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I'd like to use this thread to ask questions about installing an air ride suspension and get help from all the gurus out there. Thanks.

1. It doesn't look like the kit I have came with any switches of any kind, how does the system normally go up and down? Is it possible to just buy a switch at Home Depot for now?

2. Do I have to upgrade the battery and alternator if I'm also running a carputer and 250 watt amp for the sub? As well as a 120 watt amp for the speakers?

 
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3. Can I hook up the system, use my factory alternator and battery to fill the tank, sit the car at normal ride height and leave it until I upgrade everything? I wouldn't play with it at all, just leave it where it sits. Would that hurt anything?

4. Where should I put the PSI gauges? Think the A pillar would be the best spot with a gauge pod?

 
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I'm not an air bag suspension professional, but some of the questions sound like electrical questions, which I'm a little bit familiar with. Someone else with more experience might be able to give better answers.

1) Switches are switches, they don't have to be airbag suspension specific. Although I don't believe that you will find the kind you need at the home depot. I'm pretty sure you need the kind that is 'normally open' and doesn't stay down when you press them, not to mention you need switches that have two circuits one for up one for down. If you're buying a kit, they should really come with it. I find it strange that It wouldn't.
2)You don't HAVE to upgrade the battery and alternator I definately would when you get some extra cash. It'll give you better amperage, and take the electrical load off of your car.
3)You could if you wanted to. I think it would be fine to use it here and there when the car is running, I wouldn't put on a 30 minute show with the compressor cycling and filling up every 3 minutes. I would imagine it would increase the duty of the alternator and possibly burn it out if you do it a ton. If you leave it, it's not going to hurt anything.
4)This is just a personal preference. I suggest putting it somewhere you can see easily. Pillar sounds cool. Glovebox is cool too. where-ev.

 
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Ok... Let's see if I can help you out... Yes, you can buy switches from home depot. But you want to make sure that they are momentary toggle switches. If you can find one with 3 stations it would work even better. (UP, stationary, DOWN). You could use a simple toggle switch, but it's not going to provide you with the control that momentaries will.

I do recommend that you upgrade the battery especially if you are running any type of a system. When my compressor kicks in there is a noticeable difference in power. After I got my Optima Yellow Top, I can run my 5 TVs, amp and subs, and my compressor at the same time.

As far as "leaving it at ride height". Not gonna happen. All bags have a slow leak. That's just the way it works. Depending on how severe your leak, it could be anywhere from a 9 hr leak to a 3 day leak, but you will have a leak. That's inevitable. As long as you don't go switch happy you'll be fine. I also recommend installing a kill switch for your compressor, especially if you are using an automatic pressure sensor.

Your gauges... That's your pref... Honestly though, because of the rigid nature of the air lines, it's going to be a bitch to mount them in the A piller. You'll be popping clips left and right. I have mine mounted on a bracket just above the cig lighter. It's only a single gauge but they make different dimension brackets. I recommend suicidedoors.com. They have a wide variety of parts. Feel free to hit me up if you have any more questions... I'd recommend emailing me. It's just easier for me to respond to...

 
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Ok, Here is the kit that You have.



Here is the screen/controller that should have came with it.





Now to try and answer You questions.

1. The screen it self controls the suspension, so there is no need for additional switches. You can use switches though just get 3 position rocker switches. Make sure that when You press the switch and let go that they return to the center.

2. Upgrading the battery and alternator isn't to bad an idea, although I never did it in mine while I had the kit, it's only going to help things. This also answers question 3.

If You look on the screen You will see that it gives You a read out for each bag. With that kit I didn't use the needle gauges either.

Now I see that You are running a Xenarc screen in Your car. It is possible to control the system by using phidgets connected to an I/O board connected to Your computer, so that You don't have to put both screens in.

And here's how I had it in my car

 
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DAMNNNNNNNNNNNNNN that vic looks sick dropped like that.... hows the ride feel driving around? rough or smooth?

 
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The ride was actually really smooth. It kinda "floats" on the interstate. Not good for cornering though. lol

 
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That's looks tight. I like that.

although that was the only reason that I didn't get bags, I like the performance cornering.

 
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Thanks, so you didn't upgrade your electrical at all? Are you running a system Gixxxer? I forgot to mention I didn't get the screen, he still has it. Thought I have a lot of harnesses still in the packaging, I figure they have something to do with the screen. I was thinking about eventually using the Fusion Brain unit they have at www.mp3car.com, and also contacting the Attorney General's Office again to let them know I didn't get it all.

 
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In every bagged EM2 it seems the front end never sits as low as the rear...

 
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More questions. What are these? I don't see where they fit into the install diagrams.

 
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Ah the Gonkulator pump and kanooter valves...

 
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haha you made those words up!

 
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Looks like someone got in over their head.

 
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Picture 1: Water trap
Picture 2: A circuit breaker
Picture 3: Washers and bump stops
Picture 4: An Elbow
Picture 5: A bearing
Picture 6: A wire harness
Picture 7: Something for the Front Right air bag.
Picture 8: A control module of sorts.

