The Transporter T4 van is the shape of VW Transporter made and sold from 1990-2003. The later model of this was the T5 (see separate page) and the earlier model was the Type 2 (T3). The current model of Transporter is the T6. We offer air suspension for all three of these; the Transporter van is well catered for at AirRide, with both front and rear kits. This page is for the VW T4 van.
No Secret Squirrel from this air specialist. Please remember that we don’t do air suspension as an add-on to an existing business – we specialise. We didn’t go out and get a dealership from another company to tack onto our activities, leaving us with no idea how to fit the products or develop new items. We design air. We manufacture air. We sell air. If you want air for your T4 – come to a company specialising in air as its sole
activity.
All AirRide conversions retain the anti-roll bars, brake sensors and brake hose guides. They also don’t require you to cut away chunks of your hub, or use car shocks or tiny car airbags to get it lower. These kits are designed for comfort and road use. To remove these would be madness, would be dangerous, and would also in our opinion be illegal. We have full kits for both the front and the rear of the van.
The front end of the T4 Transporter has an unusual torsion-bar suspension. Because of this, many people will tell you it cannot be run on air suspension. This is not true. We have been installing air suspension onto cars, vans and motorhomes with torsion bars for almost 20 years. Torsion bars have never been a very good suspension medium but they are cheap and compact. 15 years’ experience installing air suspension in combination with a torsion bar never works particularly well.
The front end is a complex install and because of that it is classified as an advanced fit and definitely not for the beginner. The front conversion includes all the brackets you need (four per side) which allow an airbag to be mounted and the shocker relocated. This must be welded into place – this is not a bolt-on conversion and therefore not a five-minute job. We advise new ball joints when being fitted.
The front-end kit is offered in two options – either just the bags and brackets or with the brackets pre-installed on new arms and re-conditioned upper mounts.
If you cannot find exactly what you’re looking for, please call or email us for more information and we will try our best to help.
VW Transporter T4 van basic rear-end kit
This is a rear-end air suspension kit for the VW Transporter T4 van. The rear-end kit is very simple to install, using just four bolts on each side and is fully-reversible if required.
The basic kit includes the bags, brackets, bolts, valves and lines. Fixed basic kits are used on motorhome conversions with fixed loads and inflated via Schrader valves (tyre valves); nothing extra is required to get the kit working. Air management kits below are optional extras and can be bought now or purchased later as an add on. People building custom low-rider vehicles use different kits from those building motorhomes and those wanting to provide load support. Thus, we try and make all options available so people can make their kit meet their own needs.
VW T4 Transporter front-conversion kits
The front end is a complex install. The front includes separate bags – this is not a strut like the T5. The basic kits include an inflation-valve kit (no management system) or an air management system like those below. Please note – two air management kits are not a good way to spend your money – a complete kit will be cheaper.
This T4 kit will lower your vehicle to the lowest setting available on the torsion bars and lift from that point. The ride quality is not as good as the T5 or full air suspension conversions. It is a little choppy and a little sporty but if you want the ability to lift and drop at the press of a button, this can be achieved. The conversion also gets a little close to things and very careful installation is required to ensure a safe and reliable conversion.
VW T4 Transporter full air suspension kit
The full four-wheel air suspension conversion kit for the VW T4 Transporter fits all vehicles from 1990-2003. The rear-end kit is a simple bolt-on conversion at the rear, requiring only a few holes to be drilled, and can be reversed later if you trade your vehicle in (or lease it) and wish to fit the kit to a newer van later. This is not so for the front, which is more complex. Only the highest-quality components are used throughout, and are chosen for reliability over any other factor.
The basic non-management kit is just the front-strut and rear-bag kit without any compressor, controller or management. However, various air management options are available and the most popular is the basic kit which includes a manual controller. Other options include remotes, solenoids and computers. A really basic full air kit with non-management is also available. Twin tanks and twin compressors are also available as additional options. Please ask if you are not sure of your requirements. Non-management kits are commonly used on motorhome conversions.
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
For the ultimate in versatility the use of an on-board air supply offers the ability to lift and drop the vehicle at the touch of a button (including on the move). All basic kits come with Schrader valves (tyre valves), meaning that you can inflate the system anywhere you can inflate a tyre. This is fine for load-support kits, as with big vans and motorhomes using 'assistance' kits, but for those using airbags as the sole suspension (Vito/T4/T5), an on-board air kit allows adjustment for all variations of road, weather and load conditions.
This is the low-duty air management kit for irregular use. The compressor is rated at 15% duty cycle at 100 PSI, with a maximum of 120 PSI (air bags' max rating is 100 PSI). Appropriate pressure switch relay fittings and a small tank are included for instant adjustment.
Standard duty kit
For the ultimate in versatility the use of an on-board air supply offers the ability to lift and drop the vehicle at the touch of a button (including on the move). All basic kits come with Schrader valves (tyre valves), meaning that you can inflate the system anywhere you can inflate a tyre. This is fine for load-support kits, as with big vans and motorhomes using 'assistance' kits, but for those using airbags as the sole suspension (Vito/T4/T5), an on-board air kit allows adjustment for all variations of road, weather and load conditions.
This is the standard-duty air management kit for daily use. The compressor is rated at 100% duty cycle at 100 PSI, with a maximum of 200 PSI (air bags' max rating is 100 PSI). Appropriate pressure switch relay fittings and a small tank are included for instant adjustment.
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 T4's rear to help overcome grounding issues
✅ Level the front and rear of your T4, 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 T4
⭐ All the lines and fittings needed to fit the kit to your T4
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.