How much would you pay for an AirDog?

[HeavyHauler]

Hey guys, as many of you probably know, Ekstam has apparently confirmed that they are going to double the price of their AirDog system, which is the primary competitor to the FASS.



This means with a current price of $679, the new price would be somewhere around $1,350 if they do, in fact, double the price. I think this is pretty absurd and a bad business move, but I could be wrong.



I'm wondering what you guys would pay for one and if anyone would consider buying one at the proposed price. I'm going to list a few options but if any of you have any suggestions to improve the product to where this price might make sense, please post them.



I've already bought my AirDog but haven't installed it yet. I just hate to see a good product go under because of bad pricing strategy. I have heard of ZERO problems with these units.



I may consider sending this thread and poll to Ekstam if we get some educated feedback.



What do you think?

 

[rweis]

I only have 50k on my OEM lp, but if I were going to pay that kind of $$ I would go with the RASP mechanical. The electric motor systems will still have electric motor failures, brushes, connectors etc.



I think if you really take care of your OEM lp it will go ??? k miles. That is why I went the route of the bypass regulator, full flow fuel lines, lp position by tank, dielectric grease in electrical fittings, gauge on both sides of the OEM filter, RACOR filter everything before anything even gets to the OEM lp, Stanadyne in every tank. I think of it as a system. No one thing is a silver bullet, it is a combination of upgrades to upgrade the entire fuel delivery system.



Even if you put on the XXX fuel system, if you feed it trash it will trash eventually, if you feed it really stable lubricated clean water free fuel it will run for a long time.



Bob Weis

 

[dougs455]

..... Ekstam has apparently confirmed that they are going to double the price of their AirDog system



What do you think?

Where did you get this info?

 

[CBrittan]

I recently bought an AirDog and had it installed by my Dodge Ram dealer. As I live in Canada, the US$ cost when converted to Canadian dollars was more than $1000. 00, including duties, taxes and shipping. All told, the AirDog Canadian $ cost is already over the $1000. 00 mark. Add the cost of installation, this is a $1300. 00 aftermarket option.



However, I was impressed with the quality of the product, packaging, and my installer had no problem understanding the instructions. As others have reported, the hardest part of the job was taking the OE fuel line off the fuel tank.



I would say the most important feature of the AirDog from my perspective, is the water separator. My servicing dealer has warned me that Chrysler will not warranty repair injector damage caused by water in fuel. My installation retained the OE filter and heater, so the AirDog is filtering at 3 micron and passing the fuel to the OE filter then to the engine.



My impressions suggest the engine idle is smoother, throttle response seems better, and fuel mileage (US Gallon) is presently 16. 1.



I am satisfied with the AirDog, and considering what it cost me, I think I got fair value for money spent.

 

[Jetpilot]

I believe the retail price is set to got to something like $1079. As I understand it Ekstam (they have recently been purchased by another company) is wanting out of the retail business. This being said they are looking to set up a distribution network and dealer network so a retail price increase would need to happen to allow for a margin that is acceptable. But as we all know the reatil price isn't what is important, it is the street price that matters to the consumer. If the AirDog can be purchased by a dealer for a lower price then it is currently, then ultimately the street price could even be below what we see now. But all of this really depends on what price a dealer is able to purchase them for... ... .



Doug

 

[DHayden]

This being said they are looking to set up a distribution network and dealer network so a retail price increase would need to happen to allow for a margin that is acceptable. But as we all know the reatil price isn't what is important, it is the street price that matters to the consumer. If the AirDog can be purchased by a dealer for a lower price then it is currently, then ultimately the street price could even be below what we see now. But all of this really depends on what price a dealer is able to purchase them for... ... .



Doug

From what I see they are trying to REMOVE the dealer's. When I tried ordering mine only one dealer knew he had been discontinued. DieselManor was going to order it for me but he called me shortly and said Ekstam is not offering dealer's ANY price reduction and that I may as well order it straight from them.

I ordered from Ekstam and it arrived on friday. . I wouldnt pay the new price for one.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Where did you get this info?

We've had a thread going about this:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128127



One of our TDR members emailed Ekstam and they confirmed the information.

 

[Gypsyman]

RASP it and forget it.

 

[DHayden]

RASP it and forget it.

