Air-rite 2581 User Manual

2581

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

08-15

IMPORTANT

PLEASE DON’T HURT YOURSELF, THE KIT, OR YOUR VEHICLE. TAKE A MINUTE TO READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

SAFE INSTALLATION

Please take all safety precautions during installation. A hydraulic jack can fail, and if that happens, you can be
seriously hurt, or worse, if you are relying on it to hold up the vehicle. If you use a hydraulic jack, secure jack
stands in the appropriate locations and chock any tires still touching the ground.

Wear safety glasses or goggles. Your eyes may be lower than some parts and pieces, and you don’t want to lose an eye.

Remove the possibility of any electrical issues by disconnecting the negative battery cable.

VEHICLE GVWR

NEVER exceed the maximum load recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (GVWR). The GVWR can be found
in your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual or on the data plate on the driver’s side door.

PRESSURE TO LOAD

Be sure to review the load limits noted in the Air Spring Kit Installation Instructions (sold separately).

APPROPRIATE AIR PRESSURE

For best ride, use only enough air pressure in the Air Springs to level the vehicle when viewed from the
side (front to rear). This will vary, depending on the load, location of the load, condition of the existing
suspension, and personal preference.

ONCE INSTALLED SUCCESSFULLY, FOLLOW THE PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AIR SPRINGS.
FOR FIRESTONE, GENERALLY:

305 100510010

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PARTS AND TOOLS

Compare the parts below to your kit. Assure you have all pieces, and organize them for an easier installation.

MAIN KIT CONTENTS

WIRELESS

PART # 9490

x 1

CONTROLLER

PART # 9489

EXH

EXH

AS-1 AS-2

AS-1 AS-2

SUP

SUP

x 1 ECU

x 1 AIR COMPRESSOR

PART # 9377

x 1 WIRE HARNESS

PART # 9491

AIR LINE TUBE

x 1

(18 FEET)

PART # 9414

A21-760-2581 HARDWARE PACK

10-32 x 1"

x 4

MACHINE SCREW

PART # 3087

x 9 10-32 NYLOCK NUT

PART # 3088

10-16 x 3/4"

x 1

SELF-TAPPING

PART # 3421

SCREW

PART # 2526

PART # 3093

PART # 3055

PART # 9275

IGNITION

x 1

FUSE TAP

10-32 x 3/4"

x 3

MACHINE SCREW

1/8 NPT PUSH-

x 1

TO-CONNECT
STRAIGHT FITTING

x 4 VELCRO TABS

PART # 9129

PART # 3086

PART # 9361

PART # 9036

x 1 AIR FILTER

x 13 3/16" FLAT WASHER

x 1 SEALED RELAY

x 15 RED NYLON TIE

PART # 9488

x 4 LARGE NYLON TIE x 2 THERMAL SLEEVE

PART # 0899

TOOLS REQUIRED:

3/16" DRILL BIT
WIRE CRIMPER/STRIPPER
PHILLIPS SCREW DRIVER

(2) 7/16" WRENCHES OR SOCKETS
POWER DRILL
ELECTRICAL TAPE

9/16" WRENCH

2581 Installation Instructions 2

PLIERS
UTILITY KNIFE
CENTER PUNCH OR MARKING TOOL

CONTENTS AND OVERVIEW

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

PLANNING THE
INSTALL

4

PREPARE THE AIR
COMPRESSOR

5

DRILL HOLES FOR
AIR COMPRESSOR

6

AND ECU

INSTALL THE
AIR COMPRESSOR

7

AND ECU

INSTALL THE
WIRE HARNESS

8

INSTALL THE
AIR LINE TUBES

9

INSTALL THE
AIR FILTER AND

10

CLEAN UP

ADJUSTING AIR
PRESSURE AND

11

UNITS

AIR FILTER

RED (+)

BATTERY (+)

BLACK (-)

BATTERY (-)

20 AMP FUSE

YELLOW

+12V IGN

1/8 NPT PUSH-TO-CONNECT
STRAIGHT FITTING

AIR COMPRESSOR

SEALED
RELAY

RELAY
CONNECTOR

WIRE
HARNESS

BLACK

(GROUND)

RED/WHITE

(COMPRESSOR +)

Create
loop in Air
Line Tube.

