Crazy or not, bagged daily driver?

[3drburb]

Hello all, I have lowered my 72 Suburban 2" in the rear, about 3" up front also added front and rear swaybars and new shocks.
I drive this burb aleast 5 times a week and I would like a little better ride,(yes its a 40 plus year old truck) I also have been storing an airbag set up for this rig for well over a year now.
I'm not looking to play with the air, just set it and drive, I may c-notch and add drop spindles only if needed, but I keep hearing and reading thats it's crazy to airbag a daily driver.
How many of you have bagged their daily drivers?
Looking for some REAL EXPERIENCE PROS and CONS.
Thanks for all your responses.

[skorpioskorpio]

Not my cup of tea, but the French drove 'em as daily drivers for decades.

[cdowns]

i've been stuck in a few horrendus traffic jams caused by disfunctional air vehicles layin frame in the middle of the road at the wrong time and unable to move

[lolife99]

With quality parts and installation,... you should be able to daily drive your burb with no problem.

[clemsonteg]

I don't think it's crazy, I do however think it requires time and care to build a reliable air setup to drive daily. It would also have to be maintained and checked regularly to ensure that you aren't left stranded in the middle of an intersection. Just like you check the air pressure on your tires once a week, it wouldn't hurt to look over each back and line to make sure there is no rubbing or parts wearing out. Same would go for all the other parts of the system.

Any well built system will be reliable if quality parts are used and they are properly maintained. That goes for anything, the motor, the brakes, etc.
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[catch2otwo]

Most semi trucks run on a system of air bags. Those trucks are daily driven under harsher conditions then you put your burb through. Like the others have said, take the time and care during the build and keep up on the preventative maintenance, and you'll have one sweet daily driver

[cdowns]

people that know nothing about bigrigs always throw them in to justify things// they dont layframe and have backup springs and can run coast to coast if need be without air

[3drburb]

[quote=skorpioskorpio;6102969]Not my cup of tea, but the French drove 'em as daily drivers for decades.
Thats could be my cup of tea, those are cool.

Originally Posted by cdowns

i've been stuck in a few horrendus traffic jams caused by disfunctional air vehicles layin frame in the middle of the road at the wrong time and unable to move

I too have seen hoppers fail and scramable to get to the side of the street.

Originally Posted by lolife99

With quality parts and installation,... you should be able to daily drive your burb with no problem.

Thanks, love your blazer btw.

Originally Posted by clemsonteg

I don't think it's crazy, I do however think it requires time and care to build a reliable air setup to drive daily. It would also have to be maintained and checked regularly to ensure that you aren't left stranded in the middle of an intersection. Just like you check the air pressure on your tires once a week, it wouldn't hurt to look over each back and line to make sure there is no rubbing or parts wearing out. Same would go for all the other parts of the system.

Any well built system will be reliable if quality parts are used and they are properly maintained. That goes for anything, the motor, the brakes, etc.
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm ok with checking it weekly because I'm a worry bug when it comes to maintenance and being late. It sounds like I should carry a backup emergency kit.

Originally Posted by catch2otwo

Most semi trucks run on a system of air bags. Those trucks are daily driven under harsher conditions then you put your burb through. Like the others have said, take the time and care during the build and keep up on the preventative maintenance, and you'll have one sweet daily driver

Yes I too have heard that, but I would never compare these trucks to a semi. But i have seen many bagged trucks on here and they all cant just be weekend warriors.

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by cdowns

people that know nothing about bigrigs always throw them in to justify things// they dont layframe and have backup springs and can run coast to coast if need be without air

I hear this a lot also and would never compare my adding bags in my garage to whats done on a semi truck in a factory thats built to carry millions of dollars over its lifetime, I'm sure they are built in case something happens to their air system.

So maybe for a daily driver it would be better NOT to install drop spindles and c notches and have good bump stops?
I'm not looking to lay frame or get to close to the ground.

[chevy72blu]

If you are just looking for ride quality, another idea would be to simply rebuild you suspension with new and better components. Ball joints, tie rods, etc go a long way towards a comfortable and responsive ride. You mentioned new springs, sway bar, and shocks - but how old are the rest of the components? Going back to taller springs will help your ride quality quite a bit, as well.

You are right though, nothing rides better than a well tuned air setup in these trucks. Everything is a compromise when it comes to suspension. Btw, i'm worried about getting drool in my coffee looking at your burb

[70blackfish]

I would air bag it and you will love it...I drive mine all the time

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by chevy72blu

If you are just looking for ride quality, another idea would be to simply rebuild you suspension with new and better components. Ball joints, tie rods, etc go a long way towards a comfortable and responsive ride. You mentioned new springs, sway bar, and shocks - but how old are the rest of the components? Going back to taller springs will help your ride quality quite a bit, as well.

You are right though, nothing rides better than a well tuned air setup in these trucks. Everything is a compromise when it comes to suspension. Btw, i'm worried about getting drool in my coffee looking at your burb

I dont think going back to taller springs will happen to this rig as long as I own it.
I gave up driving a little Benz as a daily driver because I got tired of having this truck just sit, working on it and looking at it with very little use and I drive an 04 Chevy van for work.
You may be right I should look into upgrading my suspension but I'm thinking airbags could be a big part of that.
Thanks for the good advise and compliments.

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by cdowns

people that know nothing about bigrigs always throw them in to justify things// they dont layframe and have backup springs and can run coast to coast if need be without air

If something happens to the air system in an 18 wheeler, you are going nowhere, let alone coast to coast, everything on a rig is air, and most importantly the brakes, no air, no brakes. Truck trailers don't just roll away when detached from the tractor because without air the brakes are *locked*.

