Airbag air management system advice

I’ve had Airlift airbags on my Tundra for many years. I ran the fill lines to replace the license plate mount screws and I’ve used a mini compressor to fill when needed. Lately I’ve been looking at on board air management. On fbmp there is an Airlift 72000 kit listed for $325. A little searching shows this kit for sale at almost $1k and basic one line systems for about $200. Is it worth the money to be able to air up and down with the push of a button, and see the pressures on a gauge? Looking for advice from those who have these systems. What say yee?

 

The benefits of air suspension isn’t in increasing load capacity, it’s maintained ride height. Especially for driveline angles and headlight aiming.

my semi and my trailers are both air ride and there is a height control valve that automatically increases or decreases air pressure for that reason.

mine additional benefit is, you can figure out what the constant is and then figure out what the load weight is in the truck. You can do that with a tape measure and springs too. Just have to measure to the same point constantly.

will I ever hassle putting air bags on my F150. Nope. Not worth the effort for the rewards for me.

 

I've had Firestone air bags on my Tundra for about 15 years. I have replaced both bags once so far. My system has a gauge and control stitch mounted in the cab and I mounted an once compressor under the hood. You can get a controller that handles rack bag separately or a single controller that handles both bags at once keeping the same pressure in both bags (what I have ). I really like being able to level the trivia from inside the cab at a flip of the switch. Then, after unloading I can Bleed air out to once again get my truck level. I'm never be without them. It's just too handy for my use of the truck.

 

Appreciate the feedback.
Question for the single line controlling both bags, when you go around a turn and the truck sways, is there anything preventing air from going out of one bag into the other?

 

Systems typically do not have any check valves in them.

system gets a leak, everything goes down.

 

That would probably be something to worry about if the truck/vehicle was supported only with the airbags. When used with springs its usually not an issue.

 

I also have a hellwig sway bar on the truck.


Mike in Okla

 

I put bags on my truck before upgrading the springs. I bought a level switch that attaches to the axle and the frame. It's better with one on each side, so the truck doesn't lean in turns. Once I isolated each bag it was very stable. I had to swap the rear axle and discovered half my springs were broken, most likely from the previous owners, because the truck felt very saggy when I got it. I ordered new springs (6k lbs) rated for the loads I carry, figuring the airbags would take up the rest, and the airbags have been empty ever since, even when piled over the cab with wood, but it rides like a buckboard if there isn't at least 1500 lbs in it.

 

I just want to add that the heavier leaf springs feel much more stable than the air bags, but I really liked the softer ride of the bags. I have yet to get the rear end to squat with any type of load in the bed with the new springs.

 

Agreed but during daily driving it's very harsh w/ the bags aired up. I'd not want that 100% of the time, so the option to air down wins for me.

 

Thanks, that's kinda the info I was looking for. A new single line kit is about $200 and for a little more I can have dual. Sometimes I'm offroad on very unlevel ground. That's where I don't [think I] want the air to transfer bag to bag. And that's knowing there are in fact leaf springs doing the lions share of the work.

Another plus to the bags. W/ no squat at all, the brake bias isn't getting shifted to the rears.

 

You may want to look at Timbren suspension before air bags.

 

Thanks for a heads up on the Timbren suspension. I wasn't familiar with it.


Mike in Okla

 

One thing I did was remove the proportioning valve for the rear brakes. The rear brakes are 3"x12" drums, and I drilled them for better cooling and to let dust/water out. BIG difference in stopping power and brake feel. I did this in 2016 and I absolutely love it. The brakes are cooler, stronger, cleaner, and feel the same every time. Any dust buildup in the drum reduces braking force. I can take the drums off and they are as clean as when I put them on.

The rear will lock up just before the front on pavement when empty, but I can stop MUCH better when loaded. It's not uncommon for my "3/4 ton" truck to weigh 10-12k when loaded and it doesn't even care. If you didn't know it was loaded to the gills with wood, you'd think it was a stock truck with an empty bed.

I might try putting 5-10 psi in the bags just to lift the weight off the springs and smooth the ride.

 

Just a thought. I put Super Springs on mine. Only took a few minutes per side. Bolts right on. Is you 150 leaf spring?

 

I had factory air suspension on my Audi allroad. It was really nice having a level controller built in with the built in air compressor. Granted, it's a little different than what you are mentioning because the air suspension was air springs, and not coil or leaf springs like what you have. All the extra stuff adds extra complexity.

 

Unsure what a controlled system costs but if it anywhere near approaches a decent sized utility trailer you can double your capacity, easily.

 

Have one but right now I'm so far into the woods that I can't turn it around to back in and I can't back out. It's just too tight.


Even still, I want to fully load the bed of the truck when I can use the trailer. This load ended up being 5,480lbs combining rear axle and trailer.