Peterbilt Air Ride front axle.

A comprehensive look at Peterbilt's 13,200 lbs air ride front springs on a Peterbilt 389 tractor.
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Peterbilt Mike
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Peterbilt Pacific Inc.
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Prince George, BC
V2N 5S3
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[@trueside0812]

Hey Mike, here in the states, a lot of people will order the additional leveling valve for two reasons: 1. Truck keeps a more consistent ride height. 2. Swap out the valves for rear valves that have a dump port and wire them up to a factory spare switch so they can just dump the front end when they park. And for those interested in having a lower front end, make sure you order the 5” (car hauler) drop axle over the normal 3.5” drop. The 5” with the bags on a switch make for a great stance.

[@mikethetrucknut]

Awesome, this one has the 5" drop and realized after I didn't even mention it 🤦‍♂️ Dump switch on this one will be a must.

[@billupstateny9151]

@@mikethetrucknut Without regard for the factory drop setting, the degree of distance between inflate/ deflate, remains constant 🤔❓👀

[@mikethetrucknut]

Yes it does.

[@billupstateny9151]

Depends on the type of application. 5 inch is the car hauler spec & that default choice. But the flatbed guy, AKA Super Trucker Dan works in many of those Midwestern rust belt cities w/ old factories, pothole laden site roads where the bumper scrapes the mud puddles. Then there are off road deliveries to construction sites (especially cell & wind towers) + some military bases are very rough. Even box trailers see difficult deliveries Unless it is a show truck or car hauler, the 5 " stance for general freight is a poor choice. Must be able to determine delivery/ P-U destinations w/ certainty.

[@trueside0812]

@@billupstateny9151 I know tons of drivers with the 5” pulling all kinds of freight, usually under 80k obviously. The 1.5” is not a make or break. The guys who over compensate with a 22” aftermarket bumpers have problems. Actual car haulers don’t go in the best places, and they usually run 255 tires on the steers.

[@akichler]

Thank you for walking through that I just installed a front air ride system to my Peterbilt and was wondering how many leveling values were needed.

[@gladiusltd.5664]

Also helps with filling up a lil more diesel into the tanks, when you dump the front axle. Every gallon counts.

[@ljgaines8170]

My motto always is loving life and living to love.

[@gtmotorsports937]

Mike can I get the last 6 on the vin for this truck or a parts list? I want to retro fit the front suspension to my truck.

[@MS-rg3xy]

Thanks for the info Mike! I now understand the system a lot better. As far as road debris and rocks possibly damaging the bag maybe some sort of a shield for the bags. I have seen the shields protecting rear Bags on dump trucks that pour hot road asphalt.

[@mikethetrucknut]

That's a good idea.

[@superduty131]

Was thinking the same thing. Known issue could be easily remedied with some sort of shield.

[@mathieuauffret7324]

Most of European Trucks got rear and front air ride axles. It works perfectly and it’s way more comfortable....but they are all cabovers . Perhaps it is not as suitable for US trucks ??

[@jose_trucking8894]

Do you havs the part number for that 5" drop axle ?

[@MikeyTheTrucker]

I have same truck can I drop the truck with that valve while running

[@joshsuperduty1270]

Also what wheelbase is best for front axle

[@billupstateny9151]

Why do you believe that correlation matters🤔❓

[@Graveltrucking]

If you stick to highway driving I think the air ride steer axle would make the truck float. The owner ops that do a lot of regional or working in rural areas standard springs would be more durable

[@jimblevins4085]

Hey Graveltrucking? redoing a 93 exhd cat motor truck, have a 30ft frameless East, going back to East on the 1/10/2022 to have the front axle made to lift when im empty, taking the air leaf tandem out from under the 93 and replacing it with a single drive( 23k on Air Trac) with a lift to make it a tandem /tandem when im loaded and a 3 axle when im empty. Thinking about some type of air ride or air ride assist for the front axle? i run local, haul legal but a combo of 55mph and then 25 to 40mph limited 2 and 4 lane roads, Semi retired so beyond hauling big weight all over the place. I think it will do fine and ride nice? I should probably put this build on youtube as its kinda neat, add your opinion cause i dont like doing things over? Again let me know what you think, God Bless and Looking Foward to 2022!

