A test fit of the bracket...
A test fit of the bracket proved everything would fit. The hole in the bottom is to access the drain valve on the tank. A splash shield (not shown) deflects water coming off the rear tire.
Despite the fact that airbags are used on trucks that weigh in at 80,000 pounds, there are still those who have concerns about their strength. According to airbagit.com, their bags are designed by Chassis Tech and have a burst safety margin of up to 600 psi, five times more than will ever be needed. They claim bags will never see over 200 psi—there’s no way they’ll ever blow out unless they are damaged.
While airbags can be hurt internally by moisture accumulating over the years, a more likely cause of failure is a hole worn in the bag from rubbing against something. It goes without saying that the bag must not be allowed to touch anything in operation.
Another way bags are damaged is by over-extension. Bags have a maximum length that should never be exceeded—that can be controlled by shock absorber extension, or some sort of restraint, if necessary.
Here, the filter, compressor...
Here, the filter, compressor and tank are bolted in place on the mount. Before the assembly was lifted into place it was allowed to run while we checked for air leaks. If servicing of the components is required the entire unit is dropped out.
Air suspension systems are usually plumbed with DOT-approved air brake line. It has proved to be extremely reliable, but again it must not be allowed to rub on sharp edges or any components that move.
Compressors are usually reliable but if they run for extended periods due to leaks in the system (or being undersized) their life span can be shortened. In addition, filters should be used on the intake ports to keep dirt out of the intake tract.
The Hot Rod Hauler System
For our system, we used an airbagit.com plug-and-play system with a ¾-hp DC7500 compressor it included electric control valves, a four-button control panel with two twin gauges and a stainless air tank. Up front are DeNominator convoluted bags, in the rear are the same bags used as overloads on the leaf springs (we’ll be showing how we redid that arrangement to lower the rear of the truck to go along with the dropped axles we installed last month). CCT
Truly plug-and-play, the power...
Truly plug-and-play, the power and ground leads fit into the connections in the compressor enclosure. The airbagit.com wires are heavy-gauge to carry the 24-amps the compressor draws.
Included in the kit is a resettable...
Included in the kit is a resettable circuit breaker for the power supply line.
The wires for the dashboard...
The wires for the dashboard control are color coded to make hooking them up easy; the other end plugs into a socket in the compressor’s enclosure.
The power and supply lines...
The power and supply lines plug into connectors at the base of the compressor enclosure.
Pneumatic switches are a simple...
Pneumatic switches are a simple method to control air bags. This panel is for two bags with up and down buttons for each, and a dual needle pressure gauge (one for each bag).
This is the panel we used....
This is the panel we used. The switches control the electric valves for each bag and each gauge has two pointers. The switches and gauge on the left are for the front bags, those on the right are for the rear.
This is what we mean by plug-and-play—the...
This is what we mean by plug-and-play—the harness for the control panel plugs into the prewired harness for the air valves.
The switches on our control...
The switches on our control panel have color-coded connections for the wiring harness, the connections on the gauges are for reading air pressure at the control valves.
When installing the supply...
When installing the supply lines, it’s important to have a straight, clean cut on the ends. We prefer an old fashioned razor blade for the job.
Our kit came with tubing nuts...
Our kit came with tubing nuts and ferrules for leak-free connections.
No sealant is used with the...
No sealant is used with the nuts and ferrules, Teflon tape is used on all the pipe fittings for a good seal.
Airgbagit.com included 3⁄8-inch...
Airgbagit.com included 3⁄8-inch DOT approved air brake line for plumbing the bags.