Air Bags how-to-do? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Keep on Trukin · 11-18-2003, 04:27 PM

Can anyone refer me to a website or a shop in North Texas, Ft. Worth-Dal. area, where i can get some info on doing an install myself. I need a step-by-step install and what i need to buy individually, airbags, and etc.. for my 67gmc shortie.
Any help would be great, Thanks guys!

As u can see im going to try to save as much money as i can.

Keep on trukin!!!!!!!!

SCOTI · 11-18-2003, 04:50 PM

Air Ride used to have a 'how-to' article on their website detailing the installation of an air ride kit on a 60's vintage truck. I don't know of many businesses(sp?) that will walk you through an installation since that's typically where they make their money. Try looking through back issues of truck magazines for how to articles.

Is there something in particular your trying to find out?

Keep on Trukin · 11-19-2003, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the info Scoti, i just need to know what kind of bags, should i use, brackets, do i need a panhard bar, i have leaf springs, so do i need to remove them little stuff like that. I would like to find out. I guess if i just do a little more research and call around. Thnks!

MrShelley · 11-19-2003, 12:51 PM

You may have to do a more custom install since you have leaf springs. I believe most "kits" for our trucks are for coil spring equipped trucks and simply replace the coils in the rear. The front kits should be no problem (bolt-in).

If I had leaves and wanted to go with an airbag set up, I would look at Air-Ride Techs four bar setup with a panard bar.

Food for thought...

Keep on Trukin · 11-19-2003, 04:32 PM

Thanks, i will look into Air-Ride Tch. Do u know of any truck clubs around the Ftworth-Dallas area?

SCOTI · 11-19-2003, 04:51 PM

The air over leaf kit would work in your application for the rear & the front is the standard 1/2 ton chevy truck stuff. Definitely check out AirRides website.

Ackattack · 11-19-2003, 06:43 PM

I'm planning on doing airbags on the rear so that I can carry a little heavier loads without bottoming out and then just let out some air for normal driving.

I too have leaves. I'm going to remove all of them except the one that bolts to the shackle/hanger. This is the only spring that controls any lateral forces anyways. Airbag on top of it, and then come up with some kind of anti axle wrap/traction bar. I'm not going to run a compressor, since I will mainly keep it at one level. I'll just "fill up" the bags when I need to haul something. Hope this helps.

SCOTI · 11-19-2003, 08:49 PM

Ackattack, consider something along the lines of a 'Cal-Trac' type traction bar.

Keep on Trukin · 11-20-2003, 03:49 PM

Cool Ackattack, hey are u just doing the back, and where are u getting the brackets for the back, do they come in a kit, keep me up dated, i want to do it myself. Get all the parts then go at it.

11-18-2003, 04:27 PM	#1
Keep on Trukin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 71	Air Bags how-to-do? Can anyone refer me to a website or a shop in North Texas, Ft. Worth-Dal. area, where i can get some info on doing an install myself. I need a step-by-step install and what i need to buy individually, airbags, and etc.. for my 67gmc shortie. Any help would be great, Thanks guys! As u can see im going to try to save as much money as i can. Keep on trukin!!!!!!!!

11-18-2003, 04:50 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	Air Ride used to have a 'how-to' article on their website detailing the installation of an air ride kit on a 60's vintage truck. I don't know of many businesses(sp?) that will walk you through an installation since that's typically where they make their money. Try looking through back issues of truck magazines for how to articles. Is there something in particular your trying to find out? __________________ 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.*

11-19-2003, 04:51 PM	#6
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	The air over leaf kit would work in your application for the rear & the front is the standard 1/2 ton chevy truck stuff. Definitely check out AirRides website. __________________ 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.*

11-19-2003, 06:43 PM	#7
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	I'm planning on doing airbags on the rear so that I can carry a little heavier loads without bottoming out and then just let out some air for normal driving. I too have leaves. I'm going to remove all of them except the one that bolts to the shackle/hanger. This is the only spring that controls any lateral forces anyways. Airbag on top of it, and then come up with some kind of anti axle wrap/traction bar. I'm not going to run a compressor, since I will mainly keep it at one level. I'll just "fill up" the bags when I need to haul something. Hope this helps. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

11-19-2003, 08:49 PM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	Ackattack, consider something along the lines of a 'Cal-Trac' type traction bar. __________________ 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.*

11-19-2003, 11:24 AM	#3
Keep on Trukin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 71	Thanks for the info Scoti, i just need to know what kind of bags, should i use, brackets, do i need a panhard bar, i have leaf springs, so do i need to remove them little stuff like that. I would like to find out. I guess if i just do a little more research and call around. Thnks!

11-19-2003, 12:51 PM	#4
MrShelley Too Many Clubs Club Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kilgore, Texas Posts: 443	You may have to do a more custom install since you have leaf springs. I believe most "kits" for our trucks are for coil spring equipped trucks and simply replace the coils in the rear. The front kits should be no problem (bolt-in). If I had leaves and wanted to go with an airbag set up, I would look at Air-Ride Techs four bar setup with a panard bar. Food for thought...

11-19-2003, 04:32 PM	#5
Keep on Trukin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 71	Thanks, i will look into Air-Ride Tch. Do u know of any truck clubs around the Ftworth-Dallas area?

11-20-2003, 03:49 PM	#9
Keep on Trukin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 71	Cool Ackattack, hey are u just doing the back, and where are u getting the brackets for the back, do they come in a kit, keep me up dated, i want to do it myself. Get all the parts then go at it.

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