Printable View
The Firestones have a max pressure of 35psi, which I recall is a fair bit more than the Polyairs, so should have more load carrying ability.
I found it easiest to remove the coil, place the bag inside then refit the coil rather than follow the instructions of pushing the bag through the side of the coil.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graeme
that's how I fitted the airbags orginally , removed the coils with Spring compressors and fitted the bags inside whilst deflated inside springs and refitted the coils and reinflated the bags.
I have a D1 which I fitted Polyairs to about 5 months ago before we headed north. I haven't had any problems with them so far, and am happy with the difference that they make. I have LPG fitted in place of the OE fuel tank plus another 35L fuel tank behind the RH quarter, plus always have a full load of tools and recovery gear. With Lovells HD coils on the rear I only run 5psi normally (minimum recommended pressure) but with a full load and the caravan on the back I inflate to 30psi (maximum recommended pressure) and she sits about level. I have travelled sections of the Gibb River Road (including towing the van) and have been very satisfied with how it all has been going. I also find that with 5psi it doesn't seem to hinder my articulation when unladen. I think RRP for the Polyairs is $385 but I paid trade price at $290. Fitting wasn't too hard, and as mentioned it is easier to fit them with the coils out. Give them a squirt of some kind of lubricating spray and you will find that they slip into the springs without too much dramas. The only problem I originally had was that the top mounting block was just a little too large in diameter to push through the top spring mount, but once you replace the springs and drop the vehicle down, the weight of the car pushed them home.
Either will be good as they are basically the same. I finished fitting poly airs yesterday. Easy job if you know how to remove springs and drill a couple of holes.
If you go to Repco, they can order Polyairs for you. They also have a scheme where they give you a 20% discount voucher when you subscribe to their online catalogue or something like that. So it would be worth getting that for such a pricey purchase. Business size cards with the discount info are usually on the front counter of the store.
Otherwise Polyairs did really well on a Defender Tray with over 1,000kg across the Simpson last year.
Thanks all for your replies. I think I will go for the Firestones mainly due to price and I have head good things about them.
Cheers
Angus
I bought a Firestone Coil-rite kit from Michigan Truckspring, Timbren, Hellwig Helper Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Firestone, Air Spring Kits, Mile Marker Winch, by internet & Visa Card. cost me US$129.14 A$157.12, including air-mail, on 6/6/07. Cheapest quote from a local supplier was $284. No wonder we get a bit cynical from time to time. I paid full retail plus air-mail for not much more than 1/2 what the local supplier, who presumably buys wholesale and ships cheaply by the container, wanted to charge.
Yeah its a bit of a steal sometime huh! I have ordered a few things from the states and saved a bundle!
I think I will go through this site for the airbags.
Angus
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm
Brian, whenever I've gone there the Firestone springs are only suitable for the rear of a 90 (or Disco or RRC) and they have the Airlift springs for the rear of a 110 which look suspiciously like the Aussie PolyAirs.
Anyone have any insight ?
I bought Firestone airbags for my D2 from Michigan Truckspring 3 weeks ago, ordered on a monday, arrived the following monday, $152 Australian.
Started on the left side, took the wheel off, and used spring compressors to remove spring etc, 25 minutes work. On the right side I just jacked the chassis up to open the spring, jammed the bag through the coils - easy as - 5 minutes! The whole exercise took about an hour including the drive to Bunnings to buy a drill bit in the right size. Just made the holes a little bigger on either side of the out riggers behind the bumper to fit the inflation points (so no new holes). The only thing not in the kit was something to protect the bottom of the airbag from the bolt heads holding the lower spring seat to the axle casing. Cut up one of the wife's nylon chopping boards and used silicon windscreen sealer to hold in place - no worries.