Some questions about air...

[GallopingFord]

So I've really wanted to put an air suspension on since I want to have a nice low ride, with comfort, and being able to adapt to bumps and stuff. I recently put new lower springs in and it's just gotten to the point where I don't want to wait another 6-7 months when I do my planned massive overhaul. So I have a couple questions!

-Will this system be reliable on a daily basis? I drive this car all the time and don't plan on a second beater until next summer.

-Setbacks to an air suspension? Any cases of leaking bags (I gotta ask, lol)

-How comfortable is it when setup properly?

-Is the kit for a 4.6L the same as a 5.4L 4v?

-Can you recommend any installers in the NC, High Point/Charlotte area? I'm pretty good with tools, but when it comes to wiring and this type stuff I'd rather not be the one to mess with it.


I'd really appreciate your help.

-Cam

 

[JEWC_Motorsports]

Cam in your neck of the woods I'd be concerned the valves would freeze. It might not be a problem now but it used to be a few years back when I was big into minitruckin.

 

[GallopingFord]

Cam in your neck of the woods I'd be concerned the valves would freeze. It might not be a problem now but it used to be a few years back when I was big into minitruckin.

That's exactly the type of stuff I need to be aware of. I want to pull the trigger on this entire setup, but I don't want to do it too soon if I can't use it daily (all seasons). If it means I should wait until I retire it as a DD, I wouldn't mind, but I would be a little sad, lol.


Also, it probably is somewhere - what is the guarantee's and warranty on the Air Lift kit?

And... Is there any type of maintenance that is required on the system?

 

[Jeremy@AirLift]

So I've really wanted to put an air suspension on since I want to have a nice low ride, with comfort, and being able to adapt to bumps and stuff. I recently put new lower springs in and it's just gotten to the point where I don't want to wait another 6-7 months when I do my planned massive overhaul. So I have a couple questions!

-Will this system be reliable on a daily basis? I drive this car all the time and don't plan on a second beater until next summer.

-Setbacks to an air suspension? Any cases of leaking bags (I gotta ask, lol)

-How comfortable is it when setup properly?

-Is the kit for a 4.6L the same as a 5.4L 4v?

-Can you recommend any installers in the NC, High Point/Charlotte area? I'm pretty good with tools, but when it comes to wiring and this type stuff I'd rather not be the one to mess with it.


I'd really appreciate your help.

-Cam

Hey Cam, all excellent questions! It is extremely hard to beat the versatility of air suspension and I don't believe you would regret it if you decided to go on air.

Reliability- Unlike systems of the past, air suspensions have become very reliable. Think about semi trucks....They haul 1,000's of pounds over 1,000's of miles all on air suspension. Many of us drive bagged vehicles on a daily basis even through Michigan winters, I drive 130 miles round trip everyday. Read the article about the recent race/road trip I took with our company Mustang http://www.airliftperformance.com/2012/07/26/41hrs-37mins-driving-a-blown-bagged-mustang/
My 56 year old mother drives a Mustang on air suspension, if it was reliable or I didn't trust the system there is no way I would have put it on her car!

Set backs- Yes there are somethings you need to think about when having an air suspension. The bags are rubber, just like your tire, so if something sharp comes in contact with an air bag you could end up with a damaged bag. Rarely ever happens, but just something to keep in mind.

Ride quality- Ride comfort is much nicer than stock and waaaayyyyyy better than lowering springs.

4.6 VS 5.4- The kit will work with anything from a 4.0 to a 5.4. No issues there.

Installers- I am not aware of any installers in the Charlotte area, but I will check around to see what I can find. I know of a couple good installers in the Myrtle Beach area, not sure if that is too far for you to travel. Install is extremely easy. You are basically unbolting OEM parts and bolting in our kit, the wiring is only 3 wires to run, so nothing complicated at all. In fact I have some friends in the Charlotte area, if timing would work, I could possibly come down and help you with the install.

Like jewc75 said if you are in colder climate your valves could possibly freeze, but a simple fix for that is some air brake anti-freeze in the tank. About a cap full will keep the system from freezing, even during snowy Michigan winters.

