So after finding a great deal on a fiamma F45s brand new on Facebook market place I started thinking.... I wonder if I can get air ride for the van?
Well after a few weeks of checking I bagged an AccuAir e-level set up with brand new never fitted front struts for £1500
The front struts are not the best by a long way, but they are brand new and I will use them until funds allow for a better set when I need them.
So all I needed next was some rear bags, Intermotiv here I come. Another £400
After getting the van on stands in the barn the work began...
I will just point out I have never fitted air to a vehicle before so it took 7 days..
Day 1 (5.5hrs)
The first day was fitting the tank, compressor and manifold set up.
Manifold tucked away under the rear passenger plastic at the back of the van.
Compressor and tank in place by spare wheel
Manifold fits nicely and will be protected when the plastic liner goes back up
Day 2 (4.5hrs)
Fitted airlines, height sensors and power cables.
Wiring for controller comes into van through step
Behind dash to control pad location.
Day 3 (3.5hrs)
Rebuilding dash, tidy wires and airlines
Day 4 (4hrs)
Strip front suspension, fit new Drivers side set up.
New bags fitted.
Found antiroll bar was hitting brake pipe flexi, had to replace with a longer one.
Had to do a bit of plastic trimming to get the tuck I wanted. And bend up the Center liner tab on the wing.
Homemade height sensor brackets for the front.
Day 5 (3hrs)
Fitted the passenger side and made height sensor brackets.
Front aired out
Day 6 (2.5hrs)
Strip rear springs and make rear height sensor brackets.
Day 7 (3hrs)
Fit new rear bags.
Rear aired out.
At this point I’m done I think. So I inflated all 4 corners max height and filled the air tank. Measured arch height to the floor and left it overnight.
Next morning all 4 corners were still at the same heights and the compressor never needed to top up the tank. Yey no leaks.
So run the auto calibration and a short road test.
Here is a shot aired out.
That’s basically it. I was a bit nervous having never installed air before but I’ve done it.
I will report back if I have any issues.
Approx 26hrs of work.
