All right, so just as I thought that the suspension chores were finally ready to be completely checked off the list, I remembered one loose end that needed to be wrapped up: the control system for the airbags! Don't think I'd of gotten too far without implementing a means of operation above and beyond the Schrader valves I had teed off the front and rear `bags--at least not without having a heck of time raising and lowering as needed. For this, I decided to go with a basic ARC4000 four-way RidePro control system from Air Ride Technologies.
With Air Ride's ARC4000, I'll have individual control of all four corners, yet won't have to deal with an elaborate system to install and subsequently manage. In other words, it's simple: simple to install in most any application and simple to operate...plain and simple. As you're about to find out, though, I took the liberty of adding onto the RidePro system by incorporating a second compressor and air supply tank. Reason being, as I'll be raising and lowering the rear more often than the front, I wanted to provide separate components for each end--smaller compressor (less weight to lift) and larger tank (used more often) for the rear; larger compressor and slightly smaller tank for the front. Fortunately, the RidePro's Big Red combo solenoid allows dual air inputs, so integrating the additional air supply is easy, especially since this a "manually" controlled system (non-electric).
With the airbags already in place, it was just a matter of plotting out the location of the components, mounting them, and running all the air lines. For the electrical portion, Air Ride has made their systems virtually foolproof by providing pre-determined harnesses with molded plastic connectors--you just hook up, route from A to B, secure, and you're done. Seriously, it's that easy. And working on something as basic as a pickup truck, start to finish the job shouldn't take more than a few hours. Down the road, if you ever decide you want to upgrade to more elaborate system (RideProE or LevelPro), Air Ride makes that transition fairly easy as well.
