Ford Transit vans are quite in demand in our country. Often the choice is based on the more affordable cost of this model, in comparison with the Sprinter. At the same time, the carrying capacity and comfort of the presented model are in no way inferior to the last representative. Ford Transit is presented in different variations. In most cases, the manufacturer provides for the installation of springs or leaf springs on the rear axle of such vehicles. However, given the increased demand for cargo transportation services, it goes without saying that the owners try to operate low-tonnage vehicles in accordance with the maximum capabilities of the vehicle, and sometimes significantly exceed them, which affects the rapid deterioration of the suspension and deterioration of its qualities. It is for this reason that the air suspension for Ford Transit has become a necessary element with which it is possible to achieve significant indicators of carrying capacity.
The pneumatic system has become quite widely used in commercial vehicles. Moreover, it can be installed both in specialized car services and independently. Its benefits are obvious. Air suspension for Ford Transit avoids problems such as:
fairly rapid wear of standard elements installed by the plant and increase their service life significantly;
the appearance of a lateral roll;
breakage of springs;
suspension breakdowns.
This is achieved by installing a cylinder, which acts as a buffer and prevents the vehicle frame from touching the leaf of the spring. Air suspension for Ford Transit allows you to make the movement of a laden car more comfortable and smooth in conditions of poor-quality roadway, excluding vibrations and shocks.
You can buy from us:
auxiliary air suspension VB-SemiAir with installation on the rear axle Ford Transit for front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, as well as for Transit spark in the basic and comfortable configuration;
automatic air suspension on the Ford Transit VB-FullAir 2C, installed on the rear axle for front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, as well as for the Transit Spark.
The systems include air cylinders, a blower, air lines, electronic indicators, as well as elements and devices for mounting and fixing.
A set of auxiliary air suspension on the rear axle is installed in addition to the standard leaf spring suspension of the car, allowing to reduce the load on the springs, increase the comfort of the car and improve the cargo performance of the car. Installation of air bags will allow you to carry more cargo without losing controllability, relieve springs from sagging and breakdowns, and reduce body swing with roll. By purchasing a manufacturer's air suspension kit for a Ford Transit (rear-wheel drive) (2000-present) you get a solution to increase the service life of the standard leaf spring suspension. Installation of the auxiliary air suspension requires no special skills and takes an average of 4 hours. It is possible to install a set of auxiliary air suspension: in our workshop, in any car service, as well as by hand. Additional cross member installation in some products is necessary in order to remove the torque from the top brackets, which in turn occurs when the cushions are placed offset from the axis of the frame.
Features of air suspension on Ford Transit (rear-wheel drive) (2000-present):
- Reducing wear of springs with shock absorbers (standard springs on your car will last longer, because the air suspension will reduce the load on them, as well as on other suspension elements)
- Elimination of noise, suspension vibrations and bump stops during overload (the situation when a commercial vehicle lies on bumpers is completely excluded)
- The ability to install on tired springs (after installation, the springs requiring replacement will last a long time)
- Correct position of the body under any load (always horizontal position of the body of a commercial vehicle, regardless of the load, and this is the correct operation of the head light with a decrease in braking distance)
- Reduction of rolls with the rocking of the car (the air suspension does not allow the car to roll on the overloaded side, and is always in a horizontal position)
- Increase in comfort for the driver, passengers (a significant increase in comfort when driving cars on bad and uneven roads, both for the driver and for passengers (on passenger minibuses)
- Increase in profit from transportation (a pneumatic spring is the ability to carry 1.5 times more cargo per 1 trip + savings on replacement of springs, as well as traffic police fines for overload
- The ability to control the overhang of the vehicle during loading and unloading (adjustment of the rear clearance to level the floor of the booth of a commercial vehicle with the level of the floor of the ramp for convenient loading)
- durability of air suspension (does not require any additional maintenance, and effectively works for 5-6 years under any operating conditions, be it frost, dirt, salt or reagents. Working pressure up to 15 atmospheres)
- Increased comfort with a soft ride possible
- The "Goat" effect is removed
Additional control options:
- It is possible to install a control system with adjustment from the passenger compartment
- The system can be installed on 1 circuit (total cushion pressure)
- Two circuits (different pressure in the cushions, reduces swing, allowing independent alignment of the port and starboard sides)
- The ability to additionally install a receiver for compressed air to increase the speed of operation (pumping) of the air suspension, as well as add the ability to connect pneumatic devices, such as wheel pumping or pneumatic signal
Contents of delivery
The air suspension kit is designed specifically for the car and includes two pneumatic elements, brackets for attaching to the frame and axle, fasteners, accessories for pumping from an external compressor, and DIY installation instructions.
