To air or not to air that is the question
 

It seems like many of you guys are converting to bags. I called Air Ride technology and asked what the total cost of their full system would be for 73-87 trucks. He says that $2470.00 would cover everything, front bags and mounts, rear 4 link with bags, all lines, valves, tank and compressor, dual gauges ect. Is the ride on bags that much better or is it just to drop the truck down in a parking spot? I GOTTA KNOW!

I'm curious too, I've never ridden in one. I hear they are better, but want to know firsthand.
Air Ride Enterprises here in Tulsa quoted me $2500 for parts & labor, that was for quick shot air.

They ride great guys!! I rode in one that was on Nitrogen

Why nitrogen? Is it better and why? Does nitrogen use the same components?

same stuff...bigger tanks and MUCH faster..

How much different do you have to run a system on nitrogen?

Not sure on the ins and outs of it but I do know if you run it only...and you run out of nitrogen....your phucked!! haha
I would only run it with a compressor backup

That's what it sounds like. I think there are 'quick shot' valves that allow you the same speed but using air.

Or get very large air tanks and just watch your gauges.
Some of the compressors make a sh*t load of noise and I kinda dont like that, but its better then having to fill up at home or the gas station all the time. I would probly go without compressor to save money and have one less thing to worry about.

The #1 reason I want bags is so that I can ride it low or high. I would like to cruise around town lower, but this is a truck. If I need to go out shooting or camping I want to be able to do it. BAM BAM BAM BAM hit a few switches and your ride height is right where you need it. Plus I like to see poeple stop at a light and drop it to the ground, I like that :)

THat my brother is what all of us lowered folk want!! haha
WEll most of us anyhow.

^scarecrow^

Re: To air or not to air that is the question
 

That sounds too cheap. I'm willing to bet they quoted you for a 2-way setup...??? You will want a 4-way setup for sure---Handles much better because the air pressure is controlled in each bag. Opposed to side-to-side transfer (When cornering) between the bags' in a 2-way setup. I'm saving-up for ART's top of the line setup. It is going to cost $1,600 for the installation and a total of $4,500. That should give you an idea of what most quality setups cost. :)

oh helllllllll no!! Too cheap?? not hardly. Ask Izzy....You should be able to do it for under 2000 in parts ....
I spoke with Tony From Air Ride and he quoted me 1749 If I remember for a ride pro 4 link

ART's Big Red 4-way compressor system is $1,800 alone! :eek: :)


*Edit* My total cost is with a healthy discount on ALL the parts. ;)

I dunno where you are getting pricing from..but dayum man..I dont know of anyone that has paid over 3000 installed for a full air ride setup with a 4 link
And I know several with it. :)
Do some checking around. visit www.fullsizechevy.com go to the Street forum. :)

You can get the same 4-way control for less by just using 2 separate manual controllers. Instead of just front & rear, use each controller to work L/R of each end of the truck. You will need to have enough room for mounting a second air guage & there will be more air-lines....but it will also be about 500+$$ cheaper.

This is how I ordered my kit from air-ride: (1) 1-4whl installer kit @ 899$ (2) 1 extra dual control panel @ 175$. Total delivered to my front door 1114$. The same results w/the ride pro set-up adds 550$ to the cost.

*Installation free :D

Prices are from ART's 2003 catalog. Who knows?! I know Aftermarket Wholesale is expensive, but they do amazing work. Plus, they're one of the few quality shops around here. Maybe Izzy will chime-in soon. BTW, I'm the same LowC10 from FSC.com! :)

The complete set-up from Air Ride is a FBSS with dual gauge/dual needles.($2470) Now after a little research I was looking at a 2 link kit from www.ekstensive.com that was interesting. I called the business and he claimed it to be superior to the four link. He said that the ride would be softer and that it would have more drivable travel. Futhermore he said that in this months Street Trucks magazine, there was a truck with their 2 link set-up(pg. 116). It looked great but what is truly better???

Cool. :) Im sure Izzy will get his slow @$$ in here eventually. lol

LOHRTBT---You are correct. In my first reply, I stated my ART setup would cost $4,500 installed. $1,600 for labor would mean the parts only cost around $2,900. I'm getting a $250 or so discount on parts though. My bad...........:o


You do not want a 2-link for many reasons. They do offer more lift, but that is it. Here are some posts I pulled-up from FSC.com!

"The 4 link has a better range of motion than the 2 link, it's a fact.

The bags mounted on the bar has nothing to do w/ the pinion. Pinion is worse on 2 links because having no upper bars throw the range of motion off. A 4 or 3 link has a more " | " motion where as the 2 link has a " ) " motion.

The possibility of the driveshaft sliding back and forth in the back end of the tranny is possible on some 2 links.

The whole point of bags is to go places where a static drop wouldn't allow. When you hit a side on a 2 link you're straining all the bushings.

The 2 link gets more lift do to the bars being mounted on the bar. This normally gives a 1.5:1 lift as opposed to a 1:1 on most 4 link setups."


"The reason why a 4 link works and a 2 link doesn't is that a 2 link is mounted solidly to the axle why a 4 link is bushed at all corners thus allowing for free movement and articulation unlike a 2 link setup.

2 links are great if you only go in straight lines...corners aren't so great...especially in the rain. Most people who run 2 links don't drive a whole lot or drive very hard. The only one who I know that runs their truck hard would be 1badgmc and he's running a 2 link

With the price of 4-links today...you'd be crazy not to put one on your truck."

2 link= lots of pinion change and very bad strain on bushings when doing side/side.
I'd much rather pay $200 for a square tube 4 link from ***************** than $400 for a 2 link that gets you no side to side and could burn up your u joints fast.

LowC10's right on about most of that(that description looks so familiar). But with what I know now I could have done my setup for under $2000 easily even w/ the Air Commander.

I paid probably right under $3000 w/ my Air Commander which was $800 by itself. :D

Also you have to be extremely careful with Nitrogen. You have to have good mounts and if you don't have a cap on your tank/regulator it's violating US DOT laws. Another drawback w/ nitro is you have to rent the tank and if you run out while it's slammed then you're stuck if your bottles empty.

Airlift's running a special right now. Buy an Airlift450(identical to the Viair450 but it's chrome) electric comp and get a free 5 gallon tank. I'm ordering mine tomorrow for my wifes 98. :D

I know it's apples to oranges, but I have no complaints w/my beater 68's bags mounted to the factory trailing arms...a.k.a, the factory 2-link. I guess if your looking to do all the tricks a 4-link is the way to go, but if on a budget a 2-link would work (@ least a factory type does). No disrespect to those w/4-links intended.:D

F Y I, If you are going to use Nitrogen, find someone who works for the Phone Co. in the cable department as they use tons and tons of Nitrogen to keep there cables dry, it keeps the water out and Nitrogen is a drying agent so if you use it you won't have any problems with condensation in your system, but like was said you will have to secure the tank and protect the valve............. You guys have me thinking!!!!!!!!!!