OziExplorer replied:

I think where people have had problems with Polyairs, have been where they have the original springs fitted, and they fit Polyairs to try to overcome the problems/weakness of the original springs. With quality Australian made springs, Polyairs work well. I do not know if you realise that Australian made spring steel is far superior to other countries spring steel. For example, the Lexus vehicles are all fitted with Australian steel springs. I think that speaks for itself, and they do it for a very good reason.

Member - Ash replied:

moggs,
I've got a pathfinder 97 and recently tackeled simpson, gunbarrel, canning stock route and back via anne beddel hence we were pretty laid down with spares and fuel. Before leaving I got the polly airs installed and they were absolutely fantastic, they kept the ride high and ground clearance right no matter what the load.

I thought about the tank too, but the trade off was too big, what to do with the spare and did I need the extra tank when I returned. Not to mention where to put the spare for city driving, there good when the're tucked away under the car. Expense wise 5 jerry's will cost you $150 and the tank was about $1300. The tank also put all the weight behind the rear axels (not where you really want it) where as with the jerry's you can put them in a more central position in the car for better handling. Oh yeah, puncture that spare tank and you could really be up the creek.

Good luck with trip and hope this is of some help

Steve replied:

Moggs: the Polyair and the No Bull are completely different units !! The Polyair are inflated and pressure can be varied according to the load , the No Bull have not got this facility.... it is a replacement Bump Stop and is a very different unit and should not be compared with the Polyairs.....I have a set on L/cruiser and give them a hiding, albeit looked after with regular pressure checks and they are the best (and cheapest) mod that I have on the unit !! THEY ARE FANTASTIC.... I had them fitted, even though I could have done it myself and am delighted I got 'them' to do the job !!

Steve replied:

OZIEXPLOR is like a Wombat , full of hot air, piss and throws dirt at everyone !!

Now ..The Polyairs are air bags that are put inside your coil springs and inflated to a suitable pressure to maintain ride height... these are what I have fitted . As often as you check pressures in your tyres is as often as you need to check the pressures in the Polyairs.. If you don't care about your vehicle, tyres etc you wont have any problems , just dont go too far into the Outback! The other thingos are units that stop the vehicle thumping down on the axle over heavy rough roads and do nothing for ride height in the normal course of the day..Under a full load the car sits at normal ride height sitting on these air bags and bottoming out the suspension never happens... your handling under full load is improved and I have found them to be .....etc !

A pair of Polyairs fitted are around $400 , this of course varies with the vehicle and which size you need ! Call them up for a quote !!

wazza replied:

Moggs,

I've got a '93 80 series which I bought second hand 2 years ago. The guy before me towed a van twice around Oz and had them fitted a couple of years before that. He swears by them. I can't fault them either and am running them with heavy duty OME springs on the rear. Makes the car handle heaps better through the corners with much reduced body roll and this is with a loaded roof rack. I run about 15-18 psi in them. Never run them below say 10psi as this is where some people may be getting their's damaged. Gives a little extra lift in the back end when no load in the back. Not much, but half an inch or so. Just stops (reduces) it squatting when you do load the thing up.

Wazza

Moggs replied:

Steve/Wazza, seems I might have to reconsider - thats two pretty strong recomendations for Polyairs. I might have mis-stated myself earlier - I do check tyre pressures - its just that by nature I may have to resist the urge to check the airbags for chaffing / leaks (if I fit them) every time I get out of the vehicle. I was quoted $480 by ARB Northern to fit them to the Pathfinder - but the more I read about 'them' the more I'm inclined to take my $$ elsewhere. Moggs

Axel + Karen replied:

Moggs,, as some previous said ,dont take Oziexplorer as a source of information,, must be his Phd gets in the way that he cant tell the difference between a yellow bump stop [no bull ] and a red air bag,, polyairs are the go,,easy to fit ,when not fully loaded keep at least 5psi,,stops chaffing and subsequent wear..Axel

Goran replied:

Ok. I don't want to spark any controversy here with my comments, but i just have to set something straight. Polyair or any other inflatable spring helping devices are only suitable for towing and carrying loads over reasonably smooth roads. They are not suitable for desert traveling over corrugations and similar extreme conditions. Thing about it for a minute. By fitting them you are preventing the coil of working as designed therefore you are transfering vibration to a next weak point which happens to be chassis. Diferent rate springs (suspension upgrade) is the only answer if you intend to travel extreme tracks. In early October we run into a bloke in Nissan patrol near well 37 CSR. He had them on. and he had very reasonable load on board. You should see the damage. It was not worth welding up. Chassis was cracked over a meter in lenght .
My mate did CSR 2 years ago and seen the same thing . Polyairs....no thanks. Only if i tow a caravan around oz.

ExplorOz Team - David replied:

For my part I must agree with Goran on this one. I have seen several vehicle's in and around the deserts with cracked chassis or upper suspension towers torn off the vehicle and the only common item I saw in every vehicle was polyairs with what appeared to be to much air in them. Every one of my sightings (and the number grows with every trip) has not been towing and the drivers had said they put a bit more air in to compensate for the load. So if you must not put to much air in them when loaded and say you springs are not capable of handling the load without them then what use are they. What more can I say, I am not wanting to start a debate either, but for my money I get the right spring and shock combinations for the vehicle and load (even if towing). Spend the money on your correct suspension setup and let the springs and shocks do the job they are indended to do (unless you are pulling a large van on the main roads, and even then use ride levellers or similiar).

The other thing to think about is that when the bags compress the air forces the bag between the springs and actually puts pressure on the sides of ths coils effectively pushing them out sideways (coils only of course). This cannot be good for the springs as this is not catered for in the springs design and manufacture.

If you have them fitted and are happy then that is fantastic and you are obviously using them correctly, however they are not for me.

David

Rick replied:

Moggs,

Poly Airs seem to be a recurring thread. I recall participating in a number of postings re same about 2 months ago. Could I suggest a search for this topic?

I have just fitted the No Bull system. Too soon for any judgements off road or loaded. I previously have had Poly Airs on 4wd's and 2wd's and they are good, did the job for me. However, on some of my mates' vehicles thay have not been successful - punctured bags occurred.

But the No Bull are designed to work differently. You remove existing bump stops & relace with these. It took me about 45 minutes per side. I have H/Duty TJM springs as well. As David (EplorOz David, I mean) says, design the system for your needs.

As a matter of interest, the Hema maps vehicle, a GU Patrol, has No Bull units fitted, as well as after market suspension.

Cheers
Rick.