Air Bag set-up 73-87 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AirMale · 01-22-2003, 05:41 PM

I've been trying to locate a complete bolt-on air spring system with no luck. I ordered 20 inch wheels for my ride so air-bags would be nice. I called a company K.P.components inc.(209-668-4057) outta CA and they said they are going to release a full bolt-on cantilever system for 73-87 trucks. The guy I spoke with (Anthony) said that the shop vehicle happens to be an 84 chevy and it would take approximately 2 months to develope and test. This was music to my ears cause' I was not looking forward to 4/6 or 5/7 without some bags. If anyone knows of a full system available currenty, please post some info....thanx

SCOTI · 01-22-2003, 05:47 PM

What about Air-Ride? They offer a system for the front & the rear is a bag over leaf set-up. Both are bolt-ons

AirMale · 01-22-2003, 05:56 PM

The system we discussed was a 4 link with cantilever that eliminates the leafs and places the bags behind the axle for a less rigid ride. I left the company's name and representaive so thousands of us could generate interest.

SCOTI · 01-22-2003, 08:34 PM

Although w/limited seat time, I've ridden in a 82 swb that had air over leafs & felt it rode better than stock. This truck retained the main factory leaf + the longest leaf of the spring pack & tapered seat 1500# firestones. IMO it rode the same as my 68swb w/2500# bags mounted on the trailing arms. I have another buddy that has an 87 swb w/a weld on HD 4-link kit. He has ridden in my 68 & feels it's much less squirley than his 4-link going around corners & stuff. I do think the cantilever set-up would peg the kool factor though-- I just wonder whether it would actually ride any better.

Izzy · 01-23-2003, 03:23 PM

FYI that's a lever setup not a true cantilever.

I've heard those KP setups ride extremely well and get the advantage of more lift associate w/ most lever setups.

My ART parallel 4 link w/ F9000's rides awesome.

SCOTI · 01-23-2003, 03:30 PM

5/8chevy, what valve set-up are you using?

Izzy · 01-23-2003, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCOTI
5/8chevy, what valve set-up are you using?

1/4" ART Ride 4 way Ride Pro Max for now. I'm thinking of upgrading to thier 1/2" Big Red's or some SMC's.

SCOTI · 01-23-2003, 06:17 PM

I think that's why my friends feels so squirrely around corners. He's using the manual controls for front/rear distribution, so when he goes around corners air is bleeding from one side to the other causing an exaggerated leaning condition. I'm using the same controls on my 68 but controling rear only (left/right) & that keeps each bag independant.

Izzy · 01-23-2003, 06:38 PM

Yikes two way setups are scary.

The only way to go is 4 way controls.

BaggedC10 · 01-24-2003, 07:52 PM

TTT

I'm also interested in this setup. Keep us updated on the situation.

navybear70 · 01-24-2003, 10:06 PM

anyone got pics of their suspension w/ or wo/bags? I'm curious to compare the two, and to compare to my truck, since I bought mine at its current height. (5 inches off the deck.

)

Izzy · 01-24-2003, 11:06 PM

Before bags:

After bags:

brad2 · 01-25-2003, 12:14 AM

Hey 5/8, you and I have almost the same set up. How much pressure do you run in your bags. I haven't driven mine much so I am still experimenting.

Izzy · 01-25-2003, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brad2
Hey 5/8, you and I have almost the same set up. How much pressure do you run in your bags. I haven't driven mine much so I am still experimenting.

I run at about 68 up front and 50 out back... depends but I like to ride it as low as possible.

brad2 · 01-25-2003, 01:53 AM

Thanks. I'll do some more testing tomorrow.

Izzy · 01-25-2003, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brad2
Thanks. I'll do some more testing tomorrow.

NP. The only thing I scrape is my air tank but that'll be fixed soon and a raised y pipe will help too.

BaggedC10 · 01-25-2003, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fiveeightchevy
Before bags:

After bags:

Sure has come along way this last year!

Prerunner1982 · 01-25-2003, 03:42 AM

5-8, you still have those wheels that were on your truck? i think it looks damn good before (i think im partial to the colors).. sweet now!

