TruckSpring Times

The ReadyLift 44-2157 Multi-Lift System for the Ford F-150 offers drivers the chance to customize the lift height and look to exactly what you want with 2 simple choices.  The MLS kit is engineered with a never before seen central bracket kit that uses 1 front and 1 rear option to complete the lift on your Ford F-150.

The 44-2157 lift kit is designed specifically for 2009-2015 4x4 Ford F-150's.

The lift kit system allows for either 5, 6 or 7 inches of front lift with the options for 1 of 3 rear block heights to either level, rake or set a nose-high or pre-runner look to the truck.  Ultimately, choose your height and choose your look, and you’re done.

Ready Lift 44-2157 Features:

• Ride Height Adjustable Strut Towers allows the choice of 5, 6, or 7 inch of front ride height
• Heavy duty one piece cross members
• Integrated Sway Bar Drop Brackets maintain proper front sway bar operation.
• Rack and Pinion Steering Drop System lowers the factory rack and pinion steering system to improve tie rod mounting points on the steering knuckle.
  
• Steering extension and support assembly provides secure and precise steering
• Heavy Duty Extended Length Steering Knuckles maintain upper and lower control arm relationship
  
• Heavy Duty Front Differential Skid Plate
  
• Rear Suspension Features three optional rear height choices for desired front lift and provide a level stance
  
• 3” Lift Block & U-Bolt Kit (for 5” Front Ride Height)
• 4” Lift Block & U-Bolt Kit (for 6” Front Ride Height)
• 5” Lift Block & U-Bolt Kit (for 7” Front Ride Height)
  
• Lift Blocks feature a built-in bump stop contact pad to ensure proper bump engagement
• Brake Line Drop Bracket maintains proper length and function
• Capable of use with extended length performance rear shock absorber - ReadyLIFT SST9000 series billet aluminum shocks (not included)
• Tough Silver Powder Coat Finish

The Firestone Ride-Rite Air Command Kit 2556 for Android allows you to remotely adjust the amount of air in your Firestone air helper springs at the push of a button by conveniently turning your smartphone into the controller.

The kit includes a Light Duty air compressor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), wire harness, relay, exhaust valve, airline and instructions for downloading the Firestone Ride-Rite Air Command app for Android.

The Android app works as the controller to provide an instant air source while delivering convenient adjustability to the air helper springs.

The Firestone Android Air Command kit is easy to install, convenient and puts the power of air in the palm of your hand.

• Quick and easy installation
• No wires inside the vehicle
• Provides an easy and convenient air source solution
• Bluetooth technology for secure wireless interaction
• Adjust the height of your vehicle up to 25 feet away
• Compatible with Android smartphones and tablets

Put your Android smartphone to use to control the power of air with the Firestone 2556 Ride-Rite Air Command Kit from TruckSpring.com. Call 1-800-358-4751 to order or order online at the link above.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has issued a recall on Toyota Tacoma pickups. The recall covers Tacoma 4x4 and Pre-Runner pickups from the 2005 through 2011 model years. The recall affects over 600,000 trucks manufactured from September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. On these trucks one of the leaf springs may break (either from stress or corrosion) and as a result the fuel tank may be punctured causing a fuel leak. Toyota has not yet released a remedy for this recall but it is expected to begin recalling vehicles at the end of November 2014.

Owners will be notified by mail and Toyota says dealers will fix the problem at no cost. If you have any questions about the Toyota leaf spring recall you can call Toyota at (800) 331-4331.

New from Hellwig are two new sway bars for the 2014 Ram 2500 pickup.  The Hellwig 7306 is designed for the rear and is 1-1/4 inch in diameter and fits 2 and 4 wheel drive models with rear coil springs.

The Hellwig 7741 is designed for the front and is 1-3/8 inch in diameter and fits 4 wheel drive models with rear coil springs.  Both are made from high quality hot formed and heat treated 4140 chrome poly spring steel.

Hellwig sway bars reduce body roll so you benefit from better vehicle control and greatly improved cornering traction for safer driving and turning capabilities. They feature fast, easy, "Bolt-on" installation with simple hand tools and include polyurethane bushings. Hellwig sway bars have a greater surface area than the typical factory sway bar, which gives it better roll resistance.

Hellwig sway bars are heat formed and coined as one piece to insure they will be the most durable, strongest and that they will be the most resistant to form alteration, important factors to consider in an anti-sway bar.

So if you want better control of your 2014 Ram 2500, upgrade to a Hellwig sway bar from TruckSpring.com.

Owners of 2014 Ram 2500's! If the rear coil springs on your new 2014 RAM 2500 are sagging under the loads you are carrying, we now have the answer. The Firestone Ride-Rite air spring kit 2580 kit is designed to provided extra support for the new Dodge RAM 2500 pick ups. This is a no drill air spring kit that uses the existing holes in your frame for easy installation. The kit was designed to position the air spring between the coil spring and tire for maximum stability. It has a 5,000 lb. capacity and can drastically improve the ride height and stability when carrying heavy loads in your 2014 RAM 2500.
.