The kit includes:
- American Pneumatic elements (air springs) of the bellows type, which are optimally matched to the dimensions for the given vehicle. They do not require any maintenance due to a reliable rubber cord construction and serves more than 400 thousand in vehicle mileage in any road conditions
- fasteners of our own factory production from 6mm Russian steel, specially designed for this vehicle. These brackets are reliable, easy to install and will last a long time. The brackets are powder coated, which protects them from rust for the entire service life
- a set of Russian bolts, washers, nuts for assembling the kit
- air fittings and pneumatic line from Camozzi, the kit includes 7 meters of air hose, which allows you to bring the pump nipple to any part of the car
- nipple for lowering and pumping with any external AirLift compressor
- installation instructions
- all equipment has been tested in various conditions, which gives us confidence in the reliability of this air suspension kit. The kit comes fully disassembled with step-by-step installation instructions. Unlike competitors, we do not hide what the kits are made of and give the client the opportunity to familiarize themselves with all the fasteners during installation to make sure that they are reliable and easy to install.
Installation of pneumatic kit:
The air suspension kit is installed in addition to the standard springs and does not change the standard suspension elements. Consequently, this kit does not require any changes to the vehicle title. The air bag is placed between the frame with springs on the special mounting plates included in the kit. The upper mounting plate is placed on the frame in the standard holes, an additional cross-brace is placed between the fasteners to strengthen the frame and distribute the load. The bottom mounting plate is placed on the bridge.
For Ford Transit produced in 2015, 2106,2017.
7th generation VII generation
Reinforcement of the leaf spring.
Improved handling.
Increase in carrying capacity + 2 tons.
The ability to change the clearance.
Air suspension kit to reinforce the rear suspension Ford Transit manufactured since 2015. Air bags are installed on the rear axle and work in conjunction with the spring package. Installation does not require any modifications to the factory suspension. That allows you to keep the manufacturer's warranty. Each of the pneumatic elements is capable of withstanding a load of over 3 tons.
Air bags remove up to 80 percent of the load from the spring and absorb vibration from poor-quality road surfaces. For passenger transport, air suspension will increase comfort. For trucking - reduce suspension repair costs and increase business profitability.
Each pneumatic element is made of a rubber compound that is not susceptible to the effects of reagents and benzene. Also, air bags have proven themselves well when used in critically low temperatures of our climate.
The basic kit for the rear-wheel drive version includes a transit
Reinforced air bags
- mounting brackets
- pneumatic line
- pneumatic line fittings
- pump nipple
- installation instructions
The air suspension price does not include the cost of the passenger compartment control system. The systems are selected individually depending on the goals and objectives set for the car.
Characteristics of pneumatic elements for Transit rear-wheel drive:
Rubber compound Rubber with nylon cord - 3 layers
Mounting holes 3 - D10 (stud), 1 - 1/2 for fitting
Diameter at (3 - 7 atm) 13.5 cm
Diameter (0 atm) 14.5 cm
Diameter (0 atm) under load 15 cm
Height (3 - 7 atm) 24 cm
Height (0 atm) 14.5 cm
Height (0 atm) under load 8.5 cm
The lifting force of the pneumatic element at (8-11 atm) over 1200 kg
Minimum operating pressure 1 atm
Working pressure 2- 8 Atm
Pressure before destruction 25 atm
The pillow has a threefold safety margin.
Many people choose it as an alternative to Sprinter. At the cost of "Transit" is less, and the characteristics of carrying capacity and comfort are at the same level. There are various modifications of these trucks - from minibuses to 20 cc vans and refrigerators. Usually, springs or springs are placed on the rear axle of "Transits". But many owners are replacing this one. What does it give? Consider in our today's article.
Characteristic
Pneumatic is a type of suspension that can be used to adjust the ride height. This system is widely used in commercial vehicles. Manufacturers are gradually moving away from archaic multi-leaf springs in favor of air springs.
