bellow style airbags?

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:27
ThreadID: 87702 Views:5718 Replies:8 FollowUps:13
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Have been looking into airbags for my nissan patrol gu ute as it's carrying alot of weight and have been told that the bellow style airbags are the way to go.
Have been quoted $525 delivered. Has anybody else got this style of airbag, are they good, reliable, easy to install etc.
Any input would be appreciated
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Reply By: snoopyone - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:38

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:38
What make are they
AnswerID: 460543

Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:13

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:13
Not sure yet Snoopy, just a store on ebay recommended fitting that style of air bag and quoted.
What do you recommend for quality makes?
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:54

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:54
Before you do anything do a search on Nissan GU utes and wagons cracking the rear shock towers off when fitted with HD springs and or airbags.
Very expensive fix in a remote area.
AnswerID: 460545

Follow Up By: Member - Alex B - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 22:32

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 22:32
Hi VB, Peter is right,
I just had my cracks repaired last week, fortunately I got them early and cost around $2K to repair and had the shock towers reinforced
If you are carrying a lot of weight I would get them done before they crack.
If you are in Melbourne it's worth talking to Aaron from Atoc Auto ; http://www.atocauto.com.au/Product_SpringSeat.htm . I found him very professional and knowledgeable - wish I had found him earlier!

BTY I have PolAir bags and find them excellent.

Cheers
Alex B
Enjoy everyday, make your own luck & help a few along the way.

Member
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FollowupID: 734241

Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:18

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:18
Thanks Guys,
Do I take it to a suspension place to get them reinforced or a weld shop.
I live in Perth so unfortunately I can not use your recommendation unless their here as well.
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Follow Up By: The Original JohnR (Vic) - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:27

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:27
Yes, Alex, it pays to catch them early. I had to bend the spring towers back in our Patrol and used a heavy duty steel beam from side to side over the top, but even that has a bend in our ute.

Nothing had torn in our GU, but as Peter says, best to take the precaution before you go to remote areas. There are members who have had to get their GUs trucked home to get them repaired before now!
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Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 14:13

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 14:13
We were on one trip where a Patrol suddenly lost its brakes when the towers crushed the brake lines between them and the floor, then the fuel lines started leaking as they and the brake lines go over the top of the spring towers. A huge job to sort out in remote areas.
To do it properly on a wagon it really needs to have the body lifted off the chassis.
Like Toyota and others Nissan refuse to acknowledge there is a problem but later models do have gussets to help prevent it.
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Reply By: racinrob - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:55

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:55
vbdaniel. Many years ago I fitted the red PolyAir bags inside coil springs to my HZJ 75 'Cruiser to carry a 1 tonne slide-on camper and while they were good they eventually died. I then upgraded to the bellows type PolyAir bags and couldn't believe how much better they were, no body roll, vehicle sits level and with a much better ride.
They are easy to fit and at half a grand go for it !


rr
AnswerID: 460546

Follow Up By: Michael A (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:19

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:19
I use bellows on my Troopy and they are excellent.
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Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:20

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:20
Thanks for your input guys, appreciate your time
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Reply By: Member - THOR01 - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:02

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:02
G'day vbdaniel
I have recently installed "Slam Specialties" slam bags into my 08 RA Colorado. After doing the research, I opted for these as the alternative bags rely on the original bump stops whereas the slam bags have an in-built bump stop which IMO is a safer option. They are rated at a higher PSI and can handle heavier loads. As far as price, they work out about the same as the conventional bags such as Polyair. I had a compressor and tank installed which allows me to adjust the height internally. I bought mine from Air Ride Suspension - Bayswater Vic. These guys mainly supply the low-rider enthusiasts such as chevs. The guy that installed mine has a 67 - 68 Chev ute (fully restored) with NO springs - just slam bags. My opinion only.
http://www.airide.com.au/product_info.php/cPath/1_5_21/products_id/29
Nick
AnswerID: 460547

Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:22

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:22
Thanks Thor, I'll check it out.
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Reply By: skulldug - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:42

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:42
VB,
I have passenger side airbag with in built voice guided navigation. Down side is that you can't switch it off. Up side is that you aren't allowed to get bogged. You also have to buy them a B&B every couple of weeks and find a good restaurant more often than that. I couldn't live without her!
Skull
:)
AnswerID: 460550

Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:44

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:44
A couple of good wines and a massage usually quieten them down pretty quickly.LOL Bob.

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Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:09

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:09
Yeah already got one of them Skull, cost me a bl**dy fortune.
Then she made 2 that sit in the back.
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Reply By: Will 76 Series - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:09

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:09
G'day VBDnaiel.

I have had the bellows airbags fiitted to my 76 series for three years and tow an outback camper. The Bellow airbags have been excellent and I fully recommend them. I let them down to about 20psi to get the wagon in the garage and for trips you can put upto 100 psi in them.
I run mine at about 50 with the camper fully ladened. It levels the vehicle and there is no sway.Well worth the money. I had the poly airbags on a Jackaroo prior to the bellows but the bellows for heavier loads are far better.

Regards Will76
AnswerID: 460557

Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:23

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:23
Cheers Will, thanks for your input.
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Reply By: Bigfish - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 05:01

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 05:01
Bellows on my 97 troopy. Excellent. Made a big difference towing a heavy camper trailer. Purchased in Cairns 2 years ago and get a good work out where I live now. No issues and simple to fit. The first one took nearly an hour. The other side half an hour...you learn.
cheers
AnswerID: 460561

Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:24

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:24
Thanks Bigfish.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 21:16

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 21:16
Sounds like you have a leaf sprung Patrol, so it won't be the coil spring towers that will crack!! But the leaf sprung chassis will still crack forward of the front eyes. Bellows potentially put all the stress onto a section of the chassis that was not designed to take it. Minimize the load, minimize the airbag pressure (I never go above 20) and don't fit airbags as a substitute for decent springs.
AnswerID: 460653

Follow Up By: vbdaniel - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:31

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 13:31
Thanks for your time Phil.
I do have the coils on the back and have fitted Heavy duty springs and shockies.
It sat up very high until I loaded it up.
Unfortunately it is my work ute, loaded with tools, compressor, oxy set, fridge etc. so I cant really lighten the load and I'm carrying the load constantly as well.
Sometimes have to hook up a trailer.
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