Peabody Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 I am asking if anybody has option, suggestions, or experience with adding air bag lift kit on the rear suspension. I found there are two out there - Ride-Rite & Air-Lift. (RR & AL) They are slightly different -AL mounts with screws directly to frame right infront of the axle, and the RR appears to be added to the side of the frame right above the axle. I say RR appears, because I cannot find instruction manual for them. AL has good infomation online, with detailed instructions available. Somewhere I read for the RR "tailpipe modification/moving" was mentioned, and this seems correct if they are mounted on the inside side of frame - the left tone would be very close to the exhaust. I do like the fact the RR are right on the axle. I am leaning towards the AL, just because it gets away from the heat of the exhaust, even thoug it doesnot put the help right on the axle, and the help still has to go through part of the leafspring. My reason for adding is that I sometimes haul some heavy items, and would rather have the help in the rear for those times. I have a focus wagon, and have had the rear bumper lower by nearly 5 inches, with some loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucmanster Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I am interested for Ride-Rite too... If someone has some experience.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peabody Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Okay, I ordered the Air-Lift, and will soon will order the Ride-Rite. I did get the instructions for the RR, and found they fit right on the frame and right over the axle. There is no drilling needed (the Air lift has two hole on each frame to hold the upper bracket). For the RR you remove the "jounce bumpers" from the vehicle, the air bags go in their place. Why did I get both - many reasons from cost to functionality. The two systems are different, and each has pros & cons. I am leaning towards the RR, but for the specs on the bags, they have 6.5 inch clerance, and on the right side of the Transit you have the fuel filler lines close by, so only test fit will see if they will work. I will be working over the Memorial day weekend on this project, so will have updates after. As far as controls for the airbags, I have not choosen one yet. Still looking for what is out there. My hope is to get a digital system that has height sensors also, so it will be easier to level the vehicle side to side. For now it looks like a separate air pump and the schader valve that come with each system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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