air suspension for an expedition?

[hookdupexpo 10+ year member]

Hey, i see the ads for air suspension in the magazines for like 900, but I know that has to be too low. If any one could give me an accurate, but cheap price and the place they got it from for a 97 ford expedition, thatd be real cool. thanks for any input.

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[smullen 10+ year member]

Hey, i see the ads for air suspension in the magazines for like 900, but I know that has to be too low. If any one could give me an accurate, but cheap price and the place they got it from for a 97 ford expedition, thatd be real cool. thanks for any input.

Yea, your instinct it pretty much on... Way too cheap... That kit is eitehr al refurbished/used crap or all the cheapest lowest quality parts...

Just for an example, I'll list what you prolly need as far as the air system parts, not including the all the rear 4 link part as I don't know a lot about Fords...

For a decent speed system with pretty quick fill(up) and Dump (drop) speeds, you'll want the following:

2 - Viaair 450c Compressers 198.00 each (Chrome or Silver)

1 - Airlift 12 Gallon 150 PSI (8) 1/2" air ports (Black) 75.00

1 - 145/150PSI Presure switch (tells compressers when tank is full) 20.00

8 - 1/2" SMC Valves 35-45.00 each

1- 50' Roll of airline1/2" 35-40.00

All the Air Fittings for bags, valves, tank, comp, etc... 200.00 total

1- 10 switch, pre-wired switch box ( you can't build it and wire it this cheap) 50.00

4 - Air bags (depends on which ones you get, about 100.00 a corner)

- 4 Guage Power wire for Compressors (they draw about 23 amps each)

- few relays for the compressers, so you don't burn up your presure switch

- Lightning Audio 9 conducter speed wire to wire from switch box to valves

Guages, this is up to you, you can spend a little or alot, depending on how many you want and if you want digital or analog. I prefer digital as you have a sender with them that reads the PSI, you don't have to plumb additional airlines (that will crack and leak) into the cab to connect to the gauges...

You'll also, need to figure out how your going to do the front and rear. I myself went with Airride upper and lower A-arms (control arms). Which are designed to work with bags and not need to be cut up, plus let you lay lower and reation factory ride and correct steering geometry... NO negative camber or atleast really reduced. The complete kit for the a-arms ran me about 899.99 that included the arms, new shock mounts, shocks , the air bags and brackets, new poly-Bushings (for rides that are lifing and dropping a lot)...

If you were to buy the parts in the a-arm kit seperatly, its cost about 200-300 more..

For the rear, you'll need some type of Air over leaf or preferable a 4 link... The 4 link will cost more, but hold up better and have way more articulation.

I think the 4 link kit I'm getting ready to buy is like 699. Its pretty much the same concept as the above kit, with all the parts....

For labor, of getting it put on, you'll spend from 1500.00 to 2000...

By the time you are done, you'll have about 4-5K in the whole air setup...

Sounds like a lot of cash, but if you want to sit low, its the way to go...

PLus if you hit the spot pimpin your ride on air, People will flock to watch you hit the swtiches.... Once they hear that pssssht, pssssht, pssssht, pshhhhhhh, tehy'll come like mosquitoes to a Bug Zapper.... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/peace.gif.2db28b618ed8d1964ebbe2f5021d2c39.gif

If you have any questions I can try to be of some help, I by no means claim to be an expert, but I consulted two of the guys in our club who knew nothing about bags, on what parts to buy and helped them with some of the install (Switchs, valvs, guages) (shop did the underneath cutting, welding, running air lines and putting on the a-arms and 4 link... They both came out great and are very pleased...

I'm just jealous it was my idea for us to get our rides bagged and they beat me too it...

But they both have pretty tame audio systems and I have been buying all sorts a crap for mine, to build something somewhat wild vs. just working on getting bags...

If you do go to bag it, let me kow, I can tell you 3 good compaines to buy all yout stuff from....

And let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to help out...