Air Ride For Dummies

[wink_tim]

I think I have made up my mind to put air ride on my truck, matter of fact I even got the green light from the wife. I am in need of any and all feed back as I am clueless. Is the Air Ride Technologies stuff worth the money, it seems a bit pricey. What are the best components, bags, brackets, etc., and where to buy them? Any help appreciated. If you have any experience at all with air ride, then you know more than me. By the way the truck is a 67, coil spring rear.

[matthufham]

alot of people go to *****************, you might get a discount for being a member. going there allows you to piece and part your kit together, but going with ART will get you a complete kit with little fabrication. if you're looking to bag it, just get the necessities, if you want to slam it, you'll need to notch the frame, lose the inner fenders, raise the bed floor, then you can go all out and z the frame in front, and/or section the crossmember...

[jugernot]

I hope this helps, another member posted this some time ago.

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

[wink_tim]

I have heard ***************** mentioned alot. Does anyone know what bags are best, I think I heard Firestone #2600. So as I understand it all you need for the rear is bags, bolts, and drill a couple holes? Thanks Guys!

[Longstep70]

Bumpety bump......
I'm interested in this kind of advice too. Like; what size air tank are you guys running and which compressor?
Maybe this thread should be moved to the Suspension forum?

[wink_tim]

I called Suicidedoors, those guys are awesome. After discussing what I had and what I wanted to do, I ended up getting their front bag brackets, slam speacialties RE7 bags, Viair 400 compressor, 8 SMC 3/8" valves, a 5-gallon tank, and a few odds and ends to tie it all together(water trap, pressure switch, air line, etc.) It was all about $850 shipped, not as bad as I thaught it would be. I also ordered Air Ride Technologies Ridepro E control system, sway bar, and c-notch from CPP. Wish me luck!

[Longstep70]

Originally Posted by wink_tim

I called Suicidedoors, those guys are awesome. After discussing what I had and what I wanted to do, I ended up getting their front bag brackets, slam speacialties RE7 bags, Viair 400 compressor, 8 SMC 3/8" valves, a 5-gallon tank, and a few odds and ends to tie it all together(water trap, pressure switch, air line, etc.) It was all about $850 shipped, not as bad as I thaught it would be. I also ordered Air Ride Technologies Ridepro E control system, sway bar, and c-notch from CPP. Wish me luck!

Hey man, let me know how you get on with that stuff. it is very close to the list I've been drawing up. I just haven't bitten the bullet yet.
Good luck and keep us posted, I'm very interested to hear how you get on.

Hart_Rob; thanks for that link - awesome info. Two thumbs aloft.

[wink_tim]

Well I finaly gathered most of the parts together to start work on my air ride. Last week my brother and I rewired my truck with a kit from painless, and I went ahead and upgraded the alternator to an internaly regulated model. I figured it was time to stop counting on 39 year old wiring with the addition of these modern electrical components. One minor change to my original parts list, CPP pissed me off ,thats a different story, so I ordered my C-notch from GMC Pauls, sway bar from ECE, and gauges and 7 rocker switch box from suicidedoors. Went out and took a couple of before pics so we will have something to compare to. Now if I can get this pile of parts where they need to be....

[K5KRAZIE]

Alright bro, you have no options here you either keep us posted or we will be forced to come over and see it for ourselves..........
AWESOME!

[Hart_Rod]

Here's a link to my build-up with ART stuff:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=174330

[wink_tim]

Right on!

[72BlckButy]

Definitely want to find out how this turns out... Good luck on the install!!!

[project76]

Good luck, hope everything goes smoothly with the install. As stated many times, keep the pics flowing. I also had a great experience with the guys at suicidedoors.

[Skruffy]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Definitely want to find out how this turns out... Good luck on the install!!!

What I have yet to see answered is: How does it ride? I prefer the stock ride height or maybe 1' or 2" drop, but I want to know how they affect the ride, handling, what about dependability, etc. I don't want a bag to fail when I'm at 80 in bumper - to - bumper traffic.

[wink_tim]

Originally Posted by Skruffy

What I have yet to see answered is: How does it ride? I prefer the stock ride height or maybe 1' or 2" drop, but I want to know how they affect the ride, handling, what about dependability, etc. I don't want a bag to fail when I'm at 80 in bumper - to - bumper traffic.

I would say that if you prefer stock ride hieght or only a 1" or 2" drop then don't waste your money.

[Skruffy]

Originally Posted by wink_tim

I would say that if you prefer stock ride hieght or only a 1" or 2" drop then don't waste your money.

That's what I was thinking. I just wondered if there was some advantage I was missing. My next question would be about coil-overs, but I don't want to hijack the thread.

[Longstep70]

Looking good so far.
Did you decide not to go with the Ride Pro-e??

[wink_tim]

Originally Posted by Longstep70

Looking good so far.
Did you decide not to go with the Ride Pro-e??

Yeah, I changed me mind. I decide to take that extra expense and put it towards a painless wiring harness. I can always add a digital ride control latter.

[lolife99]

Nice Truck! I will be watching.

[Green Machine]

Don't wanna hijack this thread but since we are talking about airbags i was wondering if adding airbags makes any difference in handling or in the ride quality to a stock truck

[N2TRUX]

It looks like you are off to a good start. Keep us posted on your progress.

Here's some pics of a 68 that just got bagged- More info inside

[N2TRUX]

For those of you asking questions regarding ride and handleinglook here-Chevy Hiperformance It's an article about a bunch of bagged vehicles spending a day at the track....

[BigSky71]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

For those of you asking questions regarding ride and handleinglook here-Chevy Hiperformance It's an article about a bunch of bagged vehicles spending a day at the track....

Good article, entertaining read. I am confused about their comments on the 62 Impala though, "Friends, this thing rolls like a Spanish Galleon facing a nasty day in the North Atlantic--". Hmm, is that good or bad? Either it sloshes around like a boat, or it is the best ship in the perverbal sea. They go on to say it goes around corners nice anyway... those crazy magazine guys.

[wink_tim]

Well for those who like pictures here are a few of the progress I have made.

[wink_tim]

I installed the C-Notch on both sides. The only clearance issue I had was the track arm hitting the frame on the right side. I simply moved the track arm bracket underneath the lowering block instead of on top of it and presto!