There really is no maintenance to the system. Just drain the water out of the tank once a month or so and you are good to go.

The standard warranty is for one year against manufacturer defects, but I always take care of my fellow Mustang drivers, so don't let that be a concern.

Please let me know if you have any more questions or there is something I did not cover!

 

[Jeremy@AirLift]

I will also see if some of the other guys on air will chime in with their feedback. That way you can get some other opinions, instead of listening to the guy that works for the factory!

 

[bunkered13]

i have had many bagged rides in my past and have put many kits and custom set ups on everything from rangers to grand ams, cadillac cts, jaguar, lincoln mark viiis.......you name it i have pretty must put either bags of juice (hydraulics) on it. One thing that i like to go was put a water trap (just like one for a shop air compressor) to catch all the moisture and prevent water from getting to the valves and making them stick open or closed. Also in the cooler months i would add a little anti freeze that you can get at a truck stop that prevents their air system for the brakes from freezing.

As for a shop in NC that i would trust to do the install, check out TBC hot rods and bikes in fayettville. they are real good friends of our car club and do really bad ass work.

i hope this helps you. The install is pretty easy for one of airlifts kits and very reliable. Could be done in a driveway over the weekend.

 

[Mike K]

Subd for future use

 

[SherrodMustang]

I also run air bags on my ride...

And love it!!!!

I to put lowering springs on the car and hated the ride. I loved the look that springs gave, just couldn't take the harsh ride and dragging on everything. Hell.... I couldn't back out of the driveway without grinding the mess out of the exhaust and anti-roll bars. Something had to change for me and air ride was my answer to my problems here. Nice ride on the roads, low look when I wanted it and also could get out of my driveway.....lol.

The second thing I had to really look at was could they handle the horsepower my car makes. On the limit of what the kit has been tested too. I don't think they have a car with their kit on it that makes the horsepower my car makes so far to date. I am happy to report that it handles it just fine.... zero problems so far.

I will tell you something that sold me on the kit right away. My wife took a ride in the car one evening when I had lowering springs on the car. She was complaint about how rough the ride was the entire time. The car rubbed on everything and it would catch just the smallest of rocks in the road and parking lots. Rode like a little red wagon to be honest... looked cool... but felt like a wagon.

Then she took a ride with the air ride installed on the car. She was amazed that it was the same car. The car floats down the road and handles bumps, rocks and........ evening speed bumps with easy... Also it is plain awesome to adjust the ride at where you want it on the fly, adjustable spring rate at your finger tips.

Freaking attention grabber at car shows... just wait!

I really don't think you can go wrong with the kit. You will say to yourself why didn't I get it long ago.

Throw this out there also... the kit is easy to install. Basic hand tools and some common skills and you could have it knocked out in a weekend...

 

[Stage1]

What made me want Airlift suspension, was the fact that I could not get into places I wanted to go. I had tried 4 different types of spring and coil overs as well, I loved the look of being lowered, but however the ride was harsh, I felt every bump, dip and crack in the road I just wasnt happy.. So I ordered the my Airlift kit ( Manual version) The install takes a little more time then the digital (more air lines) but Installed it about 6 hours in my garage, simple hand tools will due. On my first test drive on the car I noticed it handled so much better and it hooked up good from a take off. My first time driving it on the highway was to MW it performed great, it rode better than it has ever rode before. When I hit a rough patch of road it still felt like glass.. I couldnt feel any bumps in the road ( like my last set of springs you felt everything). I had the system for a few months now and still havent had any bags leaking, the car sits during the week. When I get in it the bags are at the air pressure I last left it at. The wiring is simple and so is the Install. Like I have said before this is one of my best Mods to date, plus it just looks so bad ass when you slam the car to the ground. Sometimes I see people looking at it traffic, I will drop it down they can't stop pointing at it with a big ass smile on thier faces...

