FordCourier/Mazda Bravo rear air bags
Submitted: Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 09:21
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workhorse
I have a 2000 ford courier/mazda bravo diesel single cab ute and have been looking at getting some airbags to use when the canopy is on the back and loaded up.
I have looked at the Firestone bags (about $800) part number RR4567 and the polyair bags($300) part 75698.
Has anyone had any experience with the different bags or any comments on their use?
Thanks.
Reply By: Member - Tezza Qld - Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 09:50
Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 09:50
Far better going and getting a good set of two stage leaf springs made by a spring company set for the weights you wish to carry. First thing to do is load your vehicle to what you would normally take and weigh it. Then go see the spring company and discuss your requirements. My ute has a gvm upgrade so is pretty heavily sprung , but is still pleasant to drive empty.
Cheers Teza
AnswerID:
447971
Reply By: Member - Scooby (WA) - Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 10:28
Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 10:28
Hi Workhorse,
I have had Polyair bellows style bags in my Hilux for years and am very happy with with the way they work in supporting the load. There has been reports of chassis cracking with these bags and I believe that could be caused by overloading and running high pressures in the bags ( they will go up to 100psi)
I run 10psi unloaded and a max of 30psi with a load. The chassis is designed to carry the load at the spring hanger mounts so if the bags are pumped too high there will be a point load where the bags mount and next to no load on the hangers and springs.
Regards
Scooby
AnswerID:
447976
Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 10:38
Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 10:38
i looked at the Firestone units and went the cheaper ones, in my opinion it is the effort you put into fitting them, the MUST be lined up so when compressing they are still in shape ..... yes the firestone are most probally better but at double the price i could not afford it so the cheaper one were the go.. i waisted my money playing around with springs so blew it ....
Now wether you go springs or air bags that is up to you but on my car i tryed 2 different sets of springs and did all the "googlin" and looking at posts on forums and it seems that more are for going bigger springs and advise against air bags...... but believe me i took the advice and it did not work for me, the thing rides high when empty and low when loaded and if night driving you had to re adjust the spots, and rough as guts when empty...
Gave up, ripped out
the springs fitted std springs back and fitted air bags and it is far better, rides smooth empty or loaded, lights are always level and dont need adjusting all the time.....
Very heavy trucks and buses now have all air bags and are using it heavy duty off road use as
well......
Cheers
Joe
AnswerID:
447977
Follow Up By: Snoopyone - Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 12:51
Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 12:51
The airbags used in heavy vehicles are vastly different to Polyairs and are attached to correctly engineered fixing points.
They also dont run high pressures.
Ie buses that kneel, they pump up in less than 30 secs so only a low pressure.
Polyairs poked under a chassis point that is not designed for the stress they put on it can be fraught with danger.
However your vehicle your choice.
Cheers
T
FollowupID:
720328
Follow Up By: Tom C - Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 16:43
Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 16:43
Yes, I can back up what Snoopyone posted. I have used a set of airbags and found that they actually caused the chassis rails to bend at the chassis mounting point. With leaf springs the load is spread over two separated points on the chassis rail and the only load on the intervening portion of the rail is a negative load from resistance of the shock absorbers to the axle dropping under rebound. A reputable spring works should have been able to sort out extra leaves that will only come into weight bearing play when an extra load is put on the vehicle, allowing a comfortable ride unloaded. I have just had this done to my tent trailer for protection if hitting large unexpected objects and jt has prevented over extension of
the springs, during which I broke two main leaves. If you do use air bags, inflate to the absolute minimum necessary.
FollowupID:
720346
Follow Up By: workhorse - Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 18:14
Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 at 18:14
Thanks for the replies.
I agree air bags locate the load to a single point on the chassis as opposed to 2 from
the springs. My purpose would be to use them slightly inflated only when the ute has my light weight canopy on the back when travelling. Having comeback from a 4 week trip I noticed the front riding high and this lead to some wandering on the highway.
I dont normally carry very heavy loads, and if I do they are for short trips locally and comfort is not an issue.
I have looked at alternative springs but dont want to create too harsh a ride when unladen which is most times.
So wanting the best of both worlds I thought air bags used at low pressures only when on camping trips would give me that little bit of levelling and when unladen just deflate them.
FollowupID:
720361
Reply By: mynance - Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 22:54
Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 22:54
Hi my firestone airbags arrived last week from Trucksprings Michigan US, $137 AUD asnd delivered to my door in 11 days.
Myles
AnswerID:
448145
Follow Up By: workhorse - Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 23:06
Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 23:06
Can I ask what vehicle you have. I have emailed them with the part number I have here from Firestone but there seems to be some confusion as to its existence in the US.
At that price I would prefer the Firestone if I can get the correct US part number equivalent.
FollowupID:
720487
Follow Up By: mynance - Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 23:17
Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 23:17
NT Pajero 3.2 DiD LWB. We measured the length and diameter allowing for a 50mm lift and ordered one to suit as they don't sell the Pajero in the US.
Myles
FollowupID:
720488