Reddit mentions: The best automotive air suspension kits

Here's the Amazon link. They were relatively easy to install if you find the YouTube videos and they work great. I have a 7,000 lb travel trailer with a tongue weight around 500 lbs and with these inflated, it rides perfectly level.



AIR LIFT 60818 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OMVCIC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IV4JAbG89VXB3

Definitely air shocks with a sleeve:

https://www.amazon.com/Air-Lift-75566-Sleeve-Shock/dp/B005DJ92MK/ref=asc_df_B005DJ92MK/

I don't know the application for something that large. Not a car. Maybe a truck? Could even be for a non-automotive use like tilting a stage, etc...

They look new and they look expensive. Congrats on the nice donation!

From the firestone website and this is the one I got from the Summit racing website. Delivery to Canada was made easy by using a fowarding business service. There’s also some listings on Amazon

Also, here are some alternatives if you don’t want to deal with compressed air

Hope you find something to suit your needs!

It's an air helper spring. This is one kit. http://www.amazon.com/Firestone-W217602445-Ride-Rite-Toyota-Tundra/dp/B001FEOSVC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412525182&sr=8-2&keywords=firestone+airbag+kit It still needs a compressor and I imagine a controller for it.

They fit between the axle tubes and frame. They don't replace the leaf packs, so it doesn't control the ride height too much when unloaded. It's not too different from a lowered truck's bags really. The extra costs come from the custom fabrication and engineering required.

Timbren SES. Makes a HUGE difference when towing.

Firestone Ride-Rite 2445... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZRUYXR4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is the kit I have installed. Works great and can hardly tell it’s there with 10 psi on the bags. I really didn’t want to loose the ride that comes with the TRD PRO shocks and am happy to report the kit has a negligible impact in rear-end ride quality. Front is a little bouncier than stock, but bearable.

In the meantime...You can look into some rear suspension help, I know Rams can take an airbag system ,not sure what other options they have, probably some others.,here is a link for a set that go in the rear springs, and just need an air pump to fill when towing.
AIR LIFT 60818 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OMVCIC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4rR5ybSS0KPA4

Also check out this. https://www.etrailer.com/susp-2017_Ram_1500.htm

This is the compressor setup and the bags I used.

AIR LIFT 72000 Wireless Air Leveling Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OMVCN2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pO.JAbPKB1HZP

Air Lift 88338 LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Spring Kit with Internal Jounce Bumper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B32DD5S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_sP.JAb8GNJTJM

Ahh, I found a forum thread with people discussing installing these exact bags into a Mazda3. They're not a 100% compatible fit so you need to drill a hole or two, but they're installable.

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f12/uhhhhh-air-lift-kit-1000-a-26986/

This is the exact model people tend to be using. I'm going to do some measurements of my springs to see if things match up at home.
https://www.amazon.com/LIFT-80754-1000-Rear-Spring/dp/B001OMVCTG/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Mazda%7C80&Model=3%7C2435&Year=2008%7C2008&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive

I have been looking at this exact same thing for a while. A lot of information on the toyota-4runner.org site. Take a look here. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/165065-5th-gen-4runner-lift-buyers-guide.html

For now, here is what I have learned:

For Bilstein 5100's, you can use just the shock on the front to get a little lift on the stock springs. I don't think you can get more than 1.75" on the front without replacing the springs. Also keep in mind that you'll need a spring compressor. Be careful with that. Then when you put them on the rear, you'll need to add a spacer. A lot of people do a 1" spacer on the rear to level it out. Overall, this will not give much lift but the ride is supposed to be amazing.

I am looking to do about the same as you. I'm going to shoot for 2.5" in the front and between 1.5-2" on the rear. For that I will just have to see if I need longer brake lines when I do the install. I do plan on doing the diff drop just to avoid future problems. I've read that you don't need to change upper arms if the lift is less than 3".

This kit will give me 2.5" in the front and 2" in the rear. It also comes with a differential drop kit and uses Bilstein 5100's. It fits 5th gen 4Runners. http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/FJ-Cruiser4RunnerGX460-Ultimate-3-lift-package_p_905.html

Edit: I forgot to mention, I am also going to add rear air bags for when I have a heavy load. They are only about $100. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CW6IBU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Doing this the proper way isn't cheap. It'll cost you a decent chunk of change. I totally understand why so many people just go with wheel spacers: They're dirt cheap, but they'll cost you so much more in the long run when shit starts to break.

A quick google search suggests your factory rake is around 2 to 2.5 inches lower in the front. You should go out and measure yours, from the ground to the highest point of each wheel well.

To level the truck properly, get yourself a set of Bilstein 5100s. (Edit: This is why the Bilsteins are better than spacers) The fronts are ride height adjustable, and will provide up to 2 inches of lift to level out the truck, and they'll do it without the disadvantages of a spacer kit. You'll also get a huge boost to ride quality, unlike a spacer kit which will only hurt your ride quality further.

If you want to install the 5100s yourself you can. The rear shocks are easy, but the fronts require a heavy duty coil compressor (not cheap, but you can usually rent), and it's extremely dangerous if you fuck up. Having a shop install them for you is roughly 4 hours book time, but you can probably cut it in half by doing the rear shocks yourself first. (Those are literally just two bolts, all you need is a couple ratchets and the right sockets / extensions)

Next, if you're worried about the squatting stance while you tow, install air bag rear suspension. These will let you raise up the rear end up the track to balance out a heavy load so the truck isn't squatting and you maintain full range of suspension travel.

The kit by itself requires you to run the fill port somewhere convenient and use your own air compressor at home to fill them. Firestone also sells a variety of compressors for those kits, which you can hook up to either a wireless remote or install a switch in your dash somewhere to control the airbag pressure any time from inside the truck. The heavy duty compressor isn't cheap, however.

Something else to consider: Increasing the size of your tires will effectively decrease the ratio of your differential gears, which is important for towing. You'll put all kinds of extra stress on the driveline if you're not careful. So I would seriously recommend you don't go too much bigger than stock, unless your diffs are geared to 4.10 or something already.