All H2s have air ride suspension or? [Archive]

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Dieter122

11-03-2009, 05:52 PM

codered

11-03-2009, 08:06 PM

Do all H2s have air ride suspension or is that an extra? Are they more expensive to maintain vs standard suspension? Is the ride that much more rough without them installed?

The 04 H2 im looking at doenst have air ride suspension as being a feature, so I am only assuming it doesnt have it installed?

thnx guys

Air Ride was an option. Sometimes I think it's more of a pain in the butt to have, because of the upkeep. I know eventually the bags will leak or the compressor will go bad and I will be spending a lot of money to fix mine.

twr

11-03-2009, 09:29 PM

Hi glad mine doesn't have it. To much money to keep it up, but it does ride good.

pdxrealtor

11-04-2009, 05:27 PM

I too am just learning these thing and I was told the air suspension is part of the adventure package.

I've read of people switching from air to reg. rear suspension but haven't read once of someone doing the opposite.

I'm buying this week, no air suspension. I like to have it all bit can't say I'm all that upset about not having the air suspension.

dvl57

11-04-2009, 05:55 PM

I have the air suspension package...and I love it.
I can use the compressor to air up my tires when needed....and the ride is very smooth.

When I was looking to buy a H2, I wanted this feature.

My 2 cents.

pohlease

11-05-2009, 12:13 AM

I love the way mine looks with the airbag susp. it always sits level unlike the other hummers that need a leveling kit to make them level. We've used to height control feature off roading also.

HummerMann

11-05-2009, 02:14 PM

I have the Adventure Package and air suspension on my '06 SUT and I've been VERY happy with it. It all works fine after four years and no problems with anything - the bags are fine and the sensors still work like they are supposed to.
I like the compressor for airing up my tires if you've aired them down (even though it's a little slow), but you will really love the ability to raise your rear if you offroad - it helps your departure angle. Just remember to air back down before you go into the garage if your H2 is a tight squeeze like mine is. They say it makes no difference on the highway ride, but after having an '03 H2 without it, I'm not sold on that statement.

jaxtrip

11-05-2009, 04:11 PM

I love the way mine looks with the airbag susp. it always sits level unlike the other hummers that need a leveling kit to make them level. We've used to height control feature off roading also.

+1

If you offroad the compressor is very handy for airing up tires and the air suspension keeps the ride smooth even in the super rough stuff.

TXSUT

11-05-2009, 06:47 PM

I love the way mine looks with the airbag susp. it always sits level unlike the other hummers that need a leveling kit to make them level.

Are you saying that H2's with air sit lower in the back than those that don't have air?

pohlease

11-06-2009, 04:12 AM

Are you saying that H2's with air sit lower in the back than those that don't have air?

Correct... Since the airbags correct for any sagging from towing the truck is always level.

In non airbag trucks, like most pick up trucks, the rear is slightly elevated so the truck/hummer sits level when towing.

My co worker has a non airbagged hummer and the difference is very obvious.

drmiles

11-06-2009, 12:22 PM

I have had both. My 03 and 05 had air ride. The compressor is nice however slow. Offroad I have broken 1 bag, had to cancel the rest of the trip and ride home with the hummer sitting on the axle. Really sucked. In my 07 I got the springs, no more worries of failure. However my trailer is really heavy tongue weight and the Hummer sagged bad when towing I had to ad air bags which I air up while towing and release to go offroading.

If you do a lot of offroading don't get the air, otherwise it is great.

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jaxtrip

11-06-2009, 02:19 PM

If you do a lot of offroading don't get the air, otherwise it is great.

Your opinion, You got unlucky once. I offroad ALOT and have never had a problem with the air bags...

HummerJim

11-06-2009, 04:48 PM

I have the air suspension on my H2 and love it. I offroad every time I go out, since I live in a wooded area that you can only access down a dirt/mud and gravel trail and through a small creek. Emergency responders have warned their equipment might not get through in an emergency and my homeowners rates reflect that, but I love where I live and if it wasn't for 4 X 4s it would be impossible to live here full time.
I always keep the rear aired up since coming down the hill makes scraping the spare a real possibility. I'm not sure what the speed is, but I think it's around 40mph where it squats back down. I haven't had any problems with the bags or the sensors either. I also carry a Sears 12v compressor in the bed (it's much faster than the Hummer unit) but I've used the Hummer compressor on numerous occassions. Having two compressors makes airing up much faster. I have a battery in the bed too in parallel with the front battery that I can disconnect with one of those green twist off switches. I love my H2 and the air suspension.

HumminNBoatin'

11-06-2009, 05:36 PM

Uhhh Jim,

I just wanna make sure I got this right... You live in the remote wilderness??? You're good at wiring stuff??? You need a 4x4 to even get to your house??
Do you like to send send packages to people that when they open the get a superize? lol

Anyway I have the air ride. I blew a bag out offroading at Windrock a couple weeks ago. Sounded like a shotguy going off. The plastic nipple under the bag that bolts to the axle failed. I still had 2 miles of mountain to climb to get to a gravel road. I still made it up the trail on the bump stops and did not slow my group down. I was VERY impressed. However my undercarriage did not enjoy this too much lol. I had a new bag in the truck and repaired the nipple with JB weld and 2 part epoxy and was on the trail the next day. Now the nipple is stronger than it was when stock.

coach K

11-06-2009, 11:06 PM

I had air ride on my 03 H2 and it had a leak when I was up in NC so the compressor ran all the time until I got back to FL. Took it to the dealer and $6000.00 later all is well. I need the air because I tow a trailer.

pdxrealtor

11-06-2009, 11:08 PM

Intercooled

11-07-2009, 09:47 PM

Hmmmmmm..... glad I have no air. I tow a small aluminum boat, no problems. But any one can tow this boat. I guess if you really need the air then all well and good. But sound like its just something else that could break at the worst of times.

pdxrealtor

11-07-2009, 09:55 PM

Viet Nam Vette

11-15-2009, 09:55 AM

Iv'e got Air Ride in my 09... Very cool ...the ride is sweet and I like the Pump me out of the bad departure angel thing also when towing makes a big dif as the sensors pump you up to level for towing.

The smartest move I made was to buy the GM extended warranty .. I'm covered for 8 years. Bumper to Bumper. You can pay it off monthly with no intrest or cancell at any time. You can even buy it now if your rig is a low milage H2.. Look into it thru your GM dealer or go on line and search.

A good thing to have

Worth every penney when you have to see the dealer.. Live Lfe to the fullest extent of your HUMMER:D

vandy0090

11-16-2009, 04:57 AM

ive got air on my 03. ive also had to replace the air bags on it when they started leaking. ive got 50k miles on it and shes never seen a dirt road. something that just happens i guess. it is nice to have the auto level and its nice to be able to jack up the rear end with a touch of a button. but it can be a pain in the ass if your components start crapping out. luckily the air bags are an easy fix. took longer to jack the rear of the rig up than to change them out. i think down the road if i lift it the air ride is coming out. the compressor will stay for the added benifits that it gives but there are way to many components working together that can and most likely will go bad at some point

TXSUT

11-16-2009, 05:12 PM

Correct... Since the airbags correct for any sagging from towing the truck is always level.

In non airbag trucks, like most pick up trucks, the rear is slightly elevated so the truck/hummer sits level when towing.

My co worker has a non airbagged hummer and the difference is very obvious.

I'll take your word for it. My '05 has air, and it took raising the front at least 2 inches for it to sit level.