The install instructions for the AirLift calls for a 3/4 inch hole to be drilled in the lower spring seats. Is there already a hole there If so, why does AirLift want it to be enlarged to 3/4 inch. The tube coming out of the bag is pretty small and would easily fit thru a 1/2 hole. Anybody do the install without doing this?
If you ask me then the answer is yes. I tried to use smaller hole and it end up cutting the hose. The hole need to be centered also and the factory holes are not in the center of the pad. I found using step drill are the best way to do it.
The bag are not always seat centered. Depend on the load and road condition the bag would also move from side to side and more important in max articulation it will come off from the pad.
I found that it moved front to back and ended up elongating the hole. Bigger is better so that the barbed fitting does not get destroyed. Another reason I recommend the OME springs now instead.
I looked carefully at that, and used the existing hole. It's been fine for a couple years now. I remember deciding the instructions were somewhat generic for various vehicles that bag might fit, some with no hole there.
I've had no problems using the factory hole with no mods. I can't recall if there's a little plastic disc in there as a spacer or not (I've helped a few friends install AirLifts on their rigs and some do). At any rate, I've had no problems with mine after 130k+ miles. Mine don't move around that I've ever seen. Phil - what hole was elongated? Are you saying the plastic hose moving around elongated a hole in that heavy steel??
[quote author=thelal link=board=2;threadid=16251;start=msg156697#msg156697 date=1084502817]
Can anyone post pics of normal, compressed and at max articulation?
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Sorry, no pics. Not much to show. Unpressurized, there should be no difference. Pressurized, spring extension would be the same, but compression would be resisted by the airbag. On level ground, unladen, pressurizing raises the rear maybe an inch. The airbags are molded as a hollow cylinder that just fills the spring, and they don't expand much from that size when pressurized. With a load or trailer pushing the rear down a couple inches, they'll raise the rear to normal or slightly higher. I think I figured a little over 1000 pounds of lift at the axle, based on 35psi and whatever the diameter was when I installed mine. They seem to take more than 35psi
Yippee - Getting the OME 861/862 combo springs and air bags installed Thurs. Already have the Rancho 9000's.
Wished it could have been done b4 this past weekend's trip to Kernville for rafting.
Best news is that the beast maintained about 50 mph up the pass to Tejon running about 4000 rpm towing the 3500 lb trailer and the temp guage didn't budge!
Hopefully no more rear sag when all this is installed.
[quote author=Brentbba link=board=2;threadid=16251;start=msg158472#msg158472 date=1084813664]Scott, I thought max psi was 25 on the air bags?[/quote]
min 5, max 35. I used 35 to calculate the 1000 lb of lift they should provide.
How tall are those springs? I'd think the airbags would have to be matched pretty well to the inside height of your springs. They just fit in my stock springs unpressurized, and they don't extend much more. If your springs are an inch taller, I'd think the bags won't get your truck level without max pressure, and that could be harsh. I always figured if I had taller springs I'd need taller airbags.
According to the info I've read, the 861/862 combo lifts the truck less than 1/2 inch front and approx. 3/4 rear. As that's probably average, we'll see Thursday.
Brent/Scott: the manual I got with my AirLift 1000 kit said 25psi is max on the bags.
Just got back from driving up to Canton, NY (daughter graduated from St. Lawrence Univ.!) with boat in tow (probably 2500lbs incl. trailer and motor). At the half-way point, I had loaded the boat up with some dock floats and other gear which put about 3-400lbs additional weight in the trailer. At this point, the chains were at the point where they would be dragging if just a tad lower (like 1mm). I've not had the time to put the bags in yet, but now I plan to take off Friday to do this...don't want to drive like that again. Felt like a duck dragging my sorry butt around NY.
I'd go for the OMEs, but I can't even afford an extra 1/2 inxch lift if I want to get this truck in the garage...and if I couldn't get it in the garage, I'd have to answer to "a higher authority". :-\
[quote author=Scamper link=board=2;threadid=16251;start=msg158794#msg158794 date=1084836861]Brent/Scott: the manual I got with my AirLift 1000 kit said 25psi is max on the bags. [/quote]
That's odd, mine says 35, and it's maybe 2 yrs old. I'm sure the one I had before was also 35, but I don't have the manual.
I've had several AirLift kits and helped install a few as well, but my kit says 25psi max. They vary in max pressure by model and vehicle (Montero was 35psi). One thing to know about them, which above posts seem to indicate there's some confusion on, is how to inflate them. Despite the name, they are not designed to LIFT the truck after it's laden (there is a slight tendancy - perhaps 3/4 inch however). The correct way to use them is to inflate the AirLift springs BEFORE any load is applied - such as hooking up a trailer or heading off to put cement bags in the cargo area. The reason for this is they work by squeezing out between the coils and generating nice even lift between each coil rather than by expanding vertically. Obviously, if the coils are already compressed this isn't going to work well. If you're doing it the wrong way, you're going to be pleasantly surprised next time you use them.
What you have to do is experiment. I use a stick with a line on it corresponding to the bottom of the trailer hitch frame unladen. Add some pounds, drop the trailer on it and check the level. Too low? Lift the trailer off and add a few pounds. Repeat until you've gotten the truck level WITH the load and off you go. If you know the tongue weight, you can then use it as a rough guide for inflation when simply carrying stuff in the truck.
Doug,
I'm surprised that the airbag actually squeezes out inbetween the coils. I would have thought that it would be a very quick end to the airbags life we the coil compressed and squish.
I presumed that it just held within the spring and kept its strong cylinder-like shape.
Where online do u guys get these and what price roughly?
Do u match to spring height and inside diameter?
"Inflate your air springs to 35 p.s.i. before adding the payload. This will allow the air cylinder to properly mesh with the coil spring. After vehicle is loaded, adjust your air pressure (down) to level with the vehicle and for ride comfort."
My manual has a few notes for Jeep Liberty installation, but it seems to be the right one.
