Airbags for the rear?

[OrangeCrush]

Does anyone know who sells (if anyone) airbags for the rear of my H2 with Rancho lift?

I have found airbags if the truck didn't have a lift but unable to find any for an H2 with a lift.

I really want a set to tow with and I can't see why I can't modify a set to make work.

Anyone know?

Thanks,


Mark

[OrangeCrush]

Just for the record, in case anyone is interested, I ended up buying a set of Firestone bags from a Ford Expedition for 85.00 from Summit.

I installed them, pump up the pressure to about 40 lbs and they stop the Hummer from sagging from pulling my enclosed trailer.

Drove over 1500 miles round trip and it never waivered. Works great.


Mark

[pwrhse2k]

Hey Mark, I've been looking for HD Coil springs for the rear because it drops significantly when on the gas. Guruerror pointed me in the direction of a manufacturer that used to make them for the H2 but since they are no longer in production they want an insane amount of money to fab a set up. I was considering doing air bags and may go that route now that I've read your post. How is the overall ride while not towing?

[pdxrealtor]

I'm looking at getting rid of my entire system if youre interested. It all works.

[tomp]

Air Lift aftermarket bags work great. I am not sure you need longer bags for a lifted rig as they only need to support a few of the coils, as they do on a stock height H2 anyhow - they dont touch top or bottom of OEM coils.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by pwrhse2k

Hey Mark, I've been looking for HD Coil springs for the rear because it drops significantly when on the gas. Guruerror pointed me in the direction of a manufacturer that used to make them for the H2 but since they are no longer in production they want an insane amount of money to fab a set up. I was considering doing air bags and may go that route now that I've read your post. How is the overall ride while not towing?

The ride is great if you keep the pressure down around 30-40lbs. (which incidentally is enough to support weight from a trailer)

If you put it up to 50, then the ride is a tad bit harsher. (not obnoxious, but noticeable)

I just dropped them down to 20-30 lbs and leave them.

Easy to install, cheap to buy, works great.

Originally Posted by tomp

Air Lift aftermarket bags work great. I am not sure you need longer bags for a lifted rig as they only need to support a few of the coils, as they do on a stock height H2 anyhow - they dont touch top or bottom of OEM coils.

Yes, I found that out too. I thought the airbags supported the weight by increasing in height. It's expanding width that pushes on the springs that stops the springs from compressing too much.

My springs are 16" long. The bags are 13" tall. Stock H2 backs are 10" long.



Mark

[SummitUp]

Originally Posted by tomp

Air Lift aftermarket bags work great. I am not sure you need longer bags for a lifted rig as they only need to support a few of the coils, as they do on a stock height H2 anyhow - they dont touch top or bottom of OEM coils.

Well the instructions for the Air Lift 1000 bags say to locate the air bag at the bottom of the coil, but even in that position the bag doesn't reach to the top of the coil so it doesn't do much when inflated to actually raise the truck as much as it actually adds to the spring rate of the coils. Also for off-road application, running 2 separate (dual) airlines from the airbags is the way to go (as opposed to joining the two airbag airlines with a "T" fitting).

[[__--MUD--__]]

Originally Posted by SummitUp

Well the instructions for the Air Lift 1000 bags say to locate the air bag at the bottom of the coil, but even in that position the bag doesn't reach to the top of the coil so it doesn't do much when inflated to actually raise the truck as much as it actually adds to the spring rate of the coils. Also for off-road application, running 2 separate (dual) airlines from the airbags is the way to go (as opposed to joining the two airbag airlines with a "T" fitting).

Are you saying to run two separate pumps? Air pressure will be the same if you t right out of the pump and run two supply lines back vs single supply line and t at the back. I'm curious on the reasoning.

[SummitUp]

Originally Posted by [__--MUD--__]

Are you saying to run two separate pumps? Air pressure will be the same if you t right out of the pump and run two supply lines back vs single supply line and t at the back. I'm curious on the reasoning.

Who said anything about pumps? These are after market airbags which have airlines terminating at the rear bumper with schrader valves. You fill them as needed with an air hose. Running a separate airline to each air bag makes the vehicle much more resistant to leaning sideways when off-camber when off-roading. If all your looking at is street application to handle more weight or compensating for a heavy tongue weight of a trailer then by all means use a "T" fitting and terminate with a single schrader valve.

[[__--MUD--__]]

I was thinking you were tying these back into the air ride.

