Air ride?

[jarfly]

So I got a 77 that i'm debating on putting air ride on to get lower, Im not looking to lay it out, So thinking of staying on stock spindle, Has any one had any problems with this? Kind of stumped on my rear set up, I will be pulling with this truck till I get a f/s 4x4. Not really wanting to run links, so debateing on flip kit and pulling leafs than add the bags and air up when needed.
Hopeing to bulid own mounts etc to save on project cost.
When you do the lca, do you recess the bag mount in the arm or flush with top?

[SkinnyG]

I have not done air ride on anything of mine, but I have built many a vehicle.

There are lots of documented builds on here - before you order parts or cut anything, spend the time going through every build you can to see what is involved. You will see good builds, creative builds, and questionable builds. You will read many people's opinions and feedback and reviews on different techniques. You want to soak ALL of that up before you start.

One of the limiting factors with the square is that the front lower control arms hang really low. In my opinion, I would seriously consider Z-ing the frame as well as pancaking the crossmember. This will get the truck lower, and get the a-arms off the ground and out of harms way.

More work, though.

In the rear, I highly recommend 4-linking the rear, or even the previous generation's two link and panhard. Pulling leafs certainly get you lower, but you likely will have a ton of wheel hop. Or run a set of Cal-Trac bars with pulled leafs like the Muscle Truck does, that could work.

See? Lots of options - you want to soak up as much as you can and have a good solid well-researched plan before you begin. You have a better chance of success that way.

(One of my current projects is a V8, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Pontiac Firefly (aka Chevy Sprint), all sleeper-look. Not many builds of that from which to draw).

[mongocanfly]

How low you want to go?..my old 86 got a drop from simply cutting one coil off front and removing a couple springs from rear..results was about a 2" drop..added air shocks to solve towing problems...like skinny says..lots of options and opinions...

[bbbc10]

I would do more research. I would run drop spindles also an some kind of rear link kit with a small notch

[mongocanfly]

Another thing you mentioned was low project cost..if you haven't priced a full air ride setup, get ready,your talking a lot of money to get it setup..when I lowered my 86 I did it that way because I didn't have any money..other than $75 air shocks my lowering cost me $0 and half a day..drop spindles would have been best but I couldn't afford em..that was back in the late 80s...now i can afford em and would use them..

[jarfly]

Yah what iv seen is a arms, but looking for around a 4" or so in front 5-6 in back.
iv bulit a s10 on air years ago, so Iv got a few things all ready will run a edc.
Used a sd 3link but ended up cutting most of bed out, Not wanting to do that on c10, would like to keep from cutting bed at all, with that said how big of a tire can you run with out cutting bed?

[andrewmp6]

http://www.ridetech.com/ will get you as low as you can with out cutting the bed.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

http://www.ridetech.com/ will get you as low as you can with out cutting the bed.

I am not using RideTech's kit but my truck is also as low as you can get without cutting the bedfloor or the front inner fenders.
I am running the factory front A Arms with Western Chassis drop spindles.

[jarfly]

Originally Posted by JWall

I am not using RideTech's kit but my truck is also as low as you can get without cutting the bedfloor or the front inner fenders.
I am running the factory front A Arms with Western Chassis drop spindles.


Attachment 1557752

that is what im after, what set up are you on?

[friscobob]

Biggest shortcoming for air ride is that when pumped to the higher ground clearance your spring rating is at it's highest when you need it to be the softest and then when you lower it way down you need a stiffer spring the rating is at it's softest. In short it's not a cure all. Best to spend a considerable amount of time studying the engineering of suspension or you wind up with less than an optimal solution. IMHO
Bob

[crazyjim]

Originally Posted by JWall

I am not using RideTech's kit but my truck is also as low as you can get without cutting the bedfloor or the front inner fenders.
I am running the factory front A Arms with Western Chassis drop spindles.


Attachment 1557752

What size are your wheels and tires ? looks nice.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by jarfly

that is what im after, what set up are you on?

I have an Ekstensive metal works kit in front with the upper plate & lower cup.
The rear I designed my self using Ekstensives 2-link bars, a Thorbecke brothers pan hard bar (I had to use in front of the rear end because of Blazer gas tank), a bolt in c-notch & used factory shock locations.

Originally Posted by crazyjim

What size are your wheels and tires ? looks nice.

20x8.5 with 5.25 bs & 255/35/20 front & 20x10 with 5.5 bs & 275/35/20 rear