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Thread: Air bag helper for leaf springs

  1. 19th March 2026, 08:42 PM #1
    flyboy
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    Air bag helper for leaf springs

    Hi everyone,
    Sorry if this has been asked…I’ve currently got parabolic springs in my 109 Ute. I’m completely happy with the ride, but if I add more than about 300kgs to the tray, the tyres hit the tray.
    Now that she’s being used as a workhorse on and around the farm, does anyone know of an option of being able to add air spring helpers to the rear for the occasions when I need to put a bit of weight in the back?
    IMG_3750.jpg
    Marcus

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  2. 20th March 2026, 07:09 AM #2
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    austastar
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    Hi,
    Have you compared the axle/bump-stop distance to the tyre/tray distance?
    I had the same problem with a 'temporary' tray from another vehicle.
    Cheers
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  3. 20th March 2026, 01:27 PM #3
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    Blknight.aus
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    No, dont do this...

    look up stone arch bridges and the key stone.

    look at your suspension setup, you're going to be providing an upwards force in the middle of an arch.

    go hard enough and it will bend somewhere you dont want it to.

    Helper leafs are the best answer.
    Dave

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  4. 20th March 2026, 08:43 PM #4
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    gromit
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    Were you thinking of manually pressurising the air bags ? Airbagman have kits RR4700 - Air Suspension Helper Kit for Leaf Springs
    – Airbag Man Suspension

    My Series I had helper coil springs over the leaf springs, maybe because the springs were tired ?

    Otherwise fitting leaf spring helpers or extra leaves will affect the unloaded ride.

    Colin
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  5. 20th March 2026, 09:03 PM #5
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    JDNSW
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    What you need (if you can find them) is a set of 109 station wagon springs. I found a pair at a swap meet about 15 or more years ago. These replaced the heavy duty ones from its FFR days. Good ride unloaded, and handle heavy loads.
    John

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  6. 20th March 2026, 11:41 PM #6
    flyboy
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    Quote Originally Posted by gromit View Post
    Were you thinking of manually pressurising the air bags ? Airbagman have kits RR4700 - Air Suspension Helper Kit for Leaf Springs
    – Airbag Man Suspension

    My Series I had helper coil springs over the leaf springs, maybe because the springs were tired ?

    Otherwise fitting leaf spring helpers or extra leaves will affect the unloaded ride.

    Colin

    Yes.
    I didn’t want anything to change with the unloaded ride. I’d keep them deflated unless I had to put some weight on in which case I could manually put some pressure in them.
    That Airbag Man kit is exactly what I was looking for…
    Marcus

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  7. 20th March 2026, 11:47 PM #7
    flyboy
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    Quote Originally Posted by austastar View Post
    Hi,
    Have you compared the axle/bump-stop distance to the tyre/tray distance?
    I had the same problem with a 'temporary' tray from another vehicle.
    Cheers
    yes…my tray is probably a little low compared to others and it will rub the tyres before hitting the bump stops. I still think the nice ride of the parabolic springs is probably too soft for any substantial load carrying in the tray.
    Marcus

    2014 Defender SWB
    1959 Series II 109 Ute
    1998 Range Rover P38 4.6 (cremated)
    2012 L320 5.0 Supercharged
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