Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

After running a huge static drop for a year, I decided to go on air and get some ride back. I have a budget I am trying to stay under, so let's see if I can hold to it. I plan on a 8 valve system running a 5 gallon tank. I also plan on raising the entire bed floor (keeping the original bed wood) and hiding the valve/compressor/tank rack under the rearend. Most importantly, I plan to keep the front inner fender wells in place. I want someone to be able to walk by this truck and not know it's on air.......

right now, the truck has:

front
2.5" McGaughey's drop spindles
3" drop Ground Force springs with 1/4 coil removed
ECE drop sway bar perches
.88 dia sway bar

rear
ECE adjustable panhard bar
6" drop springs
3" drop blocks
CPP bolt-in "c" notch

so to date, I have:
removed the bed
completely cleaned, degreased, and painted the back half
removed the rear springs
replaced rear frame wire harness
replaced all rear frame wire grommets
removed stock shocks front and rear
removed stock rear upper shock mounts

I have purchased to date:
Viair 400C compressor = $125
Viair relay = $1
Viair 120-150 psi pressure switch = $13
8 SMC 3/8" valves = $22 x 8

I hope you enjoy the journey. here's some pics from today.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...t/100_3295.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...t/100_3294.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...t/100_3292.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...t/100_3293.jpg

those pipes are going to HAVE to be tucked!!
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...t/100_3297.jpg

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Signing up for this one.
Looks great so far,...

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

damn that thing is already super low...are you gonna get a bigger notch? truck looks good

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Nice truck!

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

oh damn!

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

looking forward to the progress Doug....

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Nice! When did you start rocking the 20" dodge steelies?

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

I'm watching this one, love the truck, that is an awesome color!

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Those are 17" Toyota Fj's
Lookin good, cant wait to see it done, what time do you want me o swing by so you can put all your old stuff on mine?...lol

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Mmmmmmm we'll all be on bags next year in Kansas! ;) Very nice!

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

looks good, i liked it before too

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

I'll definitely be watching this also. So, the truck is sitting level now with no rear springs, how much room did you have between the axle and notch before you took it apart?

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Can't wait to see the progress.

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

i have always liked this truck.... am waiting to see what all is in store... just DON'T paint it...!

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

lookin good!

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

nice truck doc

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

thanks gang for the props. hope I can document this project enough to help someone out. I want to stick with a budget and find the best deals. I also want this project to be completely bolt-on.

Chris, the axle tube was about 3.5" from the notch before I started. the differential would bang the bottom of the bed before it got to that point though.

my plans aren't to drag or to lay frame. as much as I would love to, I think at this point I want something that will be around 3" from laying frame. maybe in a few years (and a bit more welding practice), I'll take the plunge go to all the way to the floor.

been trying to decide what bags I want to go with. Keith (lolife99) like his Slam Specialties RE-7. however, I found some Airlift Dominator D2600's for a great price on Ebay. now the question is, which one. both are comparable to each other. we'll see......

started the exciting task of separating the front ball joints. I hate ball joints. absolutely hate them.

well, more to come when I have updates.

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Find you a good size hammer and give them a good beating. :lol: As you said they are fun to get loose.

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Can't wait to see the finished product:metal:

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Awesome progress Doug! That thing is going to look good closer to the ground.

Question... generally the same question I have for all your threads, what paint did you use to paint the frame, rearend, etc.?

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Chris, IIRC, you're running a 4/6" setup similar to mine (w/o a notch). Just for reference, and not to overstep or take away from Doug's thread, but the measurements for my setup (w/o notch) is 2.5" from the axle to the from and 4" from the pumpking to the bed floor.

Sorry about that Doug. Proceed with the air in your suspension and not in my posts...

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Oh boy this is going to be good.....AL is suscribed as this will be my next thing sooener or later...

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

im in!

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

oh man this is gonna be good i'm in for the ride.

Re: Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside
 

Cool, thanks Nate, now I don't need to go crawl under mine. I really don't want to look under my truck right now with as much snow and ice is under there after today.:(

Doug, are you going to end up with any time over the Holiday weekend to get anything done?