Ford E 350 rear single wheeled Firestone air bag info ?

[dingus]

can someone tell me the correct parts number for a 1995 E 350 Van rear Firestone air bag kit ? single wheeled van.
I prefer the one that sits to the outside of the frame right over top of the spring mounting plate right ontop of the axle.
Napa checked and i checked all i can find is the ones listed for Duel wheel E 350 vans ?
They dont list any for single wheeled vans ?
I dont want them to order the duel rear wheeled models if they wont work on our single wheeled models.

My Van is 4x4 raised so i know i will need blocks. also if theres no choice but to get a inside mount set i could go for that just prefer the outside mounted set.
If theres a better brand or type than firestone let me know that to please.

a link to the regular wheeled air bag sets would be great.

 

[IdaSHO]

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index...d=4548&zenid=e45fdaeb20e437ac38ae5e5e708b3f83


For 1998 on SRW E350

Im not aware of any chassis changes between 1997 and 1998

 

[IdaSHO]

here is one specific for SRW 1995 E-series, but is the between the frame and leaf style

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Ford/Van/1995/F2165.html?vehicleid=19951011758

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

The problem with air bags...

 

[WUzombies]

The problem with air bags...

What I gathered from those posts is that the guy made a poor choice in manufacture and bag model, not that bags themselves are necessarily bad. Or is there something left out or that I missed?

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

What I gathered from those posts is that the guy made a poor choice in manufacture and bag model, not that bags themselves are necessarily bad. Or is there something left out or that I missed?

First it is to warn you of the problem I have seen countless times on E Series Vans, so that you don't make the same mistake. Second, I have never seen a E Series Van with air bags that I would consider correct - never! It is possible there is a correct solution - I am not aware of it.

Why do you think you need air bags?

 

[WUzombies]

To maintain clearance and suspension load stability without leafing up the rear and destroying the daily driver/unloaded ride quality. Some differences from your linked example is that I'm not running rear blocks and looking at firestones' bag listing it appears the 9000 model bag would give the appropriate amount of travel difference when aired up or down (low). I haven't measured that distance yet, so that's just a calibrated eyeball look at it.

Seeing how 95% of the time will be spent on pavement getting to a dirt road destination, the ability to help maintain suspension load/CG stability through the suspension, especially during a catastrophic event sequence like a tire delam, would be a significant plus. However that opinion stems from my work in collision reconstruction in my professional life.

 

[dingus]

I just want a set in there as once in awhile i might want to load up the back with a ATV or other heavy stuff. i think they help on narrow tilted logging roads to.
I have brand new leaf springs and 99.9 % of the time the bags will just be not working. i do prefer firestone as i know there hi quality.
mines a 95 i will go look at a 98 at the wreckers see if theres any diffrence that way i can order a 98 set.

I found a set at SD trucks thru one of the links above listed for ford E 350s from 1975 to like 2007 part number 57125 there the ones i want that sit in the location i want for $280 USD so price seems good to.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

Well you appear to have a firm grasp of what you are looking for. Use what I shared to pick the best bag solution you can because the many that we have removed had been "destroying the daily driver/unloaded ride quality."

 

[WUzombies]

Well you appear to have a firm grasp of what you are looking for. Use what I shared to pick the best bag solution you can because the many that we have removed had been "destroying the daily driver/unloaded ride quality."

Let's hope so. If my research finds a hitch, I'll post it, if I go through with the install I'll post it and if I'm wrong I'll eat the crow.

 

[dingus]

The problem with air bags...

Yikes!!! i never thought about that! Thanks for posting that link eh. i think i will just add some over ride leaft spring type kit that bolts to the leaft springs already there. any recomendations ?

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

Yikes!!! i never thought about that! Thanks for posting that link eh. i think i will just add some over ride leaft spring type kit that bolts to the leaft springs already there. any recomendations ?

No. Not something I would be interested in and haven't tried. These are all Band-aids.

Air bags have their proper use for handling widely varying loads, but at a cost to ride quality. Proper springs should get you the correct ride height, ride quality and pretty good load range - the correct solution. I understand that is a more costly option (usually) so one has to decide what works best for them and their budget. I only wanted to point out the potential negative consequences of improper air bags.

 

[dingus]

No. Not something I would be interested in and haven't tried. These are all Band-aids.

Air bags have their proper use for handling widely varying loads, but at a cost to ride quality. Proper springs should get you the correct ride height, ride quality and pretty good load range - the correct solution. I understand that is a more costly option (usually) so one has to decide what works best for them and their budget. I only wanted to point out the potential negative consequences of improper air bags.

Ok Thanks for that. my 1 ton rear springs are brand new and sit at the perfect ride height. i was just thinking more if i ever load it up with weight i might like haveing air bags but like i said 99% of the time shes empty.

 

[tgreening]

Airbags off road are more of a tricky option than most off the shelf solutions can handle.

For on road use though I never quite understood the whole "ruins the ride" argument. I've run bags on just about every load hauler I've had and never noticed any degradation of ride quality, but maybe it's in how I use them. I like my junk to sit more or less level, leaning to the more side of things, and I set my bags accordingly. I use a set it and forget system because of this so once I've adjusted it to my ride height I walk away from it. If I fill my F450 with fuel the compressor comes on and brings it back to ride height. As it burns fuel it dumps pressure and maintains height. I can put 4000# plus in the bed and it stays at the same ride height as empty, and I can assure you there is no degradation in ride quality.

Now if you're using bags to bring a saggy suspension back to some semblance of a level ride, unloaded, then yeah you're probably going to notice something of a change. But if your suspension is up to snuff and you just want them to maintain a level ride under load you shouldn't notice any real difference.

 

[ujoint]

I'll throw a few pennies in here.

Yes, what Baja has pointed out with the off the shelf bag kits is 100% correct, kinda suck. They mount them inboard since there's not enough room outside and above the spring pack.

But.... there are some scenarios where bags help and allow the best of both worlds. Good ride when unloaded, no saggy sag when loaded up. I have them on V4 for this exact reason. When I don't have the sherpa mounted they just sit there with no air. Good ride, travel, etc. When I load the camper or pull a trailer I need the bags. Yes I could stiffen up the rear springs to avoid this but I see no problem with the bags because my kit doesn't limit travel at all and I like the soft ride when unloaded. We've done this on many vans that see varying loads.

Our bag kit won't work with a stock spring though, has to have 6" of lift.