Airbags are considered to be one of the best innovations for the automobile industry in recent years and that compliment is not overrated at all. But how much have we been able to use technology for our comfort in real life? I, instead of being an automobile expert bought the wrong airbags for my car and have seen many of my friends make the same mistake.
Not just in my personal life, but even in the store, I have seen many customers buy both front and side airbags without any knowledge of the product. So, after a huge amount of research and selling hundreds of top-notch airbags in the last 10-11 years, now I am capable of helping you with the necessary information to buy the perfect airbag. So here we will be discussing the good and bad of the best airbags for Chevy 2500hd.
Utterly important for smooth, constant ride quality, airbags are also called air suspension kits, air springs, or air bellows. These systems comprise a vulcanized rubber air spring at each wheel, an air compressor located in the trunk or under the bonnet, a compressed air storage tank, a valve block, an ECAS computer, etc. Purchasing the right airbag comprising all the parts in a well-built manner is a tough job and that’s why we are here. So, let’s dig in.
Top 5 Best Air Bags For Chevy 2500HD Reviews
No other suspension, from my experience of 10 years, have I seen gives the driver of a Chevy the ability to comfortably drive your car daily as Airlift’s products do. This market-leading brand allows you to slam it to the ground for a show-winning stance, or tear up your favorite race track, and all of these with the touch of a button and twist of a knob. Along with 5000 pounds of load-leveling capacity, the kit maintains minimum air pressure for ultimate ride comfort. With the help of the internal jounce bumper, the kit will help your Chevy to absorb shock and allow the springs to run safely with zero air pressure. Apart from that, every upper and lower mount is designed to ensure an exact fit for your vehicle. Airlift 88295 air suspension kit always includes tabs and brackets for brake lines and ABS wiring, just like OEM. If you are wondering the reason behind me praising this product so much is because, I have seen my friends use this very product for their Chevy 2500hd and the products impressed me with its proper weight distribution to all the tires and the way it improves steering, brakes and tire wear. Some of the common issues that I have seen my friends suffer with and then get solved using this kit are rough-to-ride, body roll, trailer sway, etc. Whenever towing a trailer, air springs permit precise vehicle height adjustment for exact alignment and eliminate the sway. My friends always talk about how the airlift’s progressive spring rate soaks up bumps and keeps their Chevy on the road for better handling.
1. Air Lift 88295 LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Suspension Kit
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2. Firestone 2250 Ride Rite Air Helper Spring Kit
In the last some years, one brand that I have seen my closest friends depend on Firestone blindly is Firestone. Their products, which I like the most are designed to maximize safe load-carrying stability and overall ride quality. As you all know, they are assembled and designed in the USA and this model 2250 ride rite is perfectly appropriate for your Chevy 2500hd.
The best thing about Firestone that I have seen my friends love the most is its technical quality. The Ride-Rite air springs utilize a pair of convoluted air springs, which you can adjust for changing loads. These air springs are capable of 3200 to 5000 lbs of load-leveling capacity.
If you want to improve the steering control and braking effectiveness, then I would suggest this 2250 Ride-Rite for your Chevy. These air springs can also level headlight beams and reduce wear, which will make everything easier for you.
As far as we have seen and know, the manufacturers and designers in Firestone always get every kit weighed to ensure component count and each air spring is pressure tested before leaving the factory. All the users that I have seen use this airbag have reviewed the product in two words, “Highly recommended”.
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Firestone 2250 Ride Air Air Bag Video Review
3. Air lift 88204 Lift loader 5000 Ultimate Air Suspension Kit
Another affordable and technically rich product from the house of Air Lift is the 882044 model which is famous for providing quick height adjustments to your performance vehicle. This fully adjustable air spring will level the vehicle when you will be towing or hauling a heavy load for a safe comfortable ride.
