Initial Setup

Initial Setup and Nuggets of Wisdom for Your Installation

TL;DR

For those that don't want to read, here is an audio file of this info.

We have spent countless hours listening to our customer's input on what worked and what didn't work on their installations. Every classic vehicle is completely unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to some questions about their suspension components.

We want to make the installation process as EZ as possible. So, let's get started.

1. Where do I start?

This is a common question we get. As a car person you may be thinking that installing the bags and brackets are the first step; because the results are visible. We get excited and want to see our ride's new stance. Well, we can tell you there isn't anything "wrong" with this line of thinking. But, there may be a simpler way to get the job done. You might try doing all of the plumbing stuff first.

Think about it; when a plumber or an electrician is working in a new building they don't install the toilets or receptacles first. They run all of the piping or cabling with a little extra at each spot where they come out of the wall. That means they always have enough pipe or wire to make the proper connections and ensure a solid function.

We believe the same about air ride. Run the air line first with some extra at each connection point. Then, when you install your bags, brackets, tank and gauges; you'll have enough air line to make your connections and you can trim at each connection point. If you need visuals on any of this stuff, check out our instructions page.

Nothing is more aggravating than pre-cutting and routing your air line only to realize you are an inch too short.

Once you do start installing all of the parts and pieces, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • We understand that some our air fittings come pre-coated with a thread sealant. As the saying goes,"...an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure..."; and we recommend using the Thread Lock even on these fittings. When using the EZ Thread Lock provided, make sure to not put the thread lock on the first couple threads of the bolt or fitting. The first revolution will push the thread lock into your system. This could cause a blockage in any of your components i.e. gauges, valves or bags. For further help visit this page.
  • Clean square cuts on the air line will maximize the sealing surface connection in the air line fittings. You can make square cuts with the tubing cutter included in the EZ Air Ride Survival Kit included with each purchase of an EZ Air Ride Kit.
  • If you are having trouble getting air line onto barbed fittings, just use a little spit or soapy water to lubricate the connection.
  • Speaking of soapy water. When you are checking your connections for air leaks, use a 4-1 mixture of water to dish soap sprayed on the connection to help discover leaky connections.

2. I've got everything installed, now what?

Congratulations! You just got through the hard part (if there was one). It should be smooth sailing from here on out. With a little patience and diligence, you can be enjoying your new EZ Air Ride kit very soon.

First things first...while you still have you suspension accessible, go through and check all of your electrical connections. Do all of the components get power? If they do, great! You can move on to the next part. If something doesn't get power that should, we bet that right about now you're glad you didn't put everything back together already. You'll need to fix any loose connections, possible bad grounds or improper connectors.

Now that electrical is out of the way, we can move on to checking the plumbing. The absolute most important part of the checking the plumbing is the Initial Fill Up of the system. This is where you will find any air leaks unclean cuts or incomplete connections.

The question we get most about this is..."How long should my compressor run?"

The answer: "It depends".

On the Initial Fill, we encourage our customers to use a larger-capacity compressor like what you might have in your shop or at a gas station. That's why we include the Spare Air Kit with every EZ Air Ride kit. The Spare Air makes the Initial Fill much EZer. Just connect your external compressor and fill away. And once you have your system filled, the Spare Air becomes your on-demand onboard air supply. Using the Spare Air on the Initial Fill helps ensure you don't accidentally fry your onboard compressor(s) by running it/them too long. That's not to say that the compressor(s) can't handle the load, they can. Ours are 100% duty cycle at 100psi. But, why put unnecessary stress on your components right out of the gate?

Not to mention, the Initial Fill is much like installing a new water heater in your house. You aren't just filling the water heater. You are filling all of the pipes in the house as well. Same with air ride, you are filling all of your air line along with the tank. Depending on the make/model of your car, the length (and volume) of your air line will vary. This makes fill time vary as well.

"Will two compressors double the fill speed?"

No, it will not double the fill speed or halve your fill-up time. While the process will be moderately faster, doubling the plumbing and electrical work is not worth the small gains a second compressor would provide. We have found that overall, one compressor is sufficient for our kits with many years of regular use. Granted, our Elite series kits have 2 compressors, but our Elite kits are tailored to our customers who want full, immediate control over their ride height at all four corners.

3. What else do I need to know?

You can always call us at (916) 337-2231 or email us if you need any further help.

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