[@natcoziay]

I agree. I have hendrickson front air ride and I hate it because the truck floats and wanders. The truck does ride softer but you pay for it with a little loss if control.

[@keyboard101101]

Mike, How did you start the truck without DEF?

[@mikethetrucknut]

It just had warning lights and leaked antifreeze

[@joshsuperduty1270]

What’s front axle works best for Peterbilt 389

[@billupstateny9151]

Believe the air ride option is paired w/ the Eaton Brand❓🤔🙄👀

[@richardmiller9777]

Hood skinz instead of old socks 👌👍

[@billupstateny9151]

Mike, thought I saw the air option is available w/ the 12K lb axle ? Is this true❓ 🤔 While discussing options, a wide track axle is also available w/ the air front suspension, True❓ As of January '21 the front air option is available on an additional model in THAT other PACCAR Brand, the one folks choose when Peterbilt is over budget.🤑🙊🙉🙈

[@mikethetrucknut]

Yes there are I should have gotten a little more in depth with the Axle options

[@davidkreidler7552]

Mike as a Peterbilt guy you should know, that's a blowdown safety latch and you should wait until your all done to move it!!!! I must inform you that I sent a link to this to the safety cops!!! LOL

[@mikethetrucknut]

Lol is it OSHA aproved? 🤣

[@davidkreidler7552]

@@mikethetrucknut LOL only when used properly!!

[@MrRavindersidhu]

what was the axle drop height on this truck

[@mikethetrucknut]

5 inch

[@MrRavindersidhu]

hey Mike does 3.5'' drop axle with air ride height makes a big difference

[@mikethetrucknut]

@@MrRavindersidhu Its not a huge difference.

[@gregulate891]

I’m have 1994 Peterbilt where can I Oder the air bag kit please help

[@mikethetrucknut]

Im not sure off hand. An aftermarket kit would probably be best

[@scoobertjoo]

" I dont start trucks from the ground" You think the starter is going to overcome the brakes? The brakes are for sure on, since there is no air....

[@billupstateny9151]

Two things : was told factory will provide DUEL front levelling valves. Also saw a dealer substitute rear leveling valves, connect to a switch, so the air can be dumped. The factory front valves do not have an exhaust port. A valve on R & L prevents the one side droop 👁 Some are promoting the large Cummins 37 cfm compressor. Tech Tues, why would this be a desirable option🤔❓👀🙄

[@mikethetrucknut]

The 37CFM compressor is quieter than the smaller one. The harmonics of the dual piston are better. Since they stopped taking their air off the charge air cooler they have gotten noisey.

[@ryandickens6009]

Mike,Do you sell rear ends?

[@mikethetrucknut]

Not used, although we might have a new takeout.

[@ryandickens6009]

@@mikethetrucknut do you have any 70,000 pound?

[@SportsTalk89]

I heard the air ride isnt really smoother and its more for looks

[@sukhjaud]

Siri really need help with steering wheel suspension

[@shawnmount2685]

20k lbs axle ?

[@maxpuppy96]

My nephew fabricates the best air bag front end around, he use's car hauler axles on the front end check him out at dirty diesels youtube channel.

[@saloonwarrior1]

6 min in and still haven't see it raised. Stay on task

[@dustinrieck312]

I have never seen a 389 only one leveling valve on the front no one around here does that!!!!

[@mikethetrucknut]

I Have to admit, I didn't order this one and it's not a common spec for up here. But I do love it 😍

[@dustinrieck312]

@@mikethetrucknut we do dual and put rear valves on to dump it from the cab to set it low in the parking lot .

[@mikethetrucknut]

I like that. The only issue we've had with dual is if you don't get the valves set right one set of bags can be half deflated while the other one is hard.

[@gtmotorsports937]

@@dustinrieck312 so I’m looking to do this swap on my truck. Do I need the 389 rear axle dump valves or will any rear axle dump valve work?

[@dustinrieck312]

@@gtmotorsports937 Yes the rear axle dump valve is what we use or you can put a electric one on I have seen never done one personally,