Some of my colleagues have been using this product for quite a long period now and the first thing they tell me about is its performance. They lam their vehicle at the show with this air suspension kit and easily clear the dumps all without even leaving their seats. Thus, for their busy, hectic life, this air suspension is a blessing.
For a great ride, these air suspension kits are always read, after they reduce the air pressure when unloaded. They will eliminate the sag, sway, and bottoming out. Alon with all these facilities, another great thing about them is you can install them with basic hand tools. These are the primary reasons to consider this product to be one of the top-rated Chevy airbags.
My colleagues who use the product boast about how it lets them enjoy the freedom of raising their Chevrolet over speed bumps, steep driveways as well as road obstructions with the touch of a simple button. Apart from my college friends, the general users love how Loadlifter 5000 kits from Airlift are the heaviest-rated kits for hauling or towing.
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Air lift 88204 Lift loader Air Suspension Kit Review
4. Vigor Air Spring Bag Suspension Kit
Vigor as a brand wins the hearts of automobile dealers for being especially strong and technically rich because we receive most of the positive reviews on these two criteria. I have been using this brand for last many years for my Chevy 2500hd and I couldn’t be happier with its modular design and performance which is designed to ensure improved safety and comfort.
If you ask me the reason behind leaving behind the renowned brands and using Vigor’s air suspension bag spring kits, my reply will be its advanced production technology, perfect fitness, and material quality. First of all, comes its Aluminium alloy cutting CNC, and then comes it’s high density and good heat dissipation.
The solid and durable material along with the shock absorption capability are great additions to the technical goodness. The icing on the cake are features like laser welding framing, sealing, filtering and throttling, and eliminating abnormal sound.
The airbag kits supply an additional 500 LBS of level load support just as the airlift load lifter and Firestone ride-rite.
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5. Firestone Red Label 2701 Air Spring Kit
We have already discussed the pros of Firestone’s produced air spring kit products but we haven’t yet talked about their Red Label products. Red Label by Firestone refers to the convoluted air springs that we sell to our customers with 1% confidence of getting a positive review. Firestone Red Label 2701 is such an air spring kit that we, in our automobile market, call the “toughest kit” manufactured yet in our automobile market.
What is invisible in the eyes of general users, but we, experts can see and appreciate is how the Red Label kits utilize high-strength steel alloy brackets and grade 8 fasteners. The enhanced coating works as a protector against elemental conditions, such as corrosive de-icing agents as well as salt spray. That’s the way it ensures the longevity of the product.
Different from most other highest-rated products in the market, this Red Label kit can handle up to 7,500 lbs and 150 PSI. Let us discuss the material of Red Label.
The same rubber used in commercial trucks around the world is paired with a commercial-grade cord which gives you added durability and performance. The recent customers of this product reviewed that they love how the kit brings a very noticeable and pleasant improvement in ride quality towing my fifth wheel.
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Buying Guide for the Best Airbag for Chevy 2500HD
An airbag or air suspension kit is not a very cheap investment. Aftermarket replacement airbags or air springs or air suspension kit is a serious long-term commitment and you can’t afford to put your car through any faulty products. That’s why we are suggesting you follow the basic buying tips to ensure that you are buying one of the best Chevy 2500hd air suspensions kits.
Not just the capacity and material quality of the product, but also the individual choices are extremely important when you are investing $200-300. So, what are the other things that are personalized and you have to think seriously about before making the final purchase? Let us find out –
Compatibility
Even if the product is from a renowned brand and perfectly fit for all the other models, you need to check carefully if that’s compatible with your vehicle. Under one single brand and even under the same sub-group, different airbags might be unfit for different vehicle brands and models.
So check if the product goes perfectly with Chevrolet 2500hd; not just Chevrolet, but also the model and year. Also, figure out the place where you are thinking of setting it in your car, before ordering the Air suspension kit. It’s not a “one-size-fits-all” type of device, so
Quality
After being ensured about the product’s compatibility and fitment, you need to focus on its quality and material and if you are comfortable with the design of all the parts that the kit is coming with. Check if the kit is capable enough to carry enough weight and provide protection from wear and dirt.
