Airbag Suspension Questions (1 Viewer)

[sc40]

Hi All,

I’ve got an idea and would appreciate the collective input from Mud. To give a bit of context; Almost every time I use the LC it includes a camping trip. While the breeze of setup is great with a RTT, it can be a bit of a pain to get it level. Additionally with the rear ARB bumper and all the camping gear the Frankie’s off-road springs can sag a little.

I was thinking that by putting airbags in the springs I’d be able to individually pump up the two rear corners to level out the tent. As well as give help offset a bit of the sagging when loaded up.

Here are a few of my questions..
1) how do air bags even work, can you easily add/remove air to reduce their “help”? (Note, I do have an ARB air compressor)
2) What brands would be good and not significantly limit the suspension travel?

 

[badlander]

You won't get much lift from airbags. I only get about an inch or so with mine but thats after the truck is fully loaded. They basically just keep your truck at the same level it was before you loaded it up.
They work by not pushing up and down vertically, which is what you would think. They actually provide lift by squeeting out between the coils of the spring and spreading the coils apart vertically and at the same time providing resistence to coil movement.
To level my tent I use a stack of 1/2" plywwod and 1x8 board plates that I can stack as needed under front or rear tires. I also have small levels attached to the side snd rear of my roof rack for visual aids in finding level.

 

[hoser]

@sc40 The airbags have Schrader valves, one for each airbag and you fill them as you would a tire. 5psi is the minimum. If you wanted real ease of adjustment, they have kits (or you can make your own) that allow independent, on the fly inflation/deflation with in-cabin pressure monitoring.

@badlander Which model airbag did you install? I believe they have different sizes depending on lift. I think you can get more than 1" of "RTT lift" with the longer airbags (and 2" lift rear springs).

Those with AHC can get more height adjustment when they put AHC in LO and use the airbags for height adjustment.

 

[sc40]

@hoser do you happen to have a link to one of these kits or know who makes them?

 

[hoser]

Well, there are two major companies, Firestone and Air Lift that manufacture airbags and they both offer the controllers. They even have wireless versions. Can adjust it from your bed!

WirelessAIR 2nd Gen

www.airliftcompany.com

 

[Mike NXP]

Hi All,

I’ve got an idea and would appreciate the collective input from Mud. To give a bit of context; Almost every time I use the LC it includes a camping trip. While the breeze of setup is great with a RTT, it can be a bit of a pain to get it level. Additionally with the rear ARB bumper and all the camping gear the Frankie’s off-road springs can sag a little.

I was thinking that by putting airbags in the springs I’d be able to individually pump up the two rear corners to level out the tent. As well as give help offset a bit of the sagging when loaded up.

Here are a few of my questions..
1) how do air bags even work, can you easily add/remove air to reduce their “help”? (Note, I do have an ARB air compressor)
2) What brands would be good and not significantly limit the suspension travel?

My take on this would be to invest in maxtrax instead. They'll save your ass when you get stuck and also allow you to level off your rig for sleeping. Then again they are expensive and bulky so you may not have the space.

OR

Just find somewhere level to park. I've been car camping in the backwoods my entire life and it can be done lol

To your original goal, I am useless since I haven't used airbags before so I guess I'll shutup now.

 

[badlander]

@sc40 The airbags have Schrader valves, one for each airbag and you fill them as you would a tire. 5psi is the minimum. If you wanted real ease of adjustment, they have kits (or you can make your own) that allow independent, on the fly inflation/deflation with in-cabin pressure monitoring.

@badlander Which model airbag did you install? I believe they have different sizes depending on lift. I think you can get more than 1" of "RTT lift" with the longer airbags (and 2" lift rear springs).

Those with AHC can get more height adjustment when they put AHC in LO and use the airbags for height adjustment.

I have the standard version 60728 with 866 springs and 1" spacers. There is a ton of room above the bags, even with stock springs. Seens like they should include a longer one as standard for 100's rather than this one. I actually received a replacement set in the mail today since the original pair installed about 8 years ago totally crumbled to pieces. Thank you Air Lift for your lifetime warrantee

 

[Pubert]

I have the standard version 60728 with 866 springs and 1" spacers. There is a ton of room above the bags, even with stock springs. Seens like they should include a longer one as standard for 100's rather than this one. I actually received a replacement set in the mail today since the original pair installed about 8 years ago totally crumbled to pieces. Thank you Air Lift for your lifetime warranteeView attachment 3385093View attachment 3385094

What did you do with the rubber bumpers in the spring? Did you leave them, or did you have to cut them? Do you need a puck with your install?

