hard-lined air ride..........
 

I was reading some of the air ride threads and saw many people talking about hardlines on the system. What fitting style is used?

I am putting a system together and have most of my hardware for tank and valves........using 3/8sNPT and planning to use 1/2" tube; unless someone convinces me hardline is better!:lol:

Anyway, again, what fitting style is used to do hardline?

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

you will need to look at compression fittings that use a single or a double ferrule.

Parker's brand name are A-Lok (double ferrule) and CPI(single ferrule).

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

on my ranger i use copper line and press in fitttings

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Heres some inspiration: (not mine) Looks much better than plastic IMO.

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Nice pic. Looks like a flared connection and IMO the only way to go for a hardline system. Parker of Swagelock compression fittings should work just as well but at a higher cost I would think.

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Thanx guys......Iwas curious about this stuff. I had some tube fittings that were terminated and compression ferrulled (?). The fittings showed a DOT listing. I figured they were from a big-rig type application. NPT on the other side.

Thats some sweet looking work jlaird. Im going to stick to the tube due to budget constraints for now. I can change later if I want. I new people would have the info here.

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

I thought about using hard line, but it was much easier to use flexible tubing since I didn't take my body off the frame.

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Got a question. In another thread Nathan suggested when using hardline, use braided stainless between the compressor/tank, tank/hardline, and hardline/bags. I understand why to use the braided between the compressor/tank, but why the other places? The bags and tank seem like they would be stationary enough that a flexible line wouldn't be needed. Maybe its for maintenience??

Here is another pick I found. Look sweet!

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Yeah, could be........what about frame flex if someone is hitting the switches quite a bit??

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Mainly for maintenance and ease of removal... when necessary. Can't beat the looks of a 100% hard-lined system though. Takes some patience and experience to make all the bends look perfect. I would recommend practicing on some less expensive steel tubing before bending up the high-dollar stainless!

Pro-trash-
Granberry's has all the necessary fittings and adapters to run the stainless line with A/N fittings.

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

What is the price for a roll of stainless?

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Summit has a 20 ft roll of 3/8" stainless for $31.95
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch

Aluminum tube is about half the cost. 25 ft of 3/8" aluminum is $16.95
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

How hard is it to straighten out the rolls?

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

it's a pain in the ass ... damn near impossible to get it absolutely straight ... you would be better off using the short straight sticks of SS tubing versus the rolled type if you are going for looks.

do a search on ebay for 3/8 stainless tubing

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Hardlines are the only way to go for a bullet-proof, custom looking finished product.

I used hardlines for many of my hydro and air-ride installs.

Tubing is easier and much faster than hardline, obviously.

But if you have the time, patience, and a quality bender....than the hard-stuff is the way to go.....that reminds me, that's what she said !

I use the double-flare with the sliding ferror and nut as shown in the first pic above.

The only pic I have is that of the "Z069" -10 and -6 fuel lines (aluminum)
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http://i25.tinypic.com/20z1y5x.jpg
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Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Those hard lines look sweet, but yea that has to be a ton more work.

I took lots of time making the bottom of my restorod clean but really the only people that have seen the bottom side of my ride besides me is the alignment guy. Course my ride is just a driver, no jackstands and mirrors at my shows : )

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

i should use hardlines in my truck cause it looks sweet. but this is the first time i see aluminum instead of stainless steel, i guess aluminum is better for resisting the weather. am i right? any pros and cons? by the way, sweet setup

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

maybe a dumb question, but can i just use compression fittings and not flair anything? i have seen plain ol ptc fittings with copper line but it looks scary. i have seen copper on big rigs and i dont think they use any sort of flaired end. info?

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Both aluminum and stainless will resist the weather...both polished look great...aluminum, obviously, is easier to work with. Stainless does, however have the 'look'.

You can....many people do. Personally, I think it's 'ghetto'

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Not much copper used on "big rigs" for airlines. About the only place you will see a hard line airline is on kenworth airbags. and it's only a short section. Lot of the trailers have short section of steel tube going to the airbags.

Either DOT plastic tubing, and braided stainless.

EDIT.. some have a hardline right off the compressor with a union to the SS.

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

yes, there are flareless fittings. Swagelok brand is one of them. Parker also makes them by the name Ferulok. Russell also makes flareless fittings for fuel line, but not sure if they will work with air.

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Hardline rules !!!!!!

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

^^^^holy crap thats a lot of hard line.... looks nice

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Wow those setups look really good!

Re: hard-lined air ride..........
 

Bentfab also does hardline for Nelson supercars twin turbo builds...take a look at his web site.