Best Air Suspension Kits of 2020
Don’t you just hate the sound that your vehicle makes when you drive on dirt roads and the chassis gets scarped? The culprit behind this is the suspension kit of your vehicle. Heavy-duty vehicles that such as pick-up trucks that are designed to carry heavy weight are equipped with air suspension kits that provide stability and a boost in comfort.
Fortunately, technology has advanced and now you can install air suspension kits on all types of vehicles starting with sedans and ending with family vans.
Replacing the outdated spring coil shocks with an air suspension kit is the best way to make your vehicle more comfortable to drive and avoid scraping the chassis every time that you haul heavy objects.
If you are not sure what product to pick for your vehicle, then you have arrived at the right place. We have scoured the internet in search of the best air suspension kits and we are going to present them in the list below.
Best Air Suspension Kits of 2020
1. Air Lift 57538 Nylon Air
The Lift 57538 has an amazing 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon and there is a good reason behind that. This is one of the best air suspension kits that you can install on your vehicle and it features a load capacity of up to 7,500 lbs. This makes the Lift 57538 perfect for people who haul heavy objects daily and need to make sure that their vehicle is up to the task.
We have to mention that the load capacity stays the same, even if the kit’s airbags are inflated at 5 PSI or 100 PSI. Therefore, you will not need to check the pressure every time that you leave the house.
We have picked the Lift 57538 to be featured on the first spot on our list because it ships with a 7-inch double-convoluted bellows air springs. The 7-inch air springs are very durable and they are specially designed for heavy-duty tasks. To make things even better, the air springs deliver up to 20% more air spring volume than other air suspension kits.
The last thing that we want to mention about the Lift 57538 is that it includes roll plates. If you are not familiar with this type of vehicle parts, then you may be wondering why are roll plates so important?
The answer is that roll plates protect the air springs. Not only that, but the roll plates also help increase the overall load capacity by up to 10%.
Pros
- 7,500 lbs. load capacity
- Very durable
- Built-in roll plates for protection
Cons
- The price is high
2. Firestone Industrial Products 2582 Ride-Rite Air
Firestone is renowned for manufacturing durable parts for vehicles and the 2582 Ride-Rite Air is the perfect example of that. What many people don’t know is that when their vehicle drops at a lower level than usual due to a heavy load, the frame and base of the vehicle will be impacted as well.
This is where the 2582 Ride-Rite Air comes in and saves the day. This air suspension kit does much more than preparing your vehicle for heavy loads, it will also help improve the steering control and braking effectiveness.
This is a premium air suspension kit and it gives you the option to manually inflate or deflate the air springs from 0 to 100 PSI. Therefore, you will always be able to find the right balance to make your drivers more comfortable.
For example, you can inflate the airbags to around 50 psi when driving on bad roads so that the suspension system absorbs all the shock.
One of the biggest issues that you will have to deal with when hauling heavy objects is that your vehicle will start sagging. This is due to the tension that is caused between the frame and axle.
Luckily, this is not going to be a problem that you need to worry about after installing the 2582 Ride-Rite Air. The suspension air kit will soften the contact between the frame and axle. Additionally, Firestone is offering a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Improves steering control and braking effectiveness
- 0 to 100 PSI
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- The price is high
3. Air Lift 57204
On the third spot, we have another air suspension kit from Air Lift. This is a more affordable version of the previous Air Lift model and it features a load capacity of up to 5,000 lbs. The product ships with air helper springs so that you adjust the PSI to find the perfect balance when towing and hauling.
Safety is the number one priority when installing new parts to your vehicle and the manufacturers of Air Lift 57204 know that too well. This is why they have made sure that the adjustable air springs properly distribute the weight to all four tires, thus increasing the stability of the vehicle.
Since the weight is properly distributed on the four tires, the vehicle will feel more comfortable and safer when cutting sharp corners. Not just that, but driving on bumpy roads is not going to be annoying anymore. AirLift 57204 is highly versatile and the manufacturers are saying that it is the ideal air suspension kit for commercial trucks, utility trucks, ambulances and construction vehicles.
However, we do want to point out that the kit is only compatible with Chevrolet (Silverado 1500) and GMC (Sierra 1500).
Mounting air spring kits is not an easy task, especially if you don’t have the required tools to take out the stock spring coil shocks. Fortunately, the Air Lift 57204 comes with all the extra parts that you need for an installation process. According to the manufacturers, the installation should not take more than two hours.
Pros:
- Designed for heavy-duty use
- Highly versatile
- Ships with all the required installation parts
Cons:
- Only compatible with Chevrolet (Silverado 1500) and GMC (Sierra 1500)
4. Timbren DR1500DQ Suspension Enhancement System
Usually, people install air suspension kits on their vehicles for when they are planning to haul heavy objects or drive on off-road terrains. However, things have changed now because more and more drivers are realizing that the increased comfort and safety that air suspension kits bring is a “must-have” feature.
If you like joy rides on off-road terrains, then you are going to love the Timbren DR1500DQ. This is a heavy-duty product that features an impressive load capacity of 8,600 lbs. This means that you can haul anything you want with your vehicle and the chassis won’t hit anything on the road.
While the massive load capacity might be one of the biggest benefits that the Timbren DR1500DQ has to offer, this is not all that it does. You will instantly feel a major improvement in your vehicle’s stability and comfort after installing this air suspension kit.
You can say goodbye to the annoying sound that your vehicle makes when it gets bottomed due to hauling heavy objects and the floor ends up scarping the door.
