I have been doing a lot of searching, but not finding much in the way of information on this. I find a lot about people swapping out their air suspension for standard coils, but nothing about a kit that you can fit to help level the truck out when towing.

Someone has to have something that goes inside of the stock spring, or some kind of rear airbag system that will help to level the thing out when towing.

Mine is a 2WD, but the rears should be the same. If anyone could point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I've researched thIs same question previously and can't find a bolt on application. At this point I think it would be a custom one-off build. Typically we suggest our 1000 series bags for spring applications but none of the accommodate a strut running through the center. I will keep looking though and will forward anything I come across.

What are you towing though? Is there any way to transfer some of the weight to the rear of the trailer?

 

I am towing a HiLo camp trailer, it weighs about 4500lbs, and tongue weight is 500lbs, and I use a weight distribution hitch, which helps some, but the rear still squats pretty good.

Are there any options to run a strut with an airbag instead of a coilspring, kind of like the bag systems that the lowrider guys use to drop their rigs, or like the original airbag system that came as an option on the Expedition?

Thanks for looking into it, I'll post anything I find as well, but hoping that there is something simple to use.

 

You could put on an air spring/strut from someone who has done a coil conversion. You could either rig it like an old school air shock....or put in a factory air compressor and wire it where it'll raise or lower.....when you want it too.

Most likely you'd have to replace the air spring. These are very tricky to get right, as not replacing just 1 seal while your in there and you'll wind up with a leak.

 

I was thinking of doing that very thing... do you know how difficult it would be to get the factory pump and harness installed into my truck, or would I just be better off getting an aftermarket spring/airbag setup (if anyone makes it)?

What psi do the stock systems work at, and can they handle the extra tension of 500lbs tongue weight?

Thanks

 

Although it would be simpler, easier & quieter to put a factory compressor/dryer on it, I wouldn't use the OEM harness. I would just wire it to raise & lower manually.

500 lbs is no big deal. If the system was set up right, it would handle that and more.

BTW, if the airlift doesn't have a kit for your vehicle, I doubt anyone else would. I've never seen one anyway. Its usually people trying to get "away from air"....rather than going "to it".

I can get you the compressor/dryer, lines, fittings and all, plus provide you with a general schematic to wire it like I recommended.

Using a 3 position switch:
Middle is idle=Air locked in, no change in height
Push down and it vents air out of the rear air springs and lets the rear of the vehicle down.
Push switch up and the compressor comes on and fills the rear until you let off.

 

I would think that tying in an aftermarket controller and compressor would be cheaper and far easier. The only difficulty you may have is figuring out what type of fitting is used on the factory air sleeve. It should be a standard PTC (push to connect) fitting though.

You could run something that gives you manual control like this, or even go with an automatic leveling system like this one.

As for your a strut bag for custom applications, we do offer universal kits, however they are more designed for a Mcpherson strut application. As you see the mounting styles are fairly different. With the right fabricator anything is possible, but going with a factory replacement air strut and an add on compressor system would probably be your safest bet.

 

That would be great... I sent you a PM

 

I was wondering the same thing, the connector looks pretty large on the stock bags, but hard to tell from pictures.

What are the prices on the management kits you sell? I see the brochure you sent over, but no prices were listed.

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

 

[quote=AirLiftCompany;11436832]I would think that tying in an aftermarket controller and compressor would be cheaper and far easier. The only difficulty you may have is figuring out what type of fitting is used on the factory air sleeve. It should be a standard PTC (push to connect) fitting though.

You could run something that gives you manual control like this, or even go with an automatic leveling system like this one.
quote]

Yeah, that kit looks like a nice kit, but has allot of parts which aren't needed(check valves, low pressure sensors,etc) when using an OEM hybrid system.

Unlike an aftermarket system, an OEM hybrid system has its own dryer(to pull moisture out before it gets in the lines & air springs). It has the OEM solenoid on each air spring that locks in the air into the air spring and only opens to either vent or raise the vehicle.

When the solenoid is closed, it's going to isolate itself from the rest of the system, so the low pressure sensors will only be reading "line pressure", not whats in the air springs.

Unlike the aftermarket system, when this system vents air out to lower the vehicle, the air goes backwards, through the compressor/dryer. Therefore you can't use check valves, because it wouldn't vent.

Airlift, what does that manual system run?

 

Either kit typically runs about 300-350. The best way to find the lowest price though is to compare prices of some of our retailers.

I'm not 100% sure on what fitting is on the factory bag but I would imagine there is someway to convert it's connection to a more standard connection.

Also, I finally remembered one of the other brands for some of the custom applications. Air Ride Technologies does in fact make a kit for the rear of an 03 expedition. I had a friend run their bags once, they make nice products but it can be pricey. I did see the bags on another site for 700 instead of the 1000 listed in the link, but that seems high to me as well. Thought I would pass it along none the less though.

 

hey bva,

if your towing with a weight distributing hitch your expi should drop about 1/2 to 1" all around. if it is just dropping in the back the hitch is not setup properly.

when i towed travel trailer with our 05 f150 and 93 e150 using a weight distributing hitch the both dropped about a 1/2" at all for wheels.

when you setup the ball on the drawbar it should be about an 1" higher than the top of the trailer hitch and you might need adjust the chains or what ever type of hitch your using.

good luck

jim

 

I think Jim's first post as a user here deserves some consideration. That was my first thought as I started reading this thread as well.

That all being said -- should you persist on your plans to convert to rear bags, I have a hardly used remanufactured stock airpump with new dryer that I bought from American Air-1 (I think) about a year ago, and then gave up useing when I realized all the trouble the stock air was going to be in the long run. I also have the all the struts. The rear two were holding air, but the front two were leaking slowly. I am willing to consider offers for parts. I like the fact that I have gotten RID of the air, personally.....

My parts are off an 04.

 

Yea, I double checked, and the hitch is setup correctly, and honestly, after connecting it again, it seems to squat less than I remember. My main issue now though, is that my headlights are up just enough that I get a lot of people flashing me at night, due to where my headlights are pointing.

I am back and forth on switching to air, but can you give me an idea how much you might want for all of what you have, except for the front struts?

Thanks...

 

It shouldn't squat at all with a WD hitch, and you wouldn't have the front of the truck up higher. I think you need to recheck your set up.