Air Lift Airbag Systems

[GooseHunter]

I just recieved my Air Lift Super Duty System and Air Lift Controller II with duel gauge compressor, but haven't installed them yet. I know this thread has been bounced around on this board for some time and I have downloaded your many comments from previous posts and compiled them into a how-to-do-it and what-not-to-do-it documemt for my use during the installation. But I thought I would bring it back up to the top for a fresh look and any new comments from those of you who have done the install yourself.



For those of you have installed this system yourself, are there any outstanding issues that I should know about that are not covered in the included instructions? I will be installing the system this weekend on my 1998. 5 Ram, 2500 8' 2wd SLT Club cab.



BTW, I ordered the system from Summit Racing (1-800-230-3030, or www.summitracing.com). I ordered the Super Duty System ($199. 69) and Air Lift Controller II Duel Gauge Controller ($169. 69) on Monday. They were delivered to my door on Wednesday, free shipping (with $7. 45 handling fee) for a total of $376. 83. Also, Air Lift Systems is giving a $25. 00 rebate between March 1 and April 30 on either an airlift system or the load controller. That would reduce your cost to $351 and some change. "Such a deal!"



Thank you in advance for any pearls of wisdom. Wish me luck on the install job.



Dean

 

[grant1]

GooseHunter just follow the instrucations and have plenty of sharp drill bits handy,man those frames are hard!!!

 

[JWhitcomb]

In spite of a post to the contrary, I suggest pilot holes. Center punch, drill with a 1/8 pilot and follow with full size. Drill one hole, bolt, and go on to the next. Had my manual valve fail this week and mfg. said they will send two more.

 

[Cobra]

I second that by Grand1. I bought two brand new drill bits. Used them both and thought they were dull because it took so long to get through the frame.

 

[Paychk]

If I may provide a suggestion... ... the best way to drill a truck frame is to use a lenth of chain (type used on childs swing) with a hook on the end, along with a 18" lever (large common screw driver). Hook the end of the chain to the frame, select the link that is close to the back of the drill and place the tip of the screwdriver in the chain, then lever your way through. By all means use a pilot bit, the correct size is one that is a little larger than the solid center (web) of the large bit, this releaves the pressure on the web of the large bit and this pressure is applied the the cutting lips where it will do some good.



I learned this from an "ol timer" when I worked in a trailer hitch shop, we would "pop" 1/2" holes through the frame in about 30 seconds a hole and the bit was sharpened maybe once a day and we would mount 4-5 hitches a day.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Just to shed a little more light on the frames, I worked , some years back, at Fontaine Truck Equipment. All the holes we drilled in truck frames was from a 1" chuck drill mounted on large roll-around frames with the chain and hook. We always used cutting oil and steady pressure. Remember also for the saftey of the job, if you are useing a large drill just as the bit starts to pass through the back side it will catch and if large enough can break the wrist. I've seen it happen. Like payck said, by all means drill a pilot hole to relieve the stress on the main bit and I would use cutting oil and steady pressure on the drill.



. . Preston. .

 

[GooseHunter]

Thanks guys, for all the pesonal experiences and information.



With your feedback and the install instructions that came with the airbags, I am off to the shop to do the install.



Dean

 

[MMiller]

Hey just puttin in my $. 02. Had my air lift system installed. The place I got mine said they would install it for $70, bags, compressor, gauges. I thought heck yea. But anyway the instructions said to install the compressor on the frame rail, away from the exhaust and it even said on the outside of the frame rail. Well my compressor ended up on the outside of the frame in front of the rear tire. It only lasted little over a year here in IOWA on gravel roads, winter travel, and muddin.



My two cents would tell you to mount it in a different position like on the tool box or something else! Good luck!

 

[PCrabill]

Air Lift

Make sure you check what is on the other side of the frame when you drill. Like brake lines, fuel tank etc.

 

[DAWG-1]

Cutting Oil

The easy way to drill the frame is with a quality bit and use cutting oil (NOT WD-40 or any other lubricant).