Air Bag Suspension - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1STtimePRo'71 · 03-05-2005, 12:41 AM

I'm just hoping that somebody can point me to a site with some good info on putting an airbag suspension on my 71. Who makes the kits, whats the best. Want to do some research before I pursue this anymore. Thanks for the help.

BabyBlue · 03-05-2005, 01:17 AM

Don't know about insatallation but as far as kits my dad has bought all airride for his and it is coming together really nice plus their prices aren't that bad either. www.airride.com is their site I think

jugernot · 03-05-2005, 06:17 AM

Hope this helps.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=129463

Rollie396 · 03-05-2005, 11:54 AM

check out www.***************** as well.They have really good prices on their stuff.As far as installation goes it can be pretty simple or real elaborate depending on what you want out of it.Sorry not very helpful

.

powell72 · 03-05-2005, 02:56 PM

I had a really good experience with Air Ride Tech. on my last '72. Very good quality parts.

1STtimePRo'71 · 03-06-2005, 12:12 AM

So I'm thinking this might be a little more complicated than I though due to the fact that I drive my pickup daily and It's still all in one peice and not in the middle of a resto. Anybody do this instalation as compared to my situation? Could I do this without totally dropping the axles or takin the bed or fenders off? Again any help is appreciated!

**71swb4x4** · 03-06-2005, 12:26 AM

I have ordered most of the stuff to do this to my Jimmy. I don't really see any problems with doing it with my tub and fenders on. I am hoping to find a hoist to use, I think that will make it a lot easier, but jackstands and a creeper always work too.

NPilot1975 · 03-06-2005, 12:48 AM

I would suggest on a daily driver, start with the air supply system (tanks and compressor). Once that stuff is installed and you have your lines run. Actually installing the bags would be a weekend project.

powell72 · 03-06-2005, 05:53 PM

I did it to my daily driver over a weekend. It can be alot of work, you just need to take the time and plan and make sure you have all of your bases covered before you start. On a daily driver you don't need nitrogen or 1/2 air lines(unless you really want to). You just need good quality components. I did my install exactly how NPilot1975 said, air lines and tank(s), compressor, gauges, etc first, then the bag install. you can do all of this with the bed on if you need to.

1STtimePRo'71 · 03-06-2005, 07:34 PM

I have a buddy that added bags to a F@rd of his and he never put lines or a compressor on. He just airs it up or down in his shop when he needs to. This is what he told me anyway. Could it actually be done like that?

Rollie396 · 03-06-2005, 09:19 PM

It sure can.I know a few guys that put helpers in and ran lines out the back with shrader (sp) valves on them.

1STtimePRo'71 · 03-06-2005, 09:26 PM

See this has been my plan for awhile now and I think for my situation it would be best to run valves on them. Thanks Rollie396. Do you know what brand bags they use, how is the quality, install etc.?

XXL · 03-06-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1STtimePRo'71

So I'm thinking this might be a little more complicated than I though due to the fact that I drive my pickup daily and It's still all in one peice and not in the middle of a resto. Anybody do this instalation as compared to my situation? Could I do this without totally dropping the axles or takin the bed or fenders off? Again any help is appreciated!

Installing the air ride stuff doesn't require the removal of any of those parts. It's an easy weekend job (actually one day is enough) if you've got the right tools-- jack, jackstands, ball joint fork, drill, and misc "regular" tools.

Rollie396 · 03-06-2005, 09:44 PM

I saw one that had firestone convoluted bags mounted between the leafs and the frame.Another with sleeve bags (not sure of brand) mounted outside the frame on fabbed brackets directly over the axle.I should point out that these were on new style trucks though.I assume you have a coil rear end?You can mount a set of firestone 224c bags directly in place of the spring.All you have to do is drill 3 holes in the frame (two for mounting,one for airline).The 224s have a single mounting hole in the bottom so no bracket is needed.

03-05-2005, 12:41 AM	#1
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	Air Bag Suspension I'm just hoping that somebody can point me to a site with some good info on putting an airbag suspension on my 71. Who makes the kits, whats the best. Want to do some research before I pursue this anymore. Thanks for the help. __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

03-05-2005, 06:17 AM	#3
jugernot Life, Be In It..... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Novato, California Posts: 1,498	Hope this helps. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=129463 __________________ Project Name: LEMON DROP. Reconstruction started "December 2000". Projected completion date "Who knows" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200082

03-05-2005, 11:54 AM	#4
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	check out www.***************** as well.They have really good prices on their stuff.As far as installation goes it can be pretty simple or real elaborate depending on what you want out of it.Sorry not very helpful . __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

03-05-2005, 02:56 PM	#5
powell72 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland Co. Posts: 3,098	I had a really good experience with Air Ride Tech. on my last '72. Very good quality parts. __________________ Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html

03-06-2005, 12:12 AM	#6
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	So I'm thinking this might be a little more complicated than I though due to the fact that I drive my pickup daily and It's still all in one peice and not in the middle of a resto. Anybody do this instalation as compared to my situation? Could I do this without totally dropping the axles or takin the bed or fenders off? Again any help is appreciated! __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

03-05-2005, 01:17 AM	#2
BabyBlue The Peacemaker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kannapolis, NC Posts: 783	Don't know about insatallation but as far as kits my dad has bought all airride for his and it is coming together really nice plus their prices aren't that bad either. www.airride.com is their site I think

03-06-2005, 12:26 AM	#7
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,499	I have ordered most of the stuff to do this to my Jimmy. I don't really see any problems with doing it with my tub and fenders on. I am hoping to find a hoist to use, I think that will make it a lot easier, but jackstands and a creeper always work too. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

03-06-2005, 12:48 AM	#8
NPilot1975 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Plymouth, MA Posts: 891	I would suggest on a daily driver, start with the air supply system (tanks and compressor). Once that stuff is installed and you have your lines run. Actually installing the bags would be a weekend project. __________________ 1972 Blazer body...need to get a thread started for the rest of the story

03-06-2005, 05:53 PM	#9
powell72 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland Co. Posts: 3,098	I did it to my daily driver over a weekend. It can be alot of work, you just need to take the time and plan and make sure you have all of your bases covered before you start. On a daily driver you don't need nitrogen or 1/2 air lines(unless you really want to). You just need good quality components. I did my install exactly how NPilot1975 said, air lines and tank(s), compressor, gauges, etc first, then the bag install. you can do all of this with the bed on if you need to. __________________ Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html

03-06-2005, 07:34 PM	#10
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	I have a buddy that added bags to a F@rd of his and he never put lines or a compressor on. He just airs it up or down in his shop when he needs to. This is what he told me anyway. Could it actually be done like that? __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

03-06-2005, 09:19 PM	#11
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	It sure can.I know a few guys that put helpers in and ran lines out the back with shrader (sp) valves on them. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

03-06-2005, 09:26 PM	#12
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	See this has been my plan for awhile now and I think for my situation it would be best to run valves on them. Thanks Rollie396. Do you know what brand bags they use, how is the quality, install etc.? __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

03-06-2005, 09:44 PM	#14
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	I saw one that had firestone convoluted bags mounted between the leafs and the frame.Another with sleeve bags (not sure of brand) mounted outside the frame on fabbed brackets directly over the axle.I should point out that these were on new style trucks though.I assume you have a coil rear end?You can mount a set of firestone 224c bags directly in place of the spring.All you have to do is drill 3 holes in the frame (two for mounting,one for airline).The 224s have a single mounting hole in the bottom so no bracket is needed. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics Last edited by Rollie396; 03-06-2005 at 09:50 PM.



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