[brad_man_72]

Just have good bumpstops set to where when aired out the tires are still holding the burb up. Plenty of prople driving around on bumpstops or less.
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[terry b]

Do you guys have shocks on air ride?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by terry b

Do you guys have shocks on air ride?

Yes.
Same set up as a 5/7 static drop except 2600 bags in place of the coil springs.
Use a quality air management system and buy a good hydraulic thread sealer for all your pipe thread joints.
(loctite 545 at about $30 a bottle)
Don't skimp on the necessary mods like good drop shocks, removed bump stops, and rear shock relocators and an adjustable track bar and it will drive nice.

Also get a front end alignment when you are done.

MOST of the crappy riding air ride equipped trucks are people that just half ass the install by JUST replacing the springs with bags.
Keep all air lines away from heat and sharp edges.

Plan and research the install.

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Yes.
Same set up as a 5/7 static drop except 2600 bags in place of the coil springs.
Use a quality air management system and buy a good hydraulic thread sealer for all your pipe thread joints.
(loctite 545 at about $30 a bottle)
Don't skimp on the necessary mods like good drop shocks, removed bump stops, and rear shock relocators and an adjustable track bar and it will drive nice.

Also get a front end alignment when you are done.

MOST of the crappy riding air ride equipped trucks are people that just half ass the install by JUST replacing the springs with bags.
Keep all air lines away from heat and sharp edges.

Plan and research the install.

I'm ok spending the money for good parts thats needed. btw where are you all finding the loctite 545? I cant find it at the local hardware stores. Online?
Thanks

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 3drburb

I'm ok spending the money for good parts thats needed. btw where are you all finding the loctite 545? I cant find it at the local hardware stores. Online?
Thanks

You can order it online,... but my local Fastenal store has it.

[Tom Vogel]

I liked the rear air bag setup I bougjt from ECE so much that I bought ART bags for the front when I did my frame off. Air springs ride great and are adjustable. Shocks are used in both static (metal springs) and bags. I have dual adjustable shocks front and rear. I really dont see the down side of bags, of course you have to do it correctly. Btw, my truck isnt slammed. The bags are for function only, that means ride quality and adjustability.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

I liked the rear air bag setup I bougjt from ECE so much that I bought ART bags for the front when I did my frame off. Air springs ride great and are adjustable. Shocks are used in both static (metal springs) and bags. I have dual adjustable shocks front and rear. I really dont see the down side of bags, of course you have to do it correctly. Btw, my truck isnt slammed. The bags are for function only, that means ride quality and adjustability.

x2

Your burb will take many more mods and dollars to lay frame.
(I know that is not your intentions)
I agree the ride is great with air bags.

[lolife99]

If you do go with air bags I highly recommend using drop spindles up front.
I would also install a c-notch and a lowering block in the rear.

These items don't help with getting it any lower,... but will help keep your ride height LOW.
(so it doesn't look like a 4x4 going down the road)
The c-notch will give you added clearance for suspension travel.

Also sandwich the rear bags directly between the frame and trailing arm.
No "hat" on top of the bag.

Member shawno72 removed his bags (with hats) because the required amount of air to make the truck ride good,... left him with an undesireably tall ride height.
(check out his thread)

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by lolife99

If you do go with air bags I highly recommend using drop spindles up front.
I would also install a c-notch and a lowering block in the rear.

These items don't help with getting it any lower,... but will help keep your ride height LOW.
(so it doesn't look like a 4x4 going down the road)
The c-notch will give you added clearance for suspension travel.

Also sandwich the rear bags directly between the frame and trailing arm.
No "hat" on top of the bag.

Member shawno72 removed his bags (with hats) because the required amount of air to make the truck ride good,... left him with an undesireably tall ride height.
(check out his thread)

If I c-notch and add drop spindles will I still be able to run my 15" wheels and stock exhaust or will some of these need to be changed. (exhaust pipes comes out behind the rear wheels).

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 3drburb

If I c-notch and add drop spindles will I still be able to run my 15" wheels and stock exhaust or will some of these need to be changed. (exhaust pipes comes out behind the rear wheels).

You might have to modify your exhaust.
I got lucky on my blazer and my exhaust cleared when layed out.
You can definitely run 15" wheels.

Here's my blazer with 15" ralleys wheels.
(I used 7" rally wheels up front so they tucked better)
I have all ECE suspension. (www.earlyclassic.com)
2.5" drop spindles, drop shocks, Super track bar, rear shock relocators.

When I did the air ride install:
I added Slam Specialties RE-7 bags, tubular a-arms, (not neccessary) and a RideTech AirPod in the back for my airmanagement.

I have a bolt in c-notch with 2" drop locks on the trailing arms,... but also added a rubber snubber in the notch.
I trimmed the snubber down just enough to keep the center section of the rearend off the floor.
(or it would go anothe 1-1/4" lower in the rear)

The front also has a set of custom height snubbers to keep the tires off the inner fenders when aired out.
I changed the height of these snubbers when I installed 20" wheels.

With 15" wheels you can easily set the front crossmember on the ground.

But adding the c-notch and air bags helped the ride quality more than anything else.

[lolife99]

This is a good thread to look at.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...05#post5603405

[powerdriver 1958]

Just an observation but every time I hear the question " Can airbags work on a daily driver ? " I think of this

1993 and 648,000 miles . Factory installed . Trailer is bagged too . My daily work driver .