Airbags?

[McCarthy]

When you take it off road can you let us know if it feels stiffer or has less travel?

 

[Ox3721]

Finally got around to installing the airbags this weekend.
The install can be done without removing the springs but it sure was a pain to squeeze the airbag in between the spring, the more you flatten it the wider it makes it.
Overall straight forward install, I ran the airlines through the frame from the top of the spring to the back near the bumper as you can see photos. I used 3/8" wire loom around the airlines in the locations that it makes contact with an edge to protect it.
I haven't mounted the valve yet and wanted to see how everyone else was doing it. I like the idea through the license plate screws.
@Ox3721 did you drill through the hitch mount for the valve or is that an existing hole?

I took some measurements and at 5psi I see about 1/4" or so of lift in the rear from stock. At 30psi with no load it raised the rear 1".

View attachment 406522View attachment 406523View attachment 406524

Yeah, I just drilled a hole through the receiver frame.

 

[pnwobrigade]

Quick update - got my Airlift 1000 (Gen3 Specific) kit installed and definitely pretty easy, hour tops to install. Jack up one side at the time, fold airbag over and shove in through coils. Most time consuming part was neatly routing the air lines and drilling small hole in receiver to mount the schrader valve. I filled up the truck with about 300-400lbs in the bed and my Kuat MTB rack with few bikes on it and drove over the Cascades. With 5-6psi in them it helped with minimal squat and no adverse change in ride quality. Completely unloaded I went and pulled my camper out of storage and did notice the rear was bouncier with 5-6psi in the bags. I virtually emptied them to 3psi and then it was fine overall.

So the important part. I hooked up my 6,400lb (dry) Nash to the truck with about 60 gallons of water & camping gear it's probably pushing 6,800-7,000 fully loaded (this pic is without water). I didn't test with the airbags deflated but even towing my UTV squats the truck so it wasn't even on my radar to try. With 25psi in the Airlift bags the truck is almost perfectly level, maybe 3/4"-1.0" total squat if that. I have a WDH installed but I probably need to drop my ball height 1" to get a touch more tongue weight which is right around 600-650lbs give or take. I towed it over Manastash Ridge which for anybody in WA knows that's a hell of a pull and always windy. I fought 20-30mph head winds and maintained 65mph no problem. Truck tows better than my 5.7 Hemi and also my fathers tuned 3.0L EcoDiesel both of which have towed this exact trailer on the same pull. I would say for the minimal cost these are a slam dunk for Gen3 owners. Only nitpick I can say is on rough roads you do get a bit of pogo action/bouncing, I think I will play with the PSI in the bags some more to see if more or less can alleviate some of that. Other than that, for $200 I can now pass the 1 Ton Cummins over the passes and let them hear Baja mode without being ashamed of riding on bump stops

 

[nbleak21]

My Airlift 1000 air bags came in this week for the gen3 Raptor (Part number 60865) and I was able to install them in the parking lot today. Once you figure out how to properly fold the airbags install is super easy, less than an hour if you’re proficient with with standard tools and have the appropriate jack/stands.

As others stated no need to remove springs like the instructions say.

My experience:
1. Chock the front tires
2. Jack the frame up enough so you are at full extension travel on the rear
3. Place jack stands securely
4. Insert provided 3D printed rubber bumpers (they only seat one way so this is super easy).
5. Fold airbags - hotdog style, then put the black nipple on it that it shipped with to keep it from self inflating.
6. Weave the airbags in. If you made your hotdog right, this will take 2min. If not, it will be a PITA and probably easier to just refold then to force in. (No tools/spoons/etc needed with hotdog method)
7. Connect and route airbags as needed.

I will say that while the airbags helped tremendously (I was 1/2” off the bump stops with 940 lb load) they did not get me to full level. I am now ~2.5” off bump stops at full 35PSI.

I have reached out to AirLift to see if they have an equivalent bag in the HD lineup xref dims look to be 5.38”x10.5” in case anyone else knows of bags that will work!

Pics below for before and after (sorry I did not measure from ground to wheel well.)

 

[pnwobrigade]

I thought I seen where they actually have a matching HD version of that airbag available. My only thought is unloaded it would be even more noticeable as even with 5psi in them I can tell they are there. Not bad by any means but definitely noticeable.

 

[RaptorUtah]

Where did you guys mount the compressor? I am looking at the AirLift WirelessOne with EZ mount. Under the truck? Under the hood? TIA!!!

 

[Hemmy]

Where did you guys mount the compressor? I am looking at the AirLift WirelessOne with EZ mount. Under the truck? Under the hood? TIA!!!

I could be wrong, but I don't think any of these guys got the compressor. I think they are all just manually inflating the bags.

 

[slater]

@Hemmy, correct in my case. However I can see the convenience if your using them frequently to have compressor on-board.

 

[MORK]

Solid first tow - the little trailer is 3500 dry but we tow fully loaded. Ran 7-8 psi in the bags, truck had 3/4” squat and with the weight dist bars, towed dead nuts level.

Only complaint I have is in quiet mode, the exhaust can make some very strange sounds when engine braking - which it does very aggressively.

 

[Ckhris]

Where did you guys mount the compressor? I am looking at the AirLift WirelessOne with EZ mount. Under the truck? Under the hood? TIA!!!

I mounted mine in same location as I did my 17