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For you guys that are running load leveling air bags: Which ones do you have? Internal Jounce stop? What do you use for an air supply?
I have found several different brands, Air Lift seems to have a good warranty. I have seen several that have a 5000# capacity which should be fine. but I can't have burst pressure/capacity. I just want to know that if I have a hard bump that I won't bust a bag.
One of the drivers on this is that I am considering leveling my truck with a shackle reversal. But I Hate it when you load a leveled truck and the nose points to the sky. I figured an air bag system would be prevent this, and maybe give some more stability when I am loaded.
I have have had firestone bags on my last 3 pickups and I would highly recommend them. I typically run.around empty with a 2 k pound bed on and then add an additional 3600 pound load on bumpy unstable ground and have great luck with durability. I would highly recommend the on board air compressor too
I second the firestone air bags. I also have had them on three pickups. The new 5th wheel I bought has a tongue weight of 4K ! After having them for almost ten years I couldn't remember the max air I could use so I called them up. He said that they test these bags up to 300 psi so I could use 100 lbs psi in them no problem. My pickup holds that much weight level, I'm really pleased with them. I never installed the onboard air, it would be nice!
I have Firestones also, although I believe the Airlifts are every bit as good. Mine do not have internal jounce stops and I've hit some jaw shattering bumps and potholes with no effect at all on the air bags.
I have too many other things that I'd rather spend money on than onboard air and I just carry an old school hand tire pump. The air bag volume is so small that it takes very few strokes to get the pressure where I want it. Also, I think with on board air the left and right side bags are manifolded together. I can't say that it makes a practical measureable difference but I like having the bags independent of each other.
I recall that the installation was kind of a pain in the butt. The same brackets that are made for our trucks are also intended for I dunno, Dodges and Chevies too. Maybe a bit too universal or maybe not universal enough. I had to drill some additional holes to make them work. I think the problem was clearance around the bolt heads for the ABS module or proportioning valve but don't recall for sure. Once I got them installed they were fine.
Thanks for advice. I have seen them where you can adjust each side individually but it normally don't run uneven loads so tying them together should be fine.
Sounds like the internal jounce is more of a marketing thing rather than necessary.
While unloaded, how does it ride compared to not having them? Obviously the pressure will be lowed accordingly but is it any smoother?
I run air lift rears and Monroe fronts. The compressor kits you buy are complete junk. They don't regulate pressure at all. You hold a button and watch a gauge to refill them. All air bags leak at some point in my experience. I bought a cheap ebay air horn compressor, ran the line to my cab into an air regulator, where I can adjust the pressure as I drive and see fit. Compressor comes on at 90 of at 120 automatically and my regulator maintains my set pressure. You need check valves for the rear and from front to rear so you don't get bouncing when you connect multiple airbags.
I like the idea of building on board air with a regulator. The kits either look really cheap or they are grossly overpriced. Just for good measure I believe I will do this before I level it up
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! After having them for almost ten years I couldn't remember the max air I could use so I called them up. He said that they test these bags up to 300 psi so I could use 100 lbs psi in them no problem. My pickup holds that much weight level, I'm really pleased with them. I never installed the onboard air, it would be nice!
I run mine about 8 or so unloaded. I'm still stuck with a Dana 50 and the front air bags at 8 psi hold the camber about where it should be.
