Installed AirLift bags

[G-922514]

I ran mine with the tubing down and just poked a little hole through the rubber piece sitting at the bottom of the coil for it to go through. I believe you can see the OP ran them the same way.

squeezing the bags isn’t too hard if you follow the installation recommendations.

Very good - thanks for the quick reply! Wish me luck.

 

[Denf]

I ran mine with the tubing down and just poked a little hole through the rubber piece sitting at the bottom of the coil for it to go through. I believe you can see the OP ran them the same way.

squeezing the bags isn’t too hard if you follow the installation recommendations.

Awesome - thanks for the quick reply.

 

[machtig]

I ran mine with the tubing exiting from the bottom as well.

 

[Martin Kodiak]

I just ordered airlift #60904 to install on my Telluride as well. Says they will be delivered on Monday so it looks like Tuesday is booked racking my knuckles.

Thanks to @machtig for doing the legwork on this project. I tow a largish trailer and the back does sag though the trailer tows fantastically.

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[2020Telly]

I haven’t pulled the trigger on the order yet. I’m a little concerned about the durability of the hoses. I did find one online review video where the guy replaced the plastic hoses with thicker pneumatic ones.

But he installed the hoses attached on the top. I would think the recommendation by @machtig to feed through the bottom is better since the movement and compression of the spring is going to affect the hose more on the top.

 

[Denf]

Also..., where did you gents end up mounting the inflation valve?

 

[2020Telly]

Also..., where did you gents end up mounting the inflation valve?

I would also like to hear location. I was thinking on the plastic of the rear bumper hidden underneath but I would like to put it in the fuel fill compartment to hide it but make it accessible.

 

[machtig]

I’ll take a photo when I get home but it’s on the gray part of the underside of the bumper, just off center to the drivers side. When squeezing the bags between the coils I’d make sure it’s well lubed with straight dish detergent and then mist it as you work to keep it very slippery. Use blunt objects to help jam them in there. Make sure there are no burrs or anything on the tools you use to do that.

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[Denf]

Hey Fox 6699, I got mine installed. I put the thicker spacers on the bottom. There's still a fairly good gap between the top of the Airlift bag and the upper most portion of the coil housing. Is this how yours is as well?

Did you use both spacers?

Thanks.

 

[Denf]

Update; I see now where the gap I mentioned was just due to the Telly being up on jacks. Once I dropped it down off the jacks, they then fit like a glove. I used just the the (2) thicker spacers at the bottom of each bag. OK, I'm a mostly in shape 60 years young, but with some arthritis in my hands to deal with, I too had a heck of a time trying squeeze these things into the coils. So, here's a tip (though it might not be recommended by Airlift... :^) I wanted to try to make the air bladders more pliable. I first tried to soak them in some hot water for about 20 minutes - didn't do the trick. So..., as crazy as it sounds, I actually placed them in an oven, set to 'convection' at 200 degrees. Kept them in for about 10 minutes. After that, they were a LOT easier to place. I still used a spray bottle of soapy water, but it literally only took me minutes to get each bag in place. Again, I'm not sure that Airlift would sanction this method, but I have to say, I was prepared to throw in the towel & give up before I tried this. Also, as others have pointed out - the bags seem very robust, so I didn't think 10 minutes at this heat would do them any harm. Once completed, I went for a test drive - all good. Also, I did install the heat shield over the exhaust pipe on the side near the air hose. After seeing the YouTube vid of the failure (which I believe he said was caused by one of the lines melting due to contact with exhaust.) I also installed the air inflation on the bottom of the bumper through the plastic section. Seems very secure. Hope this helps anyone else who might try these! I too will give updates periodically as time goes by, with my 'long term' results. My only concern is the air lines. I also ran mine through the existing holes in the frame/swingarm assembly. I fear that just due to regular suspension movement. over time, these might begin to wear. I left plenty of slack, and tried not to make any tight corners. Thanks again to the others here that have forwarded links & info.! Never could have done this (or even attempted) w/o your help.

 

[machtig]

Good job Denf! I put my valve here, just in case I ever decide to install the Kia tow hitch.

 

[Denf]

I’ll take a photo when I get home but it’s on the gray part of the underside of the bumper, just off center to the drivers side. When squeezing the bags between the coils I’d make sure it’s well lubed with straight dish detergent and then mist it as you work to keep it very slippery. Use blunt objects to help jam them in there. Make sure there are no burrs or anything on the tools you use to do that.

Matchtig - just want to confirm for my own install - did you use a (4) supplied spacers?

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[machtig]

I have two thin spacers left.

