Air lift 1000 good? better? recommended?

[the great him]

i ran the air lift 1000 bags and they were ok, im not running the firestone bags and i like them much better. the bag is better made, and it is taller. it does not rely on a spacer puck to make the bag snug in the coil. -and for those of you who were able to get the bags in the coils without removing the coils, please please do tell and show how you did so. i have done this job countless time, from different lifts and spring setups, to different vehicles and i have never been able to do so with the spring still in the vehicle. so yeah show us your magical skillz.

yeah if you ask me the firestone bags are better bags, and worth the extra coin. the line they use is also heavier duty along with the fittings as well. i would not run the air lift bags again if i could get the the firestone ones.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Nissan please use jack stands. Don't trust your life to any hydraulic jack.

 

[Robb235]

Well, I ended up removing the coils, lol. I put the jack between the frame and the axle, and that allows the coil to come right out. DISCONNECT THE SHOCK BEFORE YOU DO THIS! I was in a hurry, and forgot to disconnect the shock, and I ended up destroying it as it became over-extended. Everyone was out of the house for the day, so I ended up taking my motorcycle over to AutoZone to get a replacement set of rear shocks.

Broken shock (it ripped the threaded portion at the top):

Jack in between the frame and axle:

I routed my airlines to merge into the "tee" right before the spare. I did it this way because I don't want the hassle of having to fill each individual bag, and I don't ever see myself needing more PSI in one bag than the other. After the merge, I have the hose and fitting routed to an existing hole right behind the left mud flap.

So between the new rear shocks, and the air lift in the back, my rear sag is gone. It also corners MUCH better. I'm taking the boat out tomorrow, so we'll see how it does with a load on the hitch.

I didn't think to snap any before-and-after pictures.

 

[nissanh]

Brian, thanks for pointing out the safety factor. Yes, I'll take special care and as always I'll place two tires one on the other and slide it under the truck for added safety.... because I know I want to do another Death Valley trip with all of you guys in December!

I am planning to lift the truck and put the rear axle on jack stands and then lift the body by placing a mechanical jack (4runner jack) between the axle and the body to get the springs loose.

Robb, did you place the air nipples up or down?

 

[Robb235]

I am planning to lift the truck and put the rear axle on jack stands and then lift the body by placing a mechanical jack (4runner jack) between the axle and the body to get the springs loose.

I'm not sure that's going to work is it? Shouldn't you put the frame on jack stands? That's what I did. I'm pretty sure you need the rear suspension completely unloaded.

Robb, did you place the air nipples up or down?

Down.

 

[Robb235]

Woohoo, no more sagging.

 

[vanion2]

Oooh. Nice boat. Yeah, saggy bottoms are a turn off for me too. Looking forward to your ride report on the bags.

 

[BamaDrewski]

I purchased and installed the airlifts about 2 years ago. While I was in there, I put in new rear springs as well. I have to say, the Airlift product is worth every single penny. I put the fill valve in a hole on the rear bumper (driver's side rear) and zip tied the air hose around the top of the frame that holds the spare tire. After experimenting, I run about 15-18 pounds of pressure in them and the ride is fine. Better yet, when I park next to another 3rd Gen, it's nice to see my rig standing tall the way it should. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE AIRLIFT PRODUCTS. (Bought mine on Amazon) and I think it was about $84 with shipping. Took about 1.5 hours to install and that included the cutting of the rubber stops and the installation of the new springs.

 

[slapdappy]

Installing the air bags are simple around 45 min, attach the nipple on the top of the airbag that screws in. completely deflate the bag and fold it in half long ways, (still full length just half the width) then slide it in between the coils and release, the bag will start to inflate on its own.

My '99 LTD needed the bump stops shortened, which requires removing them, which requires removing the spring, which is easy. Detached drivers side of the pan hard bar and unbolted the lower shock mount.

 

[slapdappy]

I am planning to lift the truck and put the rear axle on jack stands and then lift the body by placing a mechanical jack (4runner jack) between the axle and the body to get the springs loose.

Robb, did you place the air nipples up or down?

they fall out all by themselves, no need to force the axle down. raise truck via rear differential housing, frame on jack stands, then slowly lower the axel. This relieves pressure on the spring, which either falls out or can be easily removed.
Just undo the brake like bracket so as not to strain it, undo the lower shock mount, and undo the lower left pan hard mount.
I did nipple up, through the preexisting hole and as recommended in the instructions.
Remove the spare and both tires. Makes it so much easier.

 

[nissanh]

great!

Woohoo, no more sagging.

nice!... I am waiting for my airbags.... suppose to deliver anytime today and still waiting for the UPS truck!

