Installed airlift bags

[MidOhioHunter]

Installed the Airlift 1000 bags in the rear springs yesterday. Now I haven't towed with them yet but I see how well these are going to work right away. What a simple modification/upgrade to suspension for less than $100 and about 2 hrs of time. If anyone else out there is considering doing this to their vehicle and have questions, let me know. I can probably save you a little time by giving some tips on preparation and installation.

[kcandsting]

We have a Ram 1500 hemi, Big Horn, 2012, and are going to do this also, we have some sag when towing and when we moved the hitch up a chain link it took too much weight off the rear of the truck so we decided this would be the route to go. The trunk pulls great, no sway, we just want to get rid of the sag. We pull a Sunset Reserve 25 rb

[MidOhioHunter]

kcandsting,
I met a guy at a campground about 3 weeks ago who had a '13 Ram 1500 Sport, and he airbaged his. He was pulling a 33', 7000# trailer and the truck was riding perfectly level as I watched him drive out. Sold me on them right there.

I'll try to get a couple of pics posted and explain a bit more later. I wish I would have taken some while working on it but my sore back and legs are reminder enough.

[OhioMark]

Totally agree here, the bags are great. I had an issue last weekend with my onboard compressor not filling them and I definitely felt the difference not have them charged up.

If anyone is considering the onboard compressor now or down the road, the wirelessOne remote system is great. We need to air up all the way then drop it to get over the apron in our driveway, so I need to air up and down at least 2x every trip. ProPride hitches ride super-low.

[johnboytoo]

+1 on the airlift and WirelessONE compressor !!!
Installed for $39 @ Camping World for us

[Tim D]

I had the Ride Rite Ride Control 2000 installed on my 03 Silverado. What a difference. I bought a portable air tank and carry it in bed of truck. Waaaay cheaper than on board compressor. Volume is so small that it only takes a couple quick shots to be at 30 lbs of pressure. These where advertised as no drill but do require drilling. I hind sight, I think I could have got by with the sport. Suspension Connection was by far the cheapest place I found and got them quick with free shipping.

[MidOhioHunter]

Here's the pics I promised, obviously one is of the Airlift 1000 bag in the spring, the other is the inflation point at the rear license plate. I don't have an on-board compressor, decided to get the manual fill style. I tee'd it off to have one inflation point (since I don't have unequal loads and will inflate both bags to the same pressure). I chose the inflation point based on another Ram I saw previously and because it make sense when I'm spending time at that end of the truck preparing to travel.

When I inflated the bags to the max 35 psi the rear end rose about 1-1/2", but with minimal air (5 psi min) it rides at normal height with no difference in suspension feel from "stock". I just really wanted to get this done prior to our South Dakota trip coming up soon.

[OhioMark]

Originally Posted by MidOhioHunter

Here's the pics I promised, obviously one is of the Airlift 1000 bag in the spring, the other is the inflation point at the rear license plate. I don't have an on-board compressor, decided to get the manual fill style. I tee'd it off to have one inflation point (since I don't have unequal loads and will inflate both bags to the same pressure). I chose the inflation point based on another Ram I saw previously and because it make sense when I'm spending time at that end of the truck preparing to travel.

When I inflated the bags to the max 35 psi the rear end rose about 1-1/2", but with minimal air (5 psi min) it rides at normal height with no difference in suspension feel from "stock". I just really wanted to get this done prior to our South Dakota trip coming up soon.

Jeff,

Nice Install. Real Pro job.. Had to cut the jousts on my F150..whata pain.

One thing to point out..eExact place I put my schrader valve. It rusted and stained the bumper in less than a year of an Ohio Winter and looked less than attractive. I think it was the cheap washer set they give you that caused it. You might want to either put a good coat of rustoleum or get SS washers.

PS

Tribes above .500 since early April!!!

[kcandsting]

Thanks we live close to the coast here in Florida and the salt air would probably rust it.

[MidOhioHunter]

Well, not much we can do about the salt on the ground or in the air so I guess I'll be changing the washers every year or so. No biggie. The installation point is thick plastic so it won't rust that part of the truck and hopefully I can keep up with keeping it clean. Fear of rust wasn't going to stop me from doing this mod.

Tribe: 8-2 in last 10 games, 2nd place in the division and only 3.5 behind the motor city kitties.

[MidOhioHunter]

Well, I got my first chance to try out the truck with the airbags in the rear coils, wow, what a difference. Ran it with 25 psi of air (range is 5psi to 35psi) and felt that it rode very level with a bit more control vs without them. Overall, very pleased I made this upgrade to the truck, well worth the 2 hrs and the sore back.

[hondavalk]

Originally Posted by OhioMark

Jeff,

Nice Install. Real Pro job.. Had to cut the jousts on my F150..whata pain.

I feel your pain about cutting them off. Had to cut the jousts off on my Tundra also. After a little trail and error found a sawzall run at a slow speed with an aggressive wood blade worked well.

[kcandsting]

We went over to order the airbags, but since we have no sway, trailer pulls great we were leary to change, we only have about 1 inch sag on the back of the truck so we were hesitant to change things. I have lots stored under the bed 6 chairs, TV, Small table, extra hoses and electric cord, drill, tools, maybe I have too much weight up front.

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by kcandsting

We went over to order the airbags, but since we have no sway, trailer pulls great we were leary to change, we only have about 1 inch sag on the back of the truck so we were hesitant to change things. I have lots stored under the bed 6 chairs, TV, Small table, extra hoses and electric cord, drill, tools, maybe I have too much weight up front.

If you only have 1 in of sag I don't think I would mess with them. They did make a difference on my truck. They don't do anything for sway. For leveling only.

[MidOhioHunter]

Originally Posted by kcandsting

We went over to order the airbags, but since we have no sway, trailer pulls great we were leary to change, we only have about 1 inch sag on the back of the truck so we were hesitant to change things. I have lots stored under the bed 6 chairs, TV, Small table, extra hoses and electric cord, drill, tools, maybe I have too much weight up front.

Yeah, with only 1" sag I wouldn't even consider it. I'm probably loaded a bit heavy upfront too but my forward storage is the ONLY storage compartment I have. I've tried to buy lightweight accessories to minimize the effects, but it still adds up.

Want to make sure I'm understanding some of the other comments, did you cut off your jounce bumpers to install the airbags? I had to do nothing like that. Ran the airline down from the top of the spring pocket through the open hole, hooked up the airbag, slid it in, ran lines for the single inflation point, done.

Cutting anything off the truck would make me nervous. I can hear my dealership now; sorry Jeff you just voided your warranty.

[hondavalk]

Originally Posted by MidOhioHunter

.

Want to make sure I'm understanding some of the other comments, did you cut off your jounce bumpers to install the airbags? I had to do nothing like that. Ran the airline down from the top of the spring pocket through the open hole, hooked up the airbag, slid it in, ran lines for the single inflation point, done.

Cutting anything off the truck would make me nervous. I can hear my dealership now; sorry Jeff you just voided your warranty.

I had to cut off the joust when I installed Firestone Ride Rite bags because they mount right on the springs were the stops are.

[avvidclif]

Ok I'll bite. What's a joust? The internet says it's a game as does the dictionary.

[hondavalk]

There hard rubber cone like devices that stop the leaf springs from hitting the frame if you bottom out

[MEHoffman]

Originally Posted by avvidclif

Ok I'll bite. What's a joust? The internet says it's a game as does the dictionary.

The rubber bumper that stops the suspension from bottoming out.

[johnboytoo]

Those darn typo's can get us !
Sorry, but think the proper spelling is jounce
http://www.airliftcompany.com/workshop/jounce-bumper/