Now all semi-trailers and heavy-duty vehicles are equipped with these. As for small commercial vehicles (up to three tons and below), air suspension is less common here. The reason for this is the strong rise in the cost of the car - the system is much more complicated than coil springs and springs. How the air suspension works is described below.
About construction
This system consists of several elements:
- Air cylinders. They act on the principle of springs and springs - they hold the weight of the car and partially dampen vibrations. You can see below what the pneumatic cylinders look like on "Transit". They are made from a thick piece of rubber. High pressure air is filled inside. Due to its elastic design, the pillow can change shape, thereby adjusting the clearance.
- Compressor. Serves for pumping air into the receiver. The latter has a volume of 3 to 10 liters. When using a Ford Transit, it is recommended to use a 10 liter receiver. Usually it is located in the back or in the cab. Note that the budget air suspension installed on the Ford Transit may not include these elements (receivers). As for the compressor, it is the main component of the system. Suspension operation is simply impossible without it. The unit operates from a 12 volt network and automatically turns off when a certain pressure is reached.
- Airways. Through them, air moves under pressure from the compressor to the actuators.
- Electronic sensors. Tracks the position and tilt of the car body in real time. Thus, the cylinders can be pumped up at a certain moment, making the car more stable on the road. These sensors interact with the control unit. But such electronics are rarely installed on commercial vehicles. More often business and premium cars.
Why is the receiver relevant?
Choosing a complete set of air suspension for Ford Transit, you should not skimp on this element. The device allows you to store air under pressure for a long time. If it is necessary to raise the car, the air from the receiver quickly (within 4-5 seconds) replenishes the air spring chamber. The latter becomes more solid, and the clearance increases. In the absence of a receiver, air will be pumped directly into the pillows. But this is very long and harmful for the compressor. With frequent use, it can simply burn out.
Benefits
How does a Ford Transit air suspension behave? Owner reviews claim that the installation of pillows can eliminate the consequences of overloading the car. These are side rolls, breakage of springs and suspension breakdowns. As for the last factor, the balloon acts as a buffer, preventing the frame from contacting the main leaf of the spring.
What else do the reviews say about the "Ford Transit" air suspension? The car also becomes more comfortable. The pillow smoothly dampens vibrations and shocks when hitting bumps. For this reason, air suspension is often installed on a Ford Transit minibus.
Still, the main factor that pushes owners to install air suspension in Ford Transit is an increase in carrying capacity. And the cylinders, according to reviews, cope with this task “perfectly”. The load on the standard springs is minimal, and the ground clearance remains the same.
disadvantages
Why is the air suspension not supplied from the factory on the Ford Transit and other modifications? One of the negative factors is low maintainability. In the event of a cylinder breakdown (and this is a depressurization), it must be changed entirely. The compressor is also difficult to repair. And the system itself is not cheap. How much will it cost to install an air suspension on a Ford Transit? The price of the most budgetary option starts from 20 thousand rubles. The complete kit can be installed for 100 thousand.
Which one to choose?
For small commercial vehicles, air suspension is often chosen only on the rear axle.
As for the type, it is better to install a single circuit system. You can put a double-circuit, but it makes no sense - the reviews say.
Installation
How do you install the air suspension on a Ford Transit with your own hands? Note that installation does not require a complete rework of the chassis. Let's consider the most popular option - installation of a single-circuit air suspension on a Ford Transit (the price of a set is from 15 thousand rubles) on the rear axle. First, the brackets for the pillows are installed. The upper one is attached to the frame, the lower one - to the leaf of the spring.
During the work, it is necessary to make holes for the bolted connections of the brackets. Further, pneumatic cylinders are installed here. Hoses are connected to them. It is better to install a compressor with a receiver in the cabin. Space in the engine compartment is limited, and in the body (if it is a booth) it can be damaged. We connect solenoid valves to the unit and bring the control panel to the front panel. This completes the installation of air suspension in Ford Transit. The pipes should be routed along the inside of the frame, fastening them to the clamps.
We extend the resource
In order for the cylinders to serve for a long time (and this is half the cost of the entire system set), you need to know some rules for caring for them. The rubber coating of the pillows is very afraid of road reagents and dirt. Even small particles can act as an abrasive at the joints of the air bellows parts. In order for the pillows to serve for a long time and not to be lowered, they should be periodically cleaned of dirt. And in the winter - treat with silicone.
With a decrease in temperature, the rubber becomes hard and even in the absence of dirt begins to "eat" itself. Silicone will create a kind of layer that will provide free movement of the air bag components.
