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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Auto Leveling System Replacement (Air Lift side to side auto level system to replace EL 1 or 2)
Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187516] Tue, 16 October 2012 20:08 Go to next message
JwColson 78  Royale is currently offline  JwColson 78 Royale   United States
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Registered: August 2012
Location: Glendale, AZ
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Junior Member
I have found an auto leveling system from Airlift. I talked to the tech rep and he says that the unit will adjust height every 45 seconds while going down the road. The down side possibly is that the system does not have any gauges for monitoring. Besides that the system is exactly what most of us could use. I had ordered the Wireless system, which the auto system will not work with, and am going to install it rather than send it back.

This appears to be a complete auto leveling system, side to side, manual has much more info than site does.

Here are the links:
Air Lift 25430 Leveling Kit Installation Instructions - Jegs
www.jegs.com/InstallationInstructions/0/022/022-25430.pdf Shocked
Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187518 is a reply to message #187516] Tue, 16 October 2012 20:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kosier is currently offline  Kosier   United States
Messages: 834
Registered: February 2008
Karma: 1
Senior Member
It will take two of those units to do one of our coaches. It does both bags
wit one leveling valve.

Gary Kosier
77 PB
Newark, Ohio

-----Original Message-----
From: John Colson
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 9:08 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement



I have found an auto leveling system from Airlift. I talked to the tech rep
and he says that the unit will adjust height every 45 seconds while going
down the road. The down side possibly is that the system does not have any
gauges for monitoring. Besides that the system is exactly what most of us
could use. I had ordered the Wireless system, which the auto system will
not work with, and am going to install it rather than send it back.

This appears to be a complete auto leveling system, side to side, manual has
much more info than site does.

Here are the links:
Air Lift 25430 Leveling Kit Installation Instructions - Jegs
www.jegs.com/InstallationInstructions/0/022/022-25430.pdf 8o
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Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187529 is a reply to message #187516] Tue, 16 October 2012 23:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rssbob is currently offline  rssbob   United States
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Location: La Mesa, Ca. (San Diego a...
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Senior Member
You might be able to add indicator lights that would come on when the system corrects every 45 seconds. That way if you can't hear it working you would get a visual that something is happening.

On Oct 16, 2012, at 6:08 PM, John Colson wrote:

>
>
> I have found an auto leveling system from Airlift. I talked to the tech rep and he says that the unit will adjust height every 45 seconds while going down the road. The down side possibly is that the system does not have any gauges for monitoring. Besides that the system is exactly what most of us could use. I had ordered the Wireless system, which the auto system will not work with, and am going to install it rather than send it back.
>
> This appears to be a complete auto leveling system, side to side, manual has much more info than site does.
>
> Here are the links:
> Air Lift 25430 Leveling Kit Installation Instructions - Jegs
> www.jegs.com/InstallationInstructions/0/022/022-25430.pdf 8o
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Bob Sobrito
1978 Palm Beach
La Mesa, Ca
antique pocket watch repair

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Bob Sobrito
78 Palm Beach
La Mesa, Ca
Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187560 is a reply to message #187518] Wed, 17 October 2012 13:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JwColson 78  Royale is currently offline  JwColson 78 Royale   United States
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Registered: August 2012
Location: Glendale, AZ
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Junior Member
The AIR-25430 kit is the dual sensor system, so yes, both sides are covered with this one kit. Prices run about $650.00 +/-
Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187570 is a reply to message #187560] Wed, 17 October 2012 15:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
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Location: Mounds View,MN
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So all that thing is is a leveling switch a relay and a solenoid?

Seems pricy!
of course with all the fittings and a compressor, maybe not so bad


Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187576 is a reply to message #187516] Wed, 17 October 2012 19:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
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Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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Senior Member
JwColson 78 Royale wrote on Tue, 16 October 2012 18:08

I have found an auto leveling system from Airlift. I talked to the tech rep and he says that the unit will adjust height every 45 seconds while going down the road. The down side possibly is that the system does not have any gauges for monitoring. Besides that the system is exactly what most of us could use. I had ordered the Wireless system, which the auto system will not work with, and am going to install it rather than send it back.

This appears to be a complete auto leveling system, side to side, manual has much more info than site does.

Here are the links:
Air Lift 25430 Leveling Kit Installation Instructions - Jegs
<www.jegs.com/InstallationInstructions/0/022/022-25430.pdf> Shocked


Seems to be, in function, a ride height only system. It doesn't seem to have any features for manual leveling the coach at a camp site.

