Fitting a Euro4x4parts Air Suspension Kit

Text and photos: Alberto Guillén - accion4x4.es

Time required: 2 hours

Tools required: : 2 keys, #14 and #22, Allen-key #5, scissors or cutter

Because 4x4s are such adaptable vehicles, they are typically used under a wide range of different conditions. The load carried can vary widely according to usage. Sometimes a heavy load might cause the front end of the car to 'float' and loose grip because the the rear of the vehicle is bearing all the weight. To solve this problem, we're going to install a Euro4x4parts air suspension kit on a pick-up.

This kit includes everything you need for installation, we don't need a drill and there's nothing too complicated invloved. It contains 2 air springs, special brackets and all the pneumatic hoses and fittings required.

We installed the Euro4x4parts kit on a Mazda B2500 pick-up equipped with leaf springs, but the kit is available for almost all pick-ups and 4x4 vehicles. The installation only varies slightly for each type of model. For vehicles with coil springs the air springs are installed inside the coils.

1- The first step is to fit the upper bracket mount to the air spring. You can't go wrong here, it only fits in one position and is held by the two corresponding nuts. Fit the air intake nozzle and just make sure that it's parallel to the bracket.

2- Now fit the lower bracket. This is a flat plate that needs to be aligned with the upper bracket is held tight by the countersunk screw.

3- Remove the wheel and make sure the vehicle is well blocked.

4- Remove bump-stop mounting plate from the leaf springs on the rear axle.

5- Now we can fit the suspension kit. The end of the upper mounting has to slot precisely onto the chassis bump stop. The rear end of this plate is secured firmly in place with U-bolts that pass over the chassis and into the holes on the plate. Use the nuts supplied with the kit to screw everything tightly. At the same time make sure that the bolt that's holding the leaf springs together sits in the centre of slot on the lower mounting.

6- Make sure that the air springs are at least 15 mm away from any other mechanical part (tyre, brake hose, shock absorber, etc). If the ends of the U bolts stick out too much they can be cut down - just double check that everything fits perfectly before doing this!

7- Now refit the bump-stop mounting plate onto the leaf springs. Now repeat all the above these steps on the other side.

8- Next it's the air hoses: take one end of the hose and place the protective sleeve. Push-fit the hose into the nozzle elbow - don't worry, it will stay in place without the use of any tool!. The kit contains 2 inlet valves, one for each air spring. For this particular project we decided to join the 2 air tubes together using the T-connector (supplied in the kit) then use just one shared valve for two air springs. We secured the inlet valve in a conveniently protected place between the cab and pick-up bed using the washers and nuts (also in the kit).

Now for the test! With the air springs inflated to 0.5 bar (recommended by the manufacturer) the bed rose so we could see at a glance that the leaf springs were rather tired. With a 600kg load kilos the bed dropped down by about 4 cm.

With the compressor we increased the pressure to 2 bars but the bed was higher then we needed, so we decided to leave it at just 1 bar. This is more than enough to ensure that the front axle is taking its share of the weight correctly. The air springs can be inflated to a pressure of 7 bars. As you can imagine, the Euro4x4parts air suspension kit allows you have a perfectly suitable suspension solution whatever load your are carrying...

Euro4x4parts offers a big range of air suspension kits for all pick-ups, for recent models and older ones. We even supply them for leaf sprung Toyota Land Cruisers (BJ73, HZJ75 etc..)

Basic air suspension kit - 490€ VAT incl. The basic air suspension kit starts at 490 VAT Incl. We have them available for all kinds of pick-up and even the American ones!! We deliver them with installation instructions and of course you can always contact us by phone or email for further assistance.!

We also supply high capacity kits for extreme use and heavy loads (for example breakdown trucks)

The Air suspension - dashboard command kit available: from 290€ VAT incl

2 year guarantee

Euro4x4parts: the solution to all your 4x4 problems.