Differences Between Air Lift LoadLifter Options For A 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500

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Question:

AL88288 AL88388 AL57388 2021 Silverado 1500 4WD, what are the differences between these stock numbers? They seem to be very similar but with different pricing

asked by: Chris

0

Expert Reply:

Hi Chris!

I can definitely tell you the differences between the three Air Lift LoadLifter systems.

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle # AL88288
-2019 to 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Wheel Drive
2019 to 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 4 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited 2 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited 4 Wheel Drive
2019 to 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2 Wheel Drive
2019 to 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTD 2 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTD 4 Wheel Drive

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle # AL88388
-2019 to 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 4 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited 4 Wheel Drive
2019 to 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTD 4 Wheel Drive

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle # AL57388
-No internal jounce
-2019 to 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 4 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited 4 Wheel Drive
2019 to 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4 Wheel Drive
2022 to 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTD 4 Wheel Drive

With that said, they are pretty similar. The install brackets are all exactly the same between the # AL88388 and # AL57388, but the bags are different as the # AL57388 does not have the internal jounce. The # AL88288 does have the same bag as the # AL88388 as they both have the internal jounce, but the install brackets are a little different on the # AL88288 as it will fit both the 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive models (the # AL88388 and # AL57388 will only fit the 4 wheel drive models). I included a diagram showing this as well.

With Air Lift air bags, I tend to always steer people towards the options with the internal jounces. They are more expensive, but you can actually run them at 0 psi because of that jounce. This means that when not in use, they will not affect the unloaded ride of your truck, which is a big plus.

What will you be towing and how often will you be towing it?

expert reply by: Lazer S

0

Air Lift LoadLifter Differences For 21 Silverado 1500
(click to enlarge)

Chris

11/19/2025

I'll be towing a few times a month for work, various things from mid sized compressors all the way up to car haulers or flatbeds. It seems like both the 288 and 388 would work better for me, and since they both should fit my LT 4WD, it doesn't matter so much which one?

Lazer S.

11/19/2025

@Chris I agree. I would go with the lesser expensive option, which as of now (Nov 2025) looks to be the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 # AL88288. It will fit your truck perfectly and will serve you very well! Are you also considering a compressor? Being able to adjust the pressure on the fly is something I like. They can on the expensive side sometimes (like the Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System for Air Helper Springs - Remote - Bluetooth - EZ Mount # AL25980EZ you were looking at, which is very nice), but we do have some lower priced options as well. Check out the two I have listed below: Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System for Air Helper Springs - Remote - Bluetooth - Single Path # AL25980 Air Lift Load Controller II Compressor System for Air Helper Springs - Single Path # AL25592

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Differences Between Air Lift LoadLifter Options For A 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500

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