Air Ride Delete Kit for Armada and QX56/QX80

If you own a Nissan Armada or an Infiniti QX56 or QX80, there is a good chance it came with a factory rear air-ride leveling system, and a good chance that system is going to give you trouble. An air ride delete kit swaps that failure-prone setup for durable, conventional parts that restore your ride height, sharpen the ride, and keep your towing capability intact. Here is what the system is, why it fails, and how to pick the right kit for your truck.

Some Armada and QX56/QX80 models use a factory rear air-ride system meant to keep the back end from sagging when you tow. It works through rear shocks with integrated air bags, air lines, a leveling arm, and an onboard compressor. It is a lot of parts, and over time it is prone to failure. When it fails, the small amount of air that normally supports the rear escapes, and the back of the vehicle sags below the front. Even before a complete failure, the internal valving in those rear shocks typically softens by 30,000 to 60,000 miles, which is what gives you that floaty, riding-in-a-boat feel.

An Air Ride Delete Kit from HIGH ROAD Suspension replaces that failure-prone factory air system with durable, conventional components that restore ride height, improve ride quality, and maintain towing capability.

Why delete the factory rear air ride

There are three real reasons owners make the switch.

Less to fail. Air lines, fittings, sensors, compressors, and bags all age and leak. Deleting the system removes those failure points and the constant troubleshooting they create.

Better ride quality. Quality shocks and coils from reputable brands like Bilstein, Fox, Icon, King, and Radflo deliver controlled, confident handling with no more float.

Lower cost. Replacing aging factory air components gets expensive fast. A delete kit is typically far less than a full OEM repair, and it lasts longer.

What is in the HIGH ROAD Air Ride Delete Kit

Coil springs. Rear Moog lift coils restore proper ride height after the air system fails or is removed.

Shocks. Options include Bilstein 4600, Bilstein 5100, Fox, Icon, King, and Radflo, matched to your budget and ride goals.

Towing support. Basic spring-and-shock kits tow up to a conservative 6,500 lb. Kits with Firestone 4150 rear air bags boost capacity up to 8,600 lb. Those bags can be inflated manually through mounted valves, or paired with an optional in-cab onboard air system.

Which kit should you choose

The right kit comes down to two things: how much you care about ride quality versus budget, and how much you tow.

On ride quality versus budget:

• Best ride: King, for premium control and comfort.
• Mid to high performance: Fox, Icon, and Radflo. All of these outperform a worn factory air setup and skip the headaches of OEM air components.
• Great value: Bilstein, the least expensive option and still a strong ride.

On towing needs:

• Up to 6,500 lb: basic coils plus shocks.
• Up to 8,600 lb: add Firestone 4150 air bags.

Signs your air system is failing

You do not have to wait for a total failure to know the system is on its way out. Watch for:

• The rear end sitting lower than the front after parking or overnight
• A boat-like, floaty ride, especially over dips and at highway speeds
• The compressor running more often, or for longer than usual
• Uneven rear tire wear

If you are noticing any of these, a delete kit is a permanent fix, not a temporary patch.

Common concerns, answered

Will I get warning lights? No. You will not see new dash warnings after deleting the rear air ride. We recommend leaving the rear auto-leveler air sensor connected.

What about HBMC on Infiniti models? Vehicles equipped with Hydraulic Body Motion Control need that system fully removed before installing a delete kit. We recommend adding aftermarket front and rear sway bars afterward, available on our site, to keep handling flat and predictable.

Is installation difficult? Most owners install at home with basic hand tools. We provide a step-by-step YouTube video to walk you through it.

Keep the factory air, or delete it

Here is the honest comparison.

Keeping the factory air ride is fine when the system is brand new. The problem is that it is complex, maintenance-heavy, and gets costly as it ages, with air lines, fittings, sensors, the compressor, and the bags all eventually wearing out.

A delete kit is simpler, more durable, and gives you better ride control, all at a lower lifetime cost. Paired with Firestone bags, it matches or beats the factory towing capacity. The tradeoff is that it removes the automatic self-leveling convenience, which most owners happily give up once they feel how the truck rides and stops chasing air leaks.

Pros

• Fewer parts to fail and less troubleshooting
• Better ride control with less float
• Lower lifetime cost than the factory air system
• Matches or beats factory towing capacity with Firestone bags
• Restored, level rear ride height

Cons

• Removes the automatic self-leveling convenience
• Air bags inflate manually unless you add the onboard air system
• HBMC-equipped Infiniti models need that system removed first

Benefits you will feel immediately

• Restored, level rear ride height
• Tighter, more controlled damping, with less bounce and float
• A predictable towing stance without constant compressor cycling
• Fewer components, and fewer surprises on road trips or when towing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add air bags later?

Yes. You can start with springs and shocks, then add Firestone 4150 rear bags anytime you want the extra towing capacity.

Do these kits affect daily ride comfort?

Most owners report improved comfort and stability, especially over uneven pavement and when the truck is loaded.

Will my tow rating change?

Base kits support up to 6,500 lb. Kits with Firestone 4150 bags support up to 8,600 lb when properly set up.

Get your kit

Putting it together is simple. Choose your shock package: Bilstein for value, Fox, Icon, or Radflo for performance, or King for premium ride. Pick your towing support: base coils plus shocks up to 6,500 lb, or add Firestone 4150 bags up to 8,600 lb. Then install at home with simple tools, or share the video with your preferred shop.

Visit HighRoadSuspension.com to select your Armada, QX56, or QX80 application and get detailed specs, pricing, and the installation video.