Airlift air bags, my final conclusion

oly884

Member
Well, after the 4th time the drivers side air bag has hopped off its mount, I'm done. Lucky for me, the bag didn't blow up this time.

I had been keeping an eye on the perch "walking off" and checked it at the beginning of this week. Tonight on my drive home, it slipped off. I was impressed with their customer support, but I feel that their product does not meet the needs that I have. Checking for the perch "walking" is something that I can't take time to do every week, let alone, having to fix it every week/other week. I simply do not have the time. I'm going to bandaid fix this for now, but once the break is over, I'm going to take the camper off and remove the air bags.

The only other solution is to spend more money on another, different air bag set up (firestone). Or purchase a set of Deaver springs meeting the specifications that I require. When the camper is off, I realize that the deaver springs will cause some issues, but sand bags can fix that problem. And while the deaver springs are more money, they are a better investment and will be much more consistent.

I created this post, not to bad mouth the Airlift company, but to let you fellow members know of the issues I have gone through. As I said before, their customer service is top notch and they are all very friendly people. However, their airbag system, while working quite well for KC, does not work for me. So, if there is any fellow member that would be interested in the kit, I am willing to let it go for the cost of shipping + $5.

If you have comments, suggestions, or questions, feel free to post up.
 

MountainBiker

Experience Seeker
Is your airlift like this one with the lower clamp that fits over the axle u-bolts?
http://www.truckspring.com/air-lift-ride-control-kit-rear-59503.html

If so, I've had the same problem on my 2wd Tacoma! Every now and then, the clamp slips off and then the airbag walks forward on the leaf. I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do, but I think I'll go with the Firestone kit that mounts in place of the bumpstop. I wish I had seen the Firestone kit before I bought the Airlift kit, since it looks to be a more robust design of the mounting system.
 
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kcowyo

ExPo Original
Shoot David, I thought the Airlift kit was a good recommendation....:(

So has this happened with the camper on at all or just while you've been running around without it? I'm curious because I haven't driven my truck without the camper on, since the airbags were installed. I'm wondering if it's a loaded or unloaded issue? And it's always the driver's side airbag? Curiouser and curiouser....

Hate to hear all of the hassles you've had. I hope it won't keep you out of the woods for too much longer. You still need to share some in-action photos, everyone is tired of seeing my old junk. :jumping:

oly844 said:
I am willing to let it go for the cost of shipping + $5.

Already got a grabber for the air bags.
Does this mean they're sold already? Did you make the extra $5? :sombrero:
 

oly884

Member
MountainBiker said:
Is your airlift like this one with the lower clamp that fits over the axle u-bolts?
http://www.truckspring.com/air-lift-ride-control-kit-rear-59503.html

If so, I've had the same problem on my 2wd Tacoma! Every now and then, the clamp slips off and then the airbag walks forward on the leaf. I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do, but I think I'll go with the Firestone kit that mounts in place of the bumpstop. I wish I had seen the Firestone kit before I bought the Airlift kit, since it looks to be a more robust design of the mounting system.

Yup, mine is exactly the same. Sounds like we have the identical issue. The problem with the design lies in how only one side is bolted down. That little "tab" or "hook" that goes over the u-bolt bends up and eventually it doesn't work as a tab or hook and the bag walks forward, and in my case destroying 3 air bags (I caught this one before the air bag got destroyed)

kcowyo said:
Shoot David, I thought the Airlift kit was a good recommendation....:(

So has this happened with the camper on at all or just while you've been running around without it? I'm curious because I haven't driven my truck without the camper on, since the airbags were installed. I'm wondering if it's a loaded or unloaded issue? And it's always the driver's side airbag? Curiouser and curiouser....

Hate to hear all of the hassles you've had. I hope it won't keep you out of the woods for too much longer. You still need to share some in-action photos, everyone is tired of seeing my old junk. :jumping:


Does this mean they're sold already? Did you make the extra $5? :sombrero:

It's happened with the camper on and off at times, always keeping ~10-20 PSI when the camper is off, and ~70 with it on. Yup, always the drivers side is the first to go. The passenger side doesn't walk as much so usually when I'm "fixing" the drivers side, I'll catch the passenger side before it goes.

Hopefully I can gather enough funds together to justify spending a pretty penny on some Deavers, but once that happens, I'll be out playing in the woods. This is probably a good thing to happen anyways, my last semester is coming up, along with the EIT/FE exam in chemical engineering. So, having less distractions will probably be a plus in the long run.

Yup, they are sold already, it didn't take more than 5 minutes :hehe:

njtaco said:
Interested in a bidding war for the air bags? :cool:

As much as I'd like to make some more bucks on these, I hold to my word, sorry.
 

njtaco

Explorer
oly884 said:
Yup, they are sold already, it didn't take more than 5 minutes :hehe:



As much as I'd like to make some more bucks on these, I hold to my word, sorry.

Didn't mean to imply you wouldn't hold to your word...I was was half kidding anyways:p
 

oly884

Member
kcowyo said:
Cool you were able to unload them but no pics? Why you holding out? :lurk:

hahaha,

I'll snap some pics when I get back to WA tomorrow. It's not warm right now.

But the :coffeedrink: is great right now. Oh, and I'm busy at work. hahaha
 

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