Air Compressor Kit Question

tenscourts · October 3, 2016

FYI. Firestone advertises kits 2591 and 2592 which include the F3 wireless system yet I was told the basic F3 system doesn't support a tank. So I called tech support and asked how I get the ECU from the 2591 and 2592 kits. They aren't available yet. They are expected by end of year but no date yet. Just passing the info along.

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Rock1500 · October 4, 2016

I've done a few systems like you have described... what kind of budget were you thinking about for this?

It might be easier to break down each part of the system separately... then put it all together.

For example, you want an on-board air system that you can use to fill up tires, fill your air bags, etc... So you need a compressor, a tank, a pressure switch, relay, hoses/tubing/fittings, and a wiring harness with a fuse or circuit breaker. The relay controls the compressor, which is activated when you turn on the ignition and the pressure switch on the tank says you need air in the tank. (Just like a typical air compressor in your garage.) Start your truck, the ignition tells the system to go active, and the pressure switch keeps your tank full automatically. From the tank, run a line into your bed with a typical air hose disconnect. That way you can carry a 25' hose and run various tools. (Air chuck, blow off tool, etc...)

Now that we have a tank of air available, now all we need to do is be able to add/remove air to the bags. Did you want to control both rear bags together, or independently? Both are easy, but the latter requires more controls.

Assuming you want to control both bags together, you need two solenoid valves, each with their own control relay: One adds air to the bags, one lets air out of the bags. The values are normally closed, and when you apply power to the relay, they open. So now you just need a way to control them.

The simple way is momentary switches. Push the "up" switch, and the up relay opens the up solenoid valve, which allows air to enter the bags. Remove your finger from the switch and it stops. Want to lower the rear? Press the "down" button, which powers the down relay, which opens the down solenoid valve and lets air out of the bags.

You mentioned a wireless remote control... this is relatively easy, too. You already have everything in place above, so now you just need a remote control that can mimic pressing the two buttons.

You can buy many of these parts individually and build your own kit... and you can install it yourself, assuming that you have some basic mechanical and electrical skills. Do a Google search for air suspension parts and you will find a ton of info. AirBagIt is one place that had probably everything you need to do this project... and not all that expensive, either.

Let me know if this helps, or if you need additional information.

Mark

Interesting setup. How much space would this take up? Where do you normally locate the compressor and the tank?

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Fasthotrod · October 5, 2016

Interesting setup. How much space would this take up? Where do you normally locate the compressor and the tank?

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Depends on the equipment you buy, and the type of build...

I bagged a Chevy S-10 back in the 90's... put a shell on the bed, walk through conversion, and convertible hard top. That had a compressor under the hood, a five gallon tank in the bed on the drivers side in front of the rear wheel well.

I helped a friend with his Ford F-150 system. We put the compressor behind the front grill, and mounted a cylindrical tank on the outside of the frame rail under the bed. The truck had been lowered previously but rode like hell, so he bagged it to try and gain some ride height and smooth out the ride. He had a wireless remote control system, but had some issues with the controls/manifold system. He had it replaced under warranty, but wasn't real confident in it. So he aired it up and drove to the local dealer and traded it on a 4X4.