Conclusion
So, we have found out what air suspension is, how and why it is installed on a Ford Transit. Judging by the reviews, many are satisfied with this choice. Air suspension improves vehicle stability on the road and increases carrying capacity, which is especially important in commercial activities.
We bring to your attention another project for the installation of air suspension. The object of this project is the Ford Focus car.
Air suspension diagram
The air suspension is built according to a 4-circuit scheme, which allows you to control each air bag separately. Air supply / bleeding is carried out using solenoid valves. For a 4-circuit diagram, 8 pieces were needed, 2 pieces for each airbag.
Manufacturing of front air struts
For the manufacture of pneumatic struts, we needed: a shock absorber strut, a thrust bearing, an upper strut support, an air cushion, a flexible hose. For the air spring, the Aero Sport universal air spring was chosen, specially designed for MacPherson struts.
Additionally, turning parts were needed: a piece of pipe with an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the rack, the upper and lower fastenings of the air bag. In the upper mount, there is a groove for the support bearing.
From the shock absorber, either with a hacksaw or neatly with a grinder, we cut off the platform for the spring.
Cut a ring from a pipe segment. The height of this ring is chosen so that the compressed air bag is the same as the compressed shock absorber.
We put on the ring, the lower mount of the air bag and welded to the shock absorber strut.
We fasten the air bag, put on the bump stop (cut from the standard bump stop) and fasten the upper air bag support with countersunk bolts.
As a result, we got such a pneumatic strut.
Installing the front air struts
The installation of pneumatic struts is practically no different from the installation of a conventional spring rack. To remove the spring strut, unscrew 3 nuts from the upper strut support, one nut from the stabilizer bar and one bolt from the steering knuckle. Next, we squeeze the spring with ties and remove the rack from the fist.
We put the air suspension in the reverse order, while it is necessary to arrange the hose leading to the air bag so that it does not touch or rub against the wheel.
Installation of air bags on the rear suspension
For the rear suspension, there were a lot of air bags to choose from - for the Ford rear suspension, the dimensions were Firestone 267c, Contitech 2500, SS-5 and RE-5, Air House 2. From all this variety, the choice was made in favor of inexpensive Contitech 2500 air bags.
To remove the spring, we use the ties, after removing the wheel and hanging the rear part.
To install the air bag, an upper support, a lower support and a disk for attaching the air bag to the lower arm were made.
The upper support is attached to the subframe with the same bolt as the subframe to the body.
The lower support is installed inside the arm. From the bottom, the air bag pulls a bolt to the lower arm through the disk (acting as a washer).
Air suspension layout
The main part of the air suspension elements is located in the trunk - these are the compressor, receiver, valves, pressure sensors.
For the Berkut R20 compressor, a shelf was made of 12 mm plywood in the left fender.
A raised floor was made for the valves. In addition to the valves, a spare wheel, tools and an emergency stop sign were hidden there.
Covers are cut out of plywood sheets, covered with epoxy resin to protect against moisture and pasted over with carpet. The receiver is located on the cover above the valves. The receiver had to be placed on bars so that the overpressure relief valve did not rest on the floor and it was possible to drain the condensate.
After assembling the entire system and pasting with Carpet, the trunk looked like this.
Digital air suspension pressure gauge
It was also decided to make a manometer for air suspension with our own hands. And although there are ready-made pressure gauges, for example, from Dakota Digital, I wanted to make my own for two main reasons: display pressure in bars and, in the future, make a fully automatic system with several programmable altitude levels.
The heart of the manometer is the Atmel ATtiny26 microcontroller, which has an ADC with 11 inputs, of which 4 are involved. It would also be possible to add a 5th sensor to the receiver, as in Dakota Digital manometers, but there is no great need for this. For the ADC of the microcontroller, an external reference voltage source is used on the TL431 microcircuit, since the internal one was not very stable. The pressure sensors are supplied with a voltage of 5 volts and have an output voltage in the range from 0.5 to 4.5 volts, depending on the pressure. Information is displayed on a 2-line LCD display WH1602B from Winstar.
The pressure gauge is assembled on a breadboard and installed in the car.
Air suspension price
The table below shows the list and cost (as of August 2011) of parts required to install air suspension on a Ford Focus.
| № | Name | Qty | Price, rub |
| 1 |