So your saying if your off camber, the vehicle weight pushing down on lower side air bag could transfer the line pressure to the opposite bag (inflating) which could increase the off camber even more? Isolating the two would prevent the equalization.

[SummitUp]

Exactly! Couldn't have said it any better than that!

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by SummitUp

Well the instructions for the Air Lift 1000 bags say to locate the air bag at the bottom of the coil, but even in that position the bag doesn't reach to the top of the coil so it doesn't do much when inflated to actually raise the truck as much as it actually adds to the spring rate of the coils. Also for off-road application, running 2 separate (dual) airlines from the airbags is the way to go (as opposed to joining the two airbag airlines with a "T" fitting).

Exactly... the airbags don't "lift" the vehicle, they merely push on the outside coils to stop compression of the spring when under a load.

I spent 85 bucks on a set of firestone bags from Summit and they work GREAT!

I ran two separate lines because that's what it came with but I'm going to get a "T" and put them together.

Just got my truck back from replacing an oil pan gasket, I'll post pics when I get to work Monday.


Mark

[SummitUp]

Hmmm.... Firestone cheap! Air Lift 1000 comes with "T" fittings.

I should give you my "T" fittings!

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by SummitUp

Hmmm.... Firestone cheap! Air Lift 1000 comes with "T" fittings.

I should give you my "T" fittings!

I'll buy them from you. I've been unable to find a T fitting for 1/4" air lines.

Lemme know,


Thanks,

Mark

[SummitUp]

Let me make sure I can find it (there was just one in the kit). If I can find it I'll let you know and you can PM me your address and I'll mail it to you for free!

If your in a hurry and can't find a "T" fitting at an auto parts store (I know they have them) you can try an aquarium supply store, they have them too. The "T" fitting that came with my kit was plastic, it would be nice to find a brass one.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by SummitUp

Let me make sure I can find it (there was just one in the kit). If I can find it I'll let you know and you can PM me your address and I'll mail it to you for free!

If your in a hurry and can't find a "T" fitting at an auto parts store (I know they have them) you can try an aquarium supply store, they have them too. The "T" fitting that came with my kit was plastic, it would be nice to find a brass one.

THANK YOU SIR!

I called Firestone up asking a question and mentioned why a T wasn't included and could I buy one. Nope, they don't make one.

Weird I thought... if you're towing, you'd want equal pressure but anyways, even NAPA didn't have it.

Thanks,

Mark

[[__--MUD--__]]

I have about 1000 each 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" push to connect fittings. Rated at 2000psi. Use them on my misting systems that typically run 1000-1200psi. You can use them on copper, stainless, nylon, just about any type of plastic etc...pretty ****ign amazing they hold at that pressure and can easily remove them w/ no tools.

[USMC_Buckaroo]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Exactly... the airbags don't "lift" the vehicle, they merely push on the outside coils to stop compression of the spring when under a load.

I spent 85 bucks on a set of firestone bags from Summit and they work GREAT!

I ran two separate lines because that's what it came with but I'm going to get a "T" and put them together.

Just got my truck back from replacing an oil pan gasket, I'll post pics when I get to work Monday.


Mark

Howdy OrangeCrush


Would like to hear more about those $85. Firestone bags if you don't mind? Did you replace them yourself, or did you have it done at a shop?

I'm at the air bag 'crossroad' with my rig...kinda like the air bag ride, but dislike it's inherent non-dependability.
Would also like to see those pics you mentioned.




Buck.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by USMC_Buckaroo

Howdy OrangeCrush


Would like to hear more about those $85. Firestone bags if you don't mind? Did you replace them yourself, or did you have it done at a shop?

I'm at the air bag 'crossroad' with my rig...kinda like the air bag ride, but dislike it's inherent non-dependability.
Would also like to see those pics you mentioned.




Buck.

The airbags I bought from Summit. Because I have a lift, I ordered them for an Expedition. If your H2 is stock height, then you can order ones for an H2.


Here's the airbags...





I ran the lines to part of the rear bumper underneath (you have separate lines to fill... I need to get a "T")



I haven't had any problems yet. I drove from NC to KY with my trailer (about 9 hours one way) and they worked great. When I got home, I dropped the pressure from 40 lbs to 20 lbs and I just drive it that way.

The installation is simple. Raise the truck, undo a shock and raise the truck some more. The spring will essentially fall out and you roll the airbag up, slide it inside the coils and reinstall.

The whole process is less than a half hours work.


HTH's,

Mark