OBA and Air Lift write ups

[J.A.]

Added a couple new write-ups to my 4R site.

On board Air:
Getting more use out of my portable air compressor...





AirLift Air Springs:
Air Lift 6000 series Air Springs installed utilizing both the Single Path and Dual Path set-ups...



Let me know what you think!

 

[Bumbo]

Nice, looks good OP.

I really wish there was another place under the hood to put the compressor... id love to have OBA so I dont have to carry a bag with a portable.

 

[riceandpho]

i think i like to have the bags linked, with a y fitting, i think it gives equal flex.

 

[J.A.]

i think i like to have the bags linked, with a y fitting, i think it gives equal flex.

The beauty of my set-up is that with the flick of a switch I can have the bags linked for off-road flex, and then easily switch back to on-road independent air lines for carrying uneven loads with less sway and body roll.

 

[riceandpho]

nice install, when i did my firestone, i have my hose pointed up through the jounce bumper, so i didnt have to drill any holes, i think thats what the instructions said. i followed the video off of etrailers.com but got the bags from sdtrucksprings.com since it was cheaper there. does help me with my gear in the trunk, just the subs and extra battery and my tool bag. i think im at 20-25 psi all the time.

 

[dchild]

Great writeup! I have been thinking about doing the OBA with that exact compressor and now I have what I need to proceed!

A minor issue - looks like you swapped driver and passenger side labels in the pics of you airing up

Thanks for this writeup! (and all your other wonderful writeups, I've used 3 of them already)

 

[J.A.]

Great writeup! I have been thinking about doing the OBA with that exact compressor and now I have what I need to proceed!

A minor issue - looks like you swapped driver and passenger side labels in the pics of you airing up

Thanks for this writeup! (and all your other wonderful writeups, I've used 3 of them already)

Great catch on the labeling, thanks!

 

[BackOff]

Looks good.
I have used these Airlift 1000 on 2 different 4runners.

I felt that when the bags are linked with the Y connector and not on separate lines it has more body roll in corners. Maybe forcing air from one side to the other. Maybe my imagination.

Also I run them almost flat for every day use, then when I tow I air up, so it not something your messing with much. Although your method makes airing up a little easier.

Dash control for on the fly ride control could be nice to fine tune for road conditions.

 

[RonJR]

The Y linking won't cause much body roll except for extended cornering. That little 1/8" id line connecting the two can't transfer much air in the normal couple of seconds that you're in a corner. I doubt the pressure would change more than a psi or two during that time. I'd expect it's mostly imagination.

 

[J.A.]

The Y linking won't cause much body roll except for extended cornering. That little 1/8" id line connecting the two can't transfer much air in the normal couple of seconds that you're in a corner. I doubt the pressure would change more than a psi or two during that time. I'd expect it's mostly imagination.

The volume of air is what transfers side to side, as to how fast with the 1/8" ID hose, I would have to time it... but the body roll in linked mode is noticeable. I can tell you that if I air up only one side to 35psi in independent mode, then flick the switch to linked mode, the air flows to the uninflated side relatively quickly to self-balance out. I'd have to time it some day.

Of course you are not slaloming in an suv while carrying 1500 lbs of cargo, but surprisingly are able to run at pretty close to normal driving with the more controlled ride of having the air bags installed. Adding the extra valving via an air switch was a very worthwhile consideration and makes it effortless to switch between the two ideal modes for whatever situation you may be in that day.

 

[dkyleb]

I approve of this write up.

 

[J.A.]

I approve of this write up.

Nice! Can you eloborate on how to get the output port straight out along the body, rather than out the side? My understanding was that due to the gasket unique shape matching up with the piston, you shouldnt simply unbolt the top of the compressor and turn it clockwise, but looks like you did that.

 

[dkyleb]

Nice! Can you eloborate on how to get the output port straight out along the body, rather than out the side? My understanding was that due to the gasket unique shape matching up with the piston, you shouldnt simply unbolt the top of the compressor and turn it clockwise, but looks like you did that.

Interesting point! Mine functions well, albeit hot and loudly... I might have to pull the head off and look!

 

[sr3tlaw]

[MENTION=15785]J.A.[/MENTION] is back

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[J.A.]

Received a lot of PM's and emails on this setup and I just wanted to give a quick update as i approach the 2 month usage mark.

I really like these air bags! I wouldn't consider hauling a significant load without them. What a difference in control, much improved. Even the braking seems better. I have stuffed in 1,750 of cargo alone which equates to a full 1 ton load including myself and some light gear (yes, I know this is 500# over Toyota recommendations). The V-8 handles the load effortlessly, and the suspension is performing great with these air springs.

Soon after the new installation set-up i did (Air Switch), I noted I was slowly loosing air. Using a soapy water spray solution quickly found the culprit to be a slow leak at one of the tee's. So I cut the hose away and reinstalled using the technique of heating the hose for 5 seconds with a lighter rather than the much more difficult way of soaking the hose end in hot water for a minute. But this time i used a drop of black rtv gasket maker on the barbs and after installing the hose and clamps I spread some more rtv on the outside of the hose and tee for extra insurance since i didnt have much more slack to cut the hose end off again if the leak continued due to a knife nick in the barb or whatever (note: leave plenty of slack in initial installation).

So I have been testing the pressure holding ability of this system and am greatly satisfied. So far I am at the 6-week mark in which i aired up to 35 lbs psi at the start of the test period and have lost just about 2 lbs total and this is during a time of declining outdoor temperatures.

You may wonder how i ran with the bags at full pressure for 6-weeks since many report it is too stiff. Well while the ride is indeed harsher when pressurized, but it is not unbearable. Also, I dont drive most weekdays. I plan to go another at least two weeks longer just for fun to see how well these hold air. But again, if this is your daily driver and you only haul on occasion, I would not suggest to run at full pressure all the time but rather drop down to the 5psi recommendation by AirLift Co.

Any more specifics needed, let me know.

 

[blackoutt]

Thanks to this write up I got the same Pneumadyne C030201air switch and since my firestone air bags have a push type fitting for the air line (which comes out of the top through the bump stop like others by the way) I have sourced other push type fittings to use for my connections. They may take a few tries to get sealed fully but are easy to install/uninstall as needed. Thanks again for the great idea, can't wait to get it set up and test.

Update: Got the switch installed and tested hauling a dirtbike on the hitchhaul, empty, passengers, washer/dryer - switching between linked and unlinked to see what it was like. I like the ride unlinked loaded and linked when unloaded. Will try some off-road at some point but it's looking good.

 

[J.A.]

Quick update on the AirLift 1000 air pressure test i am doing.

I am running an air pressure test of my AirLift 1000 system. I am at just about 23 weeks since i last added air and have only lost 2psi from the system. So far a success I would say...and dispels the myth that some report re: airlift brand airbags typically loose air at a faster rate than other brands. I think it comes down to the install vs. the brand of airbag in terms of loosing air.