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Airkewld
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2003
Posts: 3150
Location: Goodyear, AZ USA
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22711
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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 Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Airkewld wrote: |
| Our goal this year at the VW classic is to debut a Chassis that we are building for James. It will have full air ride, narrowed PRO Built Air Beam, 17" and 18" wheels laying out. We will showcase pictures when it is back in our showroom. |
When you guys produce a continuous self- levelling air ride system using a Type 3 beam, you'll have my undivided attention.
Think Mercedes 600 "Grosser" or 300SEL. 
It can be done, but none of you air ride hotshots has done it yet. Show me something that has actual purpose and function besides just an "all the cool kids are doing it" appeal. If you've ever driven a real pneumatic suspension car, you'll know exactly what I mean.
Will Airkewld be the first? Tune in next week... 
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| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 7:26 am Post subject: |
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| Tram wrote: |
| Airkewld wrote: |
| Our goal this year at the VW classic is to debut a Chassis that we are building for James. It will have full air ride, narrowed PRO Built Air Beam, 17" and 18" wheels laying out. We will showcase pictures when it is back in our showroom. |
When you guys produce a continuous self- levelling air ride system using a Type 3 beam, you'll have my undivided attention.
Think Mercedes 600 "Grosser" or 300SEL.
It can be done, but none of you air ride hotshots has done it yet. Show me something that has actual purpose and function besides just an "all the cool kids are doing it" appeal. If you've ever driven a real pneumatic suspension car, you'll know exactly what I mean.
Will Airkewld be the first? Tune in next week... |
I doubt it, at least using a type 3 beam. 
I tried telling Pete that over 7 years ago. 
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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Airkewld
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2003
Posts: 3150
Location: Goodyear, AZ USA
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 8:58 am Post subject: |
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| Tram wrote: |
When you guys produce a continuous self- levelling air ride system using a Type 3 beam, you'll have my undivided attention.
Think Mercedes 600 "Grosser" or 300SEL.
It can be done, but none of you air ride hotshots has done it yet. Show me something that has actual purpose and function besides just an "all the cool kids are doing it" appeal. If you've ever driven a real pneumatic suspension car, you'll know exactly what I mean.
Will Airkewld be the first? Tune in next week... |
I would be all for it Tram, but no one, NO-ONE will pay for a self leveling kit on a type 3. Accuair sells one and just the self leveling air management kit is $1700-2200 retail.
Secondly, the type 3 beam only allows for 4-5 inches of up and down movement (ball joints hold it back) and no currently available drop spindles (bert3 is the only one available) so investing thousands of dollars to make hundreds is not a smart business investment.
I thought you knew me, but I guess I was wrong. I did not develop air ride for beetle's because it's cool. That is the marketing of the kit. It was developed for ride quality. But how would i market ride quality? You would have to take my word for it. Now that is going to sell some kits right there. Showing a laid out VW, that get's people's juice flowing and sells the kit by that alone.
From 2006-2010 I drove a lincoln Navigator equipped with air ride and load leveling, it was the best ever as far as quality of ride and towing small stuff. So I am aware of it a little.
So, we will use a ball joint beam, Stock type 3 disc brakes, No cutting to the front end, unless you go with a different version of the kit and it will have 7.5" of adjust-ability and the ride will be perfect. So please, do tune it next week.....
Have a great day Tram. My balls are being busted daily.
_________________
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FAQ - https://airkewld.co/FAQ
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dpetteng
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2006
Posts: 353
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 10:02 am Post subject: |
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| cant wait to see what you guys are coming up with!!! |
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marchi
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2005
Posts: 646
Location: Abilene, Texas
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 10:18 am Post subject: |
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Saving my pocket change for this, FLamer would look sweet laid out!
_________________
I drive my VW or I walk
'70 Squareback
'21 Tiguan (daughters)
SOLD 
'69 Fastback (Flamer) |
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Erik G
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13270
Location: Tejas!
