Christine

AirRide away

Orange car on a ramp

Our workshop and sales office will be closed between March 27 - April 10. This is due to staff going away to work on location for a TV project. The job involves a vehicle for which there is no existing air suspension solution and we're really looking forward to this challenge. That's all we're allowed to say about it, sorry! We hope we'll be able to share more details about the build in near future.

Orders placed via our website during this time will not be dispatched. Made to order kits will be dispatched once manufactured after Easter.

If you call us on 0800 772 0315 whilst we are away our call centre staff will take a message.  Please provide your name, telephone number, vehicle make, model, year and brief details of what sort of air suspension you are looking for. The call-backs will be very limited so customers are encouraged to email us at ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK instead. We endeavour to reply to your query within 48 hours, but cannot guarantee this.  If you are trying to install our products and require technical assistance then please put ‘Technical’ in the subject line.

Since we will come back shortly before Easter and AirRide is closed on bank holidays, we will re-open at 10 AM on Tue, April 11. We'd like to wish you all a Happy Easter and see you in a few weeks!

Posted by Christine

Universal kits

If it has suspension it can likely be fitted with air suspension! We offer over 1200 car kits and hundreds of van, pickup and motorhome kits - the biggest AirRide range anywhere - however, we get enquiries nearly every week for air suspension solutions for vehicles that don't have bolt on kits available.

For example...

Vauxhall Cavalier

1950s Chevy 3100

Suzuki Jimny

Honda Acty

1973 Ford Thunderbird

1978 Rolls Royce Shadow

Austin Maxi

1986 Leyland Tiger

As in everything, whether a vehicle will have a kit developed for it depends on supply and demand. It costs thousands to develop a kit and it can only be done if the manufacturer believes that there is a market for it. Luckily, we are a manufacturer ourselves and can make custom kits in our Norwich workshop. Price depends on the amount of work involved and customer requirements.

Alternatively, we can supply universal parts for customers who will do the installation themselves. Here we would like to make it clear that universal parts are not like an Oodie where one size fits most. Universal parts won't magically bolt onto the vehicle in question. They will require cutting, welding and grinding by the customer in order to fit. Each kit is put together following provision of vehicle details and will include all the components that we would use if the vehicle came to us for an installation. How close this gets you will vary from vehicle to vehicle but is usually around 70-90%.

For more information and quotes please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

Four link Suspension Universal suspension Kit
Posted by Christine

OEM air suspension repairs

Although our primary work is conversions, as an air suspension specialist we regularly work on all sorts of air suspension. For instance, this S212 came to our workshop to replace some OEM air suspension parts.

We have a penchant for Mercs, Land Rovers and Bentleys here at AirRide so we have a wealth of knowledge about factory air suspension on these vehicles although, of course, we service other vehicles too.

We can help with:

  • diagnostics
  • maintenance
  • sourcing parts
  • repairs

Our workshop is in Norwich, Norfolk - not to be confused with Northwich, Chesire as we seem to come up on air suspension specialist searches in the North East!

Unless we are super busy in the workshop or away doing film/TV/custom work, we can normally inspect your vehicle at short notice or even on the same day. Please note that OEM parts are not held in stock so customers would either need to leave the vehicle here or come back when the parts have arrived.

Need more information? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

Posted by Christine

Masters of Air

Got a Renault Master? Whether it's a commercial vehicle (left) or a camper (right), we have a range of air suspension solutions available depending on your requirements. We also do diagnostics and repairs in our Norwich workshop.

 

If you need to lift a sagging vehicle, check out our load support kits. Using the toughest bags from Boss Air, they are ideal for heavily loaded vans:

For X70 Master, Movano & Interstar (1998-2010) CLICK HERE

For X62 FWD & RWD Master, Movano & NV400 (2010-) CLICK HERE

Commonly used on: campers and motorhomes. Also used on: commercial vehicles that don't need lowering, but need support for existing suspension.

 

Need a rear kit that can lift and lower ?  Check out our

Renault Master/Movano Ultimate Rear Kit | AirRide (2010 – current) HERE

Commonly used on: ambulances, museum transit vehicles, aviation transport vehicles, wheelchair access vehicles. Also used on: recovery trucks, motorhomes, campers that need to be as close to the ground as possible for loading/unloading.

 

Interested in front air suspension?

Check out our custom made struts HERE.

Usually it is the rear kit that makes the most difference, however, each vehicle is different! Also, customers who need their vehicle as low as possible will benefit from front and rear air suspension.

 

All products are available with various air management options to suit your needs: from basic Schrader valves to sophisticated automated on board.

Need more information? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

White Renault Master Luton van and camper vans outside AirRide
Smith Removals Renault Master parked outside AirRide with staff of both companies chatting
Posted by Christine

AirRide Custom T5/T6 kit

The AirRide Custom for VW T5/T6 is one of our very best selling kits having been in production for an amazing 18 years in various evolutions! If you're looking for a comfy ride and want the option to lower the vehicle... you've found it!

