air springs

[hugh]

pardon my ignorance but I am looking for info on air springs like the ones AT sells. Do you still use leaf springs? making the firestone air bags basically shock absorbers? Or could you fab up a link system to locate the axle using the air bag as a sort of coil spring replacement?
The reason I,m asking is I have Cherokee on 35 bfgs and am now in the planning stage for a camping trailer using the same wheels and tires as my jeep. The air spring seems to have possibilities that suggest a lower ride height on the road for stability and a higher stance off the road for clearance.

 

[Hilldweller]

I have a pair of Ride-Rites on order to place inside my springs; they're to augment and supplement while trailering. Might also be usefull on serious hill climbs...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I haven't installed them yet but I've researched the hell out of them. They're designed to have a ride height of about 5.5-6.5" for the 8.5-9" max height models. So the answer is "no" on adjustable height. The big thing is load carrying, when your maxed to the gills to can add some air to bring it back up to correct ride height. You still need additional shock absorbers and the independent arms are designed to work, well, independently so you can drive the trailer over much harsher roads at speed and still have it handle well versus slide out like traditional trailers with adequate-strength leaf springs. I'm not sure if you've seen my thread where I've fabbed up some independent arms. I did it "quickly" (or as quickly as possible) but have gobs and gobs of time into it. In the end I'll save, maybe, $400 versus what I have into it. Basically to some (considering my trailer was only $200) a $800 suspension arm kit from A/T (with airbags!) is a hard pill to swallow, but it is 100% worth it versus fabbing everything up from scratch yourself. I did my work on it and I'm psyched I did it, but it is/was still a huge PITA. I have hours & hours into it I figure and I don't even have the bags mounted up yet...

 

[Martyn]

You can do either.

If you keep the leaf springs to locate the axle then the air bag will give you the ride height.

If you remove some of the leaf pack so the spring is just acting as an axle locator the air bag will act for ride height and suspension.

If you build a link system the n the air bag works for ride height and suspension.

As Andre said in this application the air bags are not used to control over all height.

We may still have some used air bags left over from our moving sale along with the upper mounts. You'd have to call Mario on 909-398-0100 to see if we still have them.

 

[hugh]

thanks all very much for the info, it clears up a source of confusion.