That's the short answer isnt it? We all like to think what we bought is the greatest and never want to believe different but time proves the usefulness of all things. Not knocking it but RASP hasnt been around that long and not too much of a % on these boards have it, maybe someday.

FASS sounded better than sliced bread but lately it seems there's an increase in FASS problems, some even saying they will never use FASS again.

Personally I got an Airdog, just like everyone else I'd love to make the statement you did but I don't think there are that many running Airdogs for any real problems to show as of yet.

Good luck with yours, good luck with mine, but I don't think any of the 3 will prove to be the holy grail of fuel systems. I could be wrong but there definately arent high number's out there with long standing results.

 

[JohnnyH]

I was considering this pump, but No way will I pay that money. I will find a better option. Oh well.

 

[rweis]

Like DHayden, I like to think I have a good SYSTEM, but don't we all. I'll just watch it for a couple of hundred thousands miles and see how it goes (50k & spare lp).



Stanadyne PF, RACOR 690T, OEM lp @ tank, bypass reg, AN-6, pre / post fp, light bombing, seems to work for me.



The latest and greatest is not necessarily the latest and greatest.



Bob Weis



At least the RASP is a different approach.

 

[jwilliams3]

FASS works great for me.

Most of the FASS complaints lately are people whining about a little noise or some little nuance.

If you want stock sound, stay stock.

 

[OPoole]

If anyone is looking for a RASP please let me know. . Thanks

 

[Todd T]

I dont think either system is worth the money. $300 maybe. The fuel mileage increase is too minimal and the other benefits are as well.



they can keep the overpriced heavy weight stuff for the OTR crowd. doesnt belong on our trucks anyway. for the money you could upgrade your injectors and realize the same fuel savings, plus increased power. $250 gets you a nice pusher pump setup and filter.



Until i see hard fast data proving a significant power increase they just arent worth the money IMO. Now i say this because their primary claim to fame isnt doing it for me either. I've seen the data on mileage increases and expressed my thoughts on that above. I've averaged 19. 1MPG for the lifetime mileage ive put on the truck of 23,000 miles to date. I have all the data i need on injectors being destroyed by air ingestion. The results=0. my rebuildable pusher pump suits me just fine at less than half the cost. if you'll take a look at my truck profile, you'll see i'm on the far side of stock and doing well thank you.

 

[Fishin Guide]

An electric pump is an electric pump. All these systems do is what the factory should have from the veginning. And that's place a pump near the fuel source and as low as possible.



Why doesn't one of these aftermarket "innovators" come up with a pump that would go inside the tank? Tha'ts where an electric pump belongs.



These pumps are not worth 1 dollar more than the factory lift pump relocated to the rear frame rail. Period. I can buy several lift pumps for what these systems cost and I still won't be happy.



Go mechanical and fix it right. The RASP is a great system and time will tell how it holds up, but I have a ton of confidence in that system. On;y drawback is the spagetti mess with lines and fittings. I am looking at doing the cam and 12V pump. I'm gonna fix it the way it should have been from the beginning.



Dave

 

[1dslram]

Any of us can buy a suitable 12V pump, Heater and filter for a lot less than the $700. 00 let alone $1,200. 00 is a total rip off. I guess they want us to pay off the court fees from the fight between father and son. I will watch the FASS system and if they include a heater and a completive price I may reconsider.

Bruce

 

[DHayden]

Any of us can buy a suitable 12V pump, Heater and filter for a lot less than the $700. 00 let alone $1,200. 00 is a total rip off. I guess they want us to pay off the court fees from the fight between father and son. I will watch the FASS system and if they include a heater and a completive price I may reconsider.

Bruce

The company was sold, it's the new owner's who think they need more money for the Airdog.

 

[dcochran]

Like Gypsyman said "Rasp it and forget it" - it's that simple.

 

[Wiredawg]

I have two FASS

I paid $489 for a FASS at May Madness a year ago and one another one at the May madness closing banquet. Aside from that, I thought long and hard for the $489. Frankly, that was as much as I would pay period for any of them.



I do like mine on my 02 solid 16 psi and only drops to 14. 5 getting into it. I'm going to install the other one on my wife's 03 in the next month or two.



I've heard there are som pretty good pusher setups out there for around $300.



My 2 cents, Wiredawg

 

[Luke Warmwater]

Lots of people with lots of money to blow lol.



$120 at Jegs will buy a nice pusher and all the fittings needed for "big fuel line" kit.