new to forum

[slade]

Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum and wanted to say HI and throw some questions at you.

I have a '64 c10 stepside that i have spent most of my life building on and off. It has a 350 TPI and a 700r4 and from there its basicly stock.
I am moving onto the suspension part of the build and am debating on airbags. The more I think about it, the easier it sounds. My question is would it be as easy as removing the coils and replacing them with bags (I'm not looking to "slam" it but more lower the stance and just improve on the suspension)? I understand that all the accessories that I would have to add like compressor, lines, tank, wiring etc. My question is more with the mounting of the bags. Or would just replacing the coils with drop coils be the best route.

also, would toyota rims off of a late model 6-lug truck fit on mine? I think the spacing is the same right?

I'll attach a pic

[Indian113]

Welcome to the board,I like 64's. I lowered mine down a little with TJ springs. I've seen what bags will do when you lose your air pressure. I had air shocks on my M/C and blew a line on the highway "what a ride"

[protrash64]

slade. To address your questions about bags, the rear can be done with simply replacing the springs with bags. You would need a plate for the trailing arm and either drill the top and bolt to the frame with the air fitting above the frame, or, use a 'hat' to provide a space between the frame and the bag for the air fitting.

In the front you will need some sort of spacers and/or plate to center the bag in the area occupied by the spring. In my case, the upper spring pocket has a plate and the bottom has a cup in the a-arm. See if I have pics...

[slade]

thanks, how is the ride with the lowered springs?
I'm not a 100% sold on airbags, really cause I have never even been in a vehicle that has had them.

[slade]

thanks protrash, that is what I was kinda picturing in my head. If I did attempt something like this (since I have zero airbag experience) any suggestions you have?

What I am looking for is something that when i shut the engine off it just kind of slowly comes to a rest, and when you start it up it slowly rises to position. I have seen vehicles that when the raise the truck its jerky and quick, is it the way they have them or is this common for all airbags?

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by slade

thanks protrash, that is what I was kinda picturing in my head. If I did attempt something like this (since I have zero airbag experience) any suggestions you have?

What I am looking for is something that when i shut the engine off it just kind of slowly comes to a rest, and when you start it up it slowly rises to position. I have seen vehicles that when the raise the truck its jerky and quick, is it the way they have them or is this common for all airbags?

First off, buy a kit.....everybody thinks they can piece one together for cheap (me too ). If you want slow rise and fall go with small line; there are also kits that adjust ride hite automatically($$$$). The quick moves are from 1/2'' air line...I re-did the rear of my 'burb to 3/8's line for slower operation. I didn't know how fast it was when I put it together in 1/2''. The small line is 1/4''.

Bags ride nicely, but I think they are somewhat of a pain for a lot of $$$. You can have a nice riding truck with drop springs and good shocks, and it looks cool all the time, not just when it's parked. I also dont like waiting for the stuff to air up so I can move.

[Indian113]

It rides great but I don't haul any thing in it,handles a lot better too. I had stock springs in it and they rode stiff.

[slade]

how much of a drop did you do? I really like how your truck looks

[Indian113]

I think the TJ springs dropped my back around 4 inches. The front are stock that have settled. I am going to put dropped spindles on when I rebuild my frontend.

[slade]

thanks, alot to think about. good to know im not the only desert rat in here too

[geezer#99]

Toyota rims?? Same bolt pattern. Centre bore is too small. Offset too deep.

[slade]

figured so, thought it was worth asking though

[protrash64]

By the way, if you're interested in a road trip across the valley, a bunch of board members are meeting at the Pavillions at 4pm 3/26. There will be every kind of truck out there, so drive over if you want.

[slade]

cool! is this something you guys do often? I just got her up and running again and still have to get it registered so I might not make the 26. But would like to meet next time