Customer Reviews

AIR LIFT 59501 Ride Control Rear Air Spring Kit

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is my third truck I have installed Air Lift brand on. As in the past I like the end result but I am very unimpressed with the directions and quality of the kit. The directions bounce all over so plan on reading them several times. If you have a Silverado, plan on ignoring some of the specific instructions. They call for placing a thick spacer washer to level the upper bracket - well, after trying and uninstalling the bracket I called their technical folks they told me very casually to NOT install the washer - I must have a different truck.

The white nylon installation tool is handy - if they would only thread it properly. Instead of rolling the threads they should cut them properly so you could actually get the guide nuts on without wrenches. They do provide all the hardware and even a few extra's so when you loose parts inside the frame rail there are more to choose from. I had to cut off a few of the bolts as they were way too long.
Even though they don't call for any specialized tools, having a set of crows foot open end wrenches that can be calibrated to your torque wrench would be handy, or you need to be cleaver enough to find a way to torque the bottom bolt going into the plastic base of the bladder. I know about that because of truck number 1.
They don't provide enough wire tie wraps for the hoses so you'll need to get extras.

I must add that allowing four hours for install, calling tech help and fixing a few minor things is more appropriate than the 2 hours they suggest.

All that considered, the ride is great and they do exactly what they are supposed to do

The part arrived in under 48 hours. It says it takes a couple of hours to install. That seems about right. It does require drilling and an impact gun helps the process. The instructions were clear and all parts were included. They worked like a dream leveling out my Dodge Dakota. I load a full size motorcycle in the bed and then hook up a camper. My truck rode like it had no additinal weight on it. The price was right, delivery was quick and they worked as well as I could imagine.

I have a long box chevy pickup that I regularly have loaded with heavy items and pulling a trailer. I researched these products to death prior to buying one. I wanted the ability to adjust my truck back to normal ride height regardless of what I was towing. The product absolutely does the job. My 27 ft 5th wheel makes the truck squat a good 6 inches. The airsprings restore the truck to its normal ride height in seconds. My justification for the 4 star rating rather than 5 is that the instructions make this install so black and white, when truly it takes some planning. The suggested install location wasn't going to work because of my 5th wheel brackets. Some easy modifications to my truck (small notch in the cross members that support the bed and the install was perfect. The install tool really does make things fool proof. I suggest attatching the bottom bracket with the install tool in place, then clamping the top bracket into place and drilling, as opossed to marking the holes.

Highly recommended, good product and really easy to install. It is really recommended to have a few good tools, including several cheap or one really good drill bit. A nice way to put this on is to tap the holes and then weld the joints for permanent installation. Routing the hoses really needs to have some plastic coil wrap to protect the small lines. I mounted the fillers in both sides of the license plate and are really easy to access- it is the place recommended and it is a really good spot. I wrapped my brake controller wire, trailer wires ad hoses in one wrap and put on zip ties every location it was possible to give it positive location.

I purchased the AIR LIFT ride control rear spring kit for my 2001 F150 Crew cab. I upgraded my travel trailer to a larger unit and my pickup sagged a bit under the new unit(Be sure to know what you can safely tow and don't over load) After almost 4 hours of reading the poorly worded and organized instructions, I finally got the job done. I would rate the skill level required for installation as difficult. Measuring, lifting and using jack stands, drilling, and bolting the brackets to the inside of frame rails is not a job for the unexperienced do-it yourselfer or novice mechanic.
The kit made a world of difference in the ride and improved the handling of my truck while towing or not.
I am very pleased with my AIR LIFT purchase but wish the manufacturer would make the instructions easier to follow!

Be aware - Air Lift Air Springs are very prone to leaking! So, why might that be important to you? Well, here's what it's meant to me.

I've had these on one of my vehicles for several years now and learned the hard way. I bought this kit assuming they held air like tires, check them every once in a while like I do my tires and I'm OK. Wrong! Do not make that assumption.

One sleeve went flat within a couple of weeks of installation. I didn't know it. Running flat these things self destruct. You will see this mentioned in other reviews. It's common. Anyway, I checked the other sleeve. It had also leaked and was low but still good. note: I plumbed each side separately with its own valve.)

A hundred dollars later and I was back on the road but the new sleeve also leaked. I called the factory to complain and was told that, if I didn't like having to check the sleeves every time out, buy the compressor kit.

Well, why don't they be honest about it and tell you that right up front? For many, like me, the Ride Control Kit is not an acceptable solution all by itself.

So, if you add a $200 compressor to your order, you're now spending $400. And you have a lot of work staring you in the face. Thinking twice? Why not do it right and replace the springs like you should have done to start with? They don't leak. I can get real nice springs for $400? And, in the long run the installation is a whole lot simpler. See all those little parts? They all have to go somewhere. All those threaded things? They go in holes you have to drill. Don't forget to use jack stands.)

I will admit, the kit does work well when it is aired up. I have to add air just about every time I use the vehicle and carry a small 12V compressor everywhere I go. It's inconvenient (imagine cold, rain, wind, snow) and I think unkind thoughts each and every time, even when the weather's nice, but they do work.

If you're still convinced to band-aid your problem with this solution, do yourself a huge favor. Go all the way. Don't buy just the Ride Control Kit. Get the compressor kit as well. Allow plenty of time. An extra set of hands is a good idea as is a spare vehicle for those errands to the store to buy other stuff you might need. Watch your language if kids are around. Read the instructions first. Better yet, read them before you buy. Look simple?

Why am I writing this so long after buying? I just lost another hundred dollar sleeve. My fault. I forgot to check the air last time. And, I'm deservedly grumpy. Can you tell? Don't let this be you.

I purchased from this company and one of the bladders kept leaking and rubbed a hole on the side of the bladder. Paid to have a replacement for the SO CALLED LIFE TIME WARRANTY and would be given a refund once defective part was returned to AIR LIFT. Four month later and I am still waiting for my REFUND. Just get the run around. I will never do business with AIR LIFT again.

Used this kit on my 2005 GMC Sierra crew cab 1500 for a 1" lift and towing duty and it works great no harsh ride when not towing and even less noise and vibration inside cab now.

Great product, fast shipping and easy install. Ride is much better now and the adjustability for loads and traction equalization is excellent.

96 Chevy 1500 short bed extended cab, installed for one year... I love these for towing my camper, easy to level no matter how the wife loaded it but, the "Up to 2000 pounds of leveling capacity" isn't quite right. I use this truck to haul wood pellets by the ton. When they are placed on the bed, I get about an inch off the bump stops at best with the bags at 100psi. It is a far improvement over stock however I would buy the larger set if I were to do it again. (Yes I do understand that doubling the rated payload of the truck is not recommended however a $200 set of bags is a slight bit cheaper than a one ton truck.)

They do require constant checking as far as pressure is concerned. I keep them at 30psi when empty and regularly find they have slipped below the 20 mark.