has anyone removed their coil springs and replaced them with bags?

[Hazieview]

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone has ever removed their cool springs and just replaced them with bags without modifying the frame.

Any pictures you have would be helpful. Thanks!
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[losthope]

i dont have a picture but on my old 65 the p/o bagged the rear by using a long bolts that went through the spring hold down bolt holes on each of the trailing arms that bolted to the bottom of the bags and on the top the bags were bolted to a section of c-channel welded upside down to the frame with bolt hole drill in it and also a hole for the air fitting to pass through and then the air line was ran in the space in between the frame and c-channel. worked real well...

[losthope]

here i made a pic for you...

[Hazieview]

Cool thanks man. I was planning on doing a similar setup but I was wondering if it would work.

Wish someone had pictures of the install....
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[65Short]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=129463

[losthope]

i think the reason mine had c-channel was to add space so when you were aired all the way out the axle didnt hit the frame......in the link posted above the frame is notched.....mine wasnt so thats why they used c-channel i believe

[lil_sahara450r]

in the process of doing this right now. its a little time consuming due to drilling the needed holes but its not hard at all.

[kieth]

I did my 66 gmc, here is a link to them installed, it is easy and inexpensive: Kieth

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...13_zsmuL-XL-LB

[rideblue00]

Kieth, excuse my ignorance but, how much does ride quality change with bags? I was just consdering doing a spring swap.

[protrash64]

Here are some more pics.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by rideblue00

Kieth, excuse my ignorance but, how much does ride quality change with bags? I was just consdering doing a spring swap.

I did it more for ride height than quality of ride, if I lower the bags too much right now, the truck rides on the stock shocks and it becomes harsh, If I raise it back up to the stock stance then it rides great as it did with coils. I think I am going to lower the front 2.5", adjust the bags, then get the proper shocks and I think it will look good and ride even better. Oh yes one does need a rear stabilezer bar with the bags, I have them on the front of my truck but you can tell that they are needed on the rear. (I have them on order) Kieth hope this helps......


ps I have another little project underway, it involves adding air bags to the front along with 2.5" drop spindles, I am trying something different in the air ride height control area to save money and make it work better. will post up after the experiment ends. Kieth

[Turkey]

I have been reading the "Ride Tech" web page. Looks like they have a bag that replaces the coil spring, so all you have to do is swap the spring for the bag and inflate to your taste. At least that's the way I'm interpreting it.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by Turkey

I have been reading the "Ride Tech" web page. Looks like they have a bag that replaces the coil spring, so all you have to do is swap the spring for the bag and inflate to your taste. At least that's the way I'm interpreting it.

You are correct but I believe it is for the front of the truck, I have not seen one for the rear.......and they are more expensive......

[Turkey]

Originally Posted by kieth

You are correct but I believe it is for the front of the truck, I have not seen one for the rear.......and they are more expensive......

They have front and rear under the "Level 1" package. Do you need a tank or can you just put in bags and inflate them at home and ride around?

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by Turkey

They have front and rear under the "Level 1" package. Do you need a tank or can you just put in bags and inflate them at home and ride around?

You can install a schrader valve and be good to go. My ride quality is excellent in the 'burb with re7 + re8's and Doestch Tech shocks.

[chad64chevy]

protrash64 where did you get the top air bag plate at?? keith has the same looking ones and in my searchin i cant find them!!

[Captainfab]

A fellow forum member, jlaird, sells the upper bag plates on ebay. You might try sending him a PM here.

Here is his profile page. Click on the 'about me' tab for a link to his ebay listing for the bag plates.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...er.php?u=12404

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

protrash64 where did you get the top air bag plate at?? keith has the same looking ones and in my searchin i cant find them!!

[srziemkowski]

How low can you actually get just replacing the springs for bags,not just cruising but laying it out a bit more at shows?

[jimmydean]

My '69 had bags front and rear with a 2" cup in the rear (no frame notch) and 2.5" drop spindle discs. Here is a shot dumped.



So figure the front would be 2.5" higher with stock spindles. The ride was awesome with relocated shocks, ECE panhard bar, and KYB shocks.

<edit> Full lift for comparison.

[suzq044]

What would the difference be between this, and replacing the shocks with air-shocks instead (of springs for air-springs)? O_o

[kieth]

air shocks are not a fair comparison, you would still have the coil springs and not be able to maintain a good ride with a lowered stance. Air shocks are used to keep a vehicle level when towing a trailer, air bags do the same thing but also allow one to adjust the overall stance of the vehicle. Kieth

[srziemkowski]

I would like to see the very lowest someone has gotten with our body style and this method.

[losthope]

heres a picture with 65 aired out any lower and id have to c-notch the frame

[srziemkowski]

That doesnt seem that low,seems like it would get lower,i have just springs and shocks and appears the same if not a pinch lower,especially in the front

[srziemkowski]

Maybe not lower lol but at least the same now that the pictures are close to each other