Air Lift Springs with lift kit?

[greenknight]

Howdy,

Anybody running air bags or air lift springs with a spring under lift kit?

I've got a 4" YJ lift on a CJ, and am looking to keep the rear end level when it's loaded down with camping gear, fuel, etc when hitting the trails. I'm thinking that an Air Lift setup might work, just using enough air to level things out, but not so much to totally mess up the articulation too badly. Any thoughts???

Thanks!

 

[BajaEdition]

Howdy,

Anybody running air bags or air lift springs with a spring under lift kit?

I've got a 4" YJ lift on a CJ, and am looking to keep the rear end level when it's loaded down with camping gear, fuel, etc when hitting the trails. I'm thinking that an Air Lift setup might work, just using enough air to level things out, but not so much to totally mess up the articulation too badly. Any thoughts???

Thanks!

first, what type of CJ, and what year?

 

[elwood blues]

Hi greenknight, welcome to the site

I have no experience with airbags, sorry, but I offer you a warm welcome to the site anyway.

 

[greenknight]

'79 CJ7 , narrow track axles, with spacers, running 4" BDS YJ springs front and rear...

Any MANY thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

[mylittlecj5]

I'd think any airbag you put on it would inhibit any but the mildest articulation. Since they bolt to the axle and the frame (at least the ones I have do) any real flex really stretches them out bad. And you can't compensate for the air pressure as the bag stretches out (and/or rips in 1/2).
I suppose if you built a box to entrap the bag at the axle, and left it without a solid mounting point, so it could pull away from the axle under flex, yet be able to "lift" the frame when you apply pressure, it might work. You would still have to keep a real eye on the pressures, to keep from blowing the bag, but it might work.

 

[coldwater]

Sounds shaky to me. Maybe It's time for some new lift springs?

 

[BajaEdition]

ok, first have you tried anyoother method to fix the problem, I actually have used longer springs (more lift) to fix preload. I would not suggest this to everyone but then a higher rate spring would help, but then you get a stiffer ride.
Big problem with air bags and leaf springs is have you ever seen a air system that did not get air leaks? They are famous for them. Also bags will be sitting in an area that will be a potential strike zone for rocks and limbs and stuff, not a good idea. I have seen many a air spring system work on trucks towing trailers, but on a Jeep? does not sound like a sound idea, they developed a system for TJs a few years back but most guys I know who tried it , ripped it out within a few years, was way trick at the mall, but lacked performance on trail.
Air shocks may be a better idea,