 

[Martin Kodiak]

Getting ready to install these, but while my box says 60901 My air bladders are clearly labeled +6136. Hmmm

Well thats part of the problem. They sent 60901 not 60904 These are 3 inches X 6,5

 

[Martin Kodiak]

Getting ready to install these, but while my box says 60901 My air bladders are clearly labeled +6136. Hmmm

Well thats part of the problem. They sent 60901 not 60904 These are 3 inches X 6,5

Currently on hold again.

 

[Martin Kodiak]

Alright I figured it out. They did not send me the wrong product, they just had a picking label that was close to the actual kit # 6091 instead of 60904 ( or 60901 which is a slightly smaller kit. The actual bag # in kit 60904 is 46136. A bitch to get in the springs but doable with dish soap and water and wooden prying tools. I found the handle to my rubber mallet to be especially coercive. I will do a full writeup soon.

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[Denf]

Quick update. OK, so I installed the Airlift bags and we ventured off on our first towing excursion. We have a 2020 K-Z Escape travel trailer. The 'dry' weight is 3300 lbs., tongue weight of 360 lbs. I'll cut right to the chase - we're selling the Telluride. Granted, we gave it quite the first dry-run test through the hills of WV. That, and then heavy rains on the day driving home, made it very apparent that the Telly is really not up to the task. It always felt strained and the stability was not very confidence inspiring. We also had noticeable front wheel spin once the rain began. Also, we averaged 10.2 MPG, and it rarely ever dipped below 3300 RPM (or higher than 6th gear) and had to drive the entire trip with the AC off. I never ventured about 65 MPH. (Our Telly is a FWD - maybe an AWD version would fair better). I estimated that our total weight with gear inside and a full water tank was around 3800 lbs. - well below the max 5000 lb. rating. IMO, I think Kia is very 'optimistic' rating this vehicle at a 5k tow rating. BTW - I had the Airlift bags inflated to the max 35 lbs. and the Telly was still dipping pretty low. Going today to look at the 2020 Ford Ranger. A real shame, as my wife and I both LOVE the Telluride, and I feel it was overall (sans towing!) the best vehicle we've ever owned. >>> Also >>> I would STRONGLY recommend that anyone towing more than 2,000 lbs. have the factory hitch welded to the frame, in addition to the 8 bolts that normally attach it. This was a recommendation from the RV shop, and seems like a prudent bit of additional safety advice.

 

[2020Telly]

Quick update. OK, so I installed the Airlift bags and we ventured off on our first towing excursion. We have a 2020 K-Z Escape travel trailer. The 'dry' weight is 3300 lbs., tongue weight of 360 lbs. I'll cut right to the chase - we're selling the Telluride. Granted, we gave it quite the first dry-run test through the hills of WV. That, and then heavy rains on the day driving home, made it very apparent that the Telly is really not up to the task. It always felt strained and the stability was not very confidence inspiring. We also had noticeable front wheel spin once the rain began. Also, we averaged 10.2 MPG, and it rarely ever dipped below 3300 RPM (or higher than 6th gear) and had to drive the entire trip with the AC off. I never ventured about 65 MPH. (Our Telly is a FWD - maybe an AWD version would fair better). I estimated that our total weight with gear inside and a full water tank was around 3800 lbs. - well below the max 5000 lb. rating. IMO, I think Kia is very 'optimistic' rating this vehicle at a 5k tow rating. BTW - I had the Airlift bags inflated to the max 35 lbs. and the Telly was still dipping pretty low. Going today to look at the 2020 Ford Ranger. A real shame, as my wife and I both LOVE the Telluride, and I feel it was overall (sans towing!) the best vehicle we've ever owned. >>> Also >>> I would STRONGLY recommend that anyone towing more than 2,000 lbs. have the factory hitch welded to the frame, in addition to the 8 bolts that normally attach it. This was a recommendation from the RV shop, and seems like a prudent bit of additional safety advice.

Wow thank you for the feedback. So sorry to hear about your experience. In the interest of fully understanding your setup, did you use any weight distribution system to move more weight over the front axle?

 

[machtig]

Denf,
You need a weight distribution hitch with sway control. Why did you need to keep the A/C off? A properly setup hitch would make a night and day difference.

 

[2020Telly]

Denf,
You need a weight distribution hitch with sway control. Why did you need to keep the A/C off? A properly setup hitch would make a night and day difference.

Properly configured weight distribution, sway bar and maybe even tires with better traction. Wider tires may help too. The OE tires are 245mm, going to a 255 or 265 wide tire with better traction and proper weight distribution might be a huge help when towing in rain.