5000 lb Air Lift Helper Bags on Lowered Flip Kit Truck

[school boy]

Havent seen to many lowered c10's with a flip kit and bag over axle so i figured i'd share. the Air Lift 5000 kit was for a f-450, it was band new and got it for less than hajf price. the only things i did was cut the bed rib bracing so i could keep the bracket up high as i could, drill the upper bracket holes and and modded 2" spacers.

[school boy]

BEFORE BAGS AIRED UP

AFTER BAGS AIRED UP

[misslemanid]

Wow. It can be done! I've been considering this on my 77 burb. Only thing I have been worrying about is not wanting to cut into the rear bed, I did not want to do any more cutting than a regular c notch. I worried that I would not have enough space from the axle to the frame to sandwich an air bag in there. But this looks like I might just have enough room.
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[school boy]

my frame isnt notched and im sitting on a flip kit and 2 inch lowering shackles. i just cut the rib bracing under the bed, only one of them where the bag bracket is, and theres no holes in the bed. 350 lbs on a lowered tail gate could sit the frame on the axle but no more! these added 5000lbs of extra loading capacity!

[school boy]

btw, the pressure of the bags are on the axle not the springs. this allows the no pressure on the u bolts of the axle/springs

[Swed-Chevy]

Old thread but just what i was thinking.Anybody more who have airbags
to support the rear end when loaded ?

Have flipkit / DJM shocks and removed rear axle bump stop and is there
any airbag kit that just will bolt on ? Have not a c notch on my truck.

More pictures would be awesome

[Blackpony]

How do you air them up? Do you just use an air compressor or do you have a small tank and small compressor like a slammed air bag truck? Been considering something like this for my truck..

Where is the best/ cheapest place to buy a couple bags?
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[SCOTI]

My 74 was set-up w/a home-made air-over-leaf set-up. I used 2 Schrader valves mounted in the bed when I needed the extra capacity.

[school boy]

Originally Posted by Blackpony

How do you air them up? Do you just use an air compressor or do you have a small tank and small compressor like a slammed air bag truck? Been considering something like this for my truck..

Where is the best/ cheapest place to buy a couple bags?
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Bag setup was from airlift and I bought them new off ebay. Got a good deal on them. At first I used a set of shradder valves in the bumper through the license plate bolt holes until I installed a firestone heavy duty compressor that I control from the cab. Theres no tank needed.

[Blackpony]

Originally Posted by school boy

Bag setup was from airlift and I bought them new off ebay. Got a good deal on them. At first I used a set of shradder valves in the bumper through the license plate bolt holes until I installed a firestone heavy duty compressor that I control from the cab. Theres no tank needed.

Good info thanks! I found a kit from them on eBay with upper and lower mounts and two bags for like 160 shipped. Think I am going to pick up a kit maybe this week and get cracking on it. I currently have air shocks to help with the load but it doesn't ride and handle as well as I'd like. Seems this along with some quality shocks should make a huge difference.
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[Swed-Chevy]

Originally Posted by Blackpony

Good info thanks! I found a kit from them on eBay with upper and lower mounts and two bags for like 160 shipped. Think I am going to pick up a kit maybe this week and get cracking on it. I currently have air shocks to help with the load but it doesn't ride and handle as well as I'd like. Seems this along with some quality shocks should make a huge difference.
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Hi,have you tested the Airlift kit on your truck ? School boy´s airlift kit looks to work just great on the pictures.

[Blackpony]

No I have not picked up the kit yet. I had some noise in the front end, and had to completely rebuild it. The bushings were worn, ball joints etc. I am looking to buy my wife a new car after the first of the year, then I can drive her car every day. I'm hoping that will allow me to just do a compete frame off resto on the truck. I'd like to fab a 5 link system with the bags and add bags up front for the ride quality and towing capabilities. We will see what the new year brings financially as to wether I can afford this or not. Hopes and dreams!! Haha

[bL.A.zer90045]

updates??? im really liking this set-up would you peeps recomend this or aol? also will i get more drop on a k5?

[badchevy]

Only thing this won't work on trucks with a c-notch unless a custom upper bracket is installed. I had to install the bags opposite of each other because of the shock getting in the way. I'm going to have to take some pics when I have time.

[school boy]

Originally Posted by bL.A.zer90045

updates??? im really liking this set-up would you peeps recomend this or aol? also will i get more drop on a k5?

Hello, it wont give any more drop than you have but will add load capacity.

Originally Posted by badchevy

Only thing this won't work on trucks with a c-notch unless a custom upper bracket is installed. I had to install the bags opposite of each other because of the shock getting in the way. I'm going to have to take some pics when I have time.

Badchevy is correct, this wont work with a c-notch without a custom upper mount.

[bL.A.zer90045]

awesome! thanks for the input/feedback how many leaves are you running with this set-up? do you think id have any problems running my 22" rims with 265/35/22 tires?

[school boy]

Originally Posted by bL.A.zer90045

awesome! thanks for the input/feedback how many leaves are you running with this set-up? do you think id have any problems running my 22" rims with 265/35/22 tires?

I believe im running 4 leaf rear springs, I can check tomorrow if you like. With the correct backspacing, those 22's should work fine. I have changed wheels/tires twice since doing this. 275/40/20 on 20x9.5 wheels and right now 295/50/15 on 15x8 wheels with no problems.

[school boy]

Couldn't stand it, had to go check. Running 3 leaves and I can get my fingers between the wheel/tires and the bags.

[Tom]

Why would anyone want 5000lbs of extra load capacity on a 1/2ton truck?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Tom

Why would anyone want 5000lbs of extra load capacity on a 1/2ton truck?

You wouldn't but the smallest diameter dbl convoluted is rated @ ~2500lbs or 5k w/2 of them. The rating is also @ mfr recommended pressure (~100psi) which wouldn't be required either. Mine never exceeded about 40psi.

[school boy]

Originally Posted by Tom

Why would anyone want 5000lbs of extra load capacity on a 1/2ton truck?

So I can haul more than a couple hundred pounds in the bed with out the frame hitting the axle and so I can tow my car trailer.

[bL.A.zer90045]

^^^ exactly!!! thanks for the info! so i can run 4 leafs with out the overload spring yes? looking to do this as soon as i get the c10 to my ranch/workspace.

[school boy]

Originally Posted by bL.A.zer90045

^^^ exactly!!! thanks for the info! so i can run 4 leafs with out the overload spring yes? looking to do this as soon as i get the c10 to my ranch/workspace.

Yea it will work with the 4 leaf rear.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by school boy

So I can haul more than a couple hundred pounds in the bed with out the frame hitting the axle and so I can tow my car trailer.

I ask because 5000lbs sitting the bed of the truck isn't going to work out well for the frame or axles. My truck is lowered and only has 1000lbs of helper bags and it tows and hauls anything I can put in it so far. The more weight, the higher the bag pressure, which equals out to a softer ride the more weight I have. Love it.

[school boy]

Originally Posted by Tom

I ask because 5000lbs sitting the bed of the truck isn't going to work out well for the frame or axles. My truck is lowered and only has 1000lbs of helper bags and it tows and hauls anything I can put in it so far. The more weight, the higher the bag pressure, which equals out to a softer ride the more weight I have. Love it.

I agree the smaller 1000lb bags would have worked but I got such a good deal on these that it was actually cheaper. Plus im a bit of a over achiever!