Derek up North Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Someone in the Yahoo Group was looking for a replacement spring but didn't know the manufacturer. Her mechanic had suggest 'Air-rite'. Since I took the time to dig up and post some info there, I thought I'd copy it here so I don't have to look it up again. Quote I think you're mechanic might be mixing together 'Airlift' and 'Firestone Ride-Rite'. They're 2 different manufacturers. Quote IF (I repeat IF) you have the Firestone Ride-Ride installed, you MIGHT have what was the #1130 kit installed. I say 'was' because they no longer offer that kit. Download the 2012 Firestone Application Guide here:-https://riderite.com/-/media/www/riderite/files/2017-Firestone-Ride-Rite-Application-Guide.pdf?csrt=610965981307183063 You'll see on page 22 that kit #1130 was supplied with springs #6873. If you Google 'Firestone 6873' you'll find lots of people selling them, typically for ~$125 each. Here's one place:-http://www.truckspring.com/suspension-parts/helper-springs/air-bags/firestone-ride-rite.aspx If there's no marking on your springs, the only way to be sure what you have is to remove it and take some measurements. Unfortunately (I've no idea why) they don't give dimensions for the #6873, but I'm sure a call or email to Firestone would get them. Similar info will be available for Airlift kits and replacement springs. EDIT (05/05/2015):- It appears that rather than the F6873, the 1130 kit might use the F0335. http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=8085 Quote If you can't positively ID your springs and decide to buy a complete kit, I believe I've read on here that the #2115 kit can be made to fit. This is listed for 93-98 Tacoma 2WD. I don't know what mods would be required to use it.http://www.truckspring.com/products/Firestone-Ride-Rite-Air-Spring-Kit---Rear__2115.aspx $303 for the kit. Quote IF you have:- http://shop.airliftcompany.com/product/275423/57113/_/LOADLIFTER_5000%3B_LEAF_SPRING_LEVELING_KIT the spring used is:- http://www.amazon.com/AIR-LIFT-50252-Replacement-Bellow/dp/B000CFNOSS Info from:-http://www.airliftcompany.com/content/pdf/appguide.pdf page 21. Of course the 3rd supplier is 3-T with their T-9 kit. I've never come across much documentation from them, but it would appear that the buy their springs from Firestone (probably) and/or Airlift (maybe). http://www.3tsrv.com/Products/t9_system_air.htm#Toyota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skydancer2992 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 However, the 3T link no longer shows any Toyota kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 True, but I believe John bought from them recently. They might have stopped making 'kits' but be able to supply parts. Until we can ID the Firestone PN! I could be wrong, but I think 3-T only sold kits with the smaller (non-convoluted) spring. Good for 2000lb of lift vs the others 5000lb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiter Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Call them on the phone, I bet they still have them, probably not enough sales to warrant web space. John Mc88 Dolphin 4 Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Quite possible. But web space is so cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob C Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I added a 3-T's air-ride system to my Escaper last summer. I called Firestone looking for a kit and the sales person gave me the contact information for 3-T's. The air bags are still made by Firestone but they don't make the kit any longer. 3-T's still makes the kits and the cost was about $320. It took about 1 1/2 hours to do the installation. The improvement in the ride was remarkable. The people at 3-T were very helpful. I ended up talking to a sales rep on his cell phone and I got the box in the mail 4 days later. Not bad for Arizona to Wisconsin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiter Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 OK, Straight form the horses mouth. I just got off the phone from 3-Ts. I talked to Tina in the Parts department. Yes, they still have them and would be more than happy to sell you a set. Here is the page on their web site Toyota Air Bags Important, Call and verify your application. The repair kit I used was a T9RK2-E3. $218.50 (plus shipping) The "E3" signifies its for a Toyota. This was for both bags. This is the kit I used to replace both bags on my Dolphin. The kit comes with everything you need, including new hose and air fittings you can see it here Call 800-223-1779 ext 16 Ask for Tina, Tell her you have a Toyota, and your read about this on the Toyota Motorhome Forum. Give her the year, etc, I'm positive the kit that I bought would work as a replacement (that's what I did) but everything I saw in the kit would work for a new install also. IMPORTANT do NOT re-use your top mount bolt (the bolt that holds the bag to the top mount), get longer bolts as the top bag fitting is a plastic material and your old bolts will strip it out because they don't go down far enough. Don't over-tighten the top bolt. I used new bolts and double nutted the bottom bracket around the leaf spring. