Rear End Squat? Install These… Air Bag Kit

[Automate]

Thanks for that info. Are air shocks still made? Maybe replace the oem shocks with those?
I have a Hybrid on order, so I’ll need to find a solution too.

I plan to install the air bags on my Hybrid when it finally comes in. Most of the time the bags will have minimal pressure and therefore not effect on the suspension. When I have a heavy load the bag pressure will not be enough change the shape of the heavy factory springs. And with a heavy load I will not be making fast turns where the force-vectoring springs come into play.

Here is someone else that installed the air bags.
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...erculiner-bed-liner-and-air-bag-install.6346/

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[teh603]

Very good to know. And this is another reason the 4k tow package is worth getting from the factory instead of trying to aftermarket it.

 

[Mike]

Yes, the EB AWD and the hybrid FWD have very different rear suspensions. The AWD EB is setup to so the Air-Lift kit works great, but on the FWD hybrid (and maybe the FWD EB) the bags would change the spring's geometry and have unintended consequences. The spring's wonky shape is key to it's function.

I don't know if the FWD EB has the same rear suspension as the hybrid, but it probably does.

When I first saw the springs I thought 'what's up with those springs'? After researching them a bit, I am thinking it would be a bad idea to put air bags in them because the bags would seriously change their geometry, especially when the bags were inflated.

I'd love to be proved wrong because then I could use the bags to counter squat. As it is now, I have to find something else for my hybrid that I don't have yet. . . .

I doubt you’ll get squat if you are just loading a bike or keeping it at reconmended payload or tongue capacity. As long as you don’t level it.

I have Firestones on my F250 and timbrens on one my trailers but it’s really only when I’m borderline that they’re needed.

 

[Drew]

I have never owned any gas shocks but have typically steered away from them because of reliability issues, but, maybe those suffered from not being installed correctly.

https://www.monroe.com/technical-resources/tech-tips/air-shock-installation-tips.html

Thank you for the link, that might be the way to go. I’ll do some more research…

 

[Drew]

I plan to install the air bags on my Hybrid when it finally comes in. Most of the time the bags will have minimal pressure and therefore not effect on the suspension. When I have a heavy load the bag pressure will not be enough change the shape of the heavy factory springs. And with a heavy load I will not be making fast turns where the force-vectoring springs come into play.

Here is someone else that installed the air bags.
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...erculiner-bed-liner-and-air-bag-install.6346/

They’re working well for him too!

 

[Automate]

Very good to know. And this is another reason the 4k tow package is worth getting from the factory instead of trying to aftermarket it.

But the 4K tow / AWD actually reduces the carrying capacity of the Mav alone (without trailer) due to the extra weight of the AWD.

 

[BoboysTruck]

As soon as Airlift comes out with a kit for the Maverick, I will be getting it. I had it on a wagon and a minivan. Helped alot when they were loaded. No squating.

 

[Aherpa]

They’re working well for him too!

That link is for a EB AWD. I would expect the kit to working perfectly there because the springs are not force vectoring springs.

 

[Drew]

As soon as Airlift comes out with a kit for the Maverick, I will be getting it. I had it on a wagon and a minivan. Helped alot when they were loaded. No squating.

You mean for the Hybrid? Because they have one that fits the EB AWD. The “1000 Universal Air Bag Kit”:

 

[Mike]

A wagon and minivan are a lot different than a truck, even, hopefully, a unibody like the Mav

guessing it’s needed if you level but not if you don’t, as you should be working within existing rake/tolerances if you don’t overload.

 

[BoboysTruck]

Yes, for a hybrid.
I had the minivan loaded and the steering was very loose because of squating. It was hard to control. I'm thinking the Mav will be the same.

 

[Johnkn]

I have never owned any gas shocks but have typically steered away from them because of reliability issues, but, maybe those suffered from not being installed correctly.

No...

There are no reliability issues with gas shocks. The vast majority of quality shocks and struts are gas charged. The gas (vs air) and pressure help to keep the oil from aerating on heavy use and heat.


.

 

[Moby]

I did some research on the Firestone site . It looks like Coil Rite Part 4175 or 4182 may work . This is based on OP 3x8 bag size .The Firestones are 3.5 x 8.5 , But I don't have a truck to try it out .

 

[Aherpa]

No...

There are no reliability issues with gas shocks. The vast majority of quality shocks and struts are gas charged. The gas (vs air) and pressure help to keep the oil from aerating on heavy use and heat.


.

Sorry, I miss spoke when I said gas shocks, I meant air shocks.

 

[mattrsteacy]

Here's a good website to figure out how to measure your springs for the air lift universal set (which is available in a range of widths and heights), they have an image that's a guide to measuring. When you select the right dimensions, it will give you a part number as well:

https://realtruck.com/p/air-lift-1000-universal-air-bag-kits/v/ford/maverick/2022/

I'm also trying to figure out the best way to strengthen the rear suspension in my hybrid and have the same fear as a couple of you about affecting the function of the force vectoring springs. From the bit of reading I've done, the only function of the force vectoring springs is redirecting a bit of the vertical force horizontally to help reduce body roll. Someone (maybe on another thread) made the point that if they are transporting something heavy and need to inflate the airlift bags then they would already be taking it slow and not taking any hard corners, which may be a safe enough conclusion. Here's a good PDF link to some more info on the force vectoring springs as well:

https://www.mscsoftware.com/sites/d...-innovative-suspension-design-using-adams.pdf

Anyway, I'm posting to share these links but I'm also just looking for more opinions on how or if the in-spring airlift airbags will compromise the rear suspension/function of the force vectoring rear springs in the hybrid. Maybe the air shocks are the best option at the end of the day.

That being said - any tips on measuring for shocks lengths/range since no suppliers have shocks parts listed for the maverick hybrid yet? I would need to know this to replace my shocks with air shocks and/or I'm also trying to figure out how to get a 2" lift in the rear of my hybrid in a proper way.

UPDATE - another important note about replacing any of the shocks on the hybrid! I read somewhere that the only thing stopping the rear springs from basically falling out is that there is an internal stopper in the shocks that does not allow the suspension to open up past a certain point. Don't quote me for now but something to consider and further research if you are planning to replace the rear shocks.

Sorry if this was too long winded but I look forward to the responses.

Cheers,

Matt

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