Review: Air Lift 1000 Air Bag Spring Kit For Hybrid FWD

[The Real Maverick]

With 400 lb Tongue Wt and air springs at 25 psi.

With 250 lb in the bed at the time.

Sponsored

 

[Dad]

Definitely necessary when towing or hauling. When I hauled two motorcycles in the bed with gear, we were about 1200lbs out of the 1500lbs of payload capacity. The truck was able to handle it, but it didn't like going about 65mph. Adding the airbags made a notable difference, I wish I had done it sooner.

Thanks again for passing this along to members. Another reason why I love this club.

 

[surfstar]

I've added these to almost all of our vehicles over the last few years. SCUBA gear or camping and climbing gear was enough weight to cause an annoying sag on all these vehicles, while still not surpassing their cargo capacity:

2016 VW Sportwagon (and friends too)
2021/22 Prius Prime
2023 Sienna Woodland

OEM springs/suspension is not designed to handle a full load on most passenger vehicles!

The same gear/weight added to my Mav and there is negligible sag. Love it. We're not near 1000-1200+lbs loads, so I haven't installed the bags in my Mav yet (and hope to not).
Good info on the sizing to keep handy, though - thanks!

 

[BILLNOROVILLE]

My tailgate has the issue where the cable is too long so it's at 1-2 degrees below horizontal with my bed. I reinforced it two loops of 2mm Dyna X cord on either side to help keep it level and share the load with the cables. Keep in mind that the tailgate itself is rated for 500lbs, so it should be able to handle the dynamic load of two ADV bikes. The reinforcement was just being safe, mostly when we were climbing up and around it to strap the bikes down.

Between that though, we didn't have any issues with 2 sport bikes (I don't have the photo). I chose to leave the rope in place since it was thin enough that it didn't interfere with the tailgate operation so for the most part, I forgot it was even there.

I made some struts to re-infororce the tailgate check out my post.

Not sure is this will link to it but the words are there for a search.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/my-real-truck-can-haul-my-motorcycles-w-help-of-custom-metal-tailgate-support-and-level-struts.8694/#post-183981:~:text=My real truck can haul my motorcycles w/ help of custom metal tailgate support and level struts

 

[snowcatxx87]

Your mav looks like mine loaded for the track! Except mine is sagging a bit

the Packout, genny, warmers, chairs are being hidden behind the bike but you get the idea

 

[fishinmagician]

Great idea. I’ve had these bags in my old car a while ago but never thought of putting them in my Maverick.

I will def be installing these. where did you mount the air fill valve?

This might be a good chance to use that 12v wiring in the bed of the truck to have a dedicated little air compressor attached to the line so I can just adjust them with the flip of a switch

 

[Gunnar88]

My 22 KLR 650 and gear on a pallet. LAX to Phoenix running the required 85 mph with no issues. 750 pounds in the bed and another 550 of meat, blubber, and gear in the cab. its a bit squat but not that much.

 

[Maverick_Innovation_Designs]

Great idea. I’ve had these bags in my old car a while ago but never thought of putting them in my Maverick.

I will def be installing these. where did you mount the air fill valve?

This might be a good chance to use that 12v wiring in the bed of the truck to have a dedicated little air compressor attached to the line so I can just adjust them with the flip of a switch

I routed the valve through the top of the airbag, then across to follow the stock wiring to the hitch. It's there temporarily while I make a proper mount for it.

 

[Dean S]

I ordered the 4"x10" Universal Kit (60911) - which is DIFFERENT than the AWD kit which uses 3.5"x8" airbags

Any reservations with this kit? I was searching the web for a Fwd Maverick specific kit and came up empty handed, if you're happy with it I think I'll give it a shot.

Also nice use for the 3d printer.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Angelo]

Bump for the same question as above

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Bump for the same question as above

I sent AirLift an email over the weekend, looking to use the #60904 Universal kit for my Tremor, since I measure 8-1/4" perch to perch, but never got a reply. Maybe tomorrow.

Same bag part # as the Maverick AWD-spec kit, same 1/2" spacer, but includes an additional 1/4" spacer.

HRG

 

[Dean S]

Bump for the same question as above

I ended up installing the AIL60911 universal kit in September in my 23 Hybrid. Easy install and happy with the performance. It did make a really annoying creaking sound at very low speed bumps, like pulling into driveway, this went away after a few weeks but resurfaced this week after driving a few hours on wet expressway, not sure what that's about. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you I say go for it!

 

[Angelo]

I ended up installing the AIL60911 universal kit in September in my 23 Hybrid. Easy install and happy with the performance. It did make a really annoying creaking sound at very low speed bumps, like pulling into driveway, this went away after a few weeks but resurfaced this week after driving a few hours on wet expressway, not sure what that's about. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you I say go for it!

do you load your truck to the limit? its makes a noticeable difference? im between bags and the hd coils, but the coils claim a 30% increase in capacity. that doesnt seem like much.

 

[Dean S]

do you load your truck to the limit? its makes a noticeable difference? im between bags and the hd coils, but the coils claim a 30% increase in capacity. that doesnt seem like much.

I haven't loaded to the limit but had around 700lb in the bed, it definitely makes a difference. Aired up to the max the back gets raised and very firm, aired down ride is similar to stock. I don't think either option will change capacity as you are still limited by GVWR. I liked the adjustable nature and the fact that I could pretty easily remove them, if I was maxing out the payload on a regular basis I would probably swap the springs, more likely buy a body on frame truck.

 

[Maverick_Innovation_Designs]

Bump for the same question as above

Thanks for the bump, I wouldn't recommend the AWD kit since it is smaller. By the time it actually engages and provides notable support, the truck is already noticeably sagging. Based on what others have said on the forums, it seems like using the 8" bags to fill a 10" gap makes almost no difference.

If I were to do it again, I'd almost be tempted to get the 10.5" or 11" version (60912 or 60913). It's not on their website because it has been discontinued. With the 10" and spacers, I only notice a difference in static sag after ~400lbs in the bed.

Sponsored