Done, WOW that was a hard test. DID I WIN?

 
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Actually I knew that much. I was just wondering where in the install they fit in. I pretty much have the whole thing mapped out how it's going to go into the car, just not sure about these. I'm guessing it's a lot of stuff for the screen I don't have.

 
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Water trap: goes between the tank and everything else.
Circuit breaker: Wires between the compressor and the +12volt source
Washers and bump stops: Goes on the shaft of the shocks
The Elbow: Goes on something for a handle?
The Bearing: Goes on something to prevent friction
The wire harness: IDK
The piece for the Front Right: Goes on the front right airbag, looks like the top.
Control Module: probably to the solenoids....

 
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The piece for the front right doesn't screw onto the strut assembly anywhere, there isn't a place for it. And on the other side it says, "Oil Press Sender."

So it needs oil too? I'm guessing I fill the oil bottle on the side of the compressor and put the Oil Press Senders at various points through the install. Which kind of oil do I use?

 
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The 1st pic is an air/water separator (Look at the picture I posted, it shows it mounted to the tank)

The 2nd pic is a circuit breaker. It mounts between the battery and the compressor

3rd is a bag of bushing and washers, use them on the rear where the studs for the new bell housing mounts to the body of the car.

The 4th pic, I have no idea. that doesn't even go to the kit.

The 5th is a bearing. You should have 2 of them they go on top of the new front struts when You mount it to the factory top hat.

6th looks like the main wiring harness for the kit, should just be plug and play.

7th is a sender there should be 4 of them all marked the connections on the bottom are positive and negative, the plug into the 4 blue solenoids

The 8th pic is the brain for the controller, the loose red wire needs to go in between the black and grey wires. If you knew how to wire it up You could use that on a com port on Your pc to control the air system

 
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Thanks, got it.
In the diagram I got that came with the kit it says this should be a 15 amp fuse. On the side of this circuit breaker it says 35A. Is this right?
Makes sense.
He's probably adding **** to confuse me. Kind of funny though. They're plastic so I didn't think they did anything.
I think I only have 1 but I imagine I can probably source one somewhere. How much you think it should cost?
To plug into where? I see nowhere on the kit this harness will plug in.
Actually there's 6 but 2 of them look like they were never used. And I don't see where they will screw into the blue selenoids but I'll look again. And I'll take another look at the picture you posted. Also.......4 blue selenoids? I only have 2.....and the diagram only shows 2.
Where do both sides of this plug into? Seems like I'm missing an important piece of electrical. Obviously the screen but anything else?

 
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1b. Also, looking at the picture you posted (again below) it doesn't seem like you have a check valve between the steel hose and the tank. But in the install diagram it says to have it there. I don't think I have that.

2b. I think the only thing I'm missing from this picture is one of the bearings and 2 couplers. One that goes between the oiler and the filter on the end of the compressor. And the one that connects the water drain to the tank. I imagine I can get these at Home Depot in the plumbing section.

 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gixxer View Post
7th is a sender there should be 4 of them all marked the connections on the bottom are positive and negative, the plug into the 4 blue solenoids
Actually there's 6 but 2 of them look like they were never used. And I don't see where they will screw into the blue selenoids but I'll look again. And I'll take another look at the picture you posted. Also.......4 blue selenoids? I only have 2.....and the diagram only shows 2.

After thinking about it I have a correction to make

The senders T off of the air line (the connection on top) and the wires connect to the white box that You had pictured. It sends the air pressure reading to the screen.

You'll have to forgive me, it's been a couple of years since I had this in my car so I'll have to remember where everything goes. Sounds to me like he pulled everything out of the bags and got it all mixed. I'll try top help the best I can.
There are 2 solenoids. 2 on each block

Look on the tank to see if the check valve is already installed. I know it "was" on there.

I don't think any of the wiring harnesses are going to do You any good without the screen

 
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Ok, here's another pic. Look on the end of the tank, that is the check valve.

 
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where did u get this kit....if i might ask..

 
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The kit originally came from AIM Industries/Chasis Tech.

DeX bought it from a user on the forums named Cocky

 
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how much did u pay for it if u dont mind me asking

 
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I paid a total of about $1100 CAD and shipping only took 9 months. The for sale thread is still here on the forums if you want to search.

 
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The original price for the kit was nearly $2400 US. The touch screen controller was $600 of that.

 
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DeX, any update on the install? If You need any additional parts, I would recommend contacting AIM Industries.

 
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Not yet. Since I don't have the screen yet, I'd need to pick up the Fusion Brain kit to hook it to my current screen. And I have 0 money until I start work so that won't happen soon. And if I did have money for it I'd pay Rufus first. So basically I'm stuck until I start working, I have to stare at it in a box. But I will contact the Attorney General again to let them know I don't have the screen still.