• 2 Firestone 6873 Air Springs
• Brackets
• Hardware
• Air line
• Separate inflation valves for manual inflation
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bag Kits & Daystar Air Bag Cradle Not Compatible.

Firestone has issued a warning advising customers not to use the Daystar Air Bag Cradle in conjunction with Firestone Ride-Rite kits. Use of a cradle could create a safety issue and shorten the lifespan of your Firestone Ride-Rite airbags.

Firestone states that the air bag should be fully restricted prior to pressurization and use. Installation and use of the Daystar cradle require the air spring to be partially unrestricted all of the time which would lead to a high-stress scenario that potentially places the user at risk. In addition, the cradle subjects the Ride-Rite airbag to forces that were not tested to withstand.

The use of a cradle could cause a bottoming out of the air spring and subject the spring and brackets to extreme impact and spike loads. Firestone has no plans to test its air springs or brackets with the Daystar cradle and will not warrant products used or installed with the cradle. To protect against injuries or damage to your vehicle or Firestone product, do not use the Daystar Air Bag Cradle with your Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bag Kit.

Bilstein shocks are one of the best shock absorbers you can buy and it’s no secret. The problem lately has been a large increase in back orders and long lead times on popular Bilstein shock absorbers.

Bilstein announced today that they are taking new measures to combat the long back order times.

According to Steven Beaty, President of Bilstein of America Aftermarket & Motorsports, “First, our plan includes an immediate investment in additional manufacturing equipment totaling over one million dollars. Second, we have hired additional labor and transitioned to a 4 shift production model effectively operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The combination of these two actions will start to deliver increased output over the next several weeks.”

At Michigan Truck Spring, we carry a large inventory of Bilstein shock absorbers in our warehouse. We have noticed the increased lead times and are hopeful the increased production helps correct the problem. Feel free to call us at 1-800-358-4751 or email us a truckspring@truckspring.com if you need to check inventory or lead times on any Bilstein shock absorbers. 

SuperSprings has discontinued SuperSway-Stops part number SSS-1 and replaced it with a new and improved kit, Supersprings part SSS-2.

Super Sway Stops kit SSS-2 will fit all of the previous applications covered by the SSS-1 with the inclusion of the Ford F-450 and F-550 trucks. The new SSS-2 kit has upgraded hardware to accommodate the added weight of the Ford F-450 and F-550.

SSS-2 SuperSway-Stops fit the following trucks:

1997-2014 Ford F-250 Pickups with factory overload springs above the spring pack
1997-2014 Ford F-350 Pickups with factory overload springs above the spring pack
2008-2014 Ford F-450 SuperDuty Pickup with factory overload springs above the spring pack
2000-2014 Ford F-450 & F-550 Cab and Chassis pickups with factory overload springs above the spring pack
2006-2013 Dodge RAM 2500 with factory overload springs above the spring pack
2006-2014 Dodge RAM 3500 with factory overload springs above the spring pack

How SuperSway Stops Work:

Super Sway stops are designed to work with trucks that have air bags or air springs installed. If you have airbags installed on your truck with factory overloads, you may have noticed that once you inflate your airbags, your overload springs are no longer performing as designed. When your air bags are inflated, additional separation is created between your factory overload springs and the frame-mounted snubber or contact plate.

The increase in the gap prevents your overload springs from contacting the snubber. This loss of contact prevents the overload springs from working as designed. The SSS-2 Super Sway Stop kit is designed to eliminate this gap and allow the overload springs to work in conjunction with your air bags. This will help maintain vehicle stability and reduce body-roll and sway.

What's Included in SuperSway Stops Kit SSS-2

4 SuperSway Stops (2 for each side)
Installation Instructions (Simple Bolt-on Installation)

Super Sway Stop kit SSS-2 is a simple bolt-on installation and is proudly made in the U.S.A by SuperSprings.

Does it matter which way I mount my Bilstein shocks?

Bilstein shocks often come with the same size mounting eyes on each end. We often get asked "Can I mount them with the shock boot up, does it matter which side is facing up?"

The majority of Bilstein shocks mount with the boot on the top of the shock. Bilstein does have some shocks that do have the boot on the bottom of the shock and the same size mounting eyes on each end. As a general rule with all Bilstein shocks, you should pay attention to the label. Bilstein tech advises that you should always mount your shocks so that the Bilstein logo is right-side up.

Above is Bilstein rear shock 24-186742 for the 1999-2010 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. The shock has 14.1 mm mounting eyes on each end. The correct way to install it is with the boot on top and the logo facing the correct way.

Above is Bilstein rear shock 33-187419 for the 2009-2013 Ford F-150. The shock has 12mm eyes on each end, so it could be mounted either way. The correct way to mount it is as shown with the boot down and the label facing so it is not upside down.

So, If you are not sure which way is up on your shocks or wonder if you can mount them either way, always look at the Bilstein logo. If it is upside down, so are your shocks!

Firestone announced today, May 16, 2014,  that after 6 years of production they have decided to discontinue offering the R4Tech air suspension product.

If you purchased a Firestone R4 Kit they will continue to honor the original terms of the warranty. Firestone will also continue to provide technical and warranty assistance for existing customers. Firestone advised will have service and repair parts available for a minimum of 5 years.