* As a water/debris

trap. See page 4.

RED (+)

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

WIRELESS CONTROLLER
MEMORY SETTINGS

12

AND ERROR CODES

TEST THE SYSTEM

13

FIX AN AIR LEAK

14

OPTIONAL: Use supplied
Fuse Tap. See important
information on the Using
the Fuse Tap sheet.

AIR LINE TUBE

OPTIONAL: Install
Air Line Tube to
EXH air fitting.
See page 9 for
important information.

LEFT AIR SPRING

(when facing forward)

ECU
CONNECTOR

ECU

EXH

EXH

AS-1 AS-2

AS-1 AS-2

SUP

SUP

AIR LINE TUBE

AIR SPRINGS

(sold separately)

AIR LINE

TUBE

RIGHT AIR SPRING

(when facing forward)

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PLANNING THE INSTALL

THESE PLANNING STEPS WILL HELP YOU SAVE TIME AND WILL MAKE THE INSTALLATION EASIER.

DETERMINE THE MOUNTING LOCATION FOR THE AIR COMPRESSOR

- Provides ample air flow and is protected from airborne debris and moisture.

- Mount close enough to the ECU to allow Wire Harness connections to reach.

- If using the optional Firestone Air Accessory Mounting Kit, consider the
guidelines above, and follow the kit’s instructions.

DETERMINE THE MOUNTING LOCATION FOR THE ECU

- Mount close enough to the Air Compressor to allow Wire Harness
connections to reach.

- Allow room for Air Line Tubes to connect to the air fittings on the ECU.

- Allow room for the 14-pin ECU connector to connect to the ECU.

- Allow room for the Air Line Tube to run without sharp curves or bends.

- Using supplied fasteners shown in Step 3 is recommended. If no other mounting option is available,
see the sidebar on Step 2 for using the Large Nylon Ties.

- Select a location that is solid and secure on the body or frame of the vehicle, away from any moving parts,
electrical or any other lines.

PLAN INSTALLATION ROUTES FOR WIRING AND AIR LINES

- Make sure the Wire Harness and Air Line Tubes are not exposed to sharp metal edges that can damage them.

- Use supplied Thermal Sleeves on Air Line Tubes when routing near heat sources.

- Use supplied Nylon Ties to secure Air Line Tubes and Wire Harness to the vehicle.

- Make a loop in the Air Line Tube where shown. This creates a water/debris trap that protects the Air Compressor.

- Measure twice, cut once!

AS-1 AS-2

AS-1 AS-2

EXH

EXH

SUP

SUP

TAPE ALL ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

- Use electrical tape to appropriately secure and protect all electrical connections.

USING PUSH-TO-CONNECT FITTINGS FOR AIR LINES

Your kit includes Push-to-Connect fittings to connect the Air Line Tubes to hardware.
Use the instructions below when using the Air Line Tubes.

Insert end of Air
Line Tube into

1

air fitting.

Push Air Line Tube
into air fitting as

2

far as possible.

Gently pull on
the Air Line Tube

3

to check for a
secure fit.

To remove, push
down collar and

4

gently pull Air Line
Tube away.

Removal Tip: Use a 1/4”, 5/16”,
or 6mm open-ended wrench
to push the collar down.

2581 Installation Instructions 4

PREPARE THE AIR COMPRESSOR

1

Note that the Air Compressor can be mounted facing any direction.

Install 1/8 NPT Push-to­Connect Straight Fitting

1

on the Check Valve.

PRE-INSTALLED

CHECK VALVE

1/8 NPT PUSH-TO-CONNECT
STRAIGHT FITTING

Tighten to engage two threads
of thread lock.

AIR COMPRESSOR

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