Replace entire AirRide System or Convert to Passive?? - 2003 Denali

[aaron.cole02]

I have come to a crossroads with Delilah (every man should name their vehicles). Anyways, all of my air shocks are shot along with the compressor. Ironically the ride quality isnt that bad. My daily driver is a 98 Explorer Sport 5 Spd so anything is better than that. My question that I am putting out there is if I should do a complete shock overhaul or convert the system to a passive one. I do have 2 kids, their stuff and probably pull a trailer at least once a month. Typically with a pretty substantial load (At least 2000lbs).

I am not a fan of ass drag when towing either. Especially at night where the nose is in the air creating a terrible experience for oncoming drivers. The passive route would be a lot cheaper. However, because I tow pretty regularly I dont know which shocks I would go with if they are passive.

Any suggestsions?

 

[Ronzxcvb]

I'm in about the same position as you
once mine finally gets out of my garage was going to take it in and get an estimate for replacing original and for the conversion and decide from there
from what I have read most say to do the conversion with Bilstien 4600 or 5100 shocks and new rear springs

 

[Searay45db]

Gentlemen, I have completed the process. I stayed with Air Ride because doing it yourself is a lot cheaper, and easier if you know where to go. The Compressor, I originally put in a Dorman at $218 from Amazon, it failed the first 13 seconds. Not kidding. I switched to the Arnott Compressor. Much nicer, quieter, and cheaper. Will tell you where to buy at the end. For the rear, which is the main part, replacing the shocks is simple, so the money you put into spring labor and such is negated by the Arnott 2700's. These are premium shocks, much nicer than what your taking off. They have a warranty and when you ship them back, at their expense they give you another $50 bucks. it's a simple shock replacement. For the front, yes you will do a bypass their. I did go with Arnott, Reson again, is that these are bad boys. I love Billstein. You need the bypass sensor to fool the system. Arnott gives you these. You can buy this in a kit. I shopped around, Buy Auto Parts obviously with a dot com at the end, if you call them, they will discount this. It was worth it. Glad I did it.

 

[Ronzxcvb]

Scott how much did it cost?

 

[Rocket Man]

I also went the Arnott route using their premium rear shocks, it was around $600 I believe for the rear which includes shocks, compressor and dryer rebuild kit. It's an easy install. I tow with 26's and maintaining a minimum amount of fender to tire clearance is important. If it was to sag even 1/2" it would cost me an expensive set of tires.

 

[05Single]

I also went the Arnott route using their premium rear shocks, it was around $600 I believe for the rear which includes shocks, compressor and dryer rebuild kit. It's an easy install. I tow with 26's and maintaining a minimum amount of fender to tire clearance is important. If it was to sag even 1/2" it would cost me an expensive set of tires.

Were your original shocks bad or you just wanted all new ?

 

[Rocket Man]

Were your original shocks bad or you just wanted all new ?

My shocks were shot; blown airbags. The compressor was also shot.

 

[05Single]

Random question, does it mess up the air ride system if you turn on the truck while it's on a lift?
I remember the Lincoln town cars (and others) had a switch to turn off the air ride before jacking it up or putting it on a lift.

 

[Rocket Man]

Random question, does it mess up the air ride system if you turn on the truck while it's on a lift?
I remember the Lincoln town cars (and others) had a switch to turn off the air ride before jacking it up or putting it on a lift.

I have heard it could, so whenever I've had someone work on it I have them pull the RTD fuse. If I'm jacking it up I either do that or make sure not to turn the key on. If for some reason the shocks get aired up by mistake you can pull an air line to deflate them and then start over.

 

[retiredsparky]

Is it possible to go with an air bag setup in the rear and gas filled shocks? I have had air bags on several pickups and never had a problem with them. And they run much lower pressure. There are multiple brands available with auto-levelling available.

 

[Searay45db]

I did mine on jack stands. Wife would be pissed if

I also went the Arnott route using their premium rear shocks, it was around $600 I believe for the rear which includes shocks, compressor and dryer rebuild kit. It's an easy install. I tow with 26's and maintaining a minimum amount of fender to tire clearance is important. If it was to sag even 1/2" it would cost me an expensive set of tires.

It's now under $500 for new Compressor, whole thing and the premium shocks.

 

[Searay45db]

Random question, does it mess up the air ride system if you turn on the truck while it's on a lift?
I remember the Lincoln town cars (and others) had a switch to turn off the air ride before jacking it up or putting it on a lift.

Nope. Did it on jack stands. It has a max and then shuts off

 

[Searay45db]

Is it possible to go with an air bag setup in the rear and gas filled shocks? I have had air bags on several pickups and never had a problem with them. And they run much lower pressure. There are multiple brands available with auto-levelling available.

Nope, in fact they do not make the airbags for this suspension. It excludes the Z55 suspension. Coils are different. That is why it mades zero sense to convert to non-air ride when you can to the whole thing yourself for less than $500 and it's easy and the new shocks have a life time warranty. Also there is a $50 core charge, so actually it should run you about $450 complete.

 

[Searay45db]

Is it possible to go with an air bag setup in the rear and gas filled shocks? I have had air bags on several pickups and never had a problem with them. And they run much lower pressure. There are multiple brands available with auto-levelling available.

 

[Searay45db]

Again, nope. Read the other threads for answers

 

[Searay45db]

Scott how much did it cost?

$450 after rebate, everything new with life time warranty on shocks.

 

[adventurenali92]

I replaced all my air ride stuff in June. $380 for new premium rear air shocks from touring tech, a new a.c. delco compressor was 220, and air lines were about 20 bucks. I had my buddy's jeep shop do the work simply because they have badass lifts. Labor was like an hour. So it was easy to do and in my opinion it was worth it to maintain air ride for my needs.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Nope, in fact they do not make the airbags for this suspension. It excludes the Z55 suspension. Coils are different. That is why it mades zero sense to convert to non-air ride when you can to the whole thing yourself for less than $500 and it's easy and the new shocks have a life time warranty. Also there is a $50 core charge, so actually it should run you about $450 complete.

I got new springs ~$40 and (2x~$60) bilstein shocks. Autoride delete cost me ~$160.

I plan to install these bags. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CFO0G...UTF8&colid=PN4WFJCH69VE&coliid=I1RKB3JIE1MF5O

So half the price.

Maybe not the best option for everyone, but it works for me.

 

[2004yukonlover]

I replaced all my air ride stuff in June. $380 for new premium rear air shocks from touring tech, a new a.c. delco compressor was 220, and air lines were about 20 bucks. I had my buddy's jeep shop do the work simply because they have badass lifts. Labor was like an hour. So it was easy to do and in my opinion it was worth it to maintain air ride for my needs.

Where you get everything from got any links? Pictures?

 

[adventurenali92]

Where you get everything from got any links? Pictures?

I ordered it from eBay. Ill see if I can find links for you.