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Airlift's kit (57113, spring 50252) is specifically listed for a MH. They also list a 'pickup' kit (59502, spring 50255). I've no idea what the difference is. The MH kit ($276) is available here:- http://www.truckspring.com/suspension-parts/helper-springs/air-spring-kits/air-lift/load-lifter-5000-57113.aspx Maybe cheaper elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Thanks John. Nice to have as much info gathered together in one place. That's what I was hoping for. Their comment about 'Toyota' and 'new air sleeve' makes it seem that the old one is NLA. It also seems to confirm that 3T only offered a 2000lb boost vs 5000lb from the others. I'll just add a copy of 3Ts pricing for future reference:- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiter Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I don't know what the "New Air Sleeve" remark is about. You can look at the link I supplied to when I replaced mine, there is a photo with the old and new, side by side. I don't see any difference.I believe some earlier models, the lower mount pedestal (narrow at the bottom, wider at the top) the newer style is just the opposite, Its wider at the bottom than the top. you can see this in the photo if you look very carefully John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 A bit of a mystery. But at least they don't charge extra for the new brackets. Wonder when they made the change. Must be costing them a few extra bucks to send them to everyone. I also noticed that their 'complete' kit is $286. But it sounds like you 'repair' kit was pretty complete! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiter Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I'm not sure what that is??? I can't remember if the kit I ordered had a top mount plate, probably not because I had to buy longer top bolts, where they probably thought you would reuse the hardware (nah, buy new top bolts and bottom bolts)Other than that, the kit included everything that someone would need to do a new install, hose, fittings, the filler valves. John Mc 88 Dolphin 4 Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Just found the Installation Instructions for the Airlift 57113 MH kit. http://www.airliftcompany.com/content/manuals/MN-214.pdf And the Firestone 2115 kit:- http://www.firestoneip.com/site-resources/ride-rite/installation/2115.pdf And for the old Firestone 1130 kit:- http://www.firestoneip.com/site-resources/ride-rite/installation/1130.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUSTABANGER Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 I know this is long dormant, but I just thought I'd update it with some current prices (Nov. 2014): Airlift kit #AIR-57113 ... $289.99 Replacement spring #50252 ... $109.50 http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/air-57113/applications http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/air-50252/applications/ Firestone kit #1130 ... $354.65 Replacement spring #6873 ... $147.63 http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/fip-1130 http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/fip-6873 Firestone kit #2115 ... NLA Replacement spring #6781 ... $145.50 http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/fip-6781 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 Since I happened to do a search (June 2017), the Airlift kit #57113 is available for $277 from:- http://www.truckspring.com/suspension-parts/helper-springs/air-spring-kits/air-lift/load-lifter-5000-57113.aspx Kind of amazing that prices have held steady all these years! Sorry, didn't check Firestone. Here's 3-T:- 3T - price_sheet 02 11 2016.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 9, 2018 Author Share Posted January 9, 2018 Despite a rumor started this morning on FB, 3-T is still open for business. I've just had it confirmed by 3-T that these prices are still current:- http://www.3tsrv.com/files/price_sheet02112016.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juano Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 On 1/9/2018 at 8:11 AM, Derek up North said: Despite a rumor started this morning on FB, 3-T is still open for business. I've just had it confirmed by 3-T that these prices are still current:- http://www.3tsrv.com/files/price_sheet02112016.pdf Hi Derek! I got an 84' 4x4 Sunrader and I'm looking to buy some Blistein Shocks and Firestone airbags. Tried to use the links that you put but they only fit from 86' in advance, so they might be only IFS. Any chance that you can help me to find both parts? I need to leave the states in 1 week so I'm in a kind of rush 😱 Thanks, Juano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted December 11, 2018 Author Share Posted December 11, 2018 I'd say your best & quickest way to get quick answers would be to contact the suppliers directly. As far as I know, Firestone still doesn't offer a kit for 'Motorhomes', so probably best to tell them you've a LWB 4x4 that you want to carry a slide-in camper. EDIT. Sorry about the non-answer. A 4x4 will be a different animal to a 2WD. Lifted? You might need to use spacers to keep the air springs from being over extended. And shock lengths will probably be different for the same reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted April 29, 2020 Author Share Posted April 29, 2020 Information on the air springs used by 3-T. Someone just ordered and received a kit from 3-T (April, 2020) and in the box was:- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 I went with the Airlift 5000 and removed the 3-Ts system. I wasn't impressed with the 3-Ts brackets; however the Airlift installation wasn't easy either. Took both of us almost 3 hrs. to put them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 Old 3-T vs New Airlift comparison. Even the look of the 3-T 'Head Office' doesn't inspire much confidence (in me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micheal Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 On 5/11/2020 at 7:27 AM, Derek up North said: Old 3-T vs New Airlift comparison. Even the look of the 3-T 'Head Office' doesn't inspire much confidence (in me). Hi there mine failed like yours too , 1990 Toyota itasca rwd dually with the same airbags . got a quick question tho , did you have to drill with the airbag 5000? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 If an Airlift kit has not been installed before, you have to drill (3) 5/16" holes for (3) 3/8" self-tapping bolts in the frame rails (each side). I seem to remember that some have mentioned needing a right-angle drill due to space problems. Airlift 57113 MN-214.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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