Air, Static or coilovers?

[1enick72]

Working on my 2nd truck so I learned a few things that I want to make better on this one. I've done a pile of research but not finding the answers I'm looking for. Hopefully Someone can help me out.
I want a 5" drop and want it to handle and ride good, just a good cruiser but I live in Maine so the roads suck. My old truck had 2.5" spindles and 2" springs, 3" springs in rear with 2" blocks. Front was very stiff and rear was very soft, not a great combo. I'm definately leaning more towards air but I've never driven anything on air. My guess is the ride is good but I wasn't sure about handling, lots of hilly curvy roads up here. I have been looking at coilover setups as well. These have me interested but I know very little about them or how they would feel driving around. Thanks for any help.

[62chevy302]

I have this same setup. That makes me nervous about handling. Did you have a front or rear sway bar?

[Stormin08]

my bagged 89 was built to DRIVE ! it has a KP 6 link in rear and shockwaves up front, with stock sway bar....i drive it hard when i do and it feels planted !

that said, it was built 10 yrs ago, and has not given me any issues....

[slowcpe]

I went back and forth on air vs. coilovers. After riding in Ridetech's old shop truck Gumby on air I was sold. It handled like a Corvette and rode like a Cadillac.

I'm still in the mockup stage but I went with a Porterbuilt Level 1 front, rack and pinion, c-notch rear, frame stiffener, bags, Ridetech HQ shocks, front and rear sway bars and Ridetech's air management w/level sensors. I'm highly anticipating it to ride and handle well. Not the most cost-effective setup though.

I've also driven Ridetech's shop truck with their new Street Grip kit and was amazed at how well it rode and drove. I've been tempted to put it on my '72 but really need to focus on the '67.

[1enick72]

Slowcpe, thanks for the feedback, this is what I was looking for. I was afraid of too much body roll with air but figured the ride would be nice. I basically want to keep one position for a good look and ride, I don't need to be going up and down or anything crazy. I want to drive this truck a lot so these 2 things are the most important to me.

[1enick72]

Originally Posted by 62chevy302

I have this same setup. That makes me nervous about handling. Did you have a front or rear sway bar?

I only had front sway bar. That truck is gone but I don't wan't the same setup, it sucked. Looked nice in the driveway but not that cool to drive.

[68Stepbed]

My TCI setup is on single adjustable Ridetech coilovers. It handles like it's on rails, and with the adjustable rebound on the shocks, they can be turned down to be more comfortable on the street. The old 4.5/6.75 drop I had before was similar to what you described, and bumps and potholes at highway speeds made for questionable events. The truck would jar, shake, and wobble on hard bumps and such. Now, potholes and bumps are absorbed like a newer car, and there's no drama involved while driving. It's very smooth, but still has crisp steering response.

[bluex]

I love my air ride, it rides and handles great. Having said that if your not wanting the adjustability of it then you might as well go coilovers and save yourself the expense, space and install time of the air management side.

[mongocanfly]

Never driven one on air..but a buddy just got done with his coilover setup....I told him it rides better than a new one...and it does....I was impressed....his coilover are adj.....and would be way simpler to setup and inatall...

[1enick72]

Thanks guys. I'm definitely leaning towards coilover setup. You make good points about the adjust ability without having to stuff all of the air ride components under the truck.

Looks like plenty of options for the front coilover setups now to search for rear setups that won't break the bank