Installing air ride suspension

Ridetech is a brand to watch, as they cover a variety of applications in the performance circuit. This includes pretty much everything from Corvettes and street rods to classic trucks. For import performance, Ksport is an excellent alternative. There are two things you need to look out for, though. Bolts and sheet metal edges are what you need to look for here. If anything like this is present, take the time to grind off any edges or shorten hardware as needed.

Secondly, before hanging the new air ride shocks in place of the factory equipment, secure the air line fitting to the unit. Getting it on there when the shock is bolted down can prove to be a frustrating experience. For off-road trucks, an air suspension installation is more extensive. It requires more than simply popping a single unit in place of the factory shock absorbers.

The installation will feature shock absorbers paired with air bellows, but they are separate units. Now, this process can be somewhat simple or very in-depth depending on application and lift height. The process does involve incorporating an air bellow into the chassis with the use of custom bracketry. But much like a traditional lift kit, the geometry of the suspension can be affected to various degrees.

That means, relocation of the factory suspension components should be anticipated. For off-road applications looking for an air ride solution, AiRock by Off-Road Only is worth checking out.

These guys make off-road-specific air suspensions for a variety of applications that will perform in any and all settings you throw at them. Load-assisting air bags install in a similar method as those used for a lift system, but are not intended to be used as a full-time means for increasing ride height. Instead, these are used to correct ride height when the suspension is under load. Installation of these units does vary from application to application but all processes are very similar.

Today, air ride suspensions have become more popular as they are customized for every application, be it street rods, trucks, SUVs, bombs, and classic lowriders as well. The installation and configuration of these systems varies for different makes and models, but the underlying principle remains the same. The vehicle's original metal spring coil or leaf is removed, and an airbag, also referred to as an air spring, is inserted or fabricated to fit in place of the factory spring.

An adjustable suspension can allow vehicles to sit extremely low, yet be able to elevate at a level high enough to maneuver over obstacles and inconsistencies on paved surfaces. When you release the air through the valves in an air suspension system, the bags decompress, allowing the vehicle's suspension to be lowered to a certain point depending on where the installer decides the vehicle's limits can or should go.

This alteration allows the user to make adjustments high or low by simply pressing an electric button or switch. In this suspension tech article we are installing a quality air ride suspension system on a Chevy Impala Super Sport only to demonstrate how these types of systems are basically installed.

In this article we don't actually make comparisons to traditional old-school hydraulic suspensions versus "new school" airbag technology, because If you took the same amount of money to purchase a hydraulic suspension or an air ride suspension there would be no difference in either's ride comfort. When hydraulics are applied with front and back shocks and the correctly rated coils they are comparable to the ride comfort of air suspensions. The only difference between both worlds is six batteries versus a couple of 5-gallon air tanks and oil leaks versus air leaks.

In the end it really doesn't matter at all, because they both leak, and yes, one of the systems does become a little messier when it does. The most important point about altered suspensions is that you must have quality products and the right person to install the system. We all know that there are plenty of installers out there who give both suspension worlds a bad name. When it comes down to it it's your choice as to which suspension you choose. All that matters is that your ride should achieve maximum ride comfort and also lay down on the ground.

Now follow along as we bring out only the best equipment in a bolt-on air suspension install so that this Super Sport locks and lays on a cloud. Eliminates loose wires. Be cool and quiet. QA1 Shock Absorbers For every modified suspension needs.

These air systems usually contain a height sensor, an air bag and air strut, a compressor, and air lines. Jack stands. Warning : Air ride systems use high pressure air. Always wear the proper eye protection and protective gear when working with air ride systems. Step 1: Prepare the vehicle.

Wearing eye protection, use the jack to lift the vehicle and secure it on jack stands. Then remove the tires. Step 2: Remove the coil spring and front struts. Determine whether the air suspension is just going to be in the rear or if the kit is for the front and rear. If the front is going to be addressed, remove the front struts from the vehicle as per the kit instructions.

Step 3: Prepare to install the air suspension. If the kit being installed uses a compressor, the most common place to install this is in the spare tire well. Remove the spare tire and any interior panels required to make room for the compressor to sit in the trunk.

Step 1: Install the rear air spring. Install the rear air spring, or rear coil, in place of the previous spring. Step 2: Install the front air struts. The front air struts will be installed in place of the previous front air struts. Step 3: Install the air compressor and air tank.

Step 4: Wire the compressor for air and power. The air compressor will need power to operate. Each corner of the vehicle will need its own airline that is then run to the compressor. These air lines must be tucked under the vehicle so they do not bend and break when driving. The lines are attached to the compressor so the air suspension can be controlled. Step 5: Do a final check of the installation and setup. Look over the installation and make sure all components are tight.