[subman719]

Awesome. Thanks for the photos.

What are your weights, especially the rear axle?

Is this the kit you used?

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Su...m/Vehicle-Suspension/Ram/ProMaster+1500/2018/AL88233.html?vehicleid=20184404575

Are you just manually inflating them, or did you get some kind of compressor, tank, and controller setup?

Sorry for the delayed response to the rest of your questions... I missed them somehow...
Yes, that is the kit I used, and yes, I'm currently manually adjusting them at the moment. I bought a separate Tee fitting from Amazon and connected both bags together. I ran the single fill line to the rear of the van and just tucked the end into a hole in my trailer hitch receiver for now. I do have twin onboard compressors and an 8 gallon tank, but the rest of the system isn't completed yet. I will eventually complete the air system and connect the gauges and control switch valves in the cab, probably in my overhead compartment above the sun visor.

 

[Baxsie]

Please verify that having the two bags connected together with a T is safe.

My understanding is that if you get a little too much weight on one side of the van it will push air out of that low bag to the other high side which will make the tilt worse.

A bit like trying to balance on an exercise ball.

As I understand it, this can make the van very unstable on corners. Please check this and verify that having a T is safe before you continue.

 

[subman719]

Please verify that having the two bags connected together with a T is safe.

My understanding is that if you get a little too much weight on one side of the van it will push air out of that low bag to the other high side which will make the tilt worse.

A bit like trying to balance on an exercise ball.

As I understand it, this can make the van very unstable on corners. Please check this and verify that having a T is safe before you continue.

I do have slightly more weight on the driver’s side of van, therefore it does lean left a little. However, due to my rear sway bar, it doesn’t lean in turns anymore than before the airbags. In fact, with the combination of factory leaf springs, sway bar, new airbags and new Bilstein shocks, it feels incredibly stable! I used to dread driving my van previously because it wasn’t pleasant to drive and scared the heck out of me in turns. Now I greatly enjoy it and have confidence in turns and on the highway.
As for the bags being linked together, all my vehicles with airbags had rear swaybars so stability was never an issue. If you don’t have a rear swaybar, then I would recommend either getting a swaybar or keeping bags separate to balance load. Keep in mind however, that keeping airbags separate will also cause instability because having more pressure to one corner, adds more weight to the opposite corner. Balanced loads, even weight distribution, and swaybars will always be the best option.

 

[diytech]

The 1990-92 (1st gen) Subaru Legacy LS had full air suspension (we have one). This was well before the "Outback" sensation, and the system is great at doing exactly what you describe. There are sensors in each air strut that determine ride height, and a complete pump, solenoid valve, and control system for the whole mess. A switch on the dash toggles nominal ride height from standard to off-road (about 2 3/4" difference, and limited to 35 mph to extend axle joint life).

The air ride is pure luxury, and the control system incorporates a really nice ride leveling system that runs all the time. The Achilles heel of the whole thing turned out to be the strut costs. The air pouches on the struts would deteriorate, and replacement struts were over $750 each. They also could not be refurbed the way they were made. People driving Subaru didn't want to shell out thousands at 70k miles, so most got converted with coil-overs.

If you found one in a junkyard, there could be solendoid valves, a nice compressor with dryer and tank, control box, and fittings and tubing for a pretty cheap price I would imagine (no demand).

I'm seriously considering doing a four corner airbag suspension. Mainly for leveling the van when we're parked - - including stealth camping.

It would also be nice to push it up to the top limit when going super slow over rough roads, or lower it down and soften it a little bit on a smooth freeway.
...
In addition, I still would need to track down a controller, air tanks, and a compressor on this side. Not sure if I'll do it. However tonight we're camping outside of a ferry terminal and debating on whether to try to stealth with no blocks (heads down) or stick the blocks under the tires and sleep with our heads up. #firstworldproblems

 

[subman719]

Just a quick update… It’s been about 5 months and 5000 miles since I installed the Air Lift airbags and Bilstein B6 shocks. I set the airbags at 35 psi five months ago and haven’t had to touch them! They’re still holding air pressure just fine and my van still rides like a dream! Very stable in turns and on the highway and rides smooth as butter!

Bottom line, I think the airbags, Bilstein’s, and swaybar are the perfect combination for these vans!

 

[jerothle]

Just installed the Bilstein B6 rear shocks and without even driving it, I can tell there will be a HUGE improvement!

Hi subman719, I just changed from the leaking OEM 220K + Miles to the B6 on the passenger side, the driver side is tomorrow. Easy... 1/2" breaker, Dewalt 20V 1/2" drive big Daddy, hydraulic jack, jack stand, 1/2" E24 torx socket and Wright Tools torque wrench.
The specs I found... torque rear shock bolts: upper 122 ft lbs, lower 118 ft lbs.

Did you route the tubing for the airbags into the van?

Thank you all for pictures, info and ideas!

 

[subman719]

Hi subman719, I just changed from the leaking OEM 220K + Miles to the B6 on the passenger side, the driver side is tomorrow. Easy... 1/2" breaker, Dewalt 20V 1/2" drive big Daddy, hydraulic jack, jack stand, 1/2" E24 torx socket and Wright Tools torque wrench.
The specs I found... torque rear shock bolts: upper 122 ft lbs, lower 118 ft lbs.

Did you route the tubing for the airbags into the van?

Thank you all for pictures, info and ideas!

You are welcome! I have not routed the air line into the van yet. I just have the end tucked into the frame, still. My van has been loaded with tools and materials for work, plus lack of time, so I haven’t been able to finish hooking up my onboard air system yet. I put a tee in the air line so the bags remain balanced at any pressure. Since they have an internal jounce bumper for safety if they’re deflated, I’m not worried. I will post updates once I make further upgrades on the onboard air system.

 

[Beetlefreak]

I just installed the Air Lift with independent on board compressor to both assist with leveling and improve ride. I have a 2023 136 wb conversion weighing ~7000. So far with limited experience I have found that 40 lbs in both gives a nice ride. If I inflate one to 5 lbs and the other to 100 lbs it helps to level when I am parked