Rear FJ60 Air Lift / Boss Air Bag Install (4 Viewers)

[wngrog]

Edit: This thread covers Air Lift and Boss Air Lift installs


Now that my 60 has a fresh engine and an AFI fuel injection (see signature for AFI info), I’m using it more and more for expo/camping

I have 3 big trips on it and each time I’ve been loading it more and more with what I like to take camping.

My setup is a OME heavy suspension with 2 leafs out of one side and 1 out of the other.

My truck had wicked stink bug and an even more wicked lean and that was my fix. I never loaded it down much when I made the decision to do that.

This was my last trip. Single person. Rear full of gear. Since then I’ve added a second swingout. Ie. more weight.

I wanted to raise the rear up some when loaded and not kill my Cush ride when empty. Also some sway control while I’m at it.

 

[wngrog]

I picked up a FJ 60 specific kit on line. I’ve used the Air Lift 1000 kit in my 80s and 100s with excellent success in the past but never on a leaf sprung truck.

Sdtrucksprings.com

 

[wngrog]

I mocked it up and sure enough, if you have a 2” lift then the kit is likely 2” too short.

It will work as advertised but fully flexed
Out you might rip the base off The airbag.

Drilling these holes sucks. If I was a welder I would have burned this thing on. With the boxed frame you have to go all the way through both sides unless you want to use rivnuts

 

[wngrog]

Initially I installed my 2x4x4 spacers vertically (4” tall) because I did not realize the air bags have extensions inside them.

But first I had to head to town in the Goat to secure a burger and a longer bolt for my 4” tall spacer

This cool ass train is in the lumber yard at my local bolt shop

But I digress. The blocks seemed right. That is until I discovered the extensions.

This is static with weight on the springs.

I tested the drivers side and dang. There was a 2” extension tucked inside of the plastic bag that popped out like a horse’s pecker. That’s when I flipped the spacer to its side for only 2” of lift and a much more secure base for the bag.

 

[wngrog]

Mo betta

The only thing that worries me is the grade 5 at best ubolt holding the base pad on the spring pack.

Tight.

Here is the extension that’s hidden inside the bag

Air chucks on the bumper

 

[wngrog]

The supplimental instructions to go with no instructions in the box say to add some hooks into the leaf pack and extend the center spring pins.

I’d rather the pad slide out that go through that hell. Besides, the OME spring retainers would keep it from sliding very far.

If I see it moving I’ll put a tack weld from the spring perch to this pad.

 

[wngrog]

Took it out for a spin at 20 psi and it rides the same but has a good bit more sway control. I run a front sway bar but my 84 does not have a rear bar or provisions to add one.

(Rear tire is airborn under that grass)

Afterwards I put it in my twist ditch and all seems right under there.

This side was at full extension (see where I’m pointing)

Another shot of the extended side

Stuffed side

And here it is just sitting with 20psi and an empty truck.

 

[TachedOutOffRoad]

Nice write up

 

[wngrog]

Nice write up

I searched and all the threads were 8-10 years old

 

[The Phoenician]

I used those same airbags about 4 years ago. They popped on my first overlanding trip. I have since bought these

Welcome to SLOCRUISERS

They still work and I've offroaded with them regularly.

 

[EasternYeti]

I used those same airbags about 4 years ago. They popped on my first overlanding trip. I have since bought these

Welcome to SLOCRUISERS

They still work and I've offroaded with them regularly.

I bought the same ones after seeing his thread. I beat the dog out of my rig in Moab and Ouray and they held up with flying colors

 

[wngrog]

Good deal. I’ll report my findings with these. The good thing is if they are not worthy it’s not a show stopper.

Where do yours mount @The Phoenician ?

 

[cruiserpilot]

Wow, excellent write up! I am going through the same issue with more weight and I am
going to be adding new OME springs next month and just couldnt' seem to find any decent info
on running airbags without losing suspension travel. My issue is excessive rear wheel stuff, cutting
tires on the way up and also losing ride with all my travel gear installed.
So how much total axle travel do you get with these installed? No fears of 'overextending' the
airbag and ruining it?

 

[EasternYeti]

Good deal. I’ll report my findings with these. The good thing is if they are not worthy it’s not a show stopper.

Where do yours mount @The Phoenician ?

They mount on top of the axle, you slide the U-Bolts over the bracket. The top portion installs in the same bolt holes of the shock bump-stop. bolt in, no fab required

 

[wngrog]

Wow, excellent write up! I am going through the same issue with more weight and I am
going to be adding new OME springs next month and just couldnt' seem to find any decent info
on running airbags without losing suspension travel. My issue is excessive rear wheel stuff, cutting
tires on the way up and also losing ride with all my travel gear installed.
So how much total axle travel do you get with these installed? No fears of 'overextending' the
airbag and ruining it?

The suspension was fully stuffed and flexed but I only did it once, not 20-30 times like a trip would do. It seems within spec.

That said the one pictured above would be a better setup than mine. I’ll see how mine hold up but if they “pop” like above I’ll grab a set of those. Avoiding drilling 6 holes alone is worth the extra $100 all day long.

 

[FJACS]

For bolts through the boxed section of frame you might want to consider sleeves for the holes. Based on the pressure that bracket sees, I’m thinking those bolts have potential to pull the frame in and work themselves loose.

 

[wngrog]

For bolts through the boxed section of frame you might want to consider sleeves for the holes. Based on the pressure that bracket sees, I’m thinking those bolts have potential to pull the frame in and work themselves loose.

There is a lip on the bracket under the frame that pushes up and takes the side to side pressure off the bracket.

Good tip. I’ll watch them though.

 

[cruiserpilot]

They mount on top of the axle, you slide the U-Bolts over the bracket. The top portion installs in the same bolt holes of the shock bump-stop. bolt in, no fab required

So what airbags are those? What happens if they run flat? Do they have a jounce bumpstop internally?

The suspension was fully stuffed and flexed but I only did it once, not 20-30 times like a trip would do. It seems within spec.

That said the one pictured above would be a better setup than mine. I’ll see how mine hold up but if they “pop” like above I’ll grab a set of those. Avoiding drilling 6 holes alone is worth the extra $100 all day long.

So with those AirLift bags, you actually attach the bottom of the bag to your extension that is attached to the too
of the springs? And is that an internal bumpstop, the black rubber extension? So if they have no air they have an
internal bumpstop to stop damage? I looked really hard at the AirLift bags, but just no information on their site about this.

 

[kling-on]

Did the same kit on mine .... LOVE them ... even kept them with my SOA ... close to 10 years old now

 

[wngrog]

I’m assuming it’s a bumpstop and an extension.

That said the others that are pictured above that bolt into the Ubolts and bumpstop locations that require no drilling from Slo are a better option unless 5 hours of drilling is worth the extra $100 in cost.