Bag Pressures

[tk-mpl]

Hey guys, I have got my truck on the road and I am trying to setup the air suspension. I have a ride height setting on my controler, but not sure what pressures to set it at.

What pressures are you guys running at ride height in the front and back??

Thanx
Trevor

[Notch1988]

Decide what height you want and that will determine your pressure.

[tk-mpl]

Hey Dave......... I had the front at 50-60psi and the rear at 30ish. It pretty high even at that pressure. Wasn't sure if the pressures should be higher.

It goes pretty good by the way.... When you coming down soo we can go for a rip......
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[Notch1988]

I only have front bags and do it old school with schrader valves LOL so I don't know the pressures. I just use a tape measure off the bumper bolts to set ride height LOL. Next time I'm home I'll check my pressure.

When are you coming up to Castrol to flog it?
Any videos?

[kev2809]

pretty much what he said. lower your truck a good ride height your comfortable with, and set it. your numbers sound about average..

any pics of the truck?

[Notch1988]

tk's awesome truck...

[nastyc10]

That's a nice truck! I run about 70 in the front and 30 out back.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by nastyc10

That's a nice truck! I run about 70 in the front and 30 out back.

I would think in this series of truck (suspension geometry) that 70/30 is about the minimum. Less than that will still ride & drive, but it seems the shocks are over worked because of minimal spring pressure so ride quality diminishes.

I know on mine anything less than 30 in the rear & it wanted to bounce much more vs. between 30-35psi.

[kev2809]

clean truck!

[tech@scottshotrods]

what bags are you running? There are a few huge misconceptions with air suspesnion 1. Being you can ride at any height which is not the case air springs/ bags do have a manufacture suggested ride height where they are designed to be used at taking it bellow or above that can result in poor ride quality, bad handling characteristics, and premature failure. Actual presssure will vary from truck to truck, car to car, determined by the over all weight which can be effected by motor and accessories on the vehicle. Also having a vast window like no less that x and no more than x is wrong 5-10 psi on certain bags and leverage ratios can change the height dramatically so when setting up your air springs make sure the bags are set up at the proper height at ride height.
2. the beauty of air not only do you have the adjustability of height but also spring rate you can change the pressure now depeding on the vehicle between 1-5psi with out effecting the height but changing the spring rate and by doing so you can dial in the ride quality you want....

Let me know what bags you are running and I will get you the specified height they need to be at at ride height from there you air them up to what ever it takes to get it there 60-or 160 it will not make a difference as long as its at the manufactures suggested height, the spring rate is determined by volume not pressure, and pressure is based on weight... hope this helps.

[tubbedII]

I'm not trying to steal this thread, but when the OP gives his bags, can you also give this info for 2600 DOMS on all 4 corners? This would be great info!

[tech@scottshotrods]

not jacking the thread at all.... I will see what i can get from airlift and pass the info along... I am a firm believer in air suspension but see it done sooooo wrong way to often

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by jon@scottshotrods

what bags are you running? There are a few huge misconceptions with air suspesnion 1. Being you can ride at any height which is not the case air springs/ bags do have a manufacture suggested ride height where they are designed to be used at taking it bellow or above that can result in poor ride quality, bad handling characteristics, and premature failure. Actual presssure will vary from truck to truck, car to car, determined by the over all weight which can be effected by motor and accessories on the vehicle. Also having a vast window like no less that x and no more than x is wrong 5-10 psi on certain bags and leverage ratios can change the height dramatically so when setting up your air springs make sure the bags are set up at the proper height at ride height.
2. the beauty of air not only do you have the adjustability of height but also spring rate you can change the pressure now depeding on the vehicle between 1-5psi with out effecting the height but changing the spring rate and by doing so you can dial in the ride quality you want....

Let me know what bags you are running and I will get you the specified height they need to be at at ride height from there you air them up to what ever it takes to get it there 60-or 160 it will not make a difference as long as its at the manufactures suggested height, the spring rate is determined by volume not pressure, and pressure is based on weight... hope this helps.

Great info!!!