Moreover, the air suspension kit includes all the components and parts that you need for the installation. This includes a detailed installation guide so that you don’t have to visit the mechanic’s shop.
Everyone can install the Timbren DR1500DQ from the comfort of their garage because the only hand tools required are basic ones such as a screw and a hammer for example.
Pros:
- 8,600 lbs. load capacity
- Increased vehicle stability and comfort
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Inflation gets lost when exposed to cold weather for long periods
5. DEDC Mercedes Air
Mercedes is one of the world’s most famous vehicle manufacturers. While heavy-duty Mercedes vehicles are amazing, there is one big flaw in their design. Changing parts on a Mercedes will put a big dent in your wallet but luckily, there is a way to avoid that.
If you want to upgrade your Mercedes GL up to 2012 or Mercedes ML up to 2011, then you should be pleased to know that the DEDC Mercedes Air is the best aftermarket air suspension kit that you can get and it comes with an affordable price tag.
The air suspension kit ships with two-car air springs that have been specially designed to maximize the comfort of your Mercedes. The cool thing about this product is that it can be installed on both the driver and the passenger side. Therefore, you can make sure that everyone who sits in your vehicle will feel comfortable and bumpy roads will never be a problem anymore.
What’s great about the DEDC Mercedes Air is that the installation process is fairly simple. The manufacturers are bundling the product with a detailed guide that will show you everything you need to know.
We should also note that the folks at DEDC Mercedes are so confident in the performances of their product that they are offering a one-year warranty. In the case that something goes wrong and the air suspension kit starts malfunctioning, you will get a replacement as soon as possible.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- One-year warranty
- Can be installed on both driver and passenger seat
Cons:
- Only compatible with Mercedes GL and ML vehicles
Air Suspension Kit Buying Guide
If the air suspension kits that we presented today are not what you are looking for or you don’t know which one to pick, then you need to consider the factors below to determine which air suspension kit is the best for your vehicle.
- The Installation Process
The first determining factor is the installation process of the product. Air suspension kits are generally difficult to install and you will need to visit a specialist. However, this is not the case for all of them. Manufacturers know that customers want to avoid spending extra money at the mechanic’s shop and some models are equipped with detailed installation guides and also additional parts. You can also check for DIY (do-it-yourself) video guides on YouTube and on car forums to help you with the installation process.
- Pressure or Height Suspensions
If you start searching for air suspension kits online you will soon find out that they are divided into two distinct categories. There are pressure-based and height-based air suspension kits. The pressure-based models are highly dependent on the air pressure because this allows it to adjust the springs in the right position. On the other hand, the height-based models are more versatile and they ship with gears that can be used to check for the pressure. Both models are great and you will need to decide which one fits your needs the best.
- Quality of Parts
Even though this factor is considered obvious, we have to mention it anyways. No one wants to purchase a part for their vehicle only to find out that it starts malfunctioning a couple of months later. This is why the quality of the parts is important. Purchasing an air suspension kit from a reputable manufacturer that has a great rating may be more expensive, but it’s going to be worth it in the long run.
- Vehicle Compatibility and Size
The last and most important factor that we want to present is the vehicle compatibility of the air suspension kit. Some manufacturers are creating products that are compatible with a certain type of vehicle, take the product featured on the fifth spot on our list for example.
After you check to see if the product is compatible with your vehicle brand and year, then you need to make sure that it doesn’t take up too much space. Each component of the air suspension kit will take up space in your vehicle and you don’t want the passenger to run out of legroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will air suspensions last?
The question that most people ask when it comes to air suspension kits is how long do they last for? No one wants to purchase a new kit every year and fortunately, this is not the case. Each air suspension kit model lasts for a different period. The rule of thumb is usually that the more expensive and more renowned the manufacturer, the longer the kit is going to last for. Generally, high-quality kits last for a decade.
Are air suspension kits good for daily driving?
As previously mentioned, installing an aftermarket air suspension kit on your vehicle is going to do much more than improve the vehicle’s weight capacity. These kits can also improve the handling of the vehicle and make them more comfortable. Therefore, the answer is yes. Air suspension kits are great for daily driving.
Not just that, but you will feel safer when taking corners because the vehicle will more stable than ever.
How often should I replace my shocks and struts?
While kits may last for around ten years, you will need to do some maintenance work. After all, these are vehicle parts we are talking about you need to invest money if you want them to keep running.
The shocks and struts are the only parts that you need to replace on an air suspension kit and manufacturers are advising that you do it at around 70,000 miles.
However, this also depends on how frequently you are using the vehicle for heavy-duty tasks. If you tow other vehicles or haul heavy objects daily, you may need to replace the shocks and struts sooner.
What are the signs of suspension problems?
If you are wondering if your car has suspension problems, then this is probably the case. If something goes wrong with the air suspension kit, you will start feeling every little bump when driving and steering the wheel will be much more difficult than usual.
Another factor that you should look out for is if the vehicle starts pulling hard to one side after you go faster than 20 miles per hour. Additionally, sagging is also a sign of a bad suspension.
Can you still drive with a broken air suspension kit?
If your vehicle is giving signs that your air suspension kit is going out, then you should make it your top priority to get it fixed or replaced. It’s not safe to drive with broken suspensions, especially long journeys where they will be put under pressure.
You can still drive a couple of miles to your local mechanic’s shop, but you are not advised to haul heavy objects because things can get bad really quick.