It might be OK for people who never park anywhere that isn't level....

----
I figure that some manual switches could be added, but at that price....


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187587 is a reply to message #187576] Thu, 18 October 2012 00:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JwColson 78  Royale is currently offline  JwColson 78 Royale   United States
Messages: 8
Registered: August 2012
Location: Glendale, AZ
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Junior Member
I agree that leveling at the camp site may be an issue. But as you say a few manual switches could fix that. If you review the parts list or picture at most selling sites it is apparent that this kit is two complete systems with separate air pumps and sensors for each side of coach. It also has two programmable settings so one could be set way high and then manually bled off to level a parked coach. If anyone gets this unit I am sure we would all be interested in the outcome. I am sure there a combination of parts out there to make this work. PS the price difference between the "Wireless air" and this one is only 2 to 3 hundred dollars up-charge. I however have totally blown my budget for a few months so I am staying with the Wireless air system.
Re: Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187590 is a reply to message #187587] Thu, 18 October 2012 01:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
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Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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Senior Member
JwColson 78 Royale wrote on Wed, 17 October 2012 22:13

... I am sure there a combination of parts out there to make this work. PS the price difference between the "Wireless air" and this one is only 2 to 3 hundred dollars up-charge. I however have totally blown my budget for a few months so I am staying with the Wireless air system.


The wireless system is most likely your best bet anyway. (If your OEM system is past "repairable.")

While nice, the automatic ride height feature isn't as important as some think... as long as you know what pressures are needed to get the ride height for a given load... and the load doesn't change THAT much. The ability to level when "camping" is far more important for most of us.

That said... it is interesting, using magnetic switches for ride height sensors. (Might be something to think about... )


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187613 is a reply to message #187587] Thu, 18 October 2012 13:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Bounds is currently offline  Jim Bounds   United States
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Registered: January 2004
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Senior Member
There is another way to look at the air ride system.  The main problem with the ELII system is the compressors and height sensors are no longer available.  This is the same problem we have with many unique systems in the coach.  The main purpose of the Quad bag air ride system for example is to retrofit the coach where you can use off shelf air bags to maintain the system in the future.  A main goal on any retrofit on our GMC should be to have that system servicable for the future.  All main component parts for the original design "Power Level" system are still easily available.  The original height control valves were reproduced through Jim K., JR Slaten makes a wicked set of dash valves that are perfect, the air tank, regulator, pop off valve and the rest of the system are all standard available parts.  
 
I have built up several restorations replacing the ELII system with an all new Power Level set up and the world is a nicer place.  Yea, there are a pile of air lines going back and forth---- so.  Yea, when you switch to "lower" there is a loud hissing behind the dash---- so.  The system is easy to trouble shoot and maintain.  Basically if you have air in the tank the coach will go up.  If you install a quad bag system, you have a ready made backup to fill the bags in the manifold in that system.  I like to keep things simple and understandable, an early GMC manual will tell any future tech exactly what the system entains and it can be repaired.
 
There is nothing wrong at all with the remote system, I saw it at Casa De Fruita and thought it was neat.  For less technical folks though who probably will not be the one maintaining the system (not enthusiasts like you guys) putting back in something understanda ble and repairable is a good idea.  
 
Hope this helps,
 
Jim Bounds
-------------------------- 



________________________________
From: John Colson <johnwcolson@cox.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 1:13 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement



I agree that leveling at the camp site may be an issue.  But as you say a few manual switches could fix that.  If you review the parts list or picture at most selling sites it is apparent that this kit is two complete systems with separate air pumps and sensors for each side of coach.  It also has two programmable settings so one could be set way high and then manually bled off to level a parked coach. If anyone gets this unit I am sure we would all be interested in the outcome.  I am sure there a  combination of parts out there to make this work.  PS the price difference between the "Wireless air" and this one is only 2 to 3 hundred dollars up-charge.  I however have totally blown my budget for a few months so I am staying with the Wireless air system.
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Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187752 is a reply to message #187613] Sat, 20 October 2012 08:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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My 23' coach has a Power Level II system, which I think was installed by Jim B for the P.O.  Works fine.  Tha lowering a side for levelling hisses - so what?  Proves the thing has air in it.  I think the reason it holds up is, the valves used are somewhat bigger and more rugged than those fitted (stock) in my PB.
 