 

[GallopingFord]

First off, Jeremy thanks for the bit of info. I really want to do this kit, I just need the timing to be right. Bouncing back between MD/VA and NC for school makes installing larger items like these hard, especially since I have my shop where it makes everything so easy. My biggest concern is the wiring. Installing the rest of the stuff is easy as I be done it a million times it feels like.

The ride I really want. That comfort and performance tied together will be amazing. I just can't stand my springs ride anymore and my exhaust is banging against every little bump.

Thanks to the other guys who chimed in. I love those cars. They look terrific. The slammed factor is pretty neat, but I don't think I will really take full advantage of it since all I want it height adjustment for road irregularities. Plus, I am now "trying" to keep a factory Bullitt appearance. Hell I'll probably do it all the time after its installed. Lol.

Forgive me for my lack of knowledge, but I don't quite understand the service like the water or how you put antifreeze in? Is it put in the air tank?

Also do you guys have some pics to share where the air tank is mounted in the back?

I'll probably think of more questions, but at the moment I can't get my fingers to type more on this phone, lol.

 

[bunkered13]

any time you compress air, it creates condinsation. the condensation will cause rust, and in cold weather sitiations will freez the valves either open or closed.

 

[Jeremy@AirLift]

^^^^^ What he said! You put about a cap full of air brake antifreeze directly into the tank.

Check this thread for some tank/compressor mounting ideas http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81524

 

[GallopingFord]

Thanks! That makes complete sense.

I like the way you did the company car. I would do it like that and then put in a removable wall that is covered in the same material as the trunk liner. I don't plan on using the fold down seats too much longer as I plan to remove them for something else.

As far as the controller, I would like to do the full digital controller. A couple questions about that -

1. It looks like it controls all bags separately, correct?

2. Can presets be setup?

3. Any other info?

Plus, for an alignment - How does this work, the camber doesn't change when the height is changed or does it? I've had the car aligned plenty of times but only when I completely take it all apart and have no choice.

 

[bunkered13]

yes, yes, what do you want to know. as for alignment, you will need to find a "ride height" that you enjoy (or feel comfortable with) and get the alignment done at that certain stance. Other wise you will be going thru tires pretty quick. any time you lift or lower a vehical you should get it aligned.

 

[bunkered13]

having digital gauges and controls makes it alot easier to get back to the same height.

 

[GallopingFord]

I figured I would have to select a certain ride height, but was not positive.

 

[Jeremy@AirLift]

bunkered13 is exactly right about the alignment.

The controller does allow you to control each individual corner. Our digital V2 system allows you to have 8 different presets that you can program to whatever pressures you want. For example I have mine set for ride height, all the way down, all the way up, and race height. I have not even programmed all 8 settings yet!

 

[fdjizm]

I gotta stop reading this stuff I am going to end up broke! lol
nice setups guys!

 

[VTXFrank]

I gotta stop reading this stuff I am going to end up broke! lol
nice setups guys!

No kidding!

Back in the day, we used to pour an ounce of vodka into the tank. Of course, every time you drain the tank, you will have to put that stuff back in there. Also, I would ask Jeremy about the construction of the tank and lines. Anywhere they put salt down on the roads during the winter, that can be an issue. Or gravel.

With my S-10 I had, I went so far as to put some in-line water separators in the system that you would normally use for a garage compressor. Living in Colorado Springs, you can have a cold ass morning in the single digits and then by noon, the temperature of the truck would be 115° inside, 140° on it's surface sheet metal but the ambient air temps would be 32°. Condensation was a real problem. And it sucked having to drain the tank and two water separators. But my issues were largely due to the cheapish system I used. You'd have to put a small amount of Vodka in the water separators too. Turned out to be more of a PITA than it was worth and everything corroded badly due to the salt they put down. The only time I popped a bag was due to the big ass pieces of gravel they put down in the Springs. My S-10 was a Paxton Supercharged 4.3L. I sold it to one of our pilots before we went to Iraq.

 

[Mike K]

I have drove semi for 4 years and was a medium/heavy mechanic for 5yrs I have only seen less than a handful of blown bags and only had a couple issues with corroded/rusted connections. I wouldn't hesitate to install a well put together system.