is there a kit for 67-72

[luckyss]

i was thinking of bagging my truck72 with trailing arms although i am only going to do it if there is a "complete kit" with nothing else that i may need, although i might upgrade later, i dont want to tear into my truck over the winter only to find that i need a million other parts, that i dont have or havent budgeted for and not be ready for the spring, thanks guys

if no kits, and i lower it with spring and such for now til i buy everything i need for later, is it a pain to just do spring in the front or will that screw things up until i do it right

[PrimeredThunder]

No matter how simple a kit may be, I would suggest buying the components seperatly instead, it saves you money and you can get exactly what you want. However, You can checkout Air Ride technologies at www.ridetech.com and they have everything you would need from bags/brackets to air-managment kits.

If you were to buy everything seperatly heres the rundown of what you will need.

*4 Airbags
*Front Brackets-Top Plate, bottom cup
*Rear Brackets-Top and bottom plates(You can also drill a couple holes in your frame and you dont need brackets to mount the bags)
*4 or 8 valves(depending on if you want a 2 or 4 path system)
*Airlines
*Brass Fittings
*Airtank
*Compressor
*Pressure switch
*Switches
*Misc. Elec. Wiring etc

Thats pretty much the gist of it, I did my truck for a little over $500 by buying the components individually from different sources. I gathered everything i needed before I tore into it, that way I had everyting I needed. I'm just 16 yrs old and was able to do the complete install myself within a weekend without any special tools, these systems are pretty starightforward to put together. If you've got any other questions be sure to ask, theres lots of helpful answers to be found on these messageboards.

Kenny

[pissonNOS]

if you wouldnt mind could you pm or email the sizes and specifics of all your pats if you lowered it for over 500 im really interested.

[PrimeredThunder]

PM sent

[pissonNOS]

got it thanks

[JERZROD]

Originally posted by pissonNOS
if you wouldnt mind could you pm or email the sizes and specifics of all your pats if you lowered it for over 500 im really interested.

I would like if you could do the same for me if its not too much trouble im 17 and have my truck pretty low already but nuthin beats the bagged look ya know

[Hotrod70C10]

How are you filling your bags?

If you could pm that list to me I wanna check it out. Thanks

[chevydog66]

Hey Primered Thunder, Dude it sounds like you have got the best deal of all time!! I am wanting to lower my 72 GMC that I just picked up last week. I have seen lowering kits on ebay for around $300. But hell, for a little over $500 I would rather bag it!! Could you please let us all know where and how much you bought all your stuff for the bag kit. Thanks man!!
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/497511/pica.jpg

[GMC69]

I would really LOVE to hear how and where you got all the parts from too. I am thinking of doing a static drop but if I could bag it for that much I would definetly bag it.

Just PM me or email me.

Thanks

[cojnit]

Put me on the list of inquiring minds!

[jcab]

I would love to get that PM also, if it's not a problem.

[PrimeredThunder]

bags for under $600
What I did was buy all my components seperatly from various locations on the iternet. You'd be surprised what you can get if you know where to look.

I ended up spending about $200 on bags and brackets which I found from a member here on the message boards. They are Firestone 2500(back) and 2600(front bags). The rear brackets and front cups are Air ride Technologies units and the front upper mounting plates were homemade. I bought the 4 SMC valves from suicide doors for $35 each. I found the compressor on ebay for $130. I got all of my fittings, airline and switches from a semi-truck shop for about $80. The airtank is an old CO2 bottle I found at a junkyard(They can hold like 3000 psi), they said i could have it for free. I think that covers just about everything..
Bags/Brackets-$200
Valves-$140
Compressor-$130
Fittings/Airlines/Switches-$80

Total - $550

In the PM's I sent i forgot to mention that I bought a 145psi Pressure Switch off of Ebay for $20, but still, $570 for airbags is a great deal.
Also, I am running a front factory sway bar, which helps considerably with the handling of the truck since it is only a 2-path system.
These aren't exact prices, but pretty close estimates, I probably paid close to $600, but i'm sure if you look hard anough you could do it for as cheap as me if not cheaper.

Let me know if you have any other questions...

Kenny

[BigChevMan]

Originally posted by PrimeredThunder
bags for under $600
What I did was buy all my components seperatly from various locations on the iternet. You'd be surprised what you can get if you know where to look.