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach


________________________________
From: Jim Bounds <gmccoop@yahoo.com>
To: "gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org" <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 2:47 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement

There is another way to look at the air ride system.  The main problem with the ELII system is the compressors and height sensors are no longer available.  This is the same problem we have with many unique systems in the coach.  The main purpose of the Quad bag air ride system for example is to retrofit the coach where you can use off shelf air bags to maintain the system in the future.  A main goal on any retrofit on our GMC should be to have that system servicable for the future.  All main component parts for the original design "Power Level" system are still easily available.  The original height control valves were reproduced through Jim K., JR Slaten makes a wicked set of dash valves that are perfect, the air tank, regulator, pop off valve and the rest of the system are all standard available parts.  
 
I have built up several restorations replacing the ELII system with an all new Power Level set up and the world is a nicer place.  Yea, there are a pile of air lines going back and forth---- so.  Yea, when you switch to "lower" there is a loud hissing behind the dash---- so.  The system is easy to trouble shoot and maintain.  Basically if you have air in the tank the coach will go up.  If you install a quad bag system, you have a ready made backup to fill the bags in the manifold in that system.  I like to keep things simple and understandable, an early GMC manual will tell any future tech exactly what the system entains and it can be repaired.
 
There is nothing wrong at all with the remote system, I saw it at Casa De Fruita and thought it was neat.  For less technical folks though who probably will not be the one maintaining the system (not enthusiasts like you guys) putting back in something understanda ble and repairable is a good idea.  
 
Hope this helps,
 
Jim Bounds
-------------------------- 



________________________________
From: John Colson <johnwcolson@cox.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 1:13 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement



I agree that leveling at the camp site may be an issue.  But as you say a few manual switches could fix that.  If you review the parts list or picture at most selling sites it is apparent that this kit is two complete systems with separate air pumps and sensors for each side of coach.  It also has two programmable settings so one could be set way high and then manually bled off to level a parked coach. If anyone gets this unit I am sure we would all be interested in the outcome.  I am sure there a  combination of parts out there to make this work.  PS the price difference between the "Wireless air" and this one is only 2 to 3 hundred dollars up-charge.  I however have totally blown my budget for a few months so I am staying with the Wireless air system.
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187799 is a reply to message #187752] Sat, 20 October 2012 17:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Location: Americus, GA
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Johnny,

The valves are probably JR Slaten's product, especially if the system was
installed by Jim B.

You're not the only one with title under non-TZE. My X-Birchaven goes
under the Coachmen-assigned number. The sticker is long gone, but I THINK
I saw that number stamped on the frame somewhere (rearmost crossmember?).
I considered trying to get it changed on the title, but couldn't face the
certain hassle with DMV.

Ken H.

On Sat, Oct 20, 2012 at 9:12 AM, Johnny Bridges <jhbridges@ymail.com> wrote:

> My 23' coach has a Power Level II system, which I think was installed by
> Jim B for the P.O. Works fine. Tha lowering a side for levelling hisses -
> so what? Proves the thing has air in it. I think the reason it holds up
> is, the valves used are somewhat bigger and more rugged than those fitted
> (stock) in my PB.
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement [message #187939 is a reply to message #187799] Mon, 22 October 2012 07:29 Go to previous message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
I spoke to the tag lady when I first licensed the thing.  Actually, I called the P.O. who had it on eBay before I bid and got him to look under the hatch and be sure there was a TZE.  I asked the Hall County lady in the tag orifice, she says it's doable, but suggested titling it using the exiasting Florida title, and then changing the Georgia one later.  She gave me the procedure to change, which I have forgotten.  But, I'll go see them soon, and I'll l
et you know what's to be done.  I don't think Norris did anything but stick the sticker on the sidewall by the driver's seat on mine.
 
--johnny
 
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach

From: Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 6:49 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Auto Leveling System Replacement

Johnny,

The valves are probably JR Slaten's product, especially if the system was
installed by Jim B.

You're not the only one with title under non-TZE.  My X-Birchaven goes
under the Coachmen-assigned number.  The sticker is long gone, but I THINK
I saw that number stamped on the frame somewhere (rearmost crossmember?).
I considered trying to get it changed on the title, but couldn't face the
certain hassle with DMV.

Ken H.

On Sat, Oct 20, 2012 at 9:12 AM, Johnny Bridges <jhbridges@ymail.com> wrote:

> My 23' coach has a Power Level II system, which I think was installed by
> Jim B for the P.O.  Works fine.  Tha lowering a side for levelling hisses -
> so what?  Proves the thing has air in it.  I think the reason it holds up
> is, the valves used are somewhat bigger and more rugged than those fitted
> (stock) in my PB.
>
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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