 

[badlander]

OEM Rubber bump stops were removed, per installation instructions. No puck was used.

What did you do with the rubber bumpers in the spring? Did you leave them, or did you have to cut them? Do you need a puck with your install?

 

[TheRealPoser]

I have the standard version 60728 with 866 springs and 1" spacers. There is a ton of room above the bags, even with stock springs. Seens like they should include a longer one as standard for 100's rather than this one. I actually received a replacement set in the mail today since the original pair installed about 8 years ago totally crumbled to pieces. Thank you Air Lift for your lifetime warrantee

Good to hear they stand by the warranty. Given you've gotten 8 years out of them and are replacing with the same set, is it safe to assume they have been doing what then need to prevent sag even though they have a big gap over the bag? Sounds like a similar setup to me except I only have 15mm spacers. Even with the heavy springs I get a lot of sag when loaded up and towing.

 

[badlander]

Good to hear they stand by the warranty. Given you've gotten 8 years out of them and are replacing with the same set, is it safe to assume they have been doing what then need to prevent sag even though they have a big gap over the bag? Sounds like a similar setup to me except I only have 15mm spacers. Even with the heavy springs I get a lot of sag when loaded up and towing.

They are meeting my needs at maintaining height but I am actually slightly stinkbuggy to begin with when empty and no air in the bags. If I were to buy them again I would investigate the longer version hoser mentioned just for more flexibility.

 

[GTV]

Adding Airbags to AHC

Picture is probably too subtle to show but it's part of the why - adding airbags creates the ability to level the vehicle side to side and front to back for backcountry car camping. In the pic, I have the right side jacked up 2" with about 25 PSI in the right rear bag. Secondly, while AHC has...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[TheRealPoser]

They are meeting my needs at maintaining height but I am actually slightly stinkbuggy to begin with when empty and no air in the bags. If I were to buy them again I would investigate the longer version hoser mentioned just for more flexibility.

Which longer version? The link from hoser above is only a general link for the new wireless version as far as I can tell. I may be / probably am missing something. I found the universal kit 60925 on the airlift website that I was pondering, but if anything it looks like the bag may be even shorter but with pucks. I'd rather have a longer bag. 60925 is nearly the longest set they list though.

 

[TheRealPoser]

I posted a reply on another thread that I believe explains why the bag is shorted than the coil, given the similarities the threads I'll put a link here as well and not repeat it.

Post in thread 'Air lift / air helper rear coil airbag part # advice' Air lift / air helper rear coil airbag part # advice - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/air-lift-air-helper-rear-coil-airbag-part-advice.1318368/post-15072866

@sc40 this would also explain why these types of bags don't change the height much. They work by stiffening the spring, which won't add height but will lessen compression with high payload. I do wonder if a taller bag that contacts pucks at both ends might have a little more height effect, but that would be an experiment. Contacting Air Lift may be useful to see what they think. They have a universal kit for up to 11.5 inch internal coils height (60927). That bag may be tall enough to reach both ends of the coil supports.

 

[sc40]

I’m still thinking through this idea and found this video which was useful and wanted to post it here to share with others.

 

[Bennymic]

I have been looking into these:

Airbag Suspension - Shop Quality Airbag Suspension at Boss Air Suspension

With a test pressure of 480psi, Boss airbag suspension systems are setting the industry standard. Shop suspension airbags designed for maximum performance now.

bossairsuspension.com.au

They replace the spring entirely so you can adjust the ride height (but the spring rate is also affected). EDIT: I think these are the bags used in the video above.

I also found this company but it looks like overkill for a landcruiser:

Adventure Trucks Suspensions | LiquidSpring

LiquidSpring Smart Suspension delivers the smoothest ride available for overland adventurers, available for Chevy/GMC, Ford, RAM, and many more.

liquidspring.com