Airlift 1000

[Soonerfan]

Many on here (and my family) commented on how bad my poor pickup looked after hooking up our R7 to it. I felt so bad that I actually went and test drove a new platinum Super Duty. However, after the test drive I remembered why I switched from a 250 to the 150 in the first place. So instead of a new pickup I opened up the wallet and installed some bags on my truck so it wouldn't look so sad!

Pulled her out of storage and this is what she looks like without any air.

R7 no airlift.jpg

This is her with 100 psi in the bags.

R7 with airlift.jpg

What I wasn't expecting was the improvement in the ride and handling while pulling. The bags really stiffen up the rear and doesn't bounce/float as much over bumps. This part could be mental but it also felt like the front end was not near as light when the bags are aired up. It was also a lot more comfortable in the cab not looking at the sky while driving! I am glad I went this route vs. a new pickup as the ride/turning/No DEF/ parking etc. is so much nicer in the 150. If I was pulling the R7 weekly I might think different but for the 2-3 times a year I might pull it the 150 will do the job just fine.

[Soonerfan]

Not sure where the other pic went but here it is with 100psi.

R7 with airlift.jpg

[NautiGirl]

Looks awesome, you may have just forced me to start shopping for airbags. Did you do the install yourself? I read over a few guides and it didnt look too bad. The rear suspension of the grocery-getter F150's is just so soft, mulch and firewood had mine dragging this winter.

Did you do on-board air or are you just inflating them /w a compressor? I assumed I could buy a cheap small compressor and run it off the 120v outlet in the truck instead of fooling w/ the automatic or on board systems.

[Soonerfan]

I had it installed with the on board compressor. It is nice as it comes with a remote control that I just enter the PSI I want and it airs it up and keeps it there until I release it. I would think that you could use a small AC compressor as long as it is rated for a fairly high PSI output.

I had concerns about the bags affecting the ride when empty. I have a friend who put the firestone on his and he says even empty it completely changed the everyday ride of his 150. Then I found out he put the 5k bags on his which may be the issue for him. I noticed absolutely no difference in ride when the bags are empty.

[sailor55330]

I have the airlift 1000 bags on my 08 Sequoia and it made a huge difference pulling my R3. The bag install took about 2 hrs to do myself. I didn't put the compressor on it last year because I wanted to get the bags on before I picked up the boat. I have the compressor kit which can be retrofit sitting in my office waiting for warmer weather. My only problem is finding a mounting location on my Sequoia. It's pretty full under there and I really don't have access to a lift.

I'd recommend the bags.

[sailor55330]

I have the airlift 1000 bags on my 08 Sequoia and it made a huge difference pulling my R3. The bag install took about 2 hrs to do myself. I didn't put the compressor on it last year because I wanted to get the bags on before I picked up the boat. I tried to go the 12v compressor route and found that it wasn't really up to the task. Any small pancake compressor would do it easily. I have the compressor kit which can be retrofit sitting in my office waiting for warmer weather. The reason I'm going to add the onboard compressor this spring is that dragging the airhose out each time is a hassle, plus, if you unhook the trailer and need to drive the truck, full airbags do really stiffen the ride unless you deflate the bags, then you are looking for an airsource. My only problem is finding a mounting location on my Sequoia for the compressor. It's pretty full under there and I really don't have access to a lift.

I'd recommend the bags.

[Mr Hahn]

Oh yeah, I had a 2015 F150 with the 2.7L Ecoboost and airbags made a huge difference pulling a 21ft 6000lb camping trailer around Utah. I sold it a few months ago because I really missed having a diesel, and now I'm towing with a 2014 F250 with the 6.7L Powerstroke.

[klennop]

Soonerfan, it looks like you had a front leveling kit which is typically 1.5-2". So without that kit I bet it would have sat level. This is the reason I didn't do a level kit on my f150 yet because I knew I would have to do bags right away also or add a block to the back to add additional rake to compensate when towing.

[Cycleman6]

4 Corner Air Suspension with Self Leveling on my 19 Ram 1500 is the way to go! Does all the work for you.

[Big Block Power]

4 Corner Air Suspension with Self Leveling on my 19 Ram 1500 is the way to go! Does all the work for you.

And you don't even have to Jack your boat up or down just let the truck do it.

[Soonerfan]

Soonerfan, it looks like you had a front leveling kit which is typically 1.5-2". So without that kit I bet it would have sat level. This is the reason I didn't do a level kit on my f150 yet because I knew I would have to do bags right away also or add a block to the back to add additional rake to compensate when towing.

You are correct but IMO it sure looks good leveled, maybe not the most functional but oh well.

I sure wish all truck had the auto leveling feature like in the Rams! I don't understand why is standard on some Suv's but not on pickups.

[klennop]

Soonerfan, it looks like you had a front leveling kit which is typically 1.5-2". So without that kit I bet it would have sat level. This is the reason I didn't do a level kit on my f150 yet because I knew I would have to do bags right away also or add a block to the back to add additional rake to compensate when towing.

You are correct but IMO it sure looks good leveled, maybe not the most functional but oh well.

I sure wish all truck had the auto leveling feature like in the Rams! I don't understand why is standard on some Suv's but not on pickups.

I agree 100%

[Big Block Power]

Soonerfan, it looks like you had a front leveling kit which is typically 1.5-2". So without that kit I bet it would have sat level. This is the reason I didn't do a level kit on my f150 yet because I knew I would have to do bags right away also or add a block to the back to add additional rake to compensate when towing.

You are correct but IMO it sure looks good leveled, maybe not the most functional but oh well.

I sure wish all truck had the auto leveling feature like in the Rams! I don't understand why is standard on some Suv's but not on pickups.

I agree 100%

I will tell you here in the cold the air ride it's terrible. And no parts avail for it. Fenders laying on the tires. I would never buy one with air.

[sailor55330]

SO, I was getting ready to install my compressor yesterday and thought I'd check the function of the airbags. They had always taken and released air as they should, but this time, I was actually under the truck and added air. Much to my surprise, the right side worked fine, but the left side was not releasing air. As soon as I got tension off of the springs, the air released. To my surprise, the airline had shifted and was pinched, but tight enough to hold air from last fall. Once I got the tension off, I discovered a hole in the airline from the pinch. Because the vehicle has coil springs, access was very tight and it took me literally 4 hours to get the old airline off and a new one over the barbed nipple on the airbag inside the spring. It seems to be working now and is holding air since last night, so I think I'm good to go, but thought I'd give this as a call out to anyone using the system. Be sure to actually check the pressure in each bag via touch every once in a while to make sure you don't have any kinks.

Now to hopefully install the compressor before picking up the boat.....if not, I have the manual inflation valve still