Madmax

What kind of air bags are you guys using on a leaf spring suspension? I'm looking at Firestone and Air Lift brands? Anything good or bad on either of these, or is there a better brand.? It's a 1/2 ton Suburban with leafs that I want a lil boost in the back.

Thanks.!

JohnJan

I've got Air-Lift on my '98 Chevy C1500, they work greet. Just be sure to not plumb left to right with one hose - keep each side separate.

Chart

I've always used the Firestones, but I hear the Air Lifts are good too. You should be fine either way. As JohnJan said, don't let the air move between the two bags, or you'll "chine walk" down the highway.

Cord

iTrader: (2)

I have Firestones and I'm happy with them. The only problem has been a limit to the suspension travel. The problem is with their bracket design. The good news for you is that I don't have them on a suburban.

ps. spend the extra coin to get the compressor. It's well worth it.

JohnJan

I bought the compressor but never installed it. I've pirated enough fittings and hose from it (damn pnuematic mufflers) that it's a lost cause now. I wish I had installed it but there was no good place inside my truck to mount the gauges and switches and not have it look like crap.

I mounted two shrader valves, one for each air bag, in the rear bumper on each side of the license plate and pump them up when the trucks loaded and release air when running empty. My friends get a kick out of it when I attach the truck to the trailer by lifting the trailer ball up into the trailer with the air hose.

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

Troutly has had good luck with Firestone, but now has Air-Lift.

I am on my second set of Air-Lift (no compressor), and will never own a truck without them. Make sure to get separate air fill stems for each side. Mine are hidden as my rear license plate upper bolts on my Avalanche. On my Tahoe, they were placed on either side of the license plate, and I have seem them placed inside the gas door before too.

Wally

iTrader: (1)

Yup...had Air-Lift on my Yukon with the compressor system.....worked great and am now looking for a set for my 2500 burban

rws

iTrader: (3)

I have Firestone's on My 99 Chevy Crewcab Dually.I have a slide in camper and for our Grand Canyon/Utah Road trip this spring I built a Back Porch. At that time I added firestone Ride Rite's with the Dual controls and On board Compressor.
I Really like the setup.I also added rancho rs9000 adjustable shocks,what an improvement over the factory shocks even though they only had 27000 miles on them.

Rob

Madmax

Thanks guys.! Sound like they will work perfect.!

BadDog

Not sure what brand I have on my Tahoe but the bags are not the accordion style. Stay away from the non accordion type. They tend to fold if the air pressure is to low. When they fold they will pinch the bag and cause a leak. I bough my from JC Whitney and they are a real POS. The brackets were not correct and I had to fabricate my own.

What would be wrong with air shocks? Seem like a lot less trouble.