Air lift rear suspension - big thumbs up

[salexander]

After suffering a bit of bottoming-out and general wallowing with my '99 side-converted Bongo, decided that an air lift kit was the answer. Fitted it on Friday and had a 20 odd mile run on Saturday across some twisty roads. Absolutely marvelous!

I initially had the air lifts up at 20psi, with a couple of bikes on the rack, but this was a tad high as the steering was a bit too 'pointy'. This is just as you would expect from effectively increasing the rear spring rates, increasing the tendency to oversteer. Dropped it back to 15psi for the return journey and it seems just about perfect. The van is much more stable, no bottoming-out and it's generally much more pleasant to drive.

As others have said, this is possibly the best £100 you could spend on your van

[Jim the Box]

Could not agree more, I run 20 p.s.i however with a full conversion, lpg tank, and tow-bar mounted rear wheel, I'm carring quite a bit of weight so 20 psi is fine for me.

[Gixermark]

Mmmm....I'm running 21 near side & 30 Off side .....do you think I may be overdoing it a bit? Have driven a fair few miles with said settings and drives very well ...fully converted hence higher psi on one side.
Think it's ok to have this pressure ...instructions don't say any different.
Thanks .....

[Simon Jones]

The instructions with mine specified the min and max pressure. I let mine run a bit low and managed to damage one of the bags, so I've just ordered a new pair to fit. Ho hum.

[Gixermark]

"The instructions with mine specified the min and max pressure"......Simon ....er what were the said min/max pressures pleasey!

[Simon Jones]

If I'd read the instructions, I probably wouldn't have ruined them .

Actually, they're online: http://static.summitracing.com/global/i ... _60769.pdf

Min 5, max 35 psi

[Gixermark]

Thanks Simon. Running mine at the settings I have should be fine then ....I may lower them both 5psi just to play safe!

[helen&tony]

Hi
Not a bad idea putting a bit of extra air in on the conversion side, but as a starter, many folk seem to use 15 PSI for a standard setup
Don't forget, though, air-bags are only an "elastoplast" for bad suspension...TGP's the Suspension Master...and as he says, it's down to having the correct springs...Bongos are old, and no doubt the springs are past their "sell-by" date...One member was having some springs re-set...perhaps when they've fitted them , it might prove worthwhile getting new ones.
For my purpose, the air-bags are there to help with the occasional ridiculous loads....!!!
Cheers
Helen

[Jim the Box]

Mmmm....I'm running 21 near side & 30 Off side .....do you think I may be overdoing it a bit? Have driven a fair few miles with said settings and drives very well ...fully converted hence higher psi on one side.
Think it's ok to have this pressure ...instructions don't say any different.
Thanks .....

I have a side conversion also, I put 20 psi in mine and then measured both sides from ground to wheel arch (on flat ground), they were both the same height so just left at 20 psi per side, as Simon pointed out keep an eye on your pressures as you don't want to damage the bladder inside the spring. The bladder is not over inflated at 30 psi so if it works for you just leave it.

[ToolkiT]

Where did you buy the air lift and how much did you spend?
I noticed the back of my bongo is sagging slightly too especially with heavy load so this may be the sollution..

[Gixermark]

Purchased mine from an ex Bongo owner off ebay, £70 & only 10mnths use!
Think they sell new for about £120 ish ..google them and you'll find them if not someone will be along to point you in the right direction..
May not be your best bet if the rear end is sagging, might be worth digging deeper to see if its springs / struts gone .. airbags won't sort that out!!!!

[g8dhe]

Try here http://www.air-lift.co.uk/product.php?unique_id=341
much better after fitting these!

[Gixermark]

Bargain! Down from £144 to £99 ...get some quick people

[Simon Jones]

Same thing available here. but about £7 more expensive:

http://www.mattsavage.co.uk/acatalog/Ai ... AL001.html

[ToolkiT]

.
May not be your best bet if the rear end is sagging, might be worth digging deeper to see if its springs / struts gone .. airbags won't sort that out!!!!

Sagging might be a slight exaggeration, but I did notice the back seems to be ever so slightly lower thant the front (especially with the back full of camping gear:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4572_n.jpg