DougM seems pretty pleased with it but I notice that he already got to change it twice so I believe they are not that reliable.

Is the one in OZ made by the same company? Air Lift Company{

quote:

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Originally posted by Charlie Belew:
Hey Doug. I am interested in getting some type of suspension air bag for my '93 SR. In Oz, they call 'em Poly Air Bags. I priced 'em today & they want $360AU ($203US). Where did you get yours?

Thanks.

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I'm very pleased with the poly airbags I've been using. The two failures (same side, same vehicle) I've experienced were from the exhaust pipe's heat causing the thing to blow out, which took 2 failures to get through my fat head. And this was only under extreme conditions - pulling a 6000lb trailer over a steep mountain pass at sustained low vehicle speed/full throttle and air temps in the high 80's. No airflow and very hot exhaust was too much for the heat shield provided. Their fault, but they've honored their warranty and I don't think a normal user would have any problems. I've moved the heat shield, but plan to wrap a couple feet of the exhaust at that spot with a heat reflecting "header tape" as soon as I can find some sold by the foot (they all want to sell it in 50 foot lengths for $50..)

Despite this, I'm very pleased with their performance and I do a LOT of towing with that trailer (12,000 miles last year). I also have had them on my 80 series LandCruiser for many years without incident and under the same towing abuse, and installed them on a couple of buddy's vehicles. I'm convinced they are reliable considering the abuse I've done with them.

I paid only US$95 through a local camper dealer willing to strike a deal. There was no shipping since he's a dealer. If you want to use a credit card, I'm sure I could walk in to his shop tomorrow and get you the same price. Shipping to OZ would be a couple weeks and the box would be light and around 14" on a side. I can check on the price to send them for you UPS and would be happy to extend the courtesy if you're interested. Seems kinda steep on your pricing, eh?

------------------
DougM

1999 Monty, rear locker, muddies, Hellas, rear
suspension air bags,
3-way shocks, Hella twin
beam backup light, 2
broken crap original
mudflaps.

What all does your kit include?

Did you check out the one that Augie listed a link to for J.C. Whitney? That's a complete kit with compressor, dash mount control panel, etc. I was thinking all I would need is the air bags & lines to fill them by. I don't need the additional compressor, low pressure sensor, etc. Altho I do have the ARB compressor, I'm not looking to have the ARB fill the air bags automatically. I don't mind doing it manually.

I believe I will be interested in your offer. I will let you know for sure when I get a couple questions answered.

Thanks for your help.

Mine is available as a kit with compressor, dash gauges, switches, etc. I felt I would only need the air springs and lines to fill them with, however, and this has proven accurate in use. When I inflate them for towing, I know how many PSI for each of my trailers, or for a heavy vacation load by writing them on a little card I keep in the glovebox. I simply pump them up with 20-30 strokes on my bicycle pump, then forget about them until I'm home when I let them back down. Also, if I forget to advise you of this, install the air lines so each bladder has its own air fill valve, NOT the T connector way where you fill them both simultaneously through one valve (the kit I have allows either way). This is because in a sustained turn, the outside one will simply deflate into the one on the inside - helping your heavily laden reg lean more.

Mine are the exact ones Augie's link shows from AirLift. The kit I got includes the red bladders, the black thick round spacers, two air lines, two air valves, and necessary connectors and a heat shield you clamp to your exhaust pipe. I made a little mount for the air valves with a 3 inch piece of aluminum "L" bracket so they are protected under the bumper next to my hitch.

Anyhow, with several years experience I can say the dash controls would be fun, but a lot of expense and install clutter to discover after use that its contribution to utility is marginal and I've never wished I had them.

Oh, one other thing. They don't LIFT the vehicle much - an inch or so. They're designed so you inflate them, then put the load on and the vehicle will stay level. Wanted you to know that in case you had visions of using them offroad with huge rear clearance ;-)

------------------
DougM

1999 Monty, rear locker, muddies, Hellas, rear
suspension air bags,
3-way shocks, Hella twin
beam backup light, 2
broken crap original
mudflaps.

1993 FZJ80, Hellas, front
and rear lockers,
muddies, rear suspension
airbags, Hella twin beam
backup light

Good call on the T connector & dash control. I'll stay away from them.

I'm not looking for more lift. My last 4WD trip I was pretty loaded & the 'ol Valley Springs couldn't handle it! I'm thinking the air bags will do the trick.

So what are you doing with your compressor if you are not using it for your air bags?

I don't have the compressor and other stuff - just the air bladders and lines. Guess I didn't make myself clear on that.

As for the deal, when you make your decision, I'll call the local dealer and talk to UPS to find out how much it will cost you in the end.

------------------
DougM

1999 Monty, rear locker, muddies, Hellas, rear
suspension air bags,
3-way shocks, Hella twin
beam backup light, 2
broken crap original
mudflaps.

Yes, I think the other stuff was another US$80 or so. I already have an onboard compressor for the factory diff lock, and was pretty sure I would be happy with the manual fill/bleed valve. I was right.

I'll stop at the RV place today and check with the postage as well. Get back with you later.

------------------
DougM

1999 Monty, rear locker, muddies, Hellas, rear
suspension air bags,
3-way shocks, Hella twin
beam backup light, 2
broken crap original
mudflaps.

Bummer news. For UPS's slowest service to Australia they want US$130 to ship the air springs. Highway robbery. I did a double take and asked again and the guy rechecked the rate - that's without any insurance, too.

Makes them actually more expensive than your local price if you toss in the $100 to buy them here. Guess buying locally there you get the benefit of local warranty service, too. Don't forget to install them with each spring having its own air fill valve. When I know I'll be traveling a heavily crowned road for miles, I put 5psi in the curb side and it helps reduce that heavily laden "tossing" feeling. And I have installed so many that I ignore the extra time of removing the springs and simply get a buddy to help me stand on the thing until it's flat (sideways flat, not vertically smushed), then put the little stopper on it to prevent reinflation. You can then muscle it into the coils with that corner hanging from a jack, then do it again on the other side. Pull the little stopper out and the spring magically regains its shape inside the coils. Cuts install time in half.

------------------
DougM

1999 Monty, rear locker, muddies, Hellas, rear
suspension air bags,
3-way shocks, Hella twin
beam backup light, 2
broken crap original
mudflaps.