call
SMS
Cart
If you’re looking to add air suspension to your vehicle, you’re probably seeing a lot of numbers flying your direction and they could seem like a lot of money. And, at the end of the day, air bags aren’t cheap; you will have to invest some cash into getting your car or truck moving up and down. Let’s focus on that one word, though: invest. Is it wise to invest that much money on air suspension? Is it worth it? Well let’s find out.
The numbers game
Let’s talk about the figures that go into the typical air bag system for a moment. The bags themselves — assuming you don’t need something like a strut — vary in price [from $65 to over $250 each]. For the most part, you’ll probably be around $100 per bag, so let’s just say that’s $400. Throw in compressors, fittings, tanks, valves and line, and you’re easily over $1,000. And if you want to get into an Accuair or Airlift 3H/3P setup, then you’re adding at least another $1,500 into the mix. It’s not inexpensive to be sure.
Then there’s the ancillary stuff that you don’t think about: The extra installation parts like hose clamps, the cost of installation (if you’re not doing it yourself) and the time involved to do the whole thing. You can very easily spend upwards of $5k on an air suspension setup without too many bells and whistles.
So let’s start there. Is that too big a number for you to handle financially? If so, then maybe wait and save some more money, or consider passing on the idea. But if funding isn’t an issue, then you have to wonder if the investment is worth the cost.
The answer is, well, maybe
The value of any vehicle comes down to the amount someone is willing to pay you for it. There are hot rods out there that collect six-figure sums when they go over the auction block, and many are modded out with full air suspension setups. In this case, the air is an additive thing; people may pay more for the car because it has that option.
But what about a 1986 Mazda B2200? That’s an old minitruck, and is it worth more with air suspension or without? Well it depends on how complete the truck is at the end of it all. If the thing is rocking primer and never sees paint, air suspension may be the only thing that gives it any value at all. With a full graphics job, air bags are almost a standard and need to be there to demand its cost.
It all comes down to the market you’re setting for the vehicle and what you plan on asking for it. We know a guy with a bagged Mercedes. He built the thing so he could put it all back to stock and trade it in if he had to, because he knows the market for a Benz on air is pretty small. But he still did the job because the end value wasn’t the important part. Instead, it was how doing the installation made him feel (good) and the enjoyment he gets out of driving the car every day. That’s something you can’t put a price on.
We’re obviously on the “pro” side
It goes without saying that we feel air suspension is worth your money. Not just because we sell the stuff, but also because every person in our shop has either owned something with air suspension or been around it regularly. It’s up to you to make the call, and if your finances can’t handle the numbers, we totally understand.
But if you are ready to cross over into the world of air suspension, hit us up. We’re on social, at the shop or just a phone call away. We’ll do what we can to get you sorted out the right way.
