Another Lowering Question

[Pablo22]

I just bought a 65 LB and I want to use it as a Bike (Harley) Hauler. I want to lower the truck but still be able to put a bike or two in the back when necessary - what is my best bet?

[Indian113]

Buy a trailor! I can't haul 500lbs. in the back of my stepper after dropping it with jeep springs. Honestly you can pull more than you can haul. If you buy a trailor you'll find all kinds of reasons to use it.

[MisterC]

Give serious consideration to the Porterbuilt Stage 1 rear kit. Very economical and I've heard great things about the results.

http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...-1963-1972-365

[Pablo22]

Indian - Sound advice, I'm sure. Already have a couple of trailers that are great for hauling bikes but I'm determined to find a way to do this.

MisterC - Thanks for the suggestion, I will take a good look at Porterbuilts setup.

[chevy_mike]

That would definitely be a need for an air bag setup in the rear at least. This way you can tailor the height to match the load.

[hopped up]

if you wanna haul DONT USE JEEP SPRINGS!! cant carry much using those springs. an air bag setup may be the thing to help you carry a bike while still having a decent ride
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[bama63]

x3 on the airbags

[Nopocustoms]

A friend of mine used 70's El Camino air shocks to allow him to haul a harley around in his bed - He thought it was the solution!

Looking at your truck, I assume you have trailing arm suspension - At a recent show, I saw a gentlemen who used Firestone Frieghtliner cab air bags in front of the axle on the trailing arm mounted to a crossmember with a land-rover air-suspension hieght sensor, a single relay, a frieghtliner air solenoid - and a harbor freight air bottle (for filling tires) hooked to a Air-ride on board compressor.

I thought the system was pretty sharp, and he told me the bags were 40 bucks at a truck salvage yard, the sensor was 5 bucks from a u-pullit, the Firestone compressor was around 50 bucks, the bottle was 14.95 on sale, and the 60 dollar solenoid was a the most expensive part - he didn't mention the cost of airline, but it was plastic air-brake stuff - so I assume he boosted it from work! It was a pretty sharp setup for 170 bucks, however it was run from s single toggle switch -

Granted this system was completley home-brewed, I thought it was pretty impressive-

[DenimViking64c10]

@Indian113: how much lower did you get with the jeep springs? and what type of jeep did they come out of?

[Indian113]

Originally Posted by DenimViking64c10

@Indian113: how much lower did you get with the jeep springs? and what type of jeep did they come out of?

About 4 inch's they are TJ springs I bought off e-bay for 35 dollars.

[Pablo22]

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I got a quote from a local Riverside Guy - two compressors and airbags all around for $1500. I am going to get a couple more quotes before I commit but everyone I have spoken to said that sounds like a good deal.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Pablo22

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I got a quote from a local Riverside Guy - two compressors and airbags all around for $1500. I am going to get a couple more quotes before I commit but everyone I have spoken to said that sounds like a good deal.

Will you be hauling bikes on a dialy basis? If so, the compressor & tank route is the way to go but you can do a simple paddle valve set-up for half that price listed (or cheaper).

If it's just occasionally hauling bikes, mount the bags in the rear just like swapping in lowered coils. Run some DOT .250" airline to schrader valves & add extra air when required (use a tire pressure gauge for dialing it in). Bleed the extra air out when your done just like you would if you put too much air in a tire. 2x bags, DOT air line, & 2x schraders can be done for <$300. I ran this set-up for almost 2yrs w/o issue. I only upgraded to the compressor & tank because I started using my car trailer more frequently.

[DenimViking64c10]

Thanks for the info @Indian113!! Starting a build of my own and wanting lower it on the cheap so this helps. Thank you tons.
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[Pablo22]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Will you be hauling bikes on a dialy basis? If so, the compressor & tank route is the way to go but you can do a simple paddle valve set-up for half that price listed (or cheaper).

If it's just occasionally hauling bikes, mount the bags in the rear just like swapping in lowered coils. Run some DOT .250" airline to schrader valves & add extra air when required (use a tire pressure gauge for dialing it in). Bleed the extra air out when your done just like you would if you put too much air in a tire. 2x bags, DOT air line, & 2x schraders can be done for <$300. I ran this set-up for almost 2yrs w/o issue. I only upgraded to the compressor & tank because I started using my car trailer more frequently.

Thanks Scoti - I'm not familiar with these systems and don't really have anywhere to work on my truck. I don't mind supporting the local professionals - I just want to get it done right and notget ripped off in the process. Thanks for your advice.