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 11:08 am Post subject: |
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for the person asking about punch drunk beams, please go check the buyer seller thread on him, and delivery times or lack thereof
Ditto AirKool-Aid. I know people that are waiting for their beams from him, yet he's on here and his site every day...
Don't drink the kool-aid, air shocks are not going to work well on the fron ot a type 3, you will not get good ride quality. You would be much better with a custom system, sopmething like squareonair has proven to be reliable and effective, and just from pics alon, worlds better in build quality and functionality. Check the picture of his standing 3 wheel on huge rims. No one else is going to get you that
agreed with tram. Ride quality is where it's at, and it aint all that with air shocks
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Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Type3Buddha
Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2013
Posts: 291
Location: Port Orford Or
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 11:14 am Post subject: |
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| I just inquired Square on Air yesterday for his 6" center bag beam!!! Maybe the blue bomber will no longer need 2" firestone air cylinders. Excited to see what is coming also out of AirKewld, gotta represent my hometown!! |
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Airkewld
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2003
Posts: 3150
Location: Goodyear, AZ USA
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Let's get some people who are running air shocks with out torsions to chime in on here about the ride quality.
Using shocks with torsions equals terrible ride. Using shocks with through rods equals smooth ride. If it rides rough, something else is wrong.
What does a 3 wheel on air ride ever equal build quality and functionality? It's cool, but don't assume it's the cats ass in ride quality. Ask him to GoPro that from inside the vehicle, that will dictate how the ride quality is.
_________________
TheSamba members-only discount - Samba24
Win a FREE Chassis Rebuild - https://airkewld.co/WinAChassis
Learn from a PRO on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Airkewld
FAQ - https://airkewld.co/FAQ
View our Industry Leading Products - https://www.airkewld.com/Products-s/2322.htm
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22711
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Airkewld wrote: |
| Tram wrote: |
When you guys produce a continuous self- levelling air ride system using a Type 3 beam, you'll have my undivided attention.
Think Mercedes 600 "Grosser" or 300SEL.
It can be done, but none of you air ride hotshots has done it yet. Show me something that has actual purpose and function besides just an "all the cool kids are doing it" appeal. If you've ever driven a real pneumatic suspension car, you'll know exactly what I mean.
Will Airkewld be the first? Tune in next week... |
I would be all for it Tram, but no one, NO-ONE will pay for a self leveling kit on a type 3. Accuair sells one and just the self leveling air management kit is $1700-2200 retail.
Secondly, the type 3 beam only allows for 4-5 inches of up and down movement (ball joints hold it back) and no currently available drop spindles (bert3 is the only one available) so investing thousands of dollars to make hundreds is not a smart business investment.
I thought you knew me, but I guess I was wrong. I did not develop air ride for beetle's because it's cool. That is the marketing of the kit. It was developed for ride quality. But how would i market ride quality? You would have to take my word for it. Now that is going to sell some kits right there. Showing a laid out VW, that get's people's juice flowing and sells the kit by that alone.
From 2006-2010 I drove a lincoln Navigator equipped with air ride and load leveling, it was the best ever as far as quality of ride and towing small stuff. So I am aware of it a little.
So, we will use a ball joint beam, Stock type 3 disc brakes, No cutting to the front end, unless you go with a different version of the kit and it will have 7.5" of adjust-ability and the ride will be perfect. So please, do tune it next week.....
Have a great day Tram. My balls are being busted daily. |
Pete:
a. We've never met, so there's no way I could know you, LOL. Don't take everything Saddam personally.
b. Anything would improve the ride of a Beetle, IMHO.
Incidentally, was that Lincoln an air shock suspension, or actual air bags?
