whats the best/simple airide setup?

[Juspassinthru]

lookin into bagging my 66, I had a bagged Kustom but it's been about 5 years ago so Im a bit out of the loop.
I bought my truck for the cheap to use as a daily driver and I also have a 51 Merc (Chevy powered) so I don't want to drop big money on PB drop members and things like that.
I want one decent compressor
im thinkin one 5 gallon tank
manual valves
and 3/8 lines (for decent speed nothing crazy)
as I said Im on a budget and a bit out of the loop so suggestions are welcomed keeping my low buck idea in mind thx.

[61_FL_Apache]

I went with a setup like you are describing on the rear of mine a couple of years ago. Very simple. I think my tank is a 2.5G but I am only running one set of bags. I bought my manual valves from a guy on here and they are solid!! The 3/8 line also worked perfect for me too. Im running a Viair 380 compressor which I have had for over 5 years.

[61_FL_Apache]

way2lo2 is who I got my valves from. I think he gives a discount for forum members.

[bk2life]

Originally Posted by Juspassinthru

it's been about 5 years ago so Im a bit out of the loop..

you're not out of the loop, still the same stuff.. id advise against manual valves though. electric are the way to go, so much simpler, no airlines in the interior, just niceer over all.

also from what you described a valve block set up is super easy, but not the cheaper route.

[joedoh]

if you have freezing temperatures for days in a row where you live and dont care about speed, manuals are definitely nice. if the climate is temperate and you have the extra money, electrics are nice.

the things I like about manuals is: they are in the cab with you so if there is a problem, its right there, no climbing under a truck that refuses to lift. also, you can buy big bore manuals (the valve orifice is usually what sets the speed of the system, not the airline unless you are running 1/8th or 1/4) and modulate your speed by how much you open the valve. If you live in a cold climate you can warm up the truck and the valves warm up with the interior, less sticky, electrics usually get mounted outside the cab so not much warm up. Electrics are more finicky about dry air too. Cold electric valves usually stick OPEN, not shut, which sucks when you are trying to get to work.

the things I like about electrics are: cleaner in the cab, no running big lines with minimum bend radii behind the dash and trying to hide them, as bk2life said. Block setups are awesome too, all your connections in one place, like the VU4 setup. When you have electrics you can program different maneuvers to one switch, it can take as little as one switch to get the truck up or down, and some electric controls have presets for ride height making it automatic when you start the truck.

an engine driven compressor is the way to go, I have had one on the last couple trucks, no RNNNRNNRNNRNNR waiting 4 minutes for the tank pressure to be high enough to leave in the morning, even with a slap empty tank (system leak, hard to find) the EDC had me up and ready in under 40 seconds. Sometimes you can get an EDC system cheaper than a compressor set.

[63sbssbbw]

I'm also going to run a York.(LOL when I get to that point)
They came on lots of cars/trucks from about '75-'85 as dealer installed AC
They also came in semi trucks.
you can still buy rebuild kits and clutches (grooved and V belt)
Hopefully you can find one with a good clutch new ones are north of 300$
I saw one(manual valves) on here a few years ago and was impressed with the simplicity of the
whole set-up and its old school appeal.
When ya get rollin' on it post up some reference for us that also want to go this route
Thanks
T

[jimmydean]

I wouldn't go larger than 5 gallon with a single compressor. Might even consider a 200psi 3 gallon. Dino and others have been running the manual valves and love them. I ran electric individual valves last time and doing a valve block this time.

With budget in mind, run the manual valves and put your money into the compressor.

[Grizz1963]

Another great thread idea....

Sharing best of budget and pro's and con's

Sure more people will have them is they do not seem intimidating.

[Juspassinthru]

Does anybody sale a 3/8 manual valve switch panel??? Hopefully with a gauge
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[jimmydean]

The manual valves use smaller then 3/8 line.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=494281

[Juspassinthru]

Anybody running a1/4 line manual set up,? Are you happy with it?
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[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by Juspassinthru

Anybody running a1/4 line manual set up,? Are you happy with it?
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I had 1/4 in my 65 and it was real slow up and down. I went with 3/8 where I could with my 61.

[jimmydean]

Dino has them on his prostreet and on his new dually and loves them. Pics in the link as well as Dino's build threads.

[joedoh]

I have enough old school manuals to last a couple more projects, sorry, not selling, took me long enough to find em.



this is the set for my truck

this set is the oldest set of MICs I have ever seen, put together with 1/4" PTC fittings not a machined block


I ran 1/4" MIC manuals on my old truck, it was slow but great.

[Juspassinthru]

I had a MIC manual valve panel on my 51 Loved it!
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[badriand]

Anybody running a1/4 line manual set up,? Are you happy with it?

run 1/4 on mine, happy with...

I just air mine out when parked so really no reason for me to go bigger. Getting to old to pff pfff pffff at every red light.

[kieth]

I only have bags on the rear, stayed with a electric toggle for up down, with 2 schrader valves as backup so the tank can be aired up to pressure from the rear of the truck and if everything fails or freezes I can still air the 2 rear bags up with another schrader valve........cheap no gauges, I can tell from the drivers seat how she is sitting...... Kieth

[Juspassinthru]

What compressor were you running? Tank size?
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[61_FL_Apache]

Viair 380 and a 5G tank.
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