You also might want to know their durability and make an equation comparing the pressure that the kit is going to take in your car.
Installation and Instructions
As a seller of these kits, the highest number of complaints we receive is based on the installation issues the users face. If you are going to handle the entire replacement procedure all by yourself then, find out products that have a simple installation process and all the parts of the kit intact in the box.
Warranty and Customer Care
Along with checking all the written agreements regarding the installation process, you also have to be very sure about the warranty limit that the company is promising to provide. In such cases, people suffer a lot because of the negligence of the company’s customer care service.
So make sure that the product for your Chevy comes with a good warranty and the company you are buying from is open for sufficient time and efficient people are working there.
Airbags/ Air Suspension Kit – Maintenance
When you have installed your desired high-quality air suspension kit, you need to remind that the kit will require regular maintenance. For that you don’t have to follow any rigorous schedule, what you have to do is to check the important parts of the kit regularly.
First of all, you are supposed to check the suspension system of the vehicle, at least once a week to see if there are any leaks. Your airbag won’t stay inflated anymore if the lines or the bag is damaged or leaked. Moreover, it will make the compressor wear out fast. So, you need to call a mechanic immediately after such incidents.
The second rule to follow regularly is to check the parts of the suspension kit, like the lines and their connection or any of the hoses inside. A kit comes with different parts that work together.
So, if any single line
is not connected properly, which will hamper performance. Apart from these cautionary steps, cleaning the air bag regularly is a must step as well as trying to ensure that no debris, dirt, or dust hasn’t built up inside the kit. Also, as a sensible vehicle owner, you should get regular maintenance service by professionals at least once every six months.
FAQs About Air Bags Kit
Is it risky to keep airbags inside the car and use them?
No, it is not. You just have to put it at enough distance from the driver’s seat. There have been a few accidents all over the country but that’s just because of the carelessness of the drivers.
How do you know if I should buy a new kit?
Usually, a noisy, rough journey will make you realize that you need to get a new air suspension kit. When you feel sloppy handling while facing a bump or corner on road or notice an air leak or a shorted electrical component, you should check the system and decide if you need a new one now.
How much does it cost to get an air suspension kit?
Usually, the kits will be available for $350 – 400. But if you are taking professional help to get it installed, then it will cost you an extra $100- $150 so, ultimately the total cost will be around $600-700.
Can airbags really increase the weight rating of my vehicle?
Air suspension kits can increase the weight rating, though it depends on the model. Some of the airbags in the market can support up to 7,500 lbs but the truth is you should not surpass the load capacities of your vehicle.
What will happen if I try to drive the vehicle with a faulty or damaged air suspension?
Driving your Chevy or any other truck when the air suspension kit is broken might be very risky. When you realize that it is broken, you shouldn’t continue driving it like this because it might lead to permanent failure of the air compressor.
How to Install Air Bags on Chevy Truck
Final Verdict
To save your vehicle from rough journeys, noisy disturbances, and vibration, and enjoy a comfortable ride, an air suspension kit or airbag is one of the greatest inventions, that comes at an affordable price. To help you make the right choice, we have tried to answer all the possible questions and list the best possible options from the market.
While making the list of best airbags for Chevy 2500HD, we have realized that, along with providing the best names, it is necessary to explain the technical queries to the users. That’s why we have done that too. Hope you will be able to find the top-rated air suspension kits and enjoy flawless journeys every time with no bumps.
References:
- https://www.etrailer.com/faq-air-bag-suspension-choosing-perfect-kit.aspx
- https://www.tundras.com/threads/aftermarket-airbag-recommendations/
- https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/aftermarket-air-bag-recommendation/
- youtube.com/watch?v=Lj4RpCtGED4
- https://pacbrake.com/pacbrake-hp10206-vs-firestone-4193-vs-airlift-57289/
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