[1964c-10]

^x2 thanks for the info! i didnt know there is a specific ride height for air bags

[tech@scottshotrods]

Originally Posted by 1964c-10

^x2 thanks for the info! i didnt know there is a specific ride height for air bags

what I like comparing it to is a coil spring, reason is people forget thats what an air bag is a air spring. Just like a coil when heated or cut it will change the height but it also effects the spring rate and in the end the ride quality. I would love to say air suspension is the cure all for clearance issues etc. but it is not it too has limitations. Thats why you will hear some times that "my bag just blew" or "my car rode like crap" these are usually the case when some one is not familiarized with air suspension, installs a kit and expects it to solve any clearance issues or they dont understand the perimeters of the air spring it self.

[tk-mpl]

Wow............... Missed a few posts.. Lol
I am running air lift Dominator 2600s all around. Just to show you I took some pics. First pic is with 55psi in the front and 40-45 in the rear. The second is with 65-70psi in the front and 40-45psi in the rear, and i think it is way to hi at 70psi. I had it out on the hi-way with 50 in the front and 30 in the back. At 100km/h every bump I hit the truck was all over the road. Keep in mind this is without an align too.

[SCOTI]

What drop are the spindles? This was my old 68 beater. The rear pressure was @ 30psi unloaded & 60psi w/the trailer hooked up.

[tech@scottshotrods]

I know the Dominator 2600 bags get a ton of lift and not sure how much R&D Airlift has done on the spring rate vs. height vs. pressure I'm on hold hell now to get some answers..
I know Gumby the shop truck at air ride and the White C-10 require 85-95 up front Gumby was a straight six and the white truck had a SBC in it, the rear required 45-50 and this was with Fireston 224C bellows with tubular upper and lower arms and the bolt on rear kits... I will report shortly after I find the proper info on the Doms.
The Dom 2600 should be driven between 6.5"-8" at ride height so when setting up your suspension make sure you have adequate space between you bracketry to accomodate this.

[tubbedII]

Thanks, jon!

SCOTI, that's the 1st time I've seen a pic of your 68...That's an awesome "beater" you go there!

[Hottrucks]

Jon right on!! good info

MY TRUCK...BB Caddy cupped stock LCA and in place of the rear springs my guages are marked at 55 psi front and 30 ish rear...I get good ride and stance...I think the secret is to get your bags to ride in the middle of the baq and good shock set up...I have monroe 5758??? ( look for a 51 chysler front shock) in front in the stock location and stock rear shocks with the top and bottom mounts flipped to keep the travel and angle correct..........
All that being said I think there is some shock work to be done but for what I use it for ( everything from towing/hauling to ocational drag racing it works on my budget

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tubbedII

SCOTI, that's the 1st time I've seen a pic of your 68...That's an awesome "beater" you go there!

Sadly.... it's disassembled. It was totaled by a little old lady driving a new caddy back in 04. It was under-going a re-build when constant issues w/the city code enforcement forced me to take it all apart for storage (they frown on paint/body work in the driveway).

But, some of it's parts & ideas are where my 'Recycle' project came from. I have a guy that loved it back in the day that wants to buy it w/the Dropmember it had in place. Still debating....

[tk-mpl]

Scoti, that is wicked........ I bought 2.5" drop spindles from CCP years ago..... I hope They are 2.5" drop cause that is what I wanted!!!!!
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[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tk-mpl

Scoti, that is wicked........ I bought 2.5" drop spindles from CCP years ago..... I hope. The are 2.5" drop cause that is what I wanted!!!!!

You listed your various pressures used earlier for each of the pics. Try the pressures again & measure the bags installed height @ each specific pressure & see where you're at vs. the mfr's recommended 6.5-8" 'ride' height.

[gringoloco]

Have you shortened your front cups? How are the rear bags mounted?

[tk-mpl]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Have you shortened your front cups? How are the rear bags mounted?

Yes the front cups are cut down, I think they are 1-1.5". The rear bags are just sitting on the trailing arm and bolted to the frame on the top.