_________________
Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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stevensjames
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012
Posts: 193
Location: Murrieta, Ca
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 9:19 am Post subject: |
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| I have been debating on a air-ride system for some time now and just recently got to ride in both an Bug and a Bus that both were using air ride kits from AirKewled. I have to say that the ride was excellent, much smoother than I expected. The only thing that I noticed about both systems is that they had to manually adjust the ride every time they started up and would take a couple minutes before ready to drive. I don't know what air-management system they were using but this would be something I would have to change. I have checked out some self leveling systems and some will even adjust automatically when key is turned on. The prices vary but most are around 2k. Personally I think that if you want the ride quality, "cool factor", and modern conveniences this would be the way to go. Some people invest large sums of cash into their rides so it just depends on how you determine the value in the investment. |
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Airkewld
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2003
Posts: 3150
Location: Goodyear, AZ USA
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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| stevensjames wrote: |
| I have been debating on a air-ride system for some time now and just recently got to ride in both an Bug and a Bus that both were using air ride kits from AirKewled. I have to say that the ride was excellent, much smoother than I expected. The only thing that I noticed about both systems is that they had to manually adjust the ride every time they started up and would take a couple minutes before ready to drive. I don't know what air-management system they were using but this would be something I would have to change. I have checked out some self leveling systems and some will even adjust automatically when key is turned on. The prices vary but most are around 2k. Personally I think that if you want the ride quality, "cool factor", and modern conveniences this would be the way to go. Some people invest large sums of cash into their rides so it just depends on how you determine the value in the investment. |
Great point Steven and thanks for giving your feedback.
The self leveling stuff we have used in the past did not work with the style of suspension that VW has. It has to rotate front to back, unlike any other vehicle, that I am aware of. So based on the leverage points, how low the vehicle is, if the e-brake is on, presets or self leveling will not work because the computer doesn't get it. It is the reason why we went with simple.
_________________
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Win a FREE Chassis Rebuild - https://airkewld.co/WinAChassis
Learn from a PRO on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Airkewld
FAQ - https://airkewld.co/FAQ
View our Industry Leading Products - https://www.airkewld.com/Products-s/2322.htm
We made a iPhone Ringtone with a Classic VW Turbo Engine - https://airkewld.co/RingtoneTurbo
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22711
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Airkewld wrote: |
| stevensjames wrote: |
| I have been debating on a air-ride system for some time now and just recently got to ride in both an Bug and a Bus that both were using air ride kits from AirKewled. I have to say that the ride was excellent, much smoother than I expected. The only thing that I noticed about both systems is that they had to manually adjust the ride every time they started up and would take a couple minutes before ready to drive. I don't know what air-management system they were using but this would be something I would have to change. I have checked out some self leveling systems and some will even adjust automatically when key is turned on. The prices vary but most are around 2k. Personally I think that if you want the ride quality, "cool factor", and modern conveniences this would be the way to go. Some people invest large sums of cash into their rides so it just depends on how you determine the value in the investment. |
Great point Steven and thanks for giving your feedback.
The self leveling stuff we have used in the past did not work with the style of suspension that VW has. It has to rotate front to back, unlike any other vehicle, that I am aware of. So based on the leverage points, how low the vehicle is, if the e-brake is on, presets or self leveling will not work because the computer doesn't get it. It is the reason why we went with simple. |
The system I'm talking about has a valve at each wheel adjusted continuously by a rod that goes to the body and adds/ exhausts air using the valve. Air is fed via an engine driven compressor and there's a reservoir tank. No computers involved. There's also a master valve that maintains normal level, locks the system for jacking up or lifting the vehicle, and a "donk" mode for rough terrain. I suppose one could create a "panscraper" mode if desired as well.
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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Airkewld
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2003
Posts: 3150
Location: Goodyear, AZ USA
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Tram wrote: |
| The system I'm talking about has a valve at each wheel adjusted continuously by a rod that goes to the body and adds/ exhausts air using the valve. Air is fed via an engine driven compressor and there's a reservoir tank. No computers involved. There's also a master valve that maintains normal level, locks the system for jacking up or lifting the vehicle, and a "donk" mode for rough terrain. I suppose one could create a "panscraper" mode if desired as well. |
Do you think someone would want to install that on their vintage VW? That is some hi-tech stuff there Tram. You got me be fuddled.
