air bag suspension

pawsoz · Senior Member

air bag suspension

GaryKelly · Guru

I inquired about air bags and found they were expensive to begin with, a hassle to maintain, and subject to failure and even suspension damage. So Bill12 on this forum suggested Ironman helper springs. They cost about $200 to buy (less actually), are easy to fit, and are great. I've had them fitted to my slide on camper and she's rock solid and handles quite well. No rock and roll. Bill12 has them too. Google Ironman springs.

deverall11 · Guru

I fitted airbags on the back of the Landcruiser. Imported from US they arrived at my door within 6 days of placing the order for $167.00. Fitted them myself in under 1 hour.
When not towing, run around 5 psi, towing 10 - 30 psi. Quite a few forumites on the LCOOL forum have also fitted them.
Larry

Blue · Senior Member

I have heard the same as gary...

even people who manufacture the van systems say that unless you have a specific reason to get them, then stay with the normal system..

springs are a lot stiffer than airbags in any case...

you can get your springs rerated.. put in an extra leaf and will be far cheaper

Baz421 · Guru

Air bags don't stop roll, unless they are hooked together with sophisticated and expensive load levelling technology that compensates for cornering. They may help to minimise it but they also can lead to rollovers as there is sometimes a tendency of drivers not to "feel" as much roll and then exceed the CofG go straight over.

I have uprated springs and shockies all round and rear airbags (airbags as helpers only at 5-10 psi as we have about 2.2-2.4 tonnes on rear axle) and have run workshops with busses with airbags.

Unless you can see clear benefits for your application, I would recommend uprated OR reset springs with matching shocks to improve your handling,,, front and back not just one.

My 2 cents worth again.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Monday 27th of October 2014 09:36:01 PM

bill12 · Guru

I have the Ironman load plus spring helpers and can say they are brilliant , and have even survived a trip to the top of the cape. The car is noticeabley more stable, and they are easy to fit. I paid $120 for mine, and fitted them myself in about 1/2 an hour.My old free way weighed 840 kgs loaded, and the spring took it no worries,even on the Penninsula dev road. Well recommended. Bill

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Depending on vehicle ? Some sway bars fitted helps big time.. Depending on what springs ? Adding extra can make ride too jarring ..
I have myself imported 8" air bags from US eBay.. $220 for four.. Use them to supplement std springs ..run around 12lb to 25 lb Mitsi 9m rear engine bus ..
Not to fix any issues the std springs have..

pawsoz · Senior Member

Vehicle is a 2.7 hi lux workmate ute with a Sun liner Mirage motorhome body, not a slide on. Basically the motorhome body is to wide for the ute, but as sun liner had built them this way I thought it would be OK, as it was on my test drive around Brisbane, but then I was concentrating so much on not 'losing' the owner in front in her vehicle that it could have fallen off the back and I would not have noticed!
Said previous owner already had heavy duty shockers fitted, and I rarely drive fast but I can feel the rock and roll, it would be good to do something to correct it a bit if I can, thanks for all the input.
Annie

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

It's not so much an issue with air bags .. It's the fitmment .. Care must be taken NOT to concentrate weight to one area of the body.
IMO where they contact the body should be suppoterted .. Some well placed angle iron fitted correctly can go along way to adding strength..