So I purchased my QX4 used, and like many of you, it bottomed out in the rear with any added weight. Driving by myself or with a passenger, it was fine. Add a third and it would start to bottom out often. 3 people in the back seat felt like it was riding on the bump-stops. I got really sick of this, so I started looking into the Air-Lift 1000 system, the rear spring inserts that are supposed to add payload capacity. The company makes several compressor options, but the one that caught my eye was the auto-leveling system, which they say is not compatible with the 1000 series. The reason for this is that the 1000 system was designed as a pressure monitored system. The 1000 series bags can only withstand a maximum of about 50lb. of pressure, and the compressor can output 150lb. of pressure. I thought ide give it a try anyway, risking a voided warranty.
This is a vauge description. If there is a lot of interest in this after it is posted, I'll try to get some pictures up.
The install of the 1000 bags was straight foward using the included paperwork. The auto leveling system was all custom, but I used factory brackets for the most part. I'll start with the compressor. I mounted it inside the vehicle behind the left rear panel. I also wrapped it in dynomat and filled the cavity with poly-fil to reduce the sound (the compressor is a bit noisy, but you can mount itunder the vehicle also.) Controller and wiring. I decided to wire the system to be active all the time. Instead of connecting the ignition wire to ignition, it is connected to the battery wire. (you can put a switch on this if you want) The harness is run down the left side to the rear of the vehicle and out the hole in the bottom of the left rear compartment where the compressor is mounted. The control box is mounted to the foward bracket in front of the spare tire. The sensor magnet was mounted to the bracket on the back of the diff using a thin metal strap that is thick enoug not to bend, and long enough for me to adjust the height. The release valve was straped to the frame and a long legnth of hose was ran through the fram to muffle the sound.
I adjusted the height to just above stock with an empty tank to keep 5lb of air in the bags at all times. I also used one of the tire-valve type things that came with the 1000 kit so I can check the pressure while I'm loading the back.
Results: AMAZING!!!!!! The ride is superb and improved on so many levels. It feels like a whole new truck! The ride is more stable, maybe a little stiffer in the rear, and does not roll as much in the corners. The added pitch also made it more stable on the highway. The only annoyance is the sound of the compressor turning on to level the system out every now and then, but it's worth it. When I have 3 people in the back, it feels like it is empty. I recently visited a few friends in Tallahassee, and we filled the rear with 2 full kegs, 250lbs of ice, and 4 passengers. I took a look at it from the outside after it was loaded, and it was sitting at the set height. You would NEVER have guessed that there was over 600lbs of payload in the car. With all of the weight, it felt a little hevier under acceleration and braking, but the ride felt wonderful on the hilly bumpy roads. Once it was unloaded, the system released the air to lower it back to the set height.
The best part of this setup is its fully automatic. I don;t have to do anything, it maintains the height all on its own. I recommend this to anybody that caries any extra weight in the back or tows anything.
Currently I'm looking into doing the same setup for my 03 Pathfinder as I'm hauling a trailer (1500lbs) as well as using the Versahaul hitch hauler to bring my dirt bike. Needless to say 350 lbs of telescoped tongue load affects the rear suspension (though not near as much as I would have expected, go Nissan!).
I'm in Canada so I'll be ordering from Amazon.com and picking up in the states (as there's a 400% markup for the same setup at local distributors). I'm going to go with the Load Controller II instead as I'm not as concerned about the auto leveling.
I'd definitely love to see some pictures of your setup if you don't mind. I plan on posting pics and measurements showing the setup (trailer, bike mount, hitch) to give everyone the results (including specific tongue loads for everything).
Thanks in advance for what you can supply for info, and great description.
Im interested as well. I have an ac 2" lift kit but loaded with gear the back sags a bit. I already have an air compressor so I guess all I would need are the bags and some valves. I would like to see pics of them installed. Do they replace the bumpstops. Do you know know the height measurement of the bag? thanks
02 Chilkoot 2" ac lift, 1" spacers, ac 3 piece skidplates. rock rails, arb rear locker, onboard air, superwinch 9.0epi, front and rear receiver hitch, 265/75r16 greendiamond icelander MT
I don't have any pictures yet, but I'll try to get some up soon. I bought all of my gear for this from Amazon, they had the best prices of any on-line retailer, and they had all of the compressor systems in stock. If you already have a compressor, then you need 2 valves, a pressure guage, (the bladders will blow above 45lbs. according to AirLift) and their 5lbs. pressure switch to maintain 5lbs in the bladders. AirLift support is very helpful so if you give them a cal they can help you with your setup. As for the bumpstops, they were trimmed. The instructions say to measure about 6.5" from the bottom spring mount and cut the bumpstop there (while the vehicle is resting on the ground). I dodn't have to remove the springs for the installation and you can even pull out the bomp stops with a bit of pulling. After having it for a few more weeks, I LOVE this system. Although I think I'm going to move the compressor outside with an intake line going inside. The compressor turning on can get annoying, even though it doesn't come on often or stay on for long.
interesting. i could have used such a setup this weekend - loaded up with four people, gear, and two bikes the rear tires were hitting the fender flares.
Do you offroad your QX4? i wonder how the bags hold up when flexing the rear axle..
I have a much heavier duty version of these on my one-ton pickup. Mine are bolted to the axle and the frame. They've been able to endure axle twisting of a truck and camper totaling over 11,000 pounds without breaking.
I've had the system with the interior gauges and compressor for 5 years and it has been problem free. I bought my stuff from Summit Racing and eBay. For the record, you can also just get the bags and fill them with air from a gas station or bicycle pump. Just do me a favor and don't tie them together without one-way valves. If you don't use the valves, the air will transfer from one side to the other when cornering and you will tip more than ever!
I believe that the lighter versions are free at one end and will not limit the travel of your axle.
I would recommend buying the kit from AirLift rather than piecing one together if you already have a compressor. A lot of folks who have Rancho shocks and AirLift bags have tried to use one compressor. It can be done but it sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth. I have one compressor under my hood and the other mounted to a cross member under the truck.
Im interested as well. I have an ac 2" lift kit but loaded with gear the back sags a bit. I already have an air compressor so I guess all I would need are the bags and some valves. I would like to see pics of them installed. Do they replace the bumpstops. Do you know know the height measurement of the bag? thanks
I have not taken mine off roading where I need the low range yet, but on rough trails it is fine. The system basically works like an inflatable bump stop at the bottom of the spring rather than the top. So if there is a lot of wheel travel the bag will basically just be sitting in the rear spring.
So based on your review I just bought the AirLift 1000 also for my 1999 QX4 with the same bottoming out issue. I went to the Airlift website and the install video showed that you just compress the bag and wedge it into the coil and inflate, but I just got my kit today and the directions seem to call for a lot more work. My question to you is, did you have to remove the coil springs, brake lines, and shocks to install the bags like the directions in my shipment stated, or were you able to bypass that stuff and wedge it in there? Thanks for the info, I am tired of going over the rail road tracks and losing teeth. I don't have many teeth left. HAHA
Nope, I didnt have to do any of that. The only thing I had to remove and midify was the bump-stop. I tried installing the kit with out cutting it, but it didn't ride well, and the bladder was very compressed. I left about 1.5" of the bump stops and re-installed them. I was able to pull the bump stop out of the spring, and yes, the bladder does squeeze through the spring. I deflated it and rolled it up as much as I could, then placed the cap over the air inlet, stuck it into the spring, removed and replaced the plug several times letting air in little by little while I manuvered the bladder in place.
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