Air line question

[sick69]

What size airline is everyone using for their bagged trucks?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of using 3/8 or 1/2 lines and valves?


Also I had an idea that I'm not sure about. Could you use your exhaust as an air drier if you ran metal tubing instead of soft airline? Maybe somewhere in the air system wrap the metal airline around the exhaust pipes? If you heat the air it draws the air out,,,correct? The "wrap" would have to be far enough away from the rest of the components(valves,compressor) to keep from heating them up aswell due to heat transfer. I was thinking between the tank and compressor?


Thanks guys

Frank

[N2TRUX]

It really depends on how fast you want your system to be. If you want it really fast so you can clown with it, then go 1/2". For most of us that is overkill. I have found with 3/8" line that it's hard to adjust in small increments. I can't imagine trying to do it with 1/2"

I see that your trying to be creative, but I would not want any part of my system near the exhaust.

[Shane]

You need to COOL compressed air to remove moisture, not heat it.

[sick69]

Clowning once in awhile might be ok but it won't be happening alot. How fast will the 3/8 bags fill?

I've been kind of undecided about running bags on my truck for awhile, the link to a mag article posted on here recently finally pushed me over the edge to do it, so I'm sure I'l be asking questions. Just have to start buying parts.



As far as being creative,,,,you know as well as I do, and everyone else on this board, it's the small unique things that set a nice ride apart from an exceptional one.



Thanks
Frank

[mycool72]

Being creative is fun no doubt but running lines around your exhaust would prob sound like loose bolts inside of a cat convertor "rattle rattle rattle" after awhile. Not to mention its pointless as Shane mentioned...and an air dryer is very inexpensive.....as far as the lines go, I have 1/2in valves and line and its plenty fast..with 120 in the tank it will damn near pull the wheels off the ground...you have to tap the switch to raise it and even then its like riding a damn bull. If your looking for smooth ups and downs go with something smaller than 1/2 as it is pretty extreme for most

[sick69]

Originally Posted by mycool72

Being creative is fun no doubt but running lines around your exhaust would prob sound like loose bolts inside of a cat convertor "rattle rattle rattle" after awhile. Not to mention its pointless as Shane mentioned...and an air dryer is very inexpensive.....as far as the lines go, I have 1/2in valves and line and its plenty fast..with 120 in the tank it will damn near pull the wheels off the ground...you have to tap the switch to raise it and even then its like riding a damn bull. If your looking for smooth ups and downs go with something smaller than 1/2 as it is pretty extreme for most

The drier idea was just that. When I get weird ideas they ussually get axed after I think about them logically. Now and then I have to ask others before they get tossed in the round file. Especially at 3 in the morning! lol


Frank

[XXL]

You're in Colo Springs. How dry do you want?

[sick69]

Originally Posted by XXL

You're in Colo Springs. How dry do you want?

Popcorn farts come to mind.


Frank

[N2TRUX]

No biggie, I just learned from burn you don't want plastic airline anywhere near the exhaust.

With the right pressure 3/8" will get you up quick, and you can control it. With 1/2" it's fast, and faster. You can run restricters to slow it down, but whats the point in spending the extra money if your going to slow it down.

[sick69]

I was thinking using metal ine for the drier idea not plastic. The plastic would just melt leaving an open air line whipping around and dropping the truck on the highway at 75mph! Screw that!

I am still concidering useing metal line instead of the plastic. Just that much harder to poke a hole in it or wear through it from rubbing. The airline should be stationary so flexability shouldn't be an issue. A bit more cash to buy and more time consuming to install though.

I'll have to get everything in and working and play with pressures to see what I like. What seems to be the general opinion for air pressures? I know personal opinion is a majority. More/less pressure will change ride quality and handleing though as well as height.


My entire knowledge of bags is what I've read on this board and a couple mag articles. Is there any proven way to figure out ride height or just play with pressures until I find what I like?

Frank

[mycool72]

The pressure question is always ongoing...play with it, find a pressure you like and get it aligned at that pressure. Everyone will be different, brands and bag sizes differ as well as truck setup-big block, small block etc. More weight may take more pressure to get it up as high as you want....once you start to get stuff in and mess around you will see how easy everything is.....air ride is not that difficult so don't question every detail...just do it!

[sick69]

Is there any advantage to a triple convaluted bag instead of a double?

Or is it just the lentgh of travel you can get from a triple? I'm going with double but was wondering.


Frank

[XXL]

Originally Posted by sick69

Is there any advantage to a triple convaluted bag instead of a double?

Only vendor I'm aware of who offers them is AIM. That alone should be a signal to avoid... regarless of the features.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by XXL

Only vendor I'm aware of who offers them is AIM. That alone should be a signal to avoid... regarless of the features.

Amen.

[mycool72]

triple will give more lift....i don't know of any other differences, never played with a triple

[sick69]

I've seen them in mags and a couple places online,,,have no clue who was selling them. Like I said I'll be going with doubles, probably either the re series or the dominator series. The re series seems pretty popular but I've heard a few good things about the dominators.

Planning on more research before buying so,,,



Frank

[chevydog66]

I run 1/2" and it's too fast.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by chevydog66

I run 1/2" and it's too fast.

Too fast ??

I quess everyone is just concerned with laying out and not the quick snap of the suspension.

Coming from hanging with lowriders...we always "clowned" by pulling up on someone on the strip and snatching the front end off the ground.

Anyway, I used 3/8 one time on a customers #-150 and he used cheap valves and ran 400 psi of nitrogen and he got the whole truck off the ground.

If you want precision adjustment...no more that 3/8 line.

I would run 1/2 valve for the lift, and 3/8 for the dump.

[chevydog66]

Too fast for accurate adjustability. But it is fun sometimes.