What are your experiences with the ACCUAIR system?

[IanNubbit]

Had one come into the shop, honestly way better then any air ride cars I’ve messed with. Stupid fast for the height difference. The controller is well built. Drops to basically just under stock, goes wayyyy up. Also not crazy stiff at max height which was nice to feels

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[RubiDukkie]

I have the Accuair lift on my JT. The install was done by my 4x4 shop in February. The two issues I had after the install were too much overnight air loss in the tank due to a slow leak from the regulator. I considered two options, replace the o-rings in the regulator or install a 1/4-turn shutoff valve. I went with the second option:

Now I just leave the regulator set at 100 psi and and fully turn the air on/off as needed. Here is the link to the valve I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QBKPZYR

The other issue I had after the install is that the state emissions test equipment could not read the emissions monitors. Somehow the Accuair speed sensor was interfering. The solution ended up unplugging the speed sensor can bus wire from the star connector behind the glove box. Here is a pic showing it connected in the left back corner:

I used JSCAN to duplicate the read issue of the emissions monitors, so if you use JSCAN or something similar and it is not working right, try unplugging the speed sensor. I just leave mine unplugged all the time now. All it does is reset the lift to the default height when exceeding 25 mph. Depending on the trails I'm on, I don't like it changing from level 3 to level 2 on the fly. It did that to me at Hell's Revenge when driving faster through a sandy section. It damaged a height sensor due to hitting a curve with a whoop at the same time the system tried to reset to the default height. Accuair replaced the sensor under warranty, but I'd rather not have it repeat.

 

[Rubianderson]

I have the Accuair lift on my JT. The install was done by my 4x4 shop in February. The two issues I had after the install were too much overnight air loss in the tank due to a slow leak from the regulator. I considered two options, replace the o-rings in the regulator or install a 1/4-turn shutoff valve. I went with the second option:

Now I just leave the regulator set at 100 psi and and fully turn the air on/off as needed. Here is the link to the valve I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QBKPZYR

The other issue I had after the install is that the state emissions test equipment could not read the emissions monitors. Somehow the Accuair speed sensor was interfering. The solution ended up unplugging the speed sensor can bus wire from the star connector behind the glove box. Here is a pic showing it connected in the left back corner:

I used JSCAN to duplicate the read issue of the emissions monitors, so if you use JSCAN or something similar and it is not working right, try unplugging the speed sensor. I just leave mine unplugged all the time now. All it does is reset the lift to the default height when exceeding 25 mph. Depending on the trails I'm on, I don't like it changing from level 3 to level 2 on the fly. It did that to me at Hell's Revenge when driving faster through a sandy section. It damaged a height sensor due to hitting a curve with a whoop at the same time the system tried to reset to the default height. Accuair replaced the sensor under warranty, but I'd rather not have it repeat.

Hey Dukkie, found this thread w/search. I'm considering having this system installed. Couple of questions:
1)Given the issues you've outlined if you were starting from scratch again-Would you go w/the "air" system again, or w/a competitor, or perhaps a conventional non-air set-up?
2)Currently the system is $7k. My local installer is saying 15hr install vs the 12hr described by Accu. His quote is $10k for sys/install/tax(7.5%)/1 yr labor warranty. Seems a bit high. How does that compare to your install?
3)The bleed down issue that you fixed-Why did you have to come up w/that solution vs your installer?
4a)On the speed sensor issue-Has Accu been informed of the issue?
4b)Since you mentioned the jscan, would I be correct that useing the security gateway bypass cable setup did not help w/spdsensor issue?
5a)Height sensor damage. When installing the replacement-was it the same sensor or an improved one?
5b)Sensor damage again-Did the replacement install in exactly the same place, or was there another/better location?
Sorry for what may seem to be "thick" questions, but I havent seen the installed sys/components in person. Yet. TIA.

 

[caryt]

My wife has serious back issues so I went with RSE power steps, a small folding Step and went with the best suspension I could do for a street/over landing heavy JT.
This works for her and for me when solo over landing. won't find a better riding system IMO and I've had many many different ones. Not a fan of air suspension on a jeep, on my MH yes.

 

[RubiDukkie]

Hey Dukkie, found this thread w/search. I'm considering having this system installed. Couple of questions:
<SNIP>

1)Given the issues you've outlined if you were starting from scratch again-Would you go w/the "air" system again, or w/a competitor, or perhaps a conventional non-air set-up?

I would still go with the Accuair Lift.

2)Currently the system is $7k. My local installer is saying 15hr install vs the 12hr described by Accu. His quote is $10k for sys/install/tax(7.5%)/1 yr labor warranty. Seems a bit high. How does that compare to your install?

I got a 25% Black Friday discount, so I paid $5,245 for the Accuair JT lift kit, plus $250 shipping. The lift install labor was $1,980. Taxes, fees and shop supplies was extra.