_________________
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Win a FREE Chassis Rebuild - https://airkewld.co/WinAChassis
Learn from a PRO on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Airkewld
FAQ - https://airkewld.co/FAQ
View our Industry Leading Products - https://www.airkewld.com/Products-s/2322.htm
We made a iPhone Ringtone with a Classic VW Turbo Engine - https://airkewld.co/RingtoneTurbo
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Tram
Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 22711
Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Airkewld wrote: |
| Tram wrote: |
| The system I'm talking about has a valve at each wheel adjusted continuously by a rod that goes to the body and adds/ exhausts air using the valve. Air is fed via an engine driven compressor and there's a reservoir tank. No computers involved. There's also a master valve that maintains normal level, locks the system for jacking up or lifting the vehicle, and a "donk" mode for rough terrain. I suppose one could create a "panscraper" mode if desired as well. |
Do you think someone would want to install that on their vintage VW? That is some hi-tech stuff there Tram. You got me be fuddled. |
I don't know. I've seen a lot off the air ride stuff offered (not yours, admittedly) and I can't believe that someone would want to install any of THAT on their vintage VW... yet they do! 
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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Type3Buddha
Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2013
Posts: 291
Location: Port Orford Or
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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I can go full on DONK, front is 4" higher than wheel well. Rear is 2" gap. I can put positive camber on the rear 120psi. |
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vwfye
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2000
Posts: 7661
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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Stop that... it makes me miss it!
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64 No'back Speedster "Pearl"
1980s Sand Dragster "The Plunger"
LME "Little Giant Killer 3" |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Airkewld wrote: |
| Tram wrote: |
| The system I'm talking about has a valve at each wheel adjusted continuously by a rod that goes to the body and adds/ exhausts air using the valve. Air is fed via an engine driven compressor and there's a reservoir tank. No computers involved. There's also a master valve that maintains normal level, locks the system for jacking up or lifting the vehicle, and a "donk" mode for rough terrain. I suppose one could create a "panscraper" mode if desired as well. |
Do you think someone would want to install that on their vintage VW? That is some hi-tech stuff there Tram. You got me be fuddled. |
Yup, pretty high tech for 60's technology. Right Tram.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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stevensjames
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012
Posts: 193
Location: Murrieta, Ca
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| Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| After more research, it seems that Pete (Airkwld) is right about the auto-leveling systems. However, during my searching I found the SmartRide controller that goes by air pressure only and can be programmed for up to 5 presets and will automatically return to last setting when ignition is turned on. They also can be operated from a Smartphone if you really want to get fancy. They are still expensive and was recommended that use 2 compressors and large or dual air tanks in order to raise vehicle quickly. Just thought Id throw that out there. Hopefully soon we will see some Type 3 air-ride kits coming to market. I have heard that Airkewld and Punch Drunk are both working on kits although they seem to be very different systems. I can barely wait to see what the future brings. |
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raul arrese
Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2006
Posts: 1329
Location: miami florida
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| Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:00 pm Post subject: air ride |
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| stevensjames wrote: |
| After more research, it seems that Pete (Airkwld) is right about the auto-leveling systems. However, during my searching I found the SmartRide controller that goes by air pressure only and can be programmed for up to 5 presets and will automatically return to last setting when ignition is turned on. They also can be operated from a Smartphone if you really want to get fancy. They are still expensive and was recommended that use 2 compressors and large or dual air tanks in order to raise vehicle quickly. Just thought Id throw that out there. Hopefully soon we will see some Type 3 air-ride kits coming to market. I have heard that Airkewld and Punch Drunk are both working on kits although they seem to be very different systems. I can barely wait to see what the future brings. |
Not completely true at all , auto leveling can be used on any vw based car , bug, bus , type 3 , what you need to understand is you cant use a system that sets height with pressure , a vw drags the tires and works the suspension like no other car so a system that uses a pressure sensor in every corner wont work correcltly because a vw takes more pressure to get up than normal , so basically you need a system that uses a height sensor instead of a pressure sensor , accuair has a sytem that cost 800.00 bucks , uses 4 height sensors and has 3 pre--sets and all kinds of features and upgrades , air ride aint that difficult , just 2 many people trying to make a killing off of everyone .... |
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