air bags with composite springs
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
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air bags with composite springs
i want air bags (helper springs)for my 95 which just happens to have the composite springs. firestone says their's can only be used on continuosly loaded vehicles http://www.fsip.com/riderite/applicatio ... olet.shtml# . i wonder why? i also found some air lift ride control springs that would work but they seem "light" duty http://airlift.iwebcat.com/imgVD/AIL/MN-353_59504.pdf i'd rather have the firestones
95 safari awd-2" overland lift,29" ATs on 15x7 chrome truck rims
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
Re: air bags with composite springs
I haven't had any problems with my air rides yet.dilly wrote:i want air bags (helper springs)for my 95 which just happens to have the composite springs. firestone says their's can only be used on continuosly loaded vehicles http://www.fsip.com/riderite/applicatio ... olet.shtml# . i wonder why? i also found some air lift ride control springs that would work but they seem "light" duty http://airlift.iwebcat.com/imgVD/AIL/MN-353_59504.pdf i'd rather have the firestones
You can't really use em with composite leafs because of how they mount to the axle, the bracket literally rubs against it as it moves up and down and would probably chew threw the composite ones rather quickly.
98 Safari RWD. Stock.
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
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- I am smitten with my van
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Re: air bags with composite springs
I was told the same thing by an rv dealerby me so I will be doing the steal spring swap soon. Camping season is getting closer,it's time to see how the Safari likes the pop up. I don't think I should have any problem's just want the bags due to all the extra stuff we bring for the kids.
95 GMC Safari SLX "Mr. Cooper" (as my kids call it)
Re: air bags with composite springs
Not sure the ones you have, but I bought a set from Dean that he had on his 95 and they mounted to the frame at top and had a mount that fit over top the spring right behind or in front of the axle mount. Their was no movement at the attachment points at all. I have them on my Tahoe now, work great, airlift brand I think. I think the problem with composite springs is they can't take the stress of that extra p[ressure. Look how many begin to splinter/separate under normal driving, plus I doubt the comp springs can take the extra stretch when airred up like the steel leaves.potskie wrote:I haven't had any problems with my air rides yet.dilly wrote:i want air bags (helper springs)for my 95 which just happens to have the composite springs. firestone says their's can only be used on continuosly loaded vehicles http://www.fsip.com/riderite/applicatio ... olet.shtml# . i wonder why? i also found some air lift ride control springs that would work but they seem "light" duty http://airlift.iwebcat.com/imgVD/AIL/MN-353_59504.pdf i'd rather have the firestones
You can't really use em with composite leafs because of how they mount to the axle, the bracket literally rubs against it as it moves up and down and would probably chew threw the composite ones rather quickly.
Re: air bags with composite springs
That kit is the same one I have. IIRC I bought the other half ( compressor) of that exact kit off him.BLAZER wrote:Not sure the ones you have, but I bought a set from Dean that he had on his 95 and they mounted to the frame at top and had a mount that fit over top the spring right behind or in front of the axle mount. Their was no movement at the attachment points at all. I have them on my Tahoe now, work great, airlift brand I think. I think the problem with composite springs is they can't take the stress of that extra p[ressure. Look how many begin to splinter/separate under normal driving, plus I doubt the comp springs can take the extra stretch when airred up like the steel leaves.potskie wrote:I haven't had any problems with my air rides yet.dilly wrote:i want air bags (helper springs)for my 95 which just happens to have the composite springs. firestone says their's can only be used on continuosly loaded vehicles http://www.fsip.com/riderite/applicatio ... olet.shtml# . i wonder why? i also found some air lift ride control springs that would work but they seem "light" duty http://airlift.iwebcat.com/imgVD/AIL/MN-353_59504.pdf i'd rather have the firestones
You can't really use em with composite leafs because of how they mount to the axle, the bracket literally rubs against it as it moves up and down and would probably chew threw the composite ones rather quickly.
Mine shows signs of movement. Only about 1/8" but it's the part that rests on the spring.
98 Safari RWD. Stock.
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
Re: air bags with composite springs
Then I stand corrected #-opotskie wrote:
That kit is the same one I have. IIRC I bought the other half ( compressor) of that exact kit off him.
Mine shows signs of movement. Only about 1/8" but it's the part that rests on the spring.
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:13 pm
- Location: b.c canada
Re: air bags with composite springs
thats the thing, i've been researching composite springs and alot of guys think there the best thing since sliced bread. no problems. then i read posts like this.BLAZER wrote: I think the problem with composite springs is they can't take the stress of that extra p[ressure. Look how many begin to splinter/separate under normal driving, plus I doubt the comp springs can take the extra stretch when airred up like the steel leaves.
according to the instructions for both the above air bag kits they never touch the springs (they mount beside them). shouldn't helper air springs take pressure off of the composites? :-k
here's the instructions for the firestones http://www.fsip.com/pdfs/RR/installatio ... in2029.pdf
95 safari awd-2" overland lift,29" ATs on 15x7 chrome truck rims
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
2000 astro 2wd g80-company truck/work van
Re: air bags with composite springs
All I've seen fromt he composites my self is problems. I can take pics of frayed / broken one if you want it's in my back yard lol.dilly wrote:thats the thing, i've been researching composite springs and alot of guys think there the best thing since sliced bread. no problems. then i read posts like this.BLAZER wrote: I think the problem with composite springs is they can't take the stress of that extra p[ressure. Look how many begin to splinter/separate under normal driving, plus I doubt the comp springs can take the extra stretch when airred up like the steel leaves.
according to the instructions for both the above air bag kits they never touch the springs (they mount beside them). shouldn't helper air springs take pressure off of the composites? :-k
here's the instructions for the firestones http://www.fsip.com/pdfs/RR/installatio ... in2029.pdf
I do like how those mount up tho. But I think and I may be wrong here but the shape of the composite mounts are different as the spring is wider.
98 Safari RWD. Stock.
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: air bags with composite springs
The airlift system does in fact mount directly to the leaf springs. Part of the kit clamps the leafs and will destroy the composite leaf. The Album is here for the complete install onto a 2003 AWD.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
Re: air bags with composite springs
The thread is old but I thought this might be of general and timeless interest:
Airlift also make a kit for the Astros 'til 95 with the composite springs.
Actually the installations instructions linked in the first post of this thread are for this airbag-kit. The white air-lines are still from the Monroes installed before.
The ride in association with the rather firm Bilstein-shocks is nice.
-Frank-
Airlift also make a kit for the Astros 'til 95 with the composite springs.
Actually the installations instructions linked in the first post of this thread are for this airbag-kit. The white air-lines are still from the Monroes installed before.
The ride in association with the rather firm Bilstein-shocks is nice.
-Frank-
-Frank-
07 Dodge Nitro SLT, LPG, 93l propane tank
06 Moto Morini Corsaro 1200
94 Astro AWD 2" Overland Lift, LPG, 95l propane tank
93 Honda VFR750
82 Vespa 135cc
Berlin, Germany
07 Dodge Nitro SLT, LPG, 93l propane tank
06 Moto Morini Corsaro 1200
94 Astro AWD 2" Overland Lift, LPG, 95l propane tank
93 Honda VFR750
82 Vespa 135cc
Berlin, Germany