I had a question, wanted to put air bags on my xb. Did not know where to go, there is a place by my house, but I do not know what kind of modifications need to be made. I guess my question is os there somebody I can talk to about spending $3,000 on something I would like done but don't want to mess up my car in the process...

Thanks,

Adam E.T.

 

Moved to CC.

 

Just scan through some of the most recent posts here in Corner Carvers. There is a ton of information. $3000 should get the job done for you very nicely, including installation. I see your in southern CA, what is the name of the shop you are considering?

 

i can help i have air ride on my xb.. email me at babybluez579@aol.com. have a friend near you that can help you also. just let me no check out my profile..

 

Air ride novice, Can the xB travel let say on a 3200 mile trip safely with an air ride setup?
Will the tunk be filled with an big air can, or can the system be under the car?
Failure if I was to place a air ride on my car, would 5 people still be able to ride in comfort?

And should I join AAA?

I'm in Florida where the road are pretty smooth, maybe a air ride is in the furture...

Thanks

 

It's as safe as your install, and i'm in FL too and i'd say on a good day 40% of the roads are smooth so i don't know where you're at but i wish the roads here were nice and smooth...

Check out my sig for the thread about my planned air ride install ^_^

 

i recently drove me and 4 other of my friends around town...rode fine! couldnt go fast at all though

 

what like 20 mph? cause of the weight or the bags?

 

i have had my air bags on my xb for about 8000 miles and (knock on wood)have not had a problem out of them at all.my buddy did mine and he charges around 1800 installed.he did the bags in one day total.strut bags in front and 2500 lbs bags in the rear,brian

 

i got my stuff from suicidedoors.com....and it works great other that the rear bag flaws that airlift seems to have but id definatly go with 2500 firestoes in the rear if i had to do it all over again. I has firestones on my truck for 7 years and not a single problem.Just about everyone on this site thinks that bags are ___ and i dont really understand that part?

 

bags are ___?? couple of people think they are 'unsafe' but the is becuase they are uneducated...

 

I gots air too (on my truck) and it's awesome. I love suicideoors.com and conitech bags are real nice too.

BTW some people on this site have more opinions than common sense. And they are under impression that it matters. Hah! I know mine does'nt, but at least I'm not in the Matrix anymore.

 

I could get you the whole setup for $1345.00 + Shipping ( I know someone LOL )

This will include : 8 3/8”smc valves,5 gallon chrome tank with 9 ½” ports for easy valve install right to the tank,50 feet 3/8 dot air line,viair 350c 100% duty cycle chrome air comp., any color pre wired 10 switch switch box, front and rear struts…the kit would be 1345.00 plus shipping

The only thing you need to supply are the valves wich you can get from Home Depot for around $100.00, He can give you valves but it would cost you more money.

$1345.00
Shipping $100.00 just a guess
$100.00 for valves

Most installers charge around 1k

you are looking at around $2545.00

Most kits retail for $1700.00 with less goodies


PM me if interested

 

OK... since Mike C is in this thread already I will try and be kind, and not my typical "condescending jerk" self. But I have to ask... how much do you really know about bags? There are two glaring items in your post that kind of tipped me off.

First, you said valves, rather than fittings. Once I would excuse as just a slip of the tongue, or hand as the case may be. But you repeated the term several times. Second you refer to front and rear struts. Only the front of the xB receives new struts. The rear will use either a sleeve bag or a bellow bag, depending on the setup.

And just for the original posters information...

Front Struts: $507 from the Gauge Store (Someone here had a code to get them for even less.

Rear bag mounts: $100 from FBI

Rear Bags: $110-140+/- from FBI depending on the bag brand

8 SMC 3/8" Valves: $256 ($220) from Suicide Doors (Limited Time Offer)

Chrome 5 gallon 9 port tank: $65 from Suicide Doors

50 ft. of 3/8" Airline: $20 from Suicide Doors

Viair 380c Compressor: $185.00 from Suicide Doors (Who uses the 350C?)

Pre-wired 10 switch box: $20 from FBI

Total cost before shipping on everything is $1227. More than $100 less than the "deal being quoted above. And it includes a better compressor. You could also purchase an "Air Management" kit from Suicide Doors for $599. You get a black tank instead of chrome, and your choice of compressor. It also includes three gauges, a relay and additional airline for the gauges. That would push your total to $1316. Still less than the quote with more products.

Also, stay away from the Home Depot when buying your fittings. These are not DOT approved fittings. If you want to buy compression fittings, or even PTC you can get them from a local truck supply store. If you want the ease of ordering fittings online, there are quite a few good suspension sites. Suicide Doors, Truck Shop, and Innovative Air Suspension to name a few. Innovative even has fitting packages! The packages for a 4 way 3/8" system are all under $150 and include all of the fittings you will need.

Save yourself the headache of buying a "complete system" from someone who is offering you a "deal." Do the research, ask the questions, and make the best buys you can.

 

Allright, RT has a lot of knowledge on this subject and is trying to save you money while finding better products (kudos on the compressor subject). I would like to add one ting from my experience though. If you can afford it, get quick disconnect fittings. They are easy to use, and if you have to replace a line quick on the side of the road, it's very nice to not need any tools to do so.

 

Just so you know, I am not trying to be a jerk with this post... just helpful.

The quick disconnect fittings you refer to are the PTC fittings that I referred to. PTC being "Push-To-Connect." I have stated my opinion about PTC fittings several other times in this forum, so I won't elaborate much. But I prefer the reliability of DOT compression fittings to PTC. That said, I would have no misgivings about ordering the fitting package from Innovative Air suspension that makes use of DOT approved brass PTC fittings.

 

I am genuinely wondering what is wrong with PTC fittings. i did'nt catch what you said about them? I'm actually asking because if they re that bad than I will stick with my compression fittings, but I know that they saved my friend a ton of time on the side of the road, and you can re-use the same hose without trimming or need of a new gusset with the PTC. Thankyou.

 

The only problem I have had with PTC fittings is that the plastic ones (DOT or not) quit working over time. They don't hold the line well, and they don't hold the seal. Especially if they are "used" very often. Meaning extracting and inserting air line.

 

I agree about the plastic ones. I wish I could use metal everywhere, but that gets real pricey. But what are your dealings with the metal fittings (PTC)?

 

i had no problems when I had PTC fittings...