How to Choose an Air Suspension Kit

Air suspension kits offer a number of ride and handling options to choose from depending on your wants and needs. These kits can be used to augment your stock suspension system or replace it with a system that is fully adjustable for ride, handling or a custom appearance.

Kits available from companies like Air-Lift and Air Ride Technologies can be used to compensate for heavy-load conditions in your truck or SUV. The ability to level your vehicle when it is filled with gear, people or a combination of the two is a big safety benefit as it will improve the handling and braking of your vehicle. Vehicles carrying heavy loads wind up with headlights pointing up in the air instead of down the road. The leveling ability of an add-on kit can correct this problem as well as the issue of a "nose down" attitude for vehicles that carry snow plows or winches. In these instances, an add-on kit to augment your stock suspension will be a sound choice.

Kits are also available that replace most of your vehicle's suspension with and air-adjustable system that allows for a wide range of adjustability and suspension options. Air suspension kits can be tailored to how you will be using your vehicle. Whether it's drag racing, road racing, show car competition or someplace in between, air suspension kits can cover a lot of automotive ground. These complete kits are starting to be found in 4X4 and off-road trucks because of their ability to go from a lowered ride height for better stability to a raised one for more ground clearance at the flip of a switch. If you are looking to customize your vehicle in this way, a complete air suspension kit made specifically for your intended purpose will be the way to go.

Complete kits will include an air compressor, air holding tank, control unit, air lines, wiring and depending upon the type of system you get, air bags, air springs or air shocks. Some of the air shock-style systems offer adjustable shock valving for greater ride control if you are looking for improved handling. These air suspension systems offer a number of advantages over custom hydraulic systems mostly seen in low riders and custom cars such as lower cost, ease of installation, far less complexity and better ride.