Airlift bags--nice upgrade

[RidgeRunnr]

I installed Airlift 1000 on my '04 XLE. They work OK, but ride rougher even at the 5 psi minimum. Only gained 1 inch of clearance at 35psi (Max allowed) with the van empty I had a set of air shocks on my '87 Taurus wagon, and they were much better. There was an air bladder in the bottom of the shock for raising unit, up to 85psi. It did not affect the ride comfort. I can not find them for the Sienna, or I would have bought them instead.

[tcp]

Airlifts aren't meant to gain any suspension height on an empty van. They aren't any longer than the spring length with the van empty and sitting normally. If you are gaining an inch by inflating them, you are using them incorrectly. They are only meant to reduce the amount that the suspension sags with a load, not increase ride height.

I installed Airlift 1000 on my '04 XLE. They work OK, but ride rougher even at the 5 psi minimum. Only gained 1 inch of clearance at 35psi (Max allowed) with the van empty I had a set of air shocks on my '87 Taurus wagon, and they were much better. There was an air bladder in the bottom of the shock for raising unit, up to 85psi. It did not affect the ride comfort. I can not find them for the Sienna, or I would have bought them instead.

[brian_bp]

I installed Airlift 1000 on my '04 XLE. They work OK, but ride rougher even at the 5 psi minimum. Only gained 1 inch of clearance at 35psi (Max allowed) with the van empty

Go back and read tcp's post again so I don't need to repeat it... he said it perfectly!

I had a set of air shocks on my '87 Taurus wagon, and they were much better. There was an air bladder in the bottom of the shock for raising unit, up to 85psi. It did not affect the ride comfort. I can not find them for the Sienna, or I would have bought them instead.

There is very little room around the Sienna's rear shocks (you can see them in the wheel wells), so it doesn't surprise me that shocks with air bladders are not available - I doubt that they would fit.

The air shocks on the Taurus must have affected ride quality, since they changed spring stiffness... it may just have been an improvement, or at least not objectionable. Also, the rolling-element bladders typical on air shocks probably had a more linear spring rate than the in-coil bags, which could be better for ride comfort.

[fibber2]

I installed them last week (http://www.siennachat.com/forum/inde...35972#msg35972), and completed an 800 mile trip with the van fairly loaded this weekend. I put in 12 PSI initially with the van empty.

The 'normal' empty ride height without airlifts is around 8.5" to the bottom of the Curt hitch. Empty with 12 PSI = slightly over 9". Fully loaded with stuff and people (minus me, as I was out back taking data...) was slightly over 8". I don't have a loaded with no air number, but suspect it as being around 7" or so (visually, prior trips). All measurements taken at exactly the same spot in the garage. Net is they seem to work as advertised.

We tackled some pretty rough dirt roads down in the Spotsylvania Courthouse battlefield area with no drama.

We notice a bit of rubbing/creaking sounds especially when cold that bother my wife a little bit, but after a bit of driving they seem to go away. The sound reminds me of roll bar bushing that need lube.

[tcp]

The squeaking will stop when they wear in along the springs a bit. you could give them a shot of silicone spray, but it might attract some dust that you don't want.

I installed them last week (http://www.siennachat.com/forum/inde...35972#msg35972), and completed an 800 mile trip with the van fairly loaded this weekend. I put in 12 PSI initially with the van empty.

The 'normal' empty ride height without airlifts is around 8.5" to the bottom of the Curt hitch. Empty with 12 PSI = slightly over 9". Fully loaded with stuff and people (minus me, as I was out back taking data...) was slightly over 8". I don't have a loaded with no air number, but suspect it as being around 7" or so (visually, prior trips). All measurements taken at exactly the same spot in the garage. Net is they seem to work as advertised.

We tackled some pretty rough dirt roads down in the Spotsylvania Courthouse battlefield area with no drama.

We notice a bit of rubbing/creaking sounds especially when cold that bother my wife a little bit, but after a bit of driving they seem to go away. The sound reminds me of roll bar bushing that need lube.