3)The bleed down issue that you fixed-Why did you have to come up w/that solution vs your installer?

This was the first Accuair lift they had installed, so their focus was strictly on making sure there were no air line or fitting leaks. Accuair support’s suggestion was to simply cap the air line going into the regulator. That led me to look into a shut-off valve as a solution.

4a)On the speed sensor issue-Has Accu been informed of the issue?

I contacted Accuair support who brought this issue up to the head of engineering as I was not the first to have this issue. They were going to be doing testing to figure out what is going on, but I’ve yet to hear anything back.

4b)Since you mentioned the jscan, would I be correct that useing the security gateway bypass cable setup did not help w/spdsensor issue?

The SGW bypass made no difference.

5a)Height sensor damage. When installing the replacement-was it the same sensor or an improved one?

Same sensor.

5b)Sensor damage again-Did the replacement install in exactly the same place, or was there another/better location?

Same location. Easy to replace. It was the front-left (driver-side). Very easy to replace.

 

[RubiDukkie]

BTW, this is the same sensor used by Accuair:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/356119657142

I bought one to keep in my DIY Offroad Emergency Repair kit as a spare.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Glad to see most folks having relatively positive results with their system. I have been on the fence, I really want just the rear only kit but Accuair doesn't offer one for the diesel (unsure why, they offer a 4 corner kit, why not just offer the same components minus the fronts?). A good friend of mine has their 4 corner kit and it's had issues since day one. Every time he gets it fixed something else goes bad. Air leaks, solenoid failures, sensor failures, etc, so I've been skeptical.

 

[VA6489]

Pulled my Accuair system after our Rubicon Run.
What I loved about the system is
- the ability to level the rig
- The ability to drop it to the bumps to camp
- Empty ride was very soft
What It needs:
- Better shocks the valving is way too soft for anything loaded. Unloaded the rear pogo's over every big bump.
- With a Load ( load is 600# of overlanding stuff) on the interstate this rig wanders all over.
- Supplied control arms the bushing material is way to soft for a lifted rig with 39/40 inch tires. Steering is vague and bumps make the rig dart
- No front bump stop adjustability. You get what you get. This caused tire to fender interface issues.
- Off road loaded. The rig never felt settled on the trail. Soft ride yes but, it wallowed everywhere. Very Uncomfortable feeling and in off camber situations the roll felt like it was going to turn over.
- Swapped out control arms with Clayton arms. Helped keep the street manners in check. Shocks too soft still
- Two air bag failures. One rear blow out and one front began to bow inward and rub the frame.
- Control system would not level side to side even after repeated discussions with ACCUAIR. Manual adjustability is severely limited to just a few %. anything more and the system will not set. Old control system and the car control system allow you to set different ride heights and adjust for static unbalance.

$7500 of gimmick. Works great empty on the road, loaded it is a hot mess and support is a 100% failure.

On a scale of 1 -5, I would give this design a -3 Throw another $4-$5 K at this and it would be a better system. But most folks are excepting of poor handling vehicle today.

For the Jeep family this system is Junk for anything but unloaded road driving.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Pulled my Accuair system after our Rubicon Run.
What I loved about the system is
- the ability to level the rig
- The ability to drop it to the bumps to camp
- Empty ride was very soft
What It needs:
- Better shocks the valving is way too soft for anything loaded. Unloaded the rear pogo's over every big bump.
- With a Load ( load is 600# of overlanding stuff) on the interstate this rig wanders all over.
- Supplied control arms the bushing material is way to soft for a lifted rig with 39/40 inch tires. Steering is vague and bumps make the rig dart
- No front bump stop adjustability. You get what you get. This caused tire to fender interface issues.
- Off road loaded. The rig never felt settled on the trail. Soft ride yes but, it wallowed everywhere. Very Uncomfortable feeling and in off camber situations the roll felt like it was going to turn over.
- Swapped out control arms with Clayton arms. Helped keep the street manners in check. Shocks too soft still
- Two air bag failures. One rear blow out and one front began to bow inward and rub the frame.
- Control system would not level side to side even after repeated discussions with ACCUAIR. Manual adjustability is severely limited to just a few %. anything more and the system will not set. Old control system and the car control system allow you to set different ride heights and adjust for static unbalance.

$7500 of gimmick. Works great empty on the road, loaded it is a hot mess and support is a 100% failure.

On a scale of 1 -5, I would give this design a -3 Throw another $4-$5 K at this and it would be a better system. But most folks are excepting of poor handling vehicle today.

For the Jeep family this system is Junk for anything but unloaded road driving.

What shocks were you running? I've been reading that it's really hard to tune shocks for the Accuair, which seems to be a common complaint across a few other vehicle platforms as well.

