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Air Bags
Posted: May 1st, 2015, 7:06 am
by Bookend
I have just started researching fitting Air Bags to the Hilux. The prices vary massively.
Are there any recommendations on make or is it a case of you get what you pay for?
Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 1st, 2015, 7:55 am
by rubberrat
Sort of... I have the cheapest option at £400 from Marcle. Dunlop bags. They work perfectly and do the job, but have to be inflated with a separate 12v pump.
More expensive systems will have built in pumps and banker tank.
So paying more will buy you convenience and ease.
A but like a Ford and a Jaguar... Both get you where you want to be, but one will cosset you in the journey.
Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 1st, 2015, 8:21 am
by zildjian
The Marcle set comprise bags x2 top and bottom brackets, some simple pipe-work and fittings and a brochure filled with pictures of the other accessories you might like to also order as your'e obviously a cheap-skate.
I think Finade ordered elsewhere but the bags and brackets are pretty identical in manner and not much in it.
The 'cossetting' that Mark alludes to is a direct and clumsy poke at those of us wishing to merely make life that bit nicer,
and probably a result of his calvinist background
Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 1st, 2015, 8:23 am
by zildjian
Happy anniversary Mark & Lorraine BTW
Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 1st, 2015, 12:17 pm
by saDgit
rubberrat wrote:... have to be inflated with a separate 12v pump.
Or if you're really cheap, like me, a bike pump is perfectly good enough. And it's small and light enough to carry with you.
Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 1st, 2015, 6:10 pm
by FinAde
We purchased MAD Air Suspension kit from Upcountry 4x4. £380. The quality is very good, zinc plated brackets. TUV approved. We have a small 12v plug-in compressor (as supplied with new cars with no spare) to fill the air suspension, takes around 45 seconds.
Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 4th, 2015, 6:53 pm
by Bookend
Well I have decides to fit some air bags.
The drive with the camper on is ok but with the mud flaps scraping on speed humps I think it's time to take the plunge

Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 4th, 2015, 7:29 pm
by zildjian
We find the resulting ride ten times better either those or helper springs, Rich C points out that SV tech offer spring option at around the same money as air, so its personal choice
obviously air is the future and clever pneumatic control
better than the more pedestrian compressor-in-a-bag favoured by
(visit Norfolk) some
but springs are good

Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 5th, 2015, 3:08 pm
by Bookend
What pressures do you guys inflate the bags too with the camper on?
Re: Air Bags
Posted: May 5th, 2015, 3:44 pm
by rubberrat
50 for me, start there and adjust for best ride. Don't overdo it though, the bags are there to help the springs, not replace them. See WTF chassis failure thread(s)