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2020 Jeep Gladiator Load Support: Air Lift’s LoadLifter 5000 Tested

Chris Hamilton . February 06, 2026 . Blood Sweat and Gears . Chris Hamilton
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AS SEEN IN OUR FEBRUARY 2026 ISSUE – Buy Now!

Air Lift’s LoadLifter for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator

For many Jeep Gladiator owners, the joy of owning a capable, go-anywhere truck is tempered by one persistent reality: rear-end sag under load. Whether hauling a weekend’s worth of camping gear, a bed full of construction materials, or towing a trailer to the dunes, the Gladiator’s rear suspension compresses noticeably, raising headlights, reducing ground clearance, and compromising handling. The fix? Air Lift company‘s LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate kit (PN 57415) is a proven, bolt-on air spring system designed specifically for the JT platform.

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This kit integrates a pair of robust, double-bellow air springs inside the factory coil springs, providing adjustable load support from 5 to 100 psi. Rated for up to 3,400 pounds of leveling capacity, it far exceeds the needs of most owners while maintaining full compatibility with the Gladiator’s stock suspension. The result is a level stance under load, improved steering response, reduced body roll, and more consistent braking performance—benefits that translate directly to safer, more controlled operation whether on pavement or gravel.

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
Before adding the new Air Lift rear helper airbag kit, and after loading the trailer, we only had around 6 ¼ inches of clearance between the fender and the tire. We needed more space and less sag.

Installation is straightforward and requires no welding or frame modification beyond minor trimming in select areas. Using common hand tools, including a ratchet, sockets, a torque wrench, and a die grinder, the kit bolts into place in an afternoon. Key components include reinforced upper and lower brackets, roll plates for load distribution, and stainless steel braided air lines. Brake line relocation brackets are included to maintain proper routing and clearance. Air can be managed via Schrader valves mounted in the rear bumper or wheel well or upgraded with an onboard compressor for on-the-fly adjustments.

In testing, inflating the system to 55–60 psi restored factory ride height with a truck loaded on our trailer. The Gladiator tracked straight, tire wear remained even, and the ride quality, while firmer under load, remained compliant and controlled. For owners who use their Jeeps as daily drivers and weekend workhorses, the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate delivers a practical, durable solution that preserves off-road capability while eliminating sag.

The kit represents a cost-effective upgrade for anyone tired of watching their tail drag. It’s a smart investment in safety, performance, and peace of mind—one that lets the Gladiator live up to its full potential, load after load.

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
Offering up to 3,400 pounds of load-leveling capacity, the LoadLifter kit with Universal Air Spring Cradles for the Jeep Gladiator makes towing and hauling comfortable and stress-free.
Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
After removing the tire and factory bump stops, we are ready to start the install. No other parts need to be removed from our truck to move forward.

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
The lower airbag bracket will sit directly on top of this lower bumpstop plate that is attached to the rear axle from the factory.
Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
The only modification we need to make to our factory suspension is to cut a small notch in the front side of our upper bumpstop mount. This provides clearance for the airbag fitting and hose.
Before we can move on, we need to assemble the airbag brackets to the airbag itself.

The first upper plate is simply placed over the fitting and lined up with the threaded mounting holes on the top of the airbag.

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
Next, the upper mounting bracket is installed using the provided bracket bolts. All the hardware needed to finish this install is included with the kit.
We also needed to slip this large washer over the top mount bolt.

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
Now to install the parts on our Jeep. The first is the lower bag mounting bracket. The studs slide into the holes in the lower bump stop mount. These holes are already there from the factory.
The nuts and washers are easy to access and securely hold the lower bracket in place.
With the lower bracket complete, we are ready to move onto the top bracket.

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested

Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
The bag and upper bracket are ready to be secured to the upper bump stop mounting location. Again, this hole for the bolt is already provided from the factory. The bracket is simply attached using the washer and nut provided by Air Lift.
Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
Here you can see the completed airbag install. This kit has a floating bag design, meaning the bottom of the bag does not permanently mount to the lower bracket.
Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
Now we can move onto running our air hose to the rear of the vehicle. For now, we will just add the Schrader valves for easy access. An onboard air compressor and tank will be added later on.
Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
The air hose is routed around the frame rail and zip-tied to the brake line hose.
The Schrader valve fits perfectly into our bumper bracket holes and is attached using the nuts and washers provided.
With the truck back on the ground, the airbag falls into place perfectly. This is before we added air. The lower bag bracket is in the perfect location.
Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 Tested
With air in the bags, we now have over 8 inches of clearance between the tire and the fender. The truck sits level and rides so much better than without the airbags. Highly recommended!

 

Watch Install Here!

 

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