A D J U S TA B L E A I R H E L P E R S P R I N G S TOW AND HAUL WITH SAFETY AND COMFORTTM Kit Number 88286 INSTALLATION GUIDE For maximum effectiveness and safety, please read these instructions completely before proceeding with installation. Failure to read these instructions can result in an incorrect installation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Important Safety Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Notation Explanation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Introduction The purpose of this publication is to assist with the installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate air spring kit. LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate utilizes sturdy, reinforced, commercial grade single or double, depending on the kit, convolute bellows. The bellows are manufactured like a tire with layers of rubber and cords that control growth.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Installation Diagram N C J N J H L O I F K J J R O D Q P A fig.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate HARDWARE LIST Item Part # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 58496 03253 07990 11967 03267 11041 17215 17203 18427 18444 10465 17103 17134 17188 18433 18435 18438 21837 20086 10466 18501 18411 21230 21233 21234 34365 Description................................ Qty Bellows.................................................2 Lower Bracket...........................
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Installing the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate System GETTING STARTED 1. Raise the vehicle and support the frame with jack stands. Lower the axle as far as it can go. 2. Remove the Jounce Bumpers from the frame that are above the axle. ASSEMBLING THE AIR SPRING 1. Set the roll plates (D) on both sides of the Bellows (A). The radius (rounded edge) of the roll plate will be towards the air spring, so both ends are seated in both roll plates (fig. 1). 2.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Lower Bracket (B) Carriage Bolts (M) Flat Head Screws (G) Attach the lower bracket to the bellows with the carriage bolts on the same side as the air fitting. fig. 3 SETTING THE ASSEMBLY IN PLACE The assembly with the emergency brake cable bracket mounts on the driver side. Install both sides together throughout the installation (not one at a time). 1. Set the clamp (E) into position under the jounce bumper strike plate that is welded to the axle (fig. 4).
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate 2. Set the driver side assembly in place over the axle. The “tabs” that are on the outside of the lower bracket will index under the jounce bumper strike plate (fig. 5). NOTE It may be necessary to pry the bracket into position. Lower Bracket Tab inserted under jounce bumper strike plate that is welded to the axle. fig. 5 3. While setting the lower bracket into position, insert the lower bracket carriage bolts into the holes in the clamp (E).
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate 4. The upper bracket will set under the bottom frame flange. Lift the axle up just far enough for the upper bracket to touch the frame. NOTE The upper brace also fits under the top flange of the frame (fig. 7). Brace on upper bracket fits under the top of the frame flange Bring the axle up so that the upper bracket just touches the frame fig. 7 5.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate 6. Align the bellows by moving the upper bracket inward or outward and by moving the bellows forward and back so that the bellows is perpendicular to both brackets. Then tighten the upper bracket mounting bolts to 31ftlbs. 7. Raise the suspension back up to stock ride height. Make sure bellows is still aligned. Push the emergency bracket (F), on the driver’s side only, as far forward as possible and tighten the upper bellows mounting bolts securely. Do not over tighten.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate INSTALLING THE AIR LINES 1. Choose a convenient location for mounting the inflation valves. Popular locations for the inflation valve are: a. The wheel well flanges b. The license plate recess in bumper c. Under the gas cap access door d. Through the license plate NOTE Whatever the chosen location, make sure there is enough clearance around the inflation valves for an air chuck. 2. Drill two 5/16” holes to install the inflation valves. 3.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Option 1 Option 2 fig. 12 7. Cut off the air line, leaving approximately 12” of extra air line. A clean square cut will ensure against leaks. Insert the air line into the air fitting. This is a push-to-connect fitting. Simply push the air line into the 90° swivel fitting until it bottoms out (9/16” of air line should be in the fitting). 8. Install the minimum/maximum air pressure decal in a highly visible location.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate FIXING LEAKS 1. If there is a problem with the swivel fitting: a. Check the air line connection by deflating the spring and removing the line by pulling the collar against the fitting and pulling firmly on the air line. Trim 1” off the end of the air line. Be sure the cut is clean and square (see fig. 10). Reinsert the air line into the push-to-connect fitting. b. Check the threaded connection by tightening the swivel fitting another ½ turn.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Before Operating INSTALLATION CHECKLIST (To be completed by installer) Clearance test — Inflate the air springs to 60 PSI and ensure there is at least ½” clearance around each bellow, away from anything that might rub against them. Be sure to check the tire, brake drum, frame, shock absorbers and brake cables. Leak test before road test — Inflate the air springs to 60 PSI, check all connections for leaks with a soapy water solution. See page 12 for tips on how to spot leaks.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Product Use, Maintenance and Servicing Minimum Recommended Pressure Maximum Air Pressure 5 PSI 100 PSI MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES NOTE By following the steps below, vehicle owners will obtain the longest life and best results from their air springs. 1. Check the air pressure weekly. 2. Always maintain normal ride height. Never inflate beyond 100 PSI. 3.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate If the preceding steps do not solve the problem, it is possibly caused by a failed air spring — either a factory defect or an operating problem. Please call Air Lift at (800) 248-0892 for assistance. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. Will installing air springs increase the weight ratings of a vehicle? No. Adding air springs will not change the weight ratings (GAWR, GCWR and/or GVWR) of a vehicle. Exceeding the GVWR is dangerous and voids the Air Lift warranty. Q.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate GUIDELINES FOR ADDING AIR 1. Start with the vehicle level or slightly above. 2. When in doubt, always add air. 3. If the front of the vehicle dives while braking, increase the pressure in the front air bags, if equipped. 4. If it is ever suspected that the air bags have bottomed out, increase the pressure (fig. 2.4). 5. Adjust the pressure up and down to find the best ride. 6. If the vehicle rocks and rolls, adjust the air pressure to reduce movement. 7.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Choosing the Right On-Board Air Compressor System Add an on-board air compressor sytem to inflate and deflate your air springs with the touch of a button — from inside or outside of the vehicle. • For convenient, on-the-go control of your air springs, add an Air Lift on-board air compressor system. • Air Lift on-board air compressor systems eliminate the search for gas stations that have a working compressor, saving you time, energy and money.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Warranty and Returns Policy Air Lift Company warrants its products, for the time periods listed below, to the original retail purchaser against manufacturing defects when used on catalog-listed applications on cars, vans, light trucks and motorhomes under normal operating conditions for as long as Air Lift manufactures the product.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Replacement Information If you need replacement parts, contact the local dealer or call Air Lift customer service at (800) 248-0892. Most parts are immediately available and can be shipped the same day. Contact Air Lift Company customer service at (800) 248-0892, first if: • Parts are missing from the kit. • Need technical assistance on installation or operation. • Broken or defective parts in the kit. • Wrong parts in the kit. • Have a warranty claim or question.
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate NOTES 20 MN-847
LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate NOTES MN-847 21
Need Help? Contact our customer service department by calling (800) 248-0892, Monday through Friday. For calls from outside the USA or Canada, our local number is (517) 322-2144. Register your warranty online at www.airliftcompany.com/warranty Thank you for purchasing Air Lift products — the professional installer’s choice! Air Lift Company • 2727 Snow Road • Lansing, MI 48917 or PO Box 80167 • Lansing, MI 48908-0167 Toll Free (800) 248-0892 • Local (517) 322-2144 • Fax (517) 322-0240 • www.airliftcompany.
