Howdy folks, I have poured through the posts and have yet to see this discussed. I need to add air bags to the rear suspension of my van for towing a small camp trailer. There are kits for our vans in stock configuration but has any one figured out an airbag kit for our lifted vans?
Here is a picture of the van and trailer..... trailer has a 15” poptop too and has been lifted 10”. Sorry for the fuzzy picture, this is the day I brought it home.... she needs some love and new bigger tires but at 1900 lbs, 2 queen beds, full kitchen and $1350 I couldn’t pass it up. Between the air bags and a hitch that is the correct height I think it will work out Great.
Ryan
Airbags for a 4” lifted van
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
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Airbags for a 4” lifted van
2004 Astro (was AWD now 4X4) 125,000 miles: purchased April 2012
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm
Re: Airbags for a 4” lifted van
Hi,
You could try rear Monroe air shocks or rear Monroe coil over shocks.
Although, the tilt on your trailer doesn't look too bad actually. You could get a load equalizing hitch draw bar. You could also move more trailer weigh rear ward to reduce trailer tongue weight.
Good luck.
AP
You could try rear Monroe air shocks or rear Monroe coil over shocks.
Although, the tilt on your trailer doesn't look too bad actually. You could get a load equalizing hitch draw bar. You could also move more trailer weigh rear ward to reduce trailer tongue weight.
Good luck.
AP
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- I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: Airbags for a 4” lifted van
I haven't looked at the airbag system for our vans closely, but it seems the easiest solution would be to buy an Astro/Safari kit and just extend the upper or lower bag mount the lifted amount. Just a bit of welding I'd guess. (In theory, I'll face this one day myself as I'm hoping to someday use my van to tow a larger 2-place enclosed snowmobile trailer that will have a hefty tongue weight.)
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Contact:
Re: Airbags for a 4” lifted van
The other option, from a research standpoint, at least, would be to check airbag kits for the S10 trucks. (Since a 4" lift is roughly had from the difference in arch when switching to the S10 spring-pack)
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:10 am
- Location: Boise, Id
- Contact:
Re: Airbags for a 4” lifted van
I talked to the guys at my local 4x4 shop and they cleared all this up for me. I purchase a typical air bag kit.... they sugges the Firestone ride-rite kit. We install everything then measure the gap under the air bag. They carry spacers that you then match to that gap and your all done. Looking like 3-4 hundred bucks and I am done.
I will update here as this project gets under way.
Ryan
I will update here as this project gets under way.
Ryan
2004 Astro (was AWD now 4X4) 125,000 miles: purchased April 2012
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here