Although not the absolute lowest vehicle possible this is the best kit in terms of robustness and comfort. The AirRide Custom uses some of the highest spec bags on the market. Loading is easier for sure and it has been used by lots of builders and plumbers wanting nice looking vehicle but also vehicles which can go to rough sites where roads may not have been finalised yet.

We've added some photos of a recent installation: our customer wanted to lower his T5 camper without compromising on comfort. After weighing the pros and cons of 3H (height +pressure) vs 3P (pressure only), he chose 3P. The 3P computer controller pack is our most popular air suspension management option. It is easy to use, allows to save up to 5 pre-set heights, making it so much more convenient to adjust pressure on the go. It is also the easiest and therefore lowest cost air management option to install. With only a few wires to connect, 3P saves you money on labour and maintenance costs as it reduces the chance of an air leak.

In terms of where to install air management parts, each VW Transporter is different so this is always discussed with the customer to find out their needs. Because space is usually premium, the bulk of our installations are hidden installations meaning the compressor, controller and tank don't take up any space inside the cab but are instead tucked away under the vehicle.

The AirRide Custom kit is available HERE.

Need more information? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

 

Lowered light blue VW Transporter T5 outside AirRide
Close up of a rear AirRide Custom double convoluted bag installed on a VW T5
AirLift Performance 3P wired controller shown on the driver's seat in a VW T5
Posted by Christine

Essen Motor Show 2022

AirRide staff are freshly back from the Essen Motor Show in Germany, which took place last week. It was a huge event and we're thrilled to have been there! Hundreds of eye candies in the form of custom vehicles, classic cars, trucks, bikes - we still got aching necks from all that looking around, lol! Apart from looking at beautiful cars, we also did a lot of networking and checked out air suspension solutions from competitors.

Apparently we made about 1500 photos in the last week, some of which you can see here, and we will also be sharing our faves on Instagram. Given how busy AirRide normally is, we really appreciated the chance to spend a week away from the Norwich workshop and attend a motor show. When a business trip feels like a holiday you know you're doing a job you love!

Apollo Intensa Emozion on display at Essen Motor Show 2022
Ford Ranger
Purple Aston Martin displayed at Essen Motor Show 2022
Lowered Mercedes W124
Purple Lamborghini displayed at Essen Motor Show 2022
Lowered Mercedes W126
Posted by Christine

Load support for Isuzu D Max

One of our recent installations... This flat back DMax is used for transporting equine supplies. It left our workshop equipped with a Boss bag load support kit + Premium On Board Air.

Why we use Boss? Boss bags are the toughest ones we know of, having been tested in the harsh conditions of the Australian Outback. They're great for heavy vehicles, superb for towing and are our go-to bags for pick-ups, vans and motorhomes.

Why fit air to a Pick-up? We supply kits for a lot of pickups for the same reasons they are fitted to vans and motorhomes - stability, towing, ground clearance, adjustability, handling and ride comfort under load. All are vastly improved which is why we deal with so many farmers, tree surgeons, gardeners, builders and renewable energy suppliers. If you have a pickup and notice how much worse itr rides under load then give us a call and see how air might help you.

For D-Max (2012-2020) Rear Kit CLICK HERE

For Isuzu D-Max 2021+ Rear Kit CLICK HERE

The D Max kits are among our best selling ones. We try to keep them in stock but please speak to us before ordering if it is urgent.

Need more information? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

2021+ Isuzu D Max outside AiRide
Boss Air Suspension kit installed by AirRide shown on a 2021+ Isuzu Dmax
Flat bed on a 2021+ DMax
Posted by Christine

Air suspension for Defender

Our pride and joy - the coil spring Land Rover kit! It fits the classic Range Rover, Land Rover Defender (90 and 110 etc) and Discovery I and II and is a full-conversion kit, for the front and back of the vehicle. To be clear, we are proud of all of our high quality air suspension products but there is something special about this kit which was honed to perfection here in Norwich over a course of several years. The result is stunning!

Our kit uses the toughest air springs on the market from Boss Air Suspension. We've seen competitor kits with reversible sleeve bags that can give a nice ride but they are very low specification and delicate. The bags we use are designed for abuse, and simply refuse to fail. They are tested to 1000 psi and 750psi in test procedures and don’t rupture at those levels. They are not usually damaged by over inflation and the rubber from which they are made is around 4 time the thickness of the competitor bags. The maximum in service pressure of our bags is 160psi, which is 60 psi higher than standard reversible sleeve bags. Given that you need to use 100 psi to fully lift the vehicle this means the bags are at 100% and at 200% if you drive at that pressure! Our bags have a massive safety margin and can lift the vehicle at well over double its usual weight (beyond its legal capacity).

Even things like air fittings that we use are of superior quality generally being made of metal for all but the collars and seals for the unions. After 20 years in this business we know what works and what is reliable and those are the components we use on our vehicles, on our installations and in our kits.

Our kit is a simple bolt on conversion, fully reversible, and the kit could be transferred to another vehicle if ever needed.

