Airlift airbag install on Cherokee

ExpoMike

Well-known member
Finally, after 2 years of wanting to do this project, our trip out to Death Valley put this to the top of the list. I had added extra gas cans and holder to the front of the Kamparoo, which added about an extra 120 lbs. to the tongue. It was causing the Cherokee to squat way more and left us with about 2" of travel before bottoming out. Time to fix this.

I ordered a custom package from an Airlift vendor (recommend by Airlift since they don't sell direct). I got the Cherokee kit minus the airbags that came with it. I had gotten a chart from Airlift and selected the airbags that would work with my lift. As it is, I am going to add an extra 1" spacer to my bump stops just to keep from bottoming the airbags.

Overall the install is easy. I did flip the upper mounts upside down to help compensate for the lift. I took this into account when I ordered everything. This has been documented by other rigs I have found out there, so nothing ground breaking there. I think getting the airlines routed (and drilling the mounts to allow me to go thru them) took as long as the actual bag install.

Haven't tested them yet and need to check today to see if there was any bleed down. Hopefully not or I'll have to find the leak. Well, onto the pics.

At stock ride height
PICT5792.jpg


Using the guide to set the mounts into the right spot
PICT5793.jpg


Airing up to see if everything is clear of the bag
PICT5794.jpg


Airline routed and put into wire loom, wrapped with tape. Still need to get a clamp to hold the line. I had every size but the one I needed. Also added the supplied heat shield but am going to get the rear exhaust pipe rerouted for more clearance.
PICT5795.jpg


Fill valve in bottom corner of the bumper. Enlarged a hole already there that allowed routing the line thru some brackets.
PICT5796.jpg


Overall that was it. Very simple install and I can't wait to try them out. Without the trailer, I will run the minimum allowed psi of 10. No idea what the sweetspot will be with the trailer yet.
 

Root Moose

Expedition Leader
Very nice setup! I suspect I'm going to have to do something like this to tow my trailer.

Air spring n00bie questions:

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)?

2.) Are you at all concerned that the new bottom plate's u-bolt will not allow your springs to fully "fan" apart and hence reduce articulation?

Unrelated question:

What's the deal with the double nuts on your u-bolts? Something you did to protect the threads or are they there for some other purpose?
 

ExpoMike

Well-known member
Very nice setup! I suspect I'm going to have to do something like this to tow my trailer.

Air spring n00bie questions:

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)?

2.) Are you at all concerned that the new bottom plate's u-bolt will not allow your springs to fully "fan" apart and hence reduce articulation?

Unrelated question:

What's the deal with the double nuts on your u-bolts? Something you did to protect the threads or are they there for some other purpose?

The bottom of the bag has a bolt that comes up under the plate. You snug is just enough to allow a little movement, put about 5 psi (just to inflate the bag) and then line it up vertically. Put a wrench under and tighten to 14 ft.lbs.

Since the u-bolt is close to the axle mounting point, there is very little fanning of the springs. I seriously doubt it will decrease any articulation.

As for the double nuts, the u-bolts were long so I figured it would allow me some extra thread if I should ever need it (I was thinking originally about putting the stock swaybar and mounts back on at one time). I also never need to worry about those coming loose. :D
 

rynosurf

Adventurer
A good spot for the shrader valves is in the two top holes of the rear licence plate. I had to drill mine out just a bit but the valves hold the plate on, they are out of the way and easily accesible.
 

ExpoMike

Well-known member
A good spot for the shrader valves is in the two top holes of the rear licence plate. I had to drill mine out just a bit but the valves hold the plate on, they are out of the way and easily accesible.

Might be great for a truck but.... a Cherokee license plate is in the rear hatch. That's a lot of airline to run... :Wow1: :elkgrin:
 

rynosurf

Adventurer
My mistake. That would be a pain! I had Airlifts on my old Toyota and Firestones on my new one, both worked well. I want to try and set mine up with a valve between the bags so I can link them together for rough stuff or keep them isolated for leveling loads.
 

StumpXJ

SE Expedition Society
I had the firestones on my Toyota... made a nice difference when fully loaded. You should like these for towing that trailer!

~James
 

saburai

Explorer
Nice!

Mike, if you don't mind, what are the part numbers and who did you get them from?

Many Thanks...
 

ExpoMike

Well-known member
I got them from www.trucksprings.com but I talked to them in person. They were recommended to me by Airlift.

As for the part #,

Cherokee kit, 59507 (but minus the bags in that kit)
Airbags, 50272

Cost was $126.68 kit minus bags and $139.20 for the two bags. Total $265.88
 
Any shots of the clearance between your tires and the bags? I run stock rims & 33x10.5's, so I'd be concerned about hitting them with the tires.
 

ExpoMike

Well-known member
:chef:
Any shots of the clearance between your tires and the bags? I run stock rims & 33x10.5's, so I'd be concerned about hitting them with the tires.

I'll have to take some. Nothing already taken.

I did get my clamps for the airlines and got them installed today. Picked up some aluminum to make some spacers for my bump stops. Still need to build those.
 

XXXpedition

Explorer
Any shots of the clearance between your tires and the bags? I run stock rims & 33x10.5's, so I'd be concerned about hitting them with the tires.
i had the same setup - i worked with airlift directly a few years back - until then they haven't done lifted trucks...
i ran 33x12.5R15 tires.
the pic should be the same as on mine: (it's not that great but you can see there's plenty of space - i never had issues with it)
IMG_7538.JPG
 

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