Knowledge Base
An airride system swaps the coil spring for an air spring and adds a small compressed air plant to the car. Four stages do the work:
Twin silent compressors draw air through a filter and feed a seamless steel tank. Most street systems run a working range of roughly 120–150 PSI, with auto-drain water traps pulling moisture out before it reaches the valves.
A four-corner (V4) solenoid block opens and closes to fill or exhaust each air spring. Independent corners let you level the car on a camber, kneel one side, or lay it out evenly.
The AIRBFT P3 controller stores presets and monitors tank pressure. Pressure-based management holds a set PSI per corner; height-sensor management holds a measured ride height regardless of load.
Bellows or an integrated strut airbag replaces the coil spring. Air is progressive by nature, so the spring rate rises as it compresses — that is why a bagged car can ride softly on the highway and still resist bottoming out.
Anatomy
A damper and high-pressure airbag in one housing. AIRBFT units offer 32-segment damping adjustment so rebound can be firmed up separately from ride height.
Used where the spring and damper are separate — most rear axles, bakkies and vans. Double bellows give travel and load capacity; a softer rubber compound helps the car sit lower on the bump stop.
V4 means four inlet and four exhaust solenoids — one pair per corner. Integrated blocks shorten air lines, which speeds up response and reduces leak points.
The brain: tank pressure display, per-corner control, three presets, wired LCD remote and Bluetooth app. Can raise on start-up and lower on shut-down automatically.
Duty cycle matters more than headline PSI. Dual silent compressors fill a 3–5 gallon tank quickly and stay quiet enough for a daily driver.
Seamless (not welded-seam) steel tanks handle pressure cycling better. Ports are used for the compressors, feed line, pressure sensor, drain and a safety valve.
Usually 1/4" DOT line for feed and 1/8" or 1/4" at the bags. Push-to-connect fittings with a rubber ring seal, non-return valves rated 0–150 PSI, and clean routing away from heat and moving suspension.
A 200 amp relay for the compressors plus ANL fuse holders (80 A / 100 A, 1–4 way) fused at the battery. Correct fusing is the difference between a fault and a fire.
AIRBFT part numbers describe the configuration, not a model name. Each block tells you one thing about the system:
V4
Four-corner valve block — independent control of each wheel.
P3
P3 management generation: LCD remote, Bluetooth app, three presets.
C2
Two compressors (dual silent) for faster fill and shorter duty cycles.
T3
Tank specification — capacity and port configuration of the seamless tank.
Checklist
| Factor | Air suspension | Coilovers |
|---|---|---|
| Ride height | Adjustable on demand, from laid out to factory height | Fixed once set |
| Ride quality | Progressive spring rate — comfortable at speed | Fixed rate, firmer over broken tar |
| Speed bumps & driveways | Raise on approach, lower again after | Live with the clearance you chose |
| Load carrying | Add pressure to level under load | Sags with load |
| Complexity | Compressors, tank, valves and wiring to maintain | Purely mechanical |
| Best for | Daily-driven show and street cars, bakkies, vans | Track and time-attack builds |
Drain the tank monthly — South African summer humidity puts water into the system.
Check the auto-drain traps and compressor filters every service interval.
Soapy-water test fittings after the first 200 km, then annually.
Re-torque strut hardware and re-align after the first week of settling.
Listen for a compressor cycling at rest — that is a leak, not a quirk.
Answers
Air suspension replaces the coil springs with air springs (bellows or integrated air struts). Compressors fill a pressurised tank, a valve block feeds or exhausts each corner, and a management controller holds the height or pressure you choose. Because air is progressive, the spring rate rises as the bag compresses, which is why a bagged car can be soft at cruising speed yet still control body roll.
Air suspension is legal on South African roads provided the vehicle is roadworthy at the height it is driven: headlights aimed correctly, no tyre or bodywork fouling, and no compromised braking or steering geometry. Drive at a sensible ride height, keep the system leak-free, and have the car aligned after fitment.
For daily driving, usually yes. Air springs are progressive and the AIRBFT struts add 32-segment damping adjustment, so you can run a soft highway setting and still firm up for spirited driving. Coilovers remain the choice for fixed-height track work.
That depends on chassis, wheel and tyre fitment and whether the boot floor or chassis rails have been notched. Most cars on a correctly specified AIRBFT kit will lay the sills within a few centimetres of the ground, and rise to well above factory height for driveways and speed bumps.
V4 is a four-corner valve block, P3 is the management generation with LCD remote and Bluetooth app control, C2 means two compressors and T3 describes the tank specification. Message AIRBFT South Africa with your vehicle and we will spec the correct combination.
Front and rear air shock absorbers, double bellows sets, P3 management with an integrated solenoid block, a 200 amp relay, a seamless air tank, dual silent compressors, dual auto-drain water traps, the full wiring loom and air piping, a fuse holder and fittings — everything AIRBFT, nothing mixed and matched.
A typical passenger car takes one to two working days: strut and bellows installation, boot or under-body mounting of the tank and compressors, air-line routing, wiring and fusing, then calibration, a leak-down test and a four-wheel alignment.
Yes — that is a strength of air. Add pressure to level the rear under load, which keeps headlights aimed correctly and the ride height stable. This is why bakkies, vans and Alphards are popular air suspension conversions.
Very little. Drain moisture from the tank monthly, keep the compressor filters clean, and check fittings with soapy water once a year. A compressor that cycles while the car is parked is signalling a leak.
Applications cover Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Tesla, Ford, Dodge RAM, Land Rover, Tank 300, Bentley, Aston Martin and Acura, including bakkies and vans such as the Ranger, Raptor, RAM TRX, T6 and Alphard. Custom applications are available on request.
AIRBFT is distributed in South Africa by Grounded Art Importers in Bryanston, Johannesburg, with nationwide supply. Browse the range on this site and order through groundedart.co.za, or message us on WhatsApp on 082 468 1532 for a kit recommendation.
Yes — AIRBFT products carry a one-year warranty, supported locally by Grounded Art Importers.
Kit codes like V4-P3-C2-T3 describe the valve block, management, compressor and tank configuration — message us and we'll spec the right kit for your car.
Spec my kit