Rite-Ride 2223 - Manual (Page 3)

AIR
SPRING
FRAME
SHOCK
ABSORBER
AXLE
MARK AND DRILL HOLES
LOWER
BRACKET
UPPER
BRACKET
AIR FITTING
LOCATER HOLE
(SOME MODELS)
3/8” -16 x 3/4” HEX BOLT
BRACKET STRAP
FRONT
DRIVER’S SIDE
S
TEP
1 - P
REPARE THE VEHICLE
With the vehicle on a solid, level surface chock the rear
wheels. Raise the vehicle by the front axle and remove the
front wheels. After the removal of the wheels, lower the
vehicle so that the axle rests on jack stands rated for your
vehicle's weight. Remove the negative battery cable.
S
TEP
2 - P
RE
-
ASSEMBLE THE KIT
NOTE: Figures "A" & "B" refer to the assembly and
installation for 1999 - current model years. For 1984 -
1998 model years, refer to the illustration in Figure "A"
for proper hole selection when attaching the air spring
to the brackets.
Pre-assembly will begin with the left, or driver's side of
the vehicle. All illustrations show the left side installation
and assembly unless noted otherwise.
Select one air spring from your kit. Install the air fitting
as shown in Figure "A". Tighten the air fitting so as to
make contact with the nylon ring and then tighten 1/4 turn
to snug the fitting. Nothread sealant is needed. Install the
upper bracket by inserting the studs on the top of the air
spring into the holes that correspond to your vehicle's model year see Figure
"A". Using two 3/8" -16 flanged hex nuts, secure the upper bracket to the air
spring. Attach the lower bracket to the bottom of the air spring see Figure
"A" using the hole that corresponds to your vehicle's model year with a 3/8"
-16 x 3/4" flanged hex bolt. Note: The slot in the lower bracket will not be
used in the installation of this kit.
S
TEP
3 - P
RE
-
FIT AND MARK
/
DRILL HOLES
Place the assembly on top of the leaf stack behind the shock absorber on
the driver's side. The hook on the lower bracket must capture the leaf spring
U-bolt see Figures "A" & "B". Place the upper bracket flush against the frame
rail. Align the air spring so that it is oriented as close to vertical as possible.
Note: This is only done on vehicles without the locating stud. Using the
holes in the bracket as a template, mark the holes to be drilled in the frame rail.
Refer to Figure "C" for proper hole selection. The distance between the
upper and lower bracket should be from 5" to 5-1/2". Some vehicles will have
a stud and a nut on the frame rail that can be used to locate the upper bracket
on the frame rail. The large hole on the upper bracket is designed to accept
the locating stud and nut. Use this stud to assist in the alignment of the upper
bracket, making sure that the air spring is aligned as close to vertical as possible see Figures "A" & "B". Mark the holes to be drilled
with a center punch and remove air spring assembly from the vehicle. Before drilling, make sure all electrical, brake and fuel lines
are cleared from the path of the drill. Damage to lines can be avoided by inserting a piece of wood between the frame rail and the
lines in question. Drill the four holes in the frame rail using a 7/16" drill bit see Figures "B" & "C". Some vehicles have brake
proportioning valves located behind the frame rail. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the proportioning valve.
S
TEP
4- I
NSTALL THE ASSEMBLY TO THE VEHICLE
After drilling the holes in the frame rail, place the air spring assembly back on the leaf stack, making sure that the hook on the
lower bracket captures the leaf spring U-bolt see Figure "B". Install the 3/8" -16 hex bolts through the mounting holes in the upper
bracket holes and in the frame rail. Fasten the upper bracket to the frame rail using the 3/8" -16 flanged hex nuts and large flat washers
to the back of the frame rail see Figures "A" & "B". Next, attach the lower bracket to the leaf spring assembly. Insert the
3/8" -16 x 3" carriage bolts through the square holes in the lower bracket. The carriage bolts will straddle the leaf stack. Slide the
axle strap onto the carriage bolts so as to clamp the lower bracket to the leaf stack see Figures "A" & "B". Fasten the axle straps
to the carriage bolts using the supplied 3/8" -16 flanged hex nuts.
1999 model year vehicles will require a 3/8" -16 x 2-1/4" hex bolt on the driver's side of the vehicle in place of the inside
3" carriage bolt see Figure "A".
Figure "B"
Figure "C"
UPPER BRACKET FRONT VIEW
HOLE SELECTION
A A
B
B
C C
1999-CURRENT VEHICLES USE
HOLES “A” & “B”
1984-1998 VEHICLES USE
HOLES “A” & “C”