Air ride on a budget.

[OrangeAnimal]

Ok guys and girls. My question is this. Whats the most economical way to put air ride on my 82? I am going to get the front brackets and 4 bags thatnk you ***************** also some upper and lower mounts and air management. I had thoughts of 2 link with a panhard bar. I do not want to cut the bed all up so a simple c notch was all that was planned.

I wonder this though. With a C notch how low will the back go? I would assume that the frame will not touch the ground. I already know that the front won't go all the way unless I change the x member and control arms out. Or Z the front frame section. A friend of mine that did that to his. Scary work IMO. Does the 2 link seem like that bad an idea? I figured it would get me down low and would not cost me a fortune since I can get one for free.

[PBFAB.COM]

OrangeAnimal-

Quality air suspension and "budget" don't always mesh. It is best to make a plan to use quality components, and then assess your budget and purchase/install the components in phases if necessary. This way you don't get hit up front with a large cost, and you don't lose in the end by re-doing or replacing items. It doesn't mean you have to pay top dollar for all the components, just don't sacrifice quality for price, it will cost you more in the end.

[OrangeAnimal]

Yup I want something decent. That will hold up. I am just wondering what setups can I use for the rear that will give me a decent ride for the cost.

I am looking at a wishbone setup from ***************** and thought it would be more straightforward to install since not alot of angles to play with other than the pinion angle and the clearance of the driveshaft and the bars being as close to parallel to each other and the ground at ride height. Let me know if I have any of this incorrect.

[N2TRUX]

If you are not wanting to cut your bed, then a mild C-notch and an "air over leaf" set up is the simplest way to go. It uses all of the same components that any other drop would use in the rear, yet eliminates the need for a link system.

As Nate said, don't waste money trying to save money. Research what system is best for you and use quality components no matter what direction you choose.

[OrangeAnimal]

On the air over leaf setup I would just remove some leafs from the pack. Then mount the bag over the axle and install a notch in the frame correct?

[N2TRUX]

As with anything there are several ways to do it. Here is how it was done on my 77 Cheyenne.

[edflores]

n2trux, how many miles have you put on that truck?
i feel so wierd seeing as i asked the same questions years ago about how and what to do. your truck is a prime example of not cutting stuff up, using "budget parts" and still looking good.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by edflores

n2trux, how many miles have you put on that truck?

It's made several trips from Houston to Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, etc. Enough to know the system works just fine. I don't mean that in a sarcastic way, it's just that I don't have a clue as to actually how many miles the system has on it.

[OrangeAnimal]

Cool deal. That looks like a good way to go about it with the minimum of cutting and welding. I hate hacking it all up.

[edflores]

Originally Posted by OrangeAnimal

Cool deal. That looks like a good way to go about it with the minimum of cutting and welding. I hate hacking it all up.

cutting and hacking are 2 differenrt concepts. cutting a truck up can be a beautiful thing.

[OrangeAnimal]

It seems like a simple setup I am probably get my flip kit in and some drop spindles soon. Right now I am working on the interior. Should have that done in about a week.

I was wondering does anyone know how long the drop shackles are usually. I have a set on the truck and with the flip kit and those it's going to be very very low I would estimate a total of about 10 inches drop! I have looked the entire thing over and with what seems to be drop shackles only in the rear it is about 5 inches lower than stock.

[lolife99]

Drop shackles will get you only 2" max.

[SCOTI]

Flip kit w/drop shackles is 7-8" of drop depending on how many leaves in the spring pack.

[OrangeAnimal]

How many leafs in the pack is stock? 4 or 5? I have 3.

[firedog]

i havent started bagging my truck yet but you would be surprised what people have laying around or gave up on i just put an ad on craigslist and got several calls including one guy that is doing air bag suspensions out of his home garage that offered to give me a hand and show me a few pointers at no cost