Air bags in AHC coil springs

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F

frarmiller

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 21, 2010
Threads
5
Messages
9
Location
Gippsland Victoria Australia
When installing the air bags into the springs the suspension has to be lowered and the springs removed etc. I presume that the shockers have to be released at the bottom and was wondering if there is anything special that I have to do with the AHC?
Do I go to high, normal or low and then turn it off in order to make the release of the shockers any easier.
 
Lower the truck all the way down before jacking up, in order to let the pressure out of the shock. (You might even be able to just press LO after jacking up, don't konw if you lower the pressure completely that way)
Doesn't take much lowering of the axle after removing the shock from the lower mount, but keep an eye on the brake line still.

Give us a write-up, eh?
 
Curious to see details of the airbag installation, including manufacturer/brand of airbag system etc., and pros/cons of airbags vs. adjustable air shocks (if air shocks are even made for 100 series application).

I'm converting my LX to OEM LC suspension, and adding something like airbags for rear load carrying/leveling may be next.
 
Tinkerer said:
Curious to see details of the airbag installation, including manufacturer/brand of airbag system etc., and pros/cons of airbags vs. adjustable air shocks (if air shocks are even made for 100 series application).

I'm converting my LX to OEM LC suspension, and adding something like airbags for rear load carrying/leveling may be next.
Click to expand...

I wish I had photos of my install (x2), but anyway....
There are some photos on here if you search. My first set was Firestone brand and they are designed to have the air tubes come in from the top, so you have to remove the rubber bumpstop and use the bolt hole for the air line. The air lines are fairly hard and there is little clearance between the top of the mount and the body, so the radius of the tube is in a high friction situation. The tubes connect to the Firestone bags with speed connectors that require a good clean square cut to seal up. These connections don't hold up under stress. The spring and air bag movement did not jive with the constricted air hose and I was constantly losing the connection.

My second set is AirLift brand. They are supplied from the axle end of the spring mount with old fashioned barbed hose fittings and clamps. For these you need to modify and remount the bump stops above, as well as drill out a larger hole in the lower spring seat. Soft metal and easy to access. The trick with these bags is getting a good air line route to the axle and then to each bag (lots of zip ties).

I ran a line inside the truck to a valve above the rear A/C unit and keep a low pressure guage handy. If you lower the air to less than say 7psi they can be too loose inside the springs. I keep about 10-12 for normal driving and increase accordingly for loads. Usually no more than 20 psi.

Install is easy, but have a couple jacks handy. Put the truck fairly high on jack stands, remove both tires, disconnect the shocks and sway bar is it. You need to have the shocks and sway bar disconnected on both sides at the same time. Use a jack at the diff to be a pivot point and protect the brake line. Can be done in a couple of hours or less easily depending on how organized you are.

Good luck.:cheers:
 
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