AIRLIFT air bags installed?

[joelyn]

had the airlift 88365 air bags installed on my 2012 ram 1500 truck on friday. Had just the airbags done and now thinking of getting a on board comp, done. My question is the airlift compressor cost about 500 bucks not including the install. CAN ANY COMPRESSOR be used for these airbags or does it have to be the same make a AIRLIFT COMP>?

thanks

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[cummins2014]

joelyn wrote:
Thanks to all for some good advice and suggestions. REDDOG some very good info. thanks.
will probably go with the airlift wireless but not in a hurry so will keep a watch for some sales that might be going on during xmas.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, MOST APPRECIATED.......

Usually SD Truck Springs are as good a price or better . Airlift when I bought the airbags ,and compressor there was a $50 rebate on each. They usually run that rebate quite often.

[joelyn]

Thanks to all for some good advice and suggestions. REDDOG some very good info. thanks.
will probably go with the airlift wireless but not in a hurry so will keep a watch for some sales that might be going on during xmas.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, MOST APPRECIATED.......

[Reddog1]

Thanks ShinerBock. Sometimes it is tough posting, especially if you type with one finger. You want to be detailed and complete, but don't want to just ramble. Some people want one line simple answers and others want details with supporting examples. Sure is easier sitting around the campfire face to face having a discussion.

Wayne

[ShinerBock]

Now that is a great informative post. Nice to see the whole set up lasted that long.

[Reddog1]

I installed (about 2004) Firestone air bags on my previous truck, with individual manual in cab air filler valves. I suggest not using one filler for both bags. I will explain why if ask. Easy to check psi, air up or down and out of the wind, rain or sun. The bags required 5 psi minimum. I used a cigarette lighter powered compressor for air. This worked very well.

In about 2008, I bought an Air Lift incab controller. I also installed it my self. I just "T"ed into what I previously installed. This worked great. I developed a slow air leak at a fitting on one bag, and about every hour the controller would add the necessary air with no input from me. I still had the option of using the in cab manual fillers if the controller failed.

Last year, I purchased a 2004 Dodge 3500 DRW. I installed the Ail Lift bags wit h built in bump stops. They require no minimum psi. I Moved the Air Lift Controller from my '96 truck to my 2004. I also did the air lines separate for each bag, and installed manual fillers in the cab below and to the left of the steering column.

On the '96 I mounted the compressor under the hood, and the control module under the center of the seat. On the '04, I mounted everything under the hood. On both, the controller itself was mounted on the dash.

I have been running my controller for about 13 years, thousands of miles and on two different trucks. It or the bags (Firestone or Air Lift) have ever given me any problems. Two leaking air fittings, and one melted line on the exhaust is all.

As you can see by this post, I have mixed parts between the manufactures. Air Lift no longer markets the digital controller I have. I will say, even though it is backlit, I find it hard to see the numbers. They are too small and not well lit. Hopefully the new ones are better. I am sure I have given you more than you have ask for, but hopefully I have given you some thoughts.

Wayne

[cummins2014]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I will say that while my Air Lift compressor is an earlier (wired version), it's been in use for around 15 years now on my 1997 Ford 350 and I've never had any issue with it at all. I have the under dash mounted pressure gauge and the rocker switch to increase the pressure plus an air release to lower it if I want to.

I'd say 15 years of use without any issues is a good testament to it's longevity.

Mine has an adjustable pre set to maintain air in the bags at all times which is necessary to keep the bags from getting kinked between the upper and lower pedestals. I have mine set at 5psi but it is adjustable. Original bags too and they show no sign of cracking or deterioration.

Mine is inside the cab, mounted behind the back seat. I'm very happy with the entire system and have been for a long time.

Yes, I installed it myself a long time ago. Not hard really. All the fittings are push to lock, just a matter of curring the syn-flex tubing to length and securing it to the frame.

I am a little confused you say in a previous post 10 years, this post 15 years. You mention the rocker switch to adjust air, but also its automatic, so it adjusts a preset air pressure ?????. With no input from you.

I know there is wireless like I have that maintains whatever air pressure is set, no worries about running around with no air in the airbags, although airLift does advertise being able to run their jounce system without air for a limited time. I don't on mine, but supposedly you can.

To answer the OP's question, you can run whatever air system you want, my previous truck I ran firestone air bags ,and AirLift compressor . Present truck is all AirLift with the 72000 wireless air compressor, less money then what appears to be someones quote.

[SidecarFlip]

I will say that while my Air Lift compressor is an earlier (wired version), it's been in use for around 15 years now on my 1997 Ford 350 and I've never had any issue with it at all. I have the under dash mounted pressure gauge and the rocker switch to increase the pressure plus an air release to lower it if I want to.

I'd say 15 years of use without any issues is a good testament to it's longevity.

Mine has an adjustable pre set to maintain air in the bags at all times which is necessary to keep the bags from getting kinked between the upper and lower pedestals. I have mine set at 5psi but it is adjustable. Original bags too and they show no sign of cracking or deterioration.

Mine is inside the cab, mounted behind the back seat. I'm very happy with the entire system and have been for a long time.

Yes, I installed it myself a long time ago. Not hard really. All the fittings are push to lock, just a matter of curring the syn-flex tubing to length and securing it to the frame.

[Garry_Gayle]

I am using the AirLift wireless compressor and it maintains your set air at all times, beats running wire and gauges into the cab.

[ShinerBock]

I am not sure why people are chiming in about non onboard compressors when your question is about onboard compressors. I guess they think that since they didn't have the coin or want it enough to get it then you shouldn't either?

Any who, any on board compressor will work, but the stuff to hook it up is the benefit of buying the compressor kit from the company that makes your makes. You can get another compressor to work depending on how technically savvy you are. I am not sure id using another's air compressor will void any kind of warranty on the bags. It shouldn't, but you never know these days.

[BurbMan]

The compressor itself is nothing special, but the AirLift kit does come with all the hoses and fittings. I see now they also have a wireless remote as part of the kit, so you don't have to run any wires into the cab for the controller. That was the hardest part of the job when I did air bags on my Expedition years ago.

You can get the kit here for $379 with free shipping.

If you want to have the convenience of push button adjustability, then get the Air Lift kit. As was pointed out, the kit can be set to maintain a certain pressure, plus you can see how much air is in the bags at any given time.

If you just want a compressor to inflate them when needed, get this one for $29.

[Colo_Native]

I use a bicycle pump $7 4 or 5 pumps and done

[SidecarFlip]

I've had the air lift bags for a long time, I went with their on board compressor and I did because their compressor maintains a pre set amount of air in the bags at all times, I think about 5psi. It's not good for them to remain uninflated when moving.

Mine have been on at least 10 years with no issues at all. I installed them myself btw.

My compressor is keyed to the ignition so before I crank the motor, I give the compressor a minute to inflate the bags to the minimum pressure and then move the truck.

[joelyn]

PatrickA51 wrote:
This is just my opinion. You can purchase a Viair 12v DC compressor on Amazon or at 4Wheel Parts Warehouse. They are less than $200.00 Dollars on Amazon
Viair 400P on Amazon.

thanks, will check it out///// should they all have the same connections and fittings?

[PatrickA51]

This is just my opinion. You can purchase a Viair 12v DC compressor on Amazon or at 4Wheel Parts Warehouse. They are less than $200.00 Dollars on Amazon
Viair 400P on Amazon.