Airlift airbag install on Cherokee

[ExpoMike]

Wanted to do a follow up post. After driving on them for a day, I was starting to hear a sound from the driver side, that sounded like the bracket was starting to loosen up. Since that side only uses 1 thru bolt and 3 self tapping bolts, I decided to just weld the brackets to the subframe. I made some extension pieces for the outside of the brackets, to help distribute the load more. Got them welded on and I don't think they are going anywhere now.

I also made my 1" spacers for the bumpstops. Just aluminum stock but should do the trick. Should be set now.

Pic showing tire clearance (245/75-16 on stock 16x7 wheels)

Brackets welded on with outer extensions

With some paint

Bumpstop spacers made

Should be trying them out in mid Jan on our next trip.

 

[fyrfytr1717]

1.) Does the "bottom" of the air bag just touch the new plate that is u-bolted to the leaf spring or is it solidly attached (bolted from below)?

I think what Root Moose was getting at with this one (and I'm curious as well) is that if the airbags are bolted on top and bottom, isn't your rear axle droop limited? Aren't they effectively working like limit straps and reducing your articulation? I like the idea, but it seems like it would limit your ability to play in the rocks.

 

[ExpoMike]

Yes, the airbags are bolted to the top and bottom mounts. It uses a plastic nut on the top threads and (IIRC) 1/2" bolt on the bottom. The bottom bracket is slotted so you can make sure the bags are vertical before fully tightening that bolt. There is enough clearence between the spring and the underside of the bracket for a wrench.

As for limiting droop, no they are not the limiting factor. This is why I had to custom order which bags I got. The shocks will "top out" before the bags do, so the shocks are the limiting factor, as they would be in stock form. The bags have a 1/2" more travel than the shock limited droop does. Down side to get the longer airbag is I needed to limit the compressed length which is why I added the 1" spacer to my original 2" spacer.

In reality, yes I loss 1" of total travel but that was compressed travel, not extended travel. Still have ~8.5" of rear total travel.

Let me know if that did not answser the question.

Thanks.

 

[ExpoMike]

Okay, a follow up now that I have actually been out using the airbag setup.

Without a doubt, this has been the best mod I have done since I started towing the Kamparoo. I set the bags at 25psi, which seemed to put me about level, as I am without the trailer. Set out to Death Valley via freeways and highways. No longer was I hitting the bumpstops going thru dip and the rig just seemed a little more comfy and stable. This is also with me running about 4psi more rear tire pressure than the front. 65-70mph all day long with no problems.

Got into the dirt and did my typical air down with the tires on the rig. 18psi front, 24psi rear. I left the airbags at 25psi. I think during the whole trip, I "might" have hit the bumpstops twice and that is with them an 1" lower than before. If I did actually hit them, it was a very soft hit and nothing like I had before. We would cringe each time we hit them as it was a hard hit.

From what I could feel, the airbags never got in the way with suspension movement. The rig felt like it articulated over things just as before but without the bottoming out sound/feel we had. At 45-50mph over washboard roads, overall comfort felt better a seemed a little less rattling from the interior. It even helped when those "snuck up on ya" bumps happened. Again, none of the cringing of crashing rear suspension.

At this point, longevity is the next thing. I know Airlift has a lifetime warranty but I hope I should never need it. As an alternative to helper springs/AAL, which you have loaded or unloaded, airbags seems to be the best of both worlds. Basically stock ride, when aired down, unloaded yet add some air and a load, keeps things riding great.

Now I will say I am using these in a light duty capacity since I am only adding about 175# of tongue weight and is more about assorbing trailer pitch momentum, I don't know how they would work for a very heavy rig where you are using the upper end of the load capacity (since 100psi is max loading, I am using about a 1/4 of the capacity at 25psi). My gut tells me it should work the same if load matches bag capacity but I can't confirm that would be the case.

If you are on the fence thinking about this mod, I can definitely give it two thumbs up. YMMV