pump up suspension.

bill12 · Guru

pump up suspension.

gubby · Guru

The pump up shockers also have the bags/balloons exposed, not as big as the airbags but still able to be punctured, I have a Falcon one tonner with the above spring air bags, they do a good job, but on other vehicles I've had pump up shockers and they were good also.

My thinking is if you're worried about punctures in them you would only have to replace the airbag not a complete pump up shock absorber.

Another way to go with leaf springs is overload springs, no fear of suspension punctures.

justcruisin01 · Guru

I had the pump up shocks many years ago on a 4x4. great for flipping the shackles inside out in the rougher going. Would not have them again.

DeBe · Guru

Hi Bill, I have pumpup shockers as well as helper springs on the back of my Ford Panel van, been there for 4yrs now & i recon they are great.

ozjohn · Guru

Both have there pros and cons.
Air bags are a lot tougher than Airlift shockers, but give a much stiffer ride.
Air lift Shockers on the other hand are not as robust, but lift the rear without any descernable change in ride comfort.
I haven't had Air bags on any of my vehicles, but have widely used Air lift Shockers for many years and found them to be great.
Both are designed to lift the rear back to it's pre loaded height.
Cheers, Ozjohn

-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 27th of June 2011 09:09:10 AM

jimricho · Guru

I'm a bit out of my league here as I'm not all that clued on suspension but it does occur to me that a talk to suspension people such as TJM, ARB, Pedders etc may be a start.

It's my impression that air bags and/or air lift shockers are mainly a solution for towing or carrying the occasional heavy load as these can be adjusted to suit the circumstances at the time. I have air bags fitted to my Pajero and find them good as I can adjust the pressure according to whether I'm towing or not. I also have ARB supplied OME suspension that lifts the vehicle by about 40mm. (The air bags are ones designed for this modified suspension)

Air bag suppliers emphasise that they are not intended as way of lifting the vehicle beyond just restoring the height of the vehicle when loaded. I don't know enough about air lift shockers to know whether that is the case with them too.

It's also my understanding that springs and shockers should be matched to ensure the best ride and least tyre wear, maybe other GNs with a better knowledge of suspension than I have can comment here.

Jim

(PS: not relevant to this thread "per se" but air bags are not a substitute for a weight distribution hitch.)

-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 27th of June 2011 05:58:32 AM

gold dandelion · Senior Member

i have them on my pathfinder (pump up shockies), the best thing i reckon, though it took me 2sets of balloons before i got the hang of them. always leave some air in them so rocks cant get between the balloon and the spring, and puncture your balloon, or you can buy a skirt to go around the spring. Surprising how much lift you get

jimricho · Guru

gold dandelion wrote:
always leave some air in them so rocks cant get between the balloon and the spring, and puncture your balloon,

The makers of the bags mention this in their instructions

blaze · Guru

I have a set of airbags at home that I run in my range rover for 5 years (always carried a load), pulled them out and fitted them to my discovery and did another 50000km on some of the roughest roads in aust (like the gunbarrel highway) and they are still unmarked. Had one go down once due to airline failure (chaffed through due to poor fitting by me). I pulled them out in january before we left on the big lap or half lap, depends on where we end up and fitted a new set. The old ones are on the shelf at home and I will reuse them some time.
cheers
blaze

dogbox · Guru

does fitting air bags change the loading stress points on the chasis

blaze · Guru

With coil spring the answer is no change, with leaf springs I would think it may have an effect
cheers
blaze

deverall11 · Guru

Please find the link to this US website that should have all your 'spring' requirements. I bought a set of air bags, $160 delivered and within 6 days. The equivalent AUS product - polyair, was over $320.

www.truckspring.com/
Larry

native pepper · Senior Member

For what it's worth, I'd be fitting over spring air bags. They do a wonderful job, are easily replaced and you can get protectors for them.

Legendts · Senior Member

You could try the Air Bag Man in Queensland, just google him. No affiliation but found him very helpful.

oldbobsbus · Guru

Legendts wrote:
You could try the Air Bag Man in Queensland, just google him. No affiliation but found him very helpful.

Here Here I rang him and he was very knowledgeable and also very helpful...