Front air bag problems HELP

[cfranklin013]

OK just got my truck on the road two days ago . My problem is when I turn a corner or go up a driveway either my left or right side of my truck will go down lower then the other side . I only have bags in the front with 2 valves one for fill and one to dump . Line is common between the two bags . The rear is a 4 link setup with coil overs its a prostreet truck . What do I need to fix this problem . Diagrams will help . First air bag suspension still trying to learn.


Thanks in advance

[Painter D]

The line being "common" is the problem. You need to have each side of the truck on it's own set of valves and lines, not T'd together. The air will transfer from one side to the other when it's hooked up like that, causing the truck to lean like you are talking about. Get two more valves (4 total) and isolate the two sides, it should fix the problem.

[cfranklin013]

Is there any way to do it with three valves or a check valve ?Just thinking up ideas that might work . I asked exstensive metalwork about this set up when I bought it . They said it would work fine . I guess they just wanted to sell me the stuff. With 4 valves could I wire them up with one switch for up and down and will they come up even ?

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by cfranklin013

I asked exstensive metalwork about this set up when I bought it . They said it would work fine.

I hate being "that" person, but I would go back to them and complain. A shop running two bags together like that is BULL. Busch League!

Actually, I would stay away from them and fix it yourself.

[scotts62]

Ya i agree with Jlaird, if they do that work and send it out they probably wont fix it any better the next time, id fix it yourself.

[shortbed70]

You can get by like that by running a huge sway bar but the way to do it is lik previously said.

[Painter D]

Ekstensive metalworks has always been a reputable shop . I wonder why they told you to run it like that. Might try giving them a call.

[Spray-Bomb]

Yes you can wire the valves up together so that it will activate 2 valves with one switch
You would want to wire your 2 dumps to one switch & your 2 fills to another switch, that way the front goes up & down equally from side to side

[ENHANCED AIR RIDE]

Ok a few things, If you are going to run 1 switch and 2 valves you will need to make the lines as close to the same length from the valve to the bags. Reason is if you have 2 totally different lengths you have to fill the line first before the bag, and thus the shorter line will fill faster, not the end of the world but may be uneven.
Extensive is a great shop known Bill for awhile. Probably like anything else you get a salesman that doesn't do installs and TADA!!! So add some valves.

[blazer2007]

there was a 3 valve setup posted here a couple days ago,is listed under[ do I need 4 valves]

[cfranklin013]

I called Ekstensive metalworks yesterday again about the problem. Im not sure who I talked to but the guy that sold me the stuff dont work there any more . To many customer complaints . I guess I cought them at a bad time . Im thinking about getting a manifold system not sure how good they are . If any one has any comments about them what brand to buy or stay away from let me know. It sucks I have to redo all of it . Just completed my truck "I thought" . I guess thats the fun of building a ground up project working out all of the bugs. I may have two 1/2 GC 450 Xtreme Valves for sale in a few days.

[texastrendz]

yeap, you talked to kenneth, no longer works with them, now mitch is back in the shop selling. guy knows his stuff. i only have four valves on my truck right now and the thing handles good. you might need to ditch your trailing arms in the rear to get the handling you want. if you havent noticed these trucks handle like pigs from the get go. i put a two link in the rear of mine, even inside the rails, and made a world of diffrence. the bars can not be longer than about 32 inches. to much mechanical advantage. just my two cents, a lot of people do not like two links. i do. it works, its cheap and clean. ekstensive is a very well known shop, bill knows his stuff. if you have read a truckin magazine you have seen a lot of the stuff they do.

[71'tahoe]

I have not personally dealt with Ekstensive,but from what I have read and seen they know there stuff as was already stated. It just sucks when such a good company has one bad person,who knows nothing,selling parts and giving advice. Hope you have no hard feeeling toward bill or Ekstensive. We all live and learn. Why dont you just add 2-3/8" GC valve and use them on the dump side? Thats going to be way cheaper than adding a manifold...JUst my 2 cents.

[cfranklin013]

I thought about buying two more valves ,but the manifold looks alot cleaner and is alot smaller then 4 valves. Trying to keep it clean looking its going to be a show truck /drag truck . Im just picky about way things look in return cost me alot of money . Does any one have a picture of a clean looking 4 valve setup Located up front . My tank and compressor are on the drivers side under the cab valves are in the frame rail beside the motor . I have a heat shield protecting them .

[smashingchuck]

why not just keep the two 1/2" valves that you have now, buy two more 3/8" valves to use for the dumps, and mount the other two in the same manner on the passenger side.

[ShowSS12]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

why not just keep the two 1/2" valves that you have now, buy two more 3/8" valves to use for the dumps, and mount the other two in the same manner on the passenger side.

that what I would do... No point in spending $350+ for some manifold valves when you can spent $120.00 or so for two 3/8 dump valves........

[71'tahoe]

Thats pretty much what I said also but it seems he doesnt like the look of the 4 valves,thats why he replied to my comment with...The manifold looks cleaner,I am picky about the way my stuff looks.....

[cfranklin013]

On the 4 valve setup you would have more fittings to worry about leaking . I dont have much room in the frame on the passenger side with brake lines ,fuel lines ,wiring . I still havnt decided what to do yet . I just hate taking all that crap back out and starting over. I guess thats what I get for not talking to other shops or people.

[LowSmoothCool]

If you are running D.O.T fittings and if the system is installed correct, you wont have any thing to worry about. my daily has been on air since 2001 with no issues I can leave it up for weeks at a time with no leaks. As for the manifold valve question that is all we run, and as long as you are using a reputable valve they are great but like every thing else there are cheap versions that are junk.
Realistically the only way you are going to correct the issue is by making it a 2 path set up by adding 2 more valves or a 2 path manifold, every vehicles weight ditribution is diffrent and each corner is going to require a diffrent amout of pressure to sit level.

[cfranklin013]

Thanks for all of the info .Im leaning towards the manifold set up . A few extra dollars want hurt me now I have already spent a fortune on this truck .

[bodydropped]

mitch has been back with ekstensive since july or earlier, i have 2 valves on my frt but my valves are in the back, my lines run down both frame rails and t in the middle and to the valves but if you dont have a sway bar then that can be one main cause thou

[c10addict]

I currently have a two valve set up on my 64... It leaned and handled bad until I installed a swaybar in the front... Now I have no problems at all... I have a complete set or ART big red valves sitting here for it but just have been too lazy to install them and honestly have NO problems with the way it handles.. It handles as good as my 68 that runs 4 ART big red valves with 3/8 line.. Good luck with whatever direction you choose..

[cfranklin013]

Im going to order a manifold tommorow for the truck . More money but I think they look better and easyer to install . I dont want to use a sway bar trying to get weight transfer much as I can . I will let you know how it rides in a few days or a week .

[Dustin07]

I have 8 valves on my truck. I can't see doing it any other way. right now I'm only bagging the rear of my brother's 62 and opted to go with 4 valves. I just like having independent control on every corner. And for the money.... a couple more valves are the cheapest part of the build.