Izzy · 01-25-2003, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prerunner1982
5-8, you still have those wheels that were on your truck? i think it looks damn good before (i think im partial to the colors).. sweet now!

Sorry I don't have them anymore. Gave them to my cuz for teaching me to weld and helping on my step notch.

01-22-2003, 05:41 PM	#1
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	Air Bag set-up 73-87 I've been trying to locate a complete bolt-on air spring system with no luck. I ordered 20 inch wheels for my ride so air-bags would be nice. I called a company K.P.components inc.(209-668-4057) outta CA and they said they are going to release a full bolt-on cantilever system for 73-87 trucks. The guy I spoke with (Anthony) said that the shop vehicle happens to be an 84 chevy and it would take approximately 2 months to develope and test. This was music to my ears cause' I was not looking forward to 4/6 or 5/7 without some bags. If anyone knows of a full system available currenty, please post some info....thanx __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

01-22-2003, 05:47 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	What about Air-Ride? They offer a system for the front & the rear is a bag over leaf set-up. Both are bolt-ons __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-22-2003, 05:56 PM	#3
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	The system we discussed was a 4 link with cantilever that eliminates the leafs and places the bags behind the axle for a less rigid ride. I left the company's name and representaive so thousands of us could generate interest. __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

01-22-2003, 08:34 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Although w/limited seat time, I've ridden in a 82 swb that had air over leafs & felt it rode better than stock. This truck retained the main factory leaf + the longest leaf of the spring pack & tapered seat 1500# firestones. IMO it rode the same as my 68swb w/2500# bags mounted on the trailing arms. I have another buddy that has an 87 swb w/a weld on HD 4-link kit. He has ridden in my 68 & feels it's much less squirley than his 4-link going around corners & stuff. I do think the cantilever set-up would peg the kool factor though-- I just wonder whether it would actually ride any better. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-23-2003, 03:30 PM	#6
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	5/8chevy, what valve set-up are you using? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-23-2003, 03:23 PM	#5
Izzy Trucker. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,364	FYI that's a lever setup not a true cantilever. I've heard those KP setups ride extremely well and get the advantage of more lift associate w/ most lever setups. My ART parallel 4 link w/ F9000's rides awesome.

01-23-2003, 06:17 PM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	I think that's why my friends feels so squirrely around corners. He's using the manual controls for front/rear distribution, so when he goes around corners air is bleeding from one side to the other causing an exaggerated leaning condition. I'm using the same controls on my 68 but controling rear only (left/right) & that keeps each bag independant. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-23-2003, 06:38 PM	#9
Izzy Trucker. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,364	Yikes two way setups are scary. The only way to go is 4 way controls.

01-24-2003, 07:52 PM	#10
BaggedC10 Under construction! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,065	TTT I'm also interested in this setup. Keep us updated on the situation. __________________ 2001 Silverado bagged on 22's. Sold

01-24-2003, 10:06 PM	#11
navybear70 hometown heroes! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ewa Beach, HI Posts: 487	anyone got pics of their suspension w/ or wo/bags? I'm curious to compare the two, and to compare to my truck, since I bought mine at its current height. (5 inches off the deck. ) __________________ 2009 Silverado 2wd, 121k as of 04APR13. I love my truck 29 days out of the month. The payment is due on the 30th... Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. -Robert E. Lee "Never give up ground you've already taken." -Unknown

01-24-2003, 11:06 PM	#12
Izzy Trucker. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,364	Before bags: After bags:

01-25-2003, 12:14 AM	#13
brad2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: edmond, ok Posts: 1,056	Hey 5/8, you and I have almost the same set up. How much pressure do you run in your bags. I haven't driven mine much so I am still experimenting.

01-25-2003, 01:53 AM	#15
brad2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: edmond, ok Posts: 1,056	Thanks. I'll do some more testing tomorrow.

01-25-2003, 03:42 AM	#18
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	5-8, you still have those wheels that were on your truck? i think it looks damn good before (i think im partial to the colors).. sweet now! Last edited by Prerunner1982; 01-25-2003 at 03:44 AM.

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