Must-Haves For Daily Drivers

Firestone Ride-Rite with Wireless Air Command

Published in the August 2012 Issue August 2012 Build Ryan Harris

Like you, part of shopping for a new truck (new or used) always includes a list of add-ons that you'll begin bolting on as soon as the truck lands in your driveway.

Our latest addition to the Diesel Tech fleet is a 2012 Ram 2500 with the latest Cummins 6.7L H.O. engine. We love the truck, but there is always room for improvement.

We have plans to improve the truck's fuel economy, make it a little more comfortable and user-friendly, and improve its towing manners and handling.

Powerlabs Diesel's Jeff Campbell sorts through the components of the Firestone Ride Rite 2299 before the truck goes up in the air.

After mounting the frame bracket, Campbell put the air line fitting in the top of the air spring, mounted the lower axle support and mounted the spring to the frame bracket.

Firestone has recently updated the lower axle bracket to make it easier to install. Taabs on the bracket fit inside the factory leaf spring u-bolt.

Campbell installs the air line fitting on the WR1-760-9284 air compressor.

Powerlabs adds a little silicone grease to all the air line fittings to prevent the sharp edge of the air line from cutting the internal o-ring. This is the first air system that hasn't leaked on us.

We opted for a coiled accessory air line for those times when you wish you had one. There's no tank, just air pressure direct from the compressor (which puts out a max 130 psi).

A fuse tap powers the compressor system.

Since the truck drags a loaded 28-foot enclosed trailer around on a regular basis, our first item on the must-have list was Firestone's Ride-Rite air springs with onboard compressor and wireless controller.

Campbell's install and wiring job was super clean. All the lines and wires are tucked away and protected.

The stock rear suspension

The Ride Rite airbag helper spring

The Ram 2500's rear suspension is set for improved handling with loads now.

Firestone's 9407 wireless controller gives you control of each air spring individually or paired as a single line pressure. You can also save three pressure settings on the memory buttons. The remote also has a built-in LED flashlight and recharges via mini USB charging port.

Twenty pounds of air pressure in the air springs makes a big difference with moderate tongue weight. It brings the rear end back up, settles the front of the truck back down and handles bumps better than loaded leaf springs.

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