold. it made it much easier for them to insert the bag into their spring, and then position it once it was inserted.

Theyre not hard to install, but the potential decrease in frustration may be worth a try.

I can attest out of all the vehicles I installed the Airlifts on the JT was the easiest. The Rams were okay, the Durango, omg I left a lot of my DNA on it, the JT, put my floor jack under the hitch, jacked it up to extend the suspension (yes had jack stands for back up) and hotdogged them in WITH the airlines already on and routed. Easy peasy.

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

Installing the Airlift bags under my JKUR was a major PITA, not because of anything wrong with the parts, but the fact that my lift springs required Ram airbags that are not just taller, but turned out to be wider as well, and my coil springs have many windings and not much room between them to insert the bags. I got them in, but as Trickster said, I left a lot of my DNA under the Jeep that day. It's for this reason that I'm using spacers with OEM rear springs under my JTRD to achieve my suspension height, rather than aftermarket springs and a non-spec airbag.

 

[Stitchedupseats]

Fully loaded with the airlift bags at 35 psi was not something for faint of heart. It was tough. I can’t imagine the bags being at 75 psi. It gave me about an inch or inch and half back Aired up.

 

[Gren71]

Fully loaded with the airlift bags at 35 psi was not something for faint of heart. It was tough. I can’t imagine the bags being at 75 psi. It gave me about an inch or inch and half back Aired up.

Thats sorta what Im curious about. if the difference in pressure is equivalent to, say, lift gained. if you gained 1 - 1.5in of lift @ 35psi, would you also gain the same lift @ 35psi with the firestones..or are they made of a different material that requires the higher pressures to function the same.

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

I can't imagine having 70lbs of air in the airbags. On my Wrangler with a heavy load in back plus a trailer with a 300lb tongue weight, I only needed to add about 15lbs of air to bring the ride height back to proper. I tried airing them up to 30lbs and the suspension had NO travel, it was like riding in an empty dump truck. 70lbs would be pure punishment, but it's nice to know that the bags and lines and fittings are all designed for those high pressures, so they're not operating anywhere near their design limits when running them at a realistic 5-30lbs.

 

[Trickster]

Not sure if the psi number directly relate to the firmness between the two manufacturers. If I recall are the Firestone erosions or made of rubber?
My last Ram I did were a different Airlift bag for the “new Rams”, they were black and not red and max psi was 50.
So 25 psi in those was like 15 in the red versions.

I will add that the only reason I put airbags in my trucks is not because I exceed any limits, but to just return them to stock ride height and help alleviate stress on the suspension when I tow a trailer.

 

[SteveInOrlando]

So how much of a necessity do you guys feel airbags or Timbren are for the JT when towing a large trailer?

I ask because it looks like Prop dad will need to pull the prop trailer this year.

The trailer is an 8X16 enclosed trailer, but the props are stage props built to be light. I am guessing. The trailer alone I am guessing is 2000 lbs, and with props 3000 to 3500 lbs.

Trying to figure out if I should just suck it up and buy airbags/timbrens or wait until I try to pull the trailer to the first competition which is only 70 miles away.

Sponsored