Daystar Cradles

[MOPARManiac]

Thought I would start a new thread on this concerning the Daystar Cradles. The instructions for them are vague at best.

I'm using the Airlift 5000 Ultimate Airbags with the internal bump stops. When using the Daystar cradles I see where other members who have posted photos are not using the silver metal plate attached to the bottom of the airbags or of course attaching the airbags to the bottom mount.

So my concern/question-The airbags are going to stand up to use & abuse being the bottom of the airbags are plastic? Do you leave the bottom threaded holes open? Won't debris collect in those holes and possibly damage the airbags causing them to leak? Did anyone use silicone or something else to close the threaded holes to prevent debris from getting into the airbags?

[olyelr]

I left the bolt hole open. No issues for mine yet. Been a few years now.

[Oilbrnr]

I didn't do anything to the extra slots. I drive in extremely dusty/SW dirt every day. No worries or noticeable abrasion yet.

[MOPARManiac]

Thanks for the replies, I put some silicone in the holes to help alleviate my OCD.....

Now for the next thing to figure out. With the Power Wagons with leaf springs I will have to use the lower bracket that attaches to the axle that came with the kit. Two carriage bolts go through the mount and secure it with a bottom bracket. Of course the carriage bolts are in the way of the cradles to sit flat on the bracket. I ground the carriage bolts flat and then shimmed the center bolt for the cradle with a washer so there is a around 1/8" gap between the bottom of the cradle and mount with three points of contact. I also had to drill a hole 1" from the factory hole on the bracket to center the cradles to the airbags.

Now I'm trying to decide if the 3 points of contact will be strong enough and allow the cradles to not break or should they sit completely flat on the bracket above the axle? Decisions......Decisions...I may cut off the heads of the carriage bolts and weld them to the bracket. Wont take much and then the cradles will sit flat and I don't have to wonder if they'll break.

Hopefully this thread will help those that have the leaf sprung Power Wagons. I can only find information on Daystar Cradles being mounted on Power Wagons with rear coil springs.

[Retired BLM Rig]

Would there be any benefit using elevator bolts instead of carriage bolts?

[MOPARManiac]

Would there be any benefit using elevator bolts instead of carriage bolts?

That's a good idea, never thought about it. I guess it would depend on the thickness of the elevator bolts. What are they, probably 1/16" thick? You would just have to shim the bolt that attaches the cradle to the mount the same thickness, or grind the area of the cradle off that would sit over the elevator bolts then the cradle would sit flat. I think the cradle would hold up, I think it would hold up the way I originally had them at around 1/8".

I finished putting mine on today. I cut the heads off the carriage bolts and welded them to the bracket. Now the cradles fit flat on the mount. If someone doesn't have access to a welder then I would definitely go with elevator bolts. Great idea BLM Rig.