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How to Manage Air Ride Suspension With an E-Level System

ACCUAIR HAS BECOME A LEADER IN THE air management industry thanks to its dedication to creating quality products. When we were choosing an air management system for our ’65 Ford F-100, we wanted something that was dependable and would require very little maintenance once it was installed. After doing a lot of research we went with the AccuAir E-Level kit. Its three levels of adjustability (raised, ride height and slammed) was the prime reason we were sold on AccuAir.

Our two boxes of products came with all of the supplies we needed to install the system. AccuAir provides both written and illustrated directions for an installation process that’s easy to understand. For example, AccuAir’s EXO Mount directions alone give a detailed 11-page description covering everything needed to mount the tank, the compressors with mounts and the VU4 (AccuAir’s solenoid valve unit).

Once we were finished installing the system, we took our truck to the Goodguys Lone Star Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, to demonstrate how easy it was to install the system and show-off the quality of AccuAir’s parts. We received positive feedback from other vendors and spectators. We are extremely happy with this air management system, and we’re sure that anyone who purchases one will be just as satisfied with it as we are.

[divider]SOURCES[/divider]

ACCUAIR
877.247.3696
Accuair.com

OPTIMA BATTERIES
888.867.8462
Optimabatteries.com

VIAIR
949.585.0011
Viaircorp.com

GETTING STARTED

We started by removing everything from the boxes, laying it all out and making sure all parts were accounted for.
Then we located the 5-gallon air tank, two compressor brackets, ECVU4 brackets for the solenoid valve unit and three EXO clamps to mount the tank.

TANK MOUNTING

Using a straight edge, we measured 4.02 inches from the side of the air tank and marked the tank with tape; this is where the first EXO clamp will go. Then we did the same on the other side. Next, we measured 29.05 inches from the outside for the middle clamp.
The two halves of the EXO clamps were fit around the tank and secured finger tight.
We checked the measurements, and then snugged the clamp nuts tight, making sure to use 9 ft-lbs of torque.
We used Allen-head bolts to mount the compressor brackets and the ECVU4 mount. As you can see here, we also installed a moisture trap to protect our system from corrosion.
We lined the tank up to the rear frame of our F-100 to get a visual of where we wanted to mount it.

Then we fabricated a bracket out of ¼-inch-thick 6061 aluminum in order to mount the tank to the stepnotch bridge.

SENSOR SETUP

Fifty feet of air line is supplied with the kit. We measured and cut it into four lines. We cut two equal lengths of 3/8-inch DOT line for the front and two for the rear. Make sure to leave a few extra inches when cutting.

We installed the airbags and then connected the supply lines with a set of fittings.
Here is a pair of the ride-height sensors (only two are shown but four are needed), along with the linkage and hardware. The linkage comes apart as pictured.
This is how we set up the front ride-height sensors and the linkage that connects to a moving part of the suspension. According to AccuAir, you should limit the sensor travel to 2.75 inches because over-extension or overcompression can damage it.
This is the E-Level fourcorner height-sensor harness that was later threaded to each of the sensors.

VU4 AND E-LEVEL ECU

Here is the ECVU4 bracket (upside-down) showing the fuse attachments; the VU4 and the ECU are pictured here, too.
The ECVU4 bracket was installed to the air tank using a set of Allen-head bolts. The ECU and the fuse holders were attached to the bottom of the ECVU4 bracket. The VU4 was plugged into the ECU, and the ground wire was attached to the frame.
The E-level main harness was plugged in, and we used the wiring diagram in the manual to set up the system.

We used a relay system to turn the compressors on and off to fill the tank. The main harness uses these fuses to protect the E-Level ECU from a power surge.

VIAIR COMPRESSORS

To supply air to the tank, these fittings were used to connect the lines on the VIAIR compressors.
The VIAIR 400C compressors were mounted and wired.
We attached the pressure sensor (right) to the tanks. It will help the ECU determine when to fill the tanks and when to cut power off to the compressors.
We used plugs to seal off all unused tank ports.

FINISHING UP

We connected the four 3/8 DOT fittings to the VU4 to complete the air management system.
The touch-pad harness was plugged into the VU4 and threaded to the interior of the cab. The touch-pad and harness were connected.

The 70-amp power supply kit was installed and connected to the Optima Red Top battery.

AIR MANAGEMENT

With the system powered up, the touch-pad can be calibrated to three different height preferences and manual override controls.

After completing the installation of the AccuAir E-Level air management package, we were able to accurately control the height of our ’65 F-100 equipped with full air ride.
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