I ended up spending about $200 on bags and brackets which I found from a member here on the message boards. They are Firestone 2500(back) and 2600(front bags). The rear brackets and front cups are Air ride Technologies units and the front upper mounting plates were homemade. I bought the 4 SMC valves from suicide doors for $35 each. I found the compressor on ebay for $130. I got all of my fittings, airline and switches from a semi-truck shop for about $80. The airtank is an old CO2 bottle I found at a junkyard(They can hold like 3000 psi), they said i could have it for free. I think that covers just about everything..
Bags/Brackets-$200
Valves-$140
Compressor-$130
Fittings/Airlines/Switches-$80

Total - $550

In the PM's I sent i forgot to mention that I bought a 145psi Pressure Switch off of Ebay for $20, but still, $570 for airbags is a great deal.
Also, I am running a front factory sway bar, which helps considerably with the handling of the truck since it is only a 2-path system.
These aren't exact prices, but pretty close estimates, I probably paid close to $600, but i'm sure if you look hard anough you could do it for as cheap as me if not cheaper.

Let me know if you have any other questions...

Kenny

Not To rain on anyone's parade...but $500 bucks isn't going to be a quality system that you'll be happy with. It would be easier and better in the long run to buy parts specifically designed for air suspension use. $900-1000 would be a better estimate of a true cost. 67-72 trucks are some of the nicest to bag because they are so easy. I would never run a scuba tank just for the simple reason that they aren't DOT approved. Going to a semi shop is a good idea for lines and fittings but make sure that they are DOT approved also. Some shops are better than others. And I would also splurge for the 8 valves instead of 4 which will make a world of difference in handling.

Speaking as someone who has done this type of work for money. Go for an engineered and well designed kit might cost more in the long run but will last longer and be safer. I would have nothing less on something that I was trusting my life with.

[70 Jimmy]

Good point but just because it's DOT doesn't ensure safety (search on firestone/explorer). A SCUBA tank, in my opinion, handle any pressure you throw at a suspension bag. However, DOT approval does allow for insurance companies to pay out. No DOT, No Payment. So, if your going to go cheap, but safe, you risk losing your investment.

Worst case scenario (that I can think of):

You get in an accident, it's your fault, someone in the other car is injured or worse. The investigation finds that your truck was equipped with non-DOT approved parts. Your insurance probably won't cover it and you could get fined or worse.

Remember I said "Worst case" so don't talk about odds, etc. I've played the lottery, I know about odds.

BTW, I've seen PrimeredThunders ride and it is FINE! It's all class A work so he hasn't taken any short cuts.

[BigChevMan]

I was in no way insulting his work. However i'm sure that he has put forth lots of effort researching and maybe even has bagged a ride or two before. I'm just giving newbies real world experience because I was there once too.

By the way kiddies...

www.kpcomponents.com has 67-72 truck brackets for 97.50...which is a steal. add in 2 airbags for 65 bucks each and your around $250 for the front.
check it out at www.kpcomponents.com

Add 2 airbags for the rear and your out another $130.
pressure switch for $19
Compressor $191...2 if you want to get anywhere anytime soon
airline at 65 cents a foot x 50 feet=32.50
a fitting package=$190 for 4 valves or $290 for 8 valves
2 dual needle gauges=30 each=$60
5 gallon tank=$40
4 or 8 valves=$ 140 or $280
4 or 8 switches=$16 or $32
miscellaneous wiring and small stuff (ie. teflon tape and crap)=$25

Grand total of: $1071 for the 4 valve setup....1327 for the 8 valve
setup. More if you want the extra compressor.

Not to mention shipping and handling that these companies charge....

All these prices came from www.kpcomponents.com and www.*****************

that would be a more realistic price breakdown

Hope that helps

[BigChevMan]

And your also correct about the DOT thing. I've had friends get out of tickets because they show him either the tank or a fitting that has DOT stamped on it. The line about how almost all semis ride on airbags helps too.

[PrimeredThunder]

I did use Parker DOT brass fittings, and DOT Truck airlines. Also, that SCUBA tank has worked great, no leaks and like 70 jimmy said, will hold more pressure than I'll ever plumb into my system.

I agree that you have made some good points Big ChevMan, and i too would reccommend that newbies to the airbag suspension world would probably be better off with a kit. however, I am just 17yrs old now, and this in fact was my first install. I did it myself in about 3 days time, and am very pleased with teh way it came out despite being built on a High-School budget. Don't get me wrong, I do plan on upgrading my system when funds permit, but right no I'm enjoying cruising it and having fun.

[BigChevMan]

Originally posted by PrimeredThunder
I did use Parker DOT brass fittings, and DOT Truck airlines. Also, that SCUBA tank has worked great, no leaks and like 70 jimmy said, will hold more pressure than I'll ever plumb into my system.

I agree that you have made some good points Big ChevMan, and i too would reccommend that newbies to the airbag suspension world would probably be better off with a kit. however, I am just 17yrs old now, and this in fact was my first install. I did it myself in about 3 days time, and am very pleased with teh way it came out despite being built on a High-School budget. Don't get me wrong, I do plan on upgrading my system when funds permit, but right no I'm enjoying cruising it and having fun.

well I commend you on your abilities then..because at 17 I couldn't have put together what you have. I was lucky to have my windows tinted on my bag boy salary