Airlift bags--nice upgrade

[jroden]

I put in my new airlift bags last night, it was an easy install. I ran the hose from the right side straight across and joined the left side with a T and then ran straight back. I have the fill valve attached to the top of the hitch for now with a zip tie, I expect I'll mount it with a hole through the lower bumper plastic over the hitch. I am running about 20lbs and they really help cushion the shocks of our hacked up roads. I expect to run them right up to 35 when towing.

The only problem I had was getting the hoses to slide all the way on the barbed connectors, if I have leaks I'll use some soap water.

[robo5]

Nice. Im thinking of getting them too.

[jsm]

It's great when a plan comes together!

[tcp]

I installed ours about a year ago. I keep them at 10-15psi most of the time and it keeps the rear end from squatting. They were especially nice on a two week trip to the west coast/Vancouver island. We had that van racked full of stuff and a couple of bikes on the back hitch rack. Now that we bought a travel trailer a couple of months ago, they will help towing that around. Even with the weight distributing hitch, they are a nice addition to the van when towing.

I ran the hose to the back and installed the valve through the lower black plastic trim. Easy to check and fill that way. I've never had a problem with leaking but I did warm the hoses a bit before putting them onto the fittings and a bit of silicone spray helps lube everything along.

I put in my new airlift bags last night, it was an easy install. I ran the hose from the right side straight across and joined the left side with a T and then ran straight back. I have the fill valve attached to the top of the hitch for now with a zip tie, I expect I'll mount it with a hole through the lower bumper plastic over the hitch. I am running about 20lbs and they really help cushion the shocks of our hacked up roads. I expect to run them right up to 35 when towing.

The only problem I had was getting the hoses to slide all the way on the barbed connectors, if I have leaks I'll use some soap water.

[Rust Heap]

I ran mine to the gas tank fill door. I just didn't have the nerve to drill thru the bumper cover, but also didn't want to have to crawl underneath to adjust pressure. Mine is an '01 and it JUST fit so the door would close properly. I think I have a pic. . .


Edit:
Hard to tell what is it in this one



Here is without the cap on it

[jsm]

Very clever Rust Heap! Well done.

[robo5]

I like the gas door hook-up. sweet!!! YUP drilling into the bumper? I can't do it!! I just put a new one on(bumper) It cost me over $500.00. I am not a big "nitrogen" fan but i may just run nitrogen just for this.(maybe?) I will see how all the lines sit and go from there. "WE" have some cold winters and im thinking moisture may cause a problem? IDK.

[tcp]

I doubt the nitrogen is necessary. Been through a Calgary winter with them and they held up great. Checked the pressure at -25C and it was the same as where I left it. Unless you have nitrogen available every time you change the pressure with the load, it'll be getting air anyway. regular air is 78% nitrogen anyway.

Notice how nice and clean my van is!!

I like the gas door hook-up. sweet!!! YUP drilling into the bumper? I can't do it!! I just put a new one on(bumper) It cost me over $500.00. I am not a big "nitrogen" fan but i may just run nitrogen just for this.(maybe?) I will see how all the lines sit and go from there. "WE" have some cold winters and im thinking moisture may cause a problem? IDK.

[jroden]

I finally got around to finding the little leak I had. I filled up to 35psi and sprayed some windex on everything, sure enough the one side of the t-fitting I did not bother to put the metal clamp on was leaking. I used some silicone of the fitting to help get the hose on. By far the biggest time waster of this install is those crummy metal clamps, if I were to do it over I'd buy a different design that goes on quicker

[brian_bp]

My Coil-Rite kit used all push-on connectors: no barbed fittings, no clamps. I did have some trouble with leakage at fittings, since these push-on connectors are sealed by O-rings and are very sensitive to having a cleanly cut end and fully inserted tube.

If someone who has installed the Air Lift kit has readily available photos of the fittings used in that kit, I would interested in seeing them... but it's not a big deal for me as my bags and plumbing are installed.

[Rust Heap]

If someone who has installed the Air Lift kit has readily available photos of the fittings used in that kit, I would interested in seeing them... but it's not a big deal for me as my bags and plumbing are installed.

I don't have pics of the fittings right now but they look just like the vacuum line fittings you see at any auto parts store. The lines are a hard-ish plastic and "slide" right onto the fittings. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the fittings but there are no leaks. If one was really concerned about it you could probably use the brass compression couplers that you can find and Home Depot. I wasn't that concerned though.

[brian_bp]

...I don't have pics of the fittings right now but they look just like the vacuum line fittings you see at any auto parts store. The lines are a hard-ish plastic and "slide" right onto the fittings.

Thanks, that description is clear.

...If one was really concerned about it you could probably use the brass compression couplers that you can find and Home Depot.

I agree, and I would have used those fitting except that the push-on fittings in the Coil-Rite kit are built right into the bags and the valves.

[internetpilot]

I just bought these from Amazon.com for $68 shipped. Most other places were selling them for $80+ and did not include shipping. Anyway, I just bought and installed the Hidden Hitch from ETrailer.com, as well as the wiring harness. The hitch installed fairly easily, but when backing out of the driveway....SCRAPE! I can avoid the scrape by backing out at an angle, but that's with an empty van -- I'll probably always get the scrape when loaded with gear or people. So, I decided it was time to go all the way and get the air lift bags as well. I'm hoping they are as easy to install as the hitch and wiring harness was!

Thanks for the suggestion to run the air line over to the left and then back. I'm probably going to attach the valve end to the hitch where there's a little "platform" for the trailer harness with just the right amount of room for the valve line next to the harness plug. I do like the idea of the fuel door install, but how the heck did you reach all the way up there?

[Rust Heap]

It was easy to get to when I removed the interior panel on that side. I had it off previously when I was running the wiring for my 7pin and repairing a rear hatch water leak. The hardest part for me is drilling the holes. It is hard to fix a hole drilled in the wrong spot so I quintouple check when it is time to drill.

[topspy]

...and make sure the wife isn't at home... :o