When it comes to air management we continue to use only the best. We use aluminium tanks which are lighter, do not rust and have a max working pressure of 200 psi. By comparision, some competitors use steel tanks, which have a maximum capacity of 150psi, and according to the manufacturer should be replaced every 2 years. The compressor is Viair 444C, an entirely metal heavy duty 100% duty cycle at 100 psi, and max pressure 200 psi robust full time suspension compressor. Beware of  competitor kits that use a low specification 12% or 15% duty cycle compressor with some plastic parts - it won't last!

To check out the kit CLICK HERE.

Need more information? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

Lifted 1997 Defender parked sideways outside AirRide workshop
Close up of a lfited front air suspension on a 1997 Defender
Lowered 1997 Defender shown parked outside AirRide
Posted by Christine

AirLift Performance Price Increase

First, we would like to thank all our existing customers for choosing us. We are a small, family owned business so your support is very important to us and it allows us to pour money into our local economy by creating jobs, doing R&D and keeping manufacturing alive in the UK, as well as offering products by all the best quality suppliers in the air suspension industry.

As a company, we strive to offer great products at fair prices and provide value for money all year round. For this reason, we try to absorb price increases before passing them onto our customers. However, there are times when it is not possible and we have to increase our prices.

This is one of those occasions. Due to unprecedented cost increase on raw materials and a weak pound against the dollar, the cost price for AirLift Performance products has gone up very significantly. New substantially increased prices will be effective from 29/07/2022.

Our bestselling ALP product is the 3P, which is normally sold in a pack with a compressor and a tank. It is our most popular air management choice, loved by both mechanics and customers because it is easy to fit, easy to use and with less chance for an air leak unlike more complex air management solutions, such as the manual paddle controller or solenoid packs.

Therefore, if you have been looking at any ALP products on our website we advise you to order now to beat the price increase!

Get in touch by emailing to ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK 

Air Lift Performance
Posted by Christine

AirRide Custom for T6 T32 4 motion

Do we have a Transporter kit for the T32? Yes! Do we have a kit that would fit the 4motion? Yes!

The owner of this beautiful camper van wanted to make travelling on ferries and going offroad easier. Because of the LVR body styling, clearance was a problem. We recommend our AirRide Custom kit with an upgrade to triple bags on the front. This kit uses Boss bags, which have a phenomenal load and great lift capacity. The Custom kit can also be used for lowering the vehicle as that is what most of our customers are after.

As with most campers, this was a hidden installation meaning the compressor, controller and tank don't take up any space inside the cab but are instead tucked away under the vehicle.

The AirRide Custom kit is available HERE.

Need more information? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

 

Close up of a lifted grey VW Transporter T6 front
Close up of a rear AirRide Custom double convoluted bag installed on a VW T6
Grey VW T6 T32 parked outdoors
Posted by Christine

NEW! Dunlop to Boss Upgrade Kit

If you have damaged or worn out Dunlop bags then this is the product for you! This kit is designed for upgrading from 7 inch Dunlop Bags to 7 inch Boss bags.

Why Boss? Their heavy duty bags are rated up to 160 PSI and are ideal for heavy vehicles that spend most of their life at the full rated weight - which is every motorhome! Very tough and tested in the Australian Outback, these bags are made to be abused.

This is a universal kit designed primarily to convert older motorhomes but can fit many vehicles and is an ideal starter pack to build your own kit.

More information available HERE.

Metal Adapter Plates and Air Springs
Posted by Christine

NEW! Load Support Refurb Kit

Air suspension kit laid out

We often get calls from customers with older motorhomes looking for replacement airbags. The brackets are still good but the bags have worn out. They have either bought their motorhome recently and therefore are not familiar with air suspension or have had their motorhome for so long that it is impossible to remember the part number.

Since there are about 10 000 airbags in common use we thought - let's come up with a new universal kit! It is quicker and easier than asking customers to send us photos with bag measurements or post the bags to us and then spend a considerable amount of time trying to match them.

Although designed primarily to convert older motorhomes, this kit can fit many vehicles and is an ideal starter pack to build your own kit. It will require fabrication and is classed as 'advanced fit'. If in doubt about fitment requirements please get in contact or get your installer to get in contact and we can discuss what is required.

More information available HERE.

Posted by Christine

Easter shutdown

The office will be closing at 5 PM on Thursday 14th of April and reopen at 9:30 AM on Tuesday 19th of April.

Automated in stock orders placed via our website during this time may be dispatched over the Easter period but if something is needed urgently please email us beforehand.

We know that many customers install products on weekends and bank holidays so if you require technical assistance then please email us at  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK using the subject ‘Technical’ and we will endeavour to reply to your query within 24 hours.

Happy  Easter everyone!

Easter eggs, chickens and flowers on a wooden background
Posted by Christine

PT Cruiser kit

PT Cruiser Air Ride full suspension pack laid out on blue background

Times change, things evolve and our kits are no exception. Therefore we have recently added new photos to our PT Cruiser kit, which has been in production since 2007 (when some other air suspension specialists were still at school).

Made to order, built in the UK here in Norwich and Available here!

Require more information? Get in touch by emailing to ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK 

Posted by Christine