The 1995 International Van of the year, The First Generation of mercedes Sprinter was know as the Freightline Sprinter in America and has proven so popular the shape and style has made a resurgence in recent years with new first generation spritners being sold in the contemporary Russian market under the guise of the Sprinter Classic.
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ALL ABOUT AIR SUSPENSION
What air suspension is, and why you should choose an AirRide kit
What is air suspension?
Air suspension basically involves replacing the metal suspension springs in your van with air bags, or air springs. This means you can set your van to any height you wish and constantly adjust the height of your van after installation and while on the road.
AirRide have been manufacturing and selling air suspension kits for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on supplying the very best kits available, with components chosen for reliability and safety. No-one else has our experience, knowledge of as many air suspension markets, or product range. We never compromise on safety to get costs down, and even our basic kits far exceed minimal functional requirements.
We are your go-to, one-stop-shop for all your air needs. Read on to get your van on air.
Full or rear suspension?
Kits for vans can either be full suspension or rear suspension. Full suspension kits, like most kits for cars, feature four air bags (one for each corner of the vehicle) and can be used to both raise and lower the vehicle.
Rear-end kits, otherwise known as load-support kits, are fitted to the rear of the vehicle only, in addition to the vehicle's existing metal spring. They are primarily used simply to lift the rear and bring it level with the front of the vehicle. They are ideal for vans that carry lots of load at the back and have, or are in danger of having, a sagging rear.
Safety
Specifications vary but safety never does! All our car kits:
- Are fully circuit independent, with four circuits, front, back and side to side. We do not offer two-circuit systems for cars, as they are neither safe or legal for road use
- Use the highest-quality, leak-free unions
- Include safety-pressure relief valves
- Includes an air tank gauge, if your kit includes a tank
AIR MANAGEMENT
Air works best with air management. Find out how to control your air here
Basic kits
If you’re only looking for something simple, we can still provide exactly what you’re after. If you want air suspension without all the bells and whistles, we offer single-axle bag/bracket or strut kits or basic Schrader (tyre) valve kits with no On-Board Air.
If you want a bit more but still don’t want solenoids or a computer system, you can opt for a Manual Paddle Control kit, which uses four electric-window-style paddles to control your air on each corner of the vehicle.
Solenoid kits
If you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated, you may want to install solenoids as part of your system. These are a little bit more complicated to install than a Manual Paddle Control kit or a computer kit, but they are more versatile and take up less space.
The speed of your air system depends on the size of solenoid you choose, meaning you can go for what you feel is right. Solenoids can also be used with electronic and remote controllers.
Computer kits
The best and most advanced way of controlling your air is with a digital computer system. There are several different computers you can opt for, depending on your budget, but most computer kits have several features not available with solenoids.
You can have computers that have programmable pre-sets, meaning you can change your ride height with one touch, computers that can automatically change your height to suit the road conditions, and some computers that can be used with a phone app – among lots of other cool features, depending on which system you choose.
WHAT'S IN A MANAGEMENT KIT?
Exactly what you get in the box with each air management kit
Manual Paddle Control (MPC) kit
This is the most basic management kit. It’s easy to install, has the least amount of kit to fit, is reliable and can be upgraded for more sophistication later. MPC kits include:
- Front and rear air suspension
- Four manual paddle controls (one for each corner)
- 100% duty cycle compressor
- Three-gallon (US) air tank
- Two dual-needle gauges (for reading pressure in the air bags)
- One single-needle gauge (for reading pressure in the air tank)
- An easy-to-fit airline (1/4")
- Leak-free fittings
- PRV, pressure switch, relay
Solenoid kit
The solenoid kit is also easy to install, albeit slightly more complicated than the MPC kit, reliable and can be upgraded to a computer kit later. Solenoid kits include:
- Front and rear air suspension
- Four electric suspension switches (one for each corner)
- Eight solenoids (can be upgraded to various speeds) OR four manifolds of two solenoids each
- 100% duty cycle compressor
- Three-gallon (US) air tank
- Two dual-needle gauges (for reading pressure in the air bags)
- One single-needle gauge (for reading pressure in the air tank)
- An easy-to-fit airline (1/4")
- Leak-free fittings
- PRV, pressure switch, relay
Computer kit
Computer kits are the easiest kits to install and still super reliable. They include:
- Front and rear air suspension
- Auto Pilot V2, AirLift 3P or AccuAir computer controller
- Three-gallon (US), 200 PSI tank
- 100% duty cycle compressor
- A computer display (which means no gauges are necessary)
- A phone app that can be used to control your air in or outside the vehicle
- An easy-to-fit airline (1/4")
- Leak-free fittings
- PRV, pressure switch, relay
AIRRIDE RANGES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
The types of AirRide kit available for your van. Each one offers something different
AirRide Custom
AirRide Custom is a range of kits that we build to order.
We have lots of Custom kits already listed in our ‘Shop’ section, but if you can’t find a kit for your car we should still be able to build a Custom kit for you – just call us or send us an e-mail.
Dunlop kits are load-support kits, meaning they are fitted in addition to your vehicle's existing metal spring.
These kits are only fitted to the rear of a vehicle. They are ideal for balancing out the excessive load at the rear of a van and preventing the rear end from sagging, or lifting it again once it has already sagged.
Dunlop kits are pre-made, not made to order like a Custom kit.
Advantages
AirRide Custom kits:
✅ Can be tailor-made to your vehicle’s exact specifications, meaning they should always be a perfect fit
✅ Can be made for almost any vehicle, no matter how rare
✅ Are made by us, here at AirRide, ensuring the highest-quality standards available
✅ Are designed from the ground up to ensure they work best with your vehicle. For instance, our T5 kits have specially-designed front struts to support a heavier air bag
✅ Offer a really smooth ride and much better handling than standard suspension
Whats in the kit
It’s impossible to say exactly what’s in an AirRide Custom kit because each one is made from scratch to suit your vehicle’s needs!
If you want to know exactly what you’ll be getting, either before or after ordering the kit, call or email us and we’ll be happy to tell you once we know your vehicle and any necessary measurements.
AirRide Custom is available with air management, but can also come with a basic Schrader valve kit. Schrader valve kits cannot be used to control your air from on board the vehicle, instead requiring you to re-inflate your system every month or so at a local garage or petrol station. This works fine with load-support kits but is not recommended for full-suspension kits.
Advantages
Dunlop kits:
✅ Are bolt-on bumpstop replacement, meaning they’re so easy to install any garage should be able to fit it, and you might even be able to install it yourself
✅ Smooth out harsh rides
✅ Lift your T5's rear to help overcome grounding issues
✅ Level the front and rear of your T5, improving handling and decreasing the effect of side wind by stabilising it
Whats in the kit
Here’s exactly what you get in your kit:
⭐ Two bumpstop-replacement air bags
⭐ Precision-made brackets designed to fit effortlessly on your Mercedes
⭐ All the lines and fittings needed to fit the kit to your Mercedes
Dunlop kits are available with air management, but can also come with a basic Schrader valve kit. Schrader valve kits cannot be used to control your air from on board the vehicle, instead requiring you to re-inflate your system every month or so at a garage or petrol station. This is not recommended for full air suspension kits, but is fine for use with Dunlop kits, as all Dunlop kits are only fitted to the rear.