Thread: Full Airbag Suspension (all 4 corners) with In-Cab Controls ?

There are a few people on this forum that have replaced their steel springs with airbags.

here are some links that may help to find your answers

Firestone Air Bags, Firestone Air Springs - TruckSpring.com

I think RangierRover's thread will answer all your questions Rangier's ISUZU 4BD1T 120" the other person that has four corner suspension is rovercare and one other more recent, if I find them I will link them. Start around here on rovercare's looongish thread then you can work your way back or forward.


A google search of this site might provide you with some hits to threads that will answer your questions.as well.

how to perform google search just tell google search engine the site you want to sear followed by the words you want in youor searc e.g.,

site:www.aulro.com airbag suspension

I have not seen the airbag man controller (I am not sure they have one) but the best I have seen is the airbagit controller. I am actually looking at using it for a CTIS one day.

Upgrade To AB7000 Controller Reads Pressure Only With Purchase of Plug and Play Upgrades can only be added to a FBSS Airkit Purchase. Comes with 5 Presets

That link is for the pressure controller and the link below is for the ride height controller which is probably the one you want. Each corner is controlled individually and there are 5 presets available. Their systems have been recommended by a few people especially Wolfgang Tibus who is using them on his portal systems.

AB8000 Controller NEW STYLE Reads Height only. Digital Controls electronically read your preset heights, maintaining vehicle at that height regardless of load

You will need somewhere to mount the tank and I am currently looking into removing the centre silencer and diverting the pipe closer to the prop shaft in order to fit a tank in. From my quick calculation so far I should be able to fit a 3-4 gallon tank in easily and I have had some preliminary discussions with Alisport in the UK about custom building a larger tank (or dual tanks) that will fit the space better but haven't gone any further as I am still aways off having the money.

Also don't forget you will probably need a DC front shaft.

Regards
Iain

The only thing I have against straight airbags is the slow speed harshness over speed humps etc,I'm going to fit them to my puma on the rear only. Pat

Thanks guys - keen to see some more replies. Love the control panel with presets Chook73. I don't have the time to do the conversion myself, so if anyone knows of a good supplier who really knows their stuff (with Defender) please let me know.

If anyone knows anything about the demo Defender set up at Airbag Man (Airbag man) please let me know. Have a look at their home page - two videos of a Puma on air, but bizzarly these long videos show very little of real interest, like side/side and front/rear leveling capability, or proper Offroad articulation.

Just a follow up - I spoke to the guys at Airbag Man - they are going to commission some new videos showing the real world benefits of the airbag set up on Defendder. According to them, you can expect far better comfort, and the durability of the bags is well proven, given the truck derivation of the bags.

Apparently the front bags for Defender are similar to RR spec - Dunlop units - due to the narrower diameter clearance. They use the Terrafirma twin shock mount system, needed due to the inability to fit the shock inside the airbag like the original coil over configuration. They are also working on their own version of the mount, but use TF mount at present.

For the rear they use Firestone bags. There are various travel / length options for both ends, with a 2" lift being standard, but lifts of 4" or more are possible.

Control options are vast - they can do simple static controls systems which ensure a set ride height with no intervention needed. You can also have full 4-corner independent control with gauges, and the preset style systems which allow you to set designated cruise, entry and Offroad heights. They also have a "horizon tracking" bolt on which allows the vehicle to level itself up regardless of terrain.

Costs - roughly $1k for front end, $1300 for rear end and varies for the control set ups - but allow for roughly $1200 for the more advanced options including an air tank and compressor.

Shocks - they normally fit Koni or Bilstein, and valve to application. They said I could simply revalve my Bilsteins or for marginally more, upgrade to big boy Koni Raids. My estimate for the system I need is $4.5-5k all in. That's obviously steep, compared with a full custom coil solution, but obviously we're talking about advanced benefits like side slope Offroad stabilisation, true heavy load and towing control and leveling, and better comfort - so I guess everyone will have their view on value.

If I win lotto or make some money and take the plunge, I will keep the group updated on what it's like! Gav

This is very relevent to my interests

Who in NSW or the ACT has airbags and has gone through rego? Engineer certs etc?

Viair,the compressor makers do an airbag system,you might send them an email. Pat

I spoke with Brett from airbag man alot when I did mine, he took the info of bottom piston position and info and I believe as an offset piston to work, I use an accuair controller, which has ride height sensors, it's used alot on high end hotrods, I wouldn't run 3/8 line like I did, as it's an abrupt shift when it alters height, wanky though

I'm going to fit restrictors, but 1/4 line would be ample, I still need to revolve my shocks as it's too harsh, it's a good system and although my ute is not used now for it's intended purpose, as a work hack the air is awesome, drop it to the bump stops to load stuff, I had a dude putting 2 packs of 90x45, 2.7 long timber on, when it dropped heavily on one side he refused to put the other pack on, I flicked on the ignition, it pumped itself up and I asked if he was happy now..... He loaded the second pack with a cackle