Installed "Air Lift" Rear Air Bag Suspension Helpers
 

Completed the install today. Please excuse the truck, just came back from VT and its covered in road salt.

the installation of these Air Bags is really easy.
The kit components are really well made, very heavy, powder coated. The instructions were adequate and the kit was complete. You dont have to make any changes to the existing suspension set up, you simply add the kit on.

I was able to do a full axle drop and the kit allowed it, the bags are plenty long.

Symptoms: the truck was squatting almost an inch after adding about 250 pounds in the bed. I plan on keeping the weight back there since the ride is so much better.

Model: "Air Lift" 59516
Fits: 1998-2011 Rangers

Once this was complete the truck rides at stock height with 0-5psi loaded into the air bags, and no load in the bed. After loading the 250 pounds it sat down like it did before, and i pressurized the system to about 15 psi and it sat right up where it should be stock. Measurements were made from the axle to the frame, and from the wheel hub center to the fender lip. from the ground to the fender lip ended up being about 35.5". You can lift the rear end WAY up into the air if you want its crazy.

Its a very straight forward install.
you install the lower bracket with lock nuts and U bolts centered over the axle. Attach the upper bracket by drilling 4 holes through the frame for the hardware, while using the alignment / spacing tool (included). do the same to the other side. Route the air lines, install the nipples.
Drop in the air bags, connect the fittings.
reinstall the tires, lower the axle all the way.
then lower the truck back down with the bags at 5psi and if you did it right it should be sitting at stock height.

thats it!

i want to thank the community for their help with this project

Its hard to tell the ride height changes from the photos since we're only talking about an inch here. In a week or so i'll have a 500 pound load in the bed and will do before and after shots.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1324348544
Fill ports, thanks to RangerDave and Morgan

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1324348544
Beds loaded, no pressure

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1324348544
beds loaded, system charged with 15psi

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1324348544

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1324348544

Very nice! I want a set of these for my diesel. How does it ride loaded with air in the bags? Less bounce?

i haven't tried more than 250 pounds yet, and i have never experienced a ride with add a leaf, but so far it feels just like it did while riding stock with the weight in the back, very smooth. I do a lot of highway driving.

Cool man, nice air bags. The rollin Cali days are over now.

dont you love these things! im glad you got em on. they look good. very nice.

those looks good
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1324361541

Looks good! I want some for the F150 even though I don't haul anything.

That is awesome!

Thanks for posting.

Looks good. I've sold a bunch of those kits for other trucks and never had any complaints!

Thanks so much for the feed back guys! I love the set up

okay, little bit of a hiccup with my air lift :) doh!

I can pressurize the passenger side and it holds pressure, no matter distance driven or time, no issues what so ever...

on the drivers side... i can pressurize it to say 40 pounds and it will hold it over TIME, but if i use the truck, for say a 700 mile drive, sometimes it will whittle down to 15-20 pounds, other times it will go to ZERO. It obviously a leak somewhere thats happening as the rear suspension is being loaded / actuated.

all the fittings seem tight, i tried spraying water on them, and there were no bubbles, which doesnt surprise me since the suspension wasnt moving.

i think my only course of action is to call AirLift on Monday and possibly swap out the left side assembly.

i wonder if i messed something up when i installed the metal fitting into the drivers side bag.

any thoughts comments or suggestions?

oddly enough the passenger side bag keeps the whole rear raised up even when the drivers side one is at zero w 300 pounds in the back lol!

no, tighten or replace the little thing in the fill valve. i cant remember the name.. the little thing that lets air in. it losens, one did that for me.

The fill nipple? It's already comes permanently secured to the air line? :confused:

The valve core is what it's called.It's inside the fill nipple (schrader valve) You need a valve core tool , some call it a valve stem tool, to tighten it.They are only a couple bucks.
Also check the inside of the valve caps. A piece of dirt may be in it and slightly depressing the valve when you put it on.

Ah ha, ok thank you. Can I pick one of those up at a local auto parts store?
Is that the same tool that's used to tighten valve stems on tires?

I honestly think it might be the valve due to past experience with airlift valves but it might be what OTR said and yeah, you should be able to pick up that tool at any store.

I'll go find that tool, tighten the stem and report back.

Thanks so much guys

this. is what i meant. lol.

So you think the entire valve might be leaking rather than just tightening the inner part of the valve stem?

Thanks Miller and OTR, I'll be home on Wednesday to try to tighten it. I hope it's not the whole valve. It comes as one piece affixed to the airline itself.

pretty sure its just the pin in the shrader valve. if tightening it doesnt work, new ones are cheap. i just replaced mine.

we had problems with the valve being slightly stuck open. let the car sit with about 60psi in each bag and then come back to find one end on the ground.

The valve core itself may also be damaged. You can just unscrew it all the way out and replace it.
It may have a nick in the seat.

geez, i way over think things... i did not know those valves were simply two parts...
i found the core tool at auto zone, and even bought an extra set of cores just in case.

when i took to the left valve, i was able to easily tighten it at least 3/4 to a full turn. Im hoping that was it. im gonna drive the truck to work where it'll sit for 4 days and we should know by the time i get it back home on sunday if the pressure holds. i set both sides to 40psi.

fingers crossed. thanks guys, will report back

yea it shouldnt have been that lose. thats probably it.

haha yup. sometimes they rust inside causing issues too but yours aren't that old