Bags or AEV HD springs

[chorky]

Currently I have the 2.5" Dualsport with SD springs. I am definitely in the weight category to justify the HD springs, and am about to add another 180 pounds worth of aux tank and gas.

I am debating between trying out bags, or just getting the HD springs. Is anyone here running the AEV HD springs, and willing to give some feedback? I know ride quality is SUPER subjective, but it would be nice hearing your perspective before choosing.

I like the idea of modular abilities of bags especially when not loaded down in the winter. But, even 'unloaded' I am still in the HD weight category. I'm just not sure what kind of extra stiffness or extra lift the HD springs will provide.

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[Jaxmax]

Chad I ran airbags on a couple Tahoes and a Suburban they were great. My concern with my Glady is I have been doing more off-road and have Apex sway bar disconnects and question how much even deflated to minimum five pounds do the bags limit the travel of the rear axle upward. I also installed my airbags with one common inflate point as in case of sudden loss of air pressure I would rather have both sides drop in unison instead on one dropping and one possibly extending with weight transfer. ….Jack

 

[Dickster]

I would definitely try HD springs over air bags. Air bag your supposed to leave min 5psi in them at all times and restricts coil movement. You will never get full movement of your coils again. If someone made a different air bag system that did not go in the coil, that would be a lot better.

Aev is a reputable company and I would follow their weight numbers they list and hopefully your within those numbers. I did not go AEV but went with EVO HD and like them a lot.

 

[chorky]

Chad I ran airbags on a couple Tahoes and a Suburban they were great. My concern with my Glady is I have been doing more off-road and have Apex sway bar disconnects and question how much even deflated to minimum five pounds do the bags limit the travel of the rear axle upward. I also installed my airbags with one common inflate point as in case of sudden loss of air pressure I would rather have both sides drop in unison instead on one dropping and one possibly extending with weight transfer. ….Jack

That's part of my concern as well. And from what I recall others experiencing here, bags don't fully fill up the space inside the spring so it provides a relatively unequal amount of extra 'spring'. I'm more interested in the springs TBH, but just want to see what others with them have experienced.

One issue with a single fill for both bags though is it can make the vehicle less stable. So if you are on a off camber hill, as the vehicle wants to lean to the left side for example, it will put pressure on the left bag, compressing it and forcing the air into the right bag - ultimately making the vehicle more rollover prone. Now thats not a big deal if you dont go in many off camber situations, but I would want individual fill options for that reason.

 

[KrashEd]

I ran air bags on a 3.5 inch lift, both bags tied together like Jack, and never had an issue with flexing out to the bumps, even at 5 PSI. Towed fine, and level. The issue with the bags came when I added more weight to the bed and aired up to higher pressures. The bags only do so much and ride definitely changes.

I also tried the AEV coils for a couple of weeks and could not stand the hot wheels rake since my load was not constant. It was also probably a true 3 inch vs what I was used to with the Clayton springs. I ended up with HD rear Claytons which is where I should have started because I now have two full sets of springs and air bags taking up space in my garage

 

[darkhorse13]

@chorky I think this could be your "goldilocks" solution...

Otherwise, I have the AEV HD springs on my JT right now while waiting for my Scout Tuktut to be delivered. It's completely unloaded in the bed (37" spare under) and there's a 2.75" rake front to rear... it's a lot. I personally don't think it rides harsh unloaded but my headlights are pointed at the ground currently. I leave them adjusted for loaded situations.

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