Tracking #: 1ZE86V280314980553

Carrier: UPS

Status: ACCEPTEDIN TRANSITDELIVERED

OUT FOR DELIVERY

Jul-15-14, 08:36 AM, NATCHITOCHES, LA

 

[Robb235]

they fall out all by themselves, no need to force the axle down. raise truck via rear differential housing, frame on jack stands, then slowly lower the axel. This relieves pressure on the spring, which either falls out or can be easily removed.
Just undo the brake like bracket so as not to strain it, undo the lower shock mount, and undo the lower left pan hard mount.
I did nipple up, through the preexisting hole and as recommended in the instructions.
Remove the spare and both tires. Makes it so much easier.

For me that wasn't the case. Maybe it has something to do with having '99 "tall" coils? I had to place the jack in between the frame and axle, and crank it just enough to drop the axle slightly, and then the spring came out.

 

[slapdappy]

For me that wasn't the case. Maybe it has something to do with having '99 "tall" coils? I had to place the jack in between the frame and axle, and crank it just enough to drop the axle slightly, and then the spring came out.

Huh, maybe I am recollecting my approach inaccurately. Maybe I forgot a step or variation.
Did you unbolt the shock? or the panhard bar? or the brake line bracket? I did, which may have allowed the axle to drop lower. I think the shock will extend only so far and may be a limiting factor, stopping the axle from dropping low enough to free the springs. I do remember one of them just kind of falling out, thinking, "oh, i guess they aren't attached, must be held in place by compression."

Do you like the Cooper AT3's?

 

[nissanh]

like a picture

I installed the air bags about 3 weeks ago. I did not use the "puck" thing, I went the route of cutting the jounce bumper down to the last section. I routed the air line through the bottom hole and then routed the individual lines to a "t" above the spare. I drilled a hole in the receiver hitch and mounted the air valve so it sit right next the receiver for easy access. I run 7.5lbs which works perfect for me as a DD and then 25-30lbs for when I am loaded. With this set up I have about 2 inches of travel before it hits the bag so it is like a progressive rate on the down travel. Very happy with the set up and yes i did remove the coils, just seemed like the best way.

Hi,

Just received my air bags!!!!

Can you post a picture of your airbag setup? So from what you wrote, you have a 2 inch space between the air bag and the bump stop?

Which part you cut off from the bump stop? the last part from the top or bottom (narrow-end)?

This is what I am going to do:
I will not use the "puck" thing.
Let's say just the air bag (without air) has a height of 8 inches.
I'll measure 7.5 inches along the bump stop from the axle surface (while the truck is unloaded) and mark and cut the bump stop.
Then I'll insert the air bag with nipple down and route the hoses.

What do you guys think?

 

[nissanh]

Air lift installled

Alright.... got time to install the air bags...
Took about 2 hours
Didn't pull out springs... just cut the bump stop and slide in the air bags in.
Hint: just remove the air nipple cover before you slide the air bag into the spring.

 

[nissanh]

Continued...

continued...
Last picture shows how I removed the bump stop from the spring!

 

[xcmtb83]

nissanh - Your jacking and jackstand methods look kind of sketchy, even if the wheels were on it. Best of luck with the airbags.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Just an FYI. It would be safer if you put each jack stand underneath the rear Axel, directly touching the axle tube. Not under the LCAs like that where it could slide off if there is a small earth rumble.

So you got over 1" of lift? I don't really understand air bags that well.

 

[vanion2]

So you got over 1" of lift? I don't really understand air bags that well.

Air bags help reduce sag. They don't actually lift the vehicle at all. All they do is sit in the springs and prevent them compressing based on the amount of air pumped into them.

It looks like nissanh's springs are either sagging or he is running with some weight on the rear and by adding the air bags the springs he was able to get about an inch back in height.

 

[nissanh]

Jack stands

nissanh - Your jacking and jackstand methods look kind of sketchy, even if the wheels were on it. Best of luck with the airbags.

After putting the truck on jack stands, I removed the hydraulic floor jack which is on the spare wheel and placed my spare tire from my car and some solid wooden blocks right on top of it. As an added safety measure, I placed a mechanical bottle jack up side down between the 3rd member and the truck body. All in all my project was a success!

Brian, I instantly received about 2/3 of an inch (no pressurized air inside the air bag other than 1 bar from the air)

I used some flexible glue before attaching the air hose into the barbs and then installed the metal clamps.

The springs are from a 99 (tall springs) and it was all good until my last trip to CA. Had so much stuff on my way back and basically I rode on bump stops for 1800 miles.

This air bag installation is real easy.