 

[VA6489]

I have been building performance Jeeps for a decade. The JRI shock that came with this system. They offer a piggyback upgrade $$$$ more money for a design that falls way short of the mark.

With coil springs they build resistance as you load them, with Air Bags that resistance is more like a slow gental stop point and a bounce back. Think 72 ford station wagon with bad shocks.

After too many conversation with ACCUAIR the customer service rep just became indegnant and told me that the system was installed wrong and I should have it installed by a professional installer.....

To resolve this system, the rear air springs need to be changed to something with more rate in them. I would have king build a set of smoothies with flutter stack valving. Install some heavy duty sway bars thinking ORO Sway-loc to control the loaded ride. I realize this Jeep Truck is not really a truck but a jeep with a big bin on the back.

Pulled the entire system out. installing a 4 link system front and rear (long arm) wiht coil-over shock and up grading the sway bars to ORO sway-loc dual rate bars.

 

[Gladiator_Tyler]

I have been building performance Jeeps for a decade. The JRI shock that came with this system. They offer a piggyback upgrade $$$$ more money for a design that falls way short of the mark.

With coil springs they build resistance as you load them, with Air Bags that resistance is more like a slow gental stop point and a bounce back. Think 72 ford station wagon with bad shocks.

After too many conversation with ACCUAIR the customer service rep just became indegnant and told me that the system was installed wrong and I should have it installed by a professional installer.....

To resolve this system, the rear air springs need to be changed to something with more rate in them. I would have king build a set of smoothies with flutter stack valving. Install some heavy duty sway bars thinking ORO Sway-loc to control the loaded ride. I realize this Jeep Truck is not really a truck but a jeep with a big bin on the back.

Pulled the entire system out. installing a 4 link system front and rear (long arm) wiht coil-over shock and up grading the sway bars to ORO sway-loc dual rate bars.

Were you the guy that left a 1 star review on their website?

 

[VA6489]

Yup,
$hitty customer service and a poorly designed product. I have build too many great handling Jeeps to settle for a badly designed suspension. while it worked, The Stock suspension road much better and tracked straighter. The Last conversation I had with them left such a bad taste in my mouth, I will never recommend them or use their product again.

 

[VA6489]

What shocks were you running? I've been reading that it's really hard to tune shocks for the Accuair, which seems to be a common complaint across a few other vehicle platforms as well.

Tuning of shocks is somewhat a black art we all agree. To tune a set for this system something called a flutter stack would have to be used. In this way you have dual rate valving. A soft initial shim set to deal with high frequency movements ( think small bumps on the road) and the balance is for low Frequency movement ( think street Woops). Have had King build a couple set like this and the ride is cloud like.

 

[AbyssOffroad]

Not sure why so many people are derailing the thread with comments on side steps..

The AccuAir system has intrigued me due to the capability of being able to adjust your height depending on what you're doing. Daily driving vs crawling etc. I live in the northeast where salt and snow are brutal on vehicles. I have serious concerns about how this system would hold up in such a climate. Anyone here have any experience on that?

 

[VA6489]

Not sure why so many people are derailing the thread with comments on side steps..

The AccuAir system has intrigued me due to the capability of being able to adjust your height depending on what you're doing. Daily driving vs crawling etc. I live in the northeast where salt and snow are brutal on vehicles. I have serious concerns about how this system would hold up in such a climate. Anyone here have any experience on that?

The Air bag mounts are polished or anodized Aluminum. I figure that would be fine for a few years and then begin to pit and corrode. The bag mounts are integral to the Air Spring. ACCUAIR will not replace the air springs until they fail and the failure needs to eb a manufacture defect not due to environmental effects.

The system has no air dryer incorporated in humid environments water can get compressed into the bags and freeze in very cold climates. I know upstate NY can get real cold. Again if the ice destroys the bag, ACCUAIR will not replace, but don't worry the bags are cheap ($2500+).

I too was intrigued by the novel approach to ride height and empty the concept works ok. With all the ACCUAIR supplied Kit is is still possible to run the ride height sensors out of range. This stops the system from working. ( Ride height sensors only work between 0.5VDC and 4.5VDC) if you run outside of this range the system freezes and a power reset needs to be done to make it work again.

Control arms supplied the bushings are too soft and provides for drivability concerns.

Plus the system is $7500 to start.... add upgraded shocks and compressor and an air dryer and you are well into the $9K range plus install. See why the focus leans toward electric steps?

PS. I have an older design Kelderman air bag "kit" on my F450 with the ACCUAIR controller. the Old system is much more user friendly and lots of adjustability. Plus after 12 years and 200K miles is still working with no issues. The kit that I bought for my JT is now on the garage floor. Just got tired of poor performance and bag and sensor issues.

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