Air ride ?

[action]

OK I don't know a thing about air ride so I was getting ready to buy springs, I thought I should learn a little about air ride and maybe buy bags. Can I buy bags for the front and rear and just use air(like with air shocks) for now and up grade to all the goodies as money comes? I was wanting to go like 5/7 drop so maybe bags would be the best. I will be using stock front suspention and rear trailing arms. Does anyone sell just a basic kit? any links to air ride sites?
Thanks Jack

[mkhutch]

There are 2 companies everyone seems to recommend. Air Ride Techonologies and Suicide Doors. Both companies seem really good so I don't think you can go wrong either way. I also have a front complete set for sale if you want to check out the classifieds. www.ridetech.com and www.*****************

[braggwood]

I am planning on doing about the same as you, I have 3 inch front drop spindles and coils in the rear. The research I have done and with alot of help from this board, #1-there are many choices #2-I am leaning towards slam specalties bags, plan on making my own rear notch, may buy brackets for the front (if I had a good pic, I would make them also)#3-will buy an adjustable panhard bar and will do my own shock relocating. Good luck, Greg

[jimmydean]

Shane posted a good "budget" setup like you're talking about. It was bags, brackets, hardware, some fittings, lines, and some schrader valves.

You could run all your lines as if it was the whole system, but use schrader valves instead. When you're ready to get valves/tank/compressor/gauges, then 75% of the work is done.

I was going to do that and ended up spending way too much money doing the whole deal. Mine is the never ending project at this point.

[jimmydean]

Found it.

Originally Posted by Shane

2 Firestone 2,600 lb bags - 1/2" port- (front - $70 each)
2 Firestone 2,500 lb bags - 1/2" port - (rear - $70 each)
50 feet of line - ($30)
2 Shrader valves (1 for front - 1 for rear) - (approx $8.50 each)
2 Lower A-arm cups - 2 Upper plates - (front lower/upper) ($60)
4 90 Degree PrestoLok fittings (1 per bag) ($6.26 each)
2 "T" PrestoLock fittings (1 for front - 1 for rear) ($11.54 each)

Total: $435.12

You could use any bag (I used Slam Specialties) and I would recomend the Suicide Doors brackets (you can just get everything on that list there).

[Shane]

You can everything on that list from ***************** EXCEPT the Shrader valves ... you can get them at O'Reilly's or similiar auto parts places ... ask for a fill valve for air shocks ... they'll know what your talking about then ... you ask for a Schrader valve and they will start the ol' "what year, what engine, what color" routine while staring at the computer screen with a puzzled look on their face.

[action]

Thanks everyone that is what I was looking for. Now on the parts list is that
1/2" line and fittings? If so does It have to be reduced for the schrader valve?
Thanks for all the help.
Jack

[jimmydean]

I would run everything 3/8". You can get 1/2" pipe to 3/8" line fittings for the bags, then run 3/8" valves.

My setup is all 1/2" and it's unusable as it is. It's too fast, so there is little "ride adjustment", it's either up or down. I got adjusters ordered, I should have it all done and drivable by next weekend.

[Shane]

I agree with jimmydean ... 1/2 is a bit fast, that is unless you like it fast.

Mine is plumbed 3/8" ... lines, valves and all.

[hotrodhomi]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

Found it.



You could use any bag (I used Slam Specialties) and I would recomend the Suicide Doors brackets (you can just get everything on that list there).

WHy different bags for the front and rear?

[jimmydean]

You don't have to run different bags, but some people feel it's overkill to run a heavy bag for the back. The front requires 2x the PSI to lift with the engine and everything, while the back is empty, so it takes only a little air.

67Fleet ran RE7's all around, I would have done the same had I been able to choose my bags (I bought them together off ebay). Also, I think that depending on how you mount the rear bags (some brackets mount the bag somewhere other than the stock location), you might hit stuff with a larger bag. I think on our trucks, it's not an issue, but on a smaller truck or car, it might be.

[hotrodhomi]

Would you run the heavier bags on the back of a blazer due to the added weight?

[jimmydean]

I myself would run RE7's all around because I haul with my truck as well as tow. As for the blazer, there is a little added weight, but not as much as an engine.

Again, I would go with the same bags all around because it would allow the same adjustability and also provide a little more assurance for hauling/towing.

[hotrodhomi]

do they have the same range of motion?

[jimmydean]

Looks like you gain an inch infalted. One of the nice things is they seem to not baloon like some of the others.

As pulled from the spec sheet.

RE6:
Diameter "0" PSI 6"
Diameter Max PSI 6"
Max PSI 200
Min Height 2.9"
Max Height 10"

RE7:
Diameter "0" PSI 7"
Diameter Max PSI 7"
Max PSI 200
Min Height 2.9"
Max Height 11"

[action]

I think I am starting to understand this bag thing (at least a little) you guys running stock a-arms w/bags and trailing arms w/bags and small notch will a 1 piece drive line clear the cross member at full drop? I am going to run a BB and T-400 and want to use a 1 piece drive line.
Thanks for all the help.
Jack

[st1x10]

I would interested in that info too.

[jimmydean]

I was going to run a 1 piece driveline until the shop that was going to make it talked me out of it. You might want to if you're running a lot of power. My mild 350 isn't enough to worry.

[leftcoast66]

I did the opposite and ran 2500lb firestones up front w/ 2600lb firestones in the back and it's been great. I wanted the bigger in the back for towing and hauling and such.

[racerman85]

hey guys. like leftcoast said, would it be better if i'm going to be towing motorcycles and race cars to have a heavier bag on my 67 LWB C10?

what are your thoughts on a static setup? pros/cons? thanks.

[jimmydean]

I have 7" bags in the front and 6" bags in the back. I will upgrade to a 7" bag as soon as the dust settles. I do a lot of hauling, so the 2600 in the back is a good idea.