My intent is not to totally hijack the thread, but I really did benefit from the airbags. I used the Airlift 1000 series p/n 60818. Airlift wasn't super helpful in choosing a set, as their application system either requires you to know your spring dimensions or works only for stock trucks, so I did a bunch of google and placed my bet. The kit was only $92 delivered from Amazon, so I figured that I'm betting less than 2 tanks of gas and really can't make it worse. Of course, I'm traveling the wilds of suburban California, not deepest Africa, so Amazon is quick and cheap.
I personally believe that one of the advantages of an air spring or air assist such as a bag is that the spring works in compression but has no secondary oscillation after rebound. So you gain spring rate without the repeated bounce following a compression, and your shocks don't have to be massive to damp the massive spring.
All in all, they don't fit perfectly in my AEV 2.5, and I've only run them a month, but I've been really happy so far. I have a lot of weight up top, rack, tent, etc... Then I added a ridiculously heavy bumper/tire carrier with fuel, water, hilift, shovel... You all get the picture. After adding the bumper is when things got too floppy. I'll someday optimize and lighten the bumper, but I found a good deal on Craigslist and had to jump on it.
