Air Bag question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

63lemon · 05-11-2011, 12:53 AM

Im new to fixing up these older trucks, but i was wondering if anyone has pics of airbags replacing the coil springs in these trucks, i don't want to notch or slam my truck but i like options the air ride gives, is there a way not to have a on board compressor (pics)?, how hard are they to instal.

I also wanted to thank all the members of this site i spend hours reading threads and am amazed on how much ever one helps eachother out. Its a great community to be a part of

Colt

SCOTI · 05-11-2011, 10:40 AM

Someone will post up some pics pretty soon I'm sure (I don't have any on my laptop). Try looking in the FAQ's section under the truck tech icon. Look for the suspension related threads & there's one from board member Mr. Shelly that has some great info.

Any specific reason you're wanting to avoid compressors?

**N2TRUX** · 05-11-2011, 11:19 AM

Welcome to the Suspension forum 63lemon. There are ways to do what your considering, but I don't recommend them. If your just wanting bags in the rear you can run a pair of Schrader valves and that has proven to be effective. This allows you to adjust the rear for comfort, or a heavy load.

You can do the same in the front, but it's not something I suggest. If the rear gets a leak, you can limp to an air source. If the front gets a leak or failure, you have the potential to be stranded.

SCOTI · 05-11-2011, 12:46 PM

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

vin63 · 05-11-2011, 06:07 PM

Is this what you're looking for in photos of air springs in place of the coil springs?

I wouldn't recommend running a 4 corner air suspension system with out some way of filling the air springs while on the road.

charx2 · 05-13-2011, 03:07 PM

Hey Vin, what is that bar running from the frame to right next to the U-bolt on the axle? This intrigues me. Auto leveling system?

jimmydean · 05-13-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charx2

Hey Vin, what is that bar running from the frame to right next to the U-bolt on the axle? This intrigues me. Auto leveling system?

Looks like a splined sway bar. Awesome.

<edit>vin63, do you have a build thread on that? I would love to see some better shots of your chassis. Looks unreal.

charx2 · 05-13-2011, 04:21 PM

WOW! That is awesome if that's what it is! More pictures please?

SCOTI · 05-13-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmydean

Looks like a splined sway bar..

It is.

**67cheby** · 05-13-2011, 04:37 PM

WOW...we need more pics and a build thread.....that thing is TIGHT

truckzilla · 05-13-2011, 08:11 PM

Thanks Scoti! Your illustrated piece showing the bag installation is going to help me big time throwing the bags in the '85 C20/30 that I'm working on. Those of us who are doing stuff like that for the first time appreciate those who take the time to give us great pics like yours.
I'll be using the Accuair leveling system on my project and going with a compressor and dual 5 gallon tanks.

SCOTI · 05-13-2011, 10:27 PM

All I did was provide the link.
Mr.Shelly did the work, documentation, & was nice enough to post it here on the site for others.

truckzilla · 05-16-2011, 09:41 AM

Then my thanks go to Mr. Shelly for what he has made available to us new guys!

truckzilla · 05-16-2011, 09:48 AM

To Vin63,
I know we'd like to hear more details on that rear disc brake set-up. What is that dark triangular piece next to the caliper in your pic? An E-brake maybe?

SCOTI · 05-16-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckzilla

To Vin63,
I know we'd like to hear more details on that rear disc brake set-up. What is that dark triangular piece next to the caliper in your pic? An E-brake maybe?

Correct.

truckzilla · 05-16-2011, 12:08 PM

Any idea on details? Who made it? Mech or hydraulic? Main caliper source? Bracketry? Etcetera, etcetra. Inquiring minds want to know.

charx2 · 05-16-2011, 12:18 PM

Hey truckzilla, check out my build thread, I will be updating it this afternoon with a step notch I've almost got finished now but I think it shows some of my front bag placement pretty well.

SCOTI · 05-16-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckzilla

Any idea on details? Who made it? Mech or hydraulic? Main caliper source? Bracketry? Etcetera, etcetra. Inquiring minds want to know.

http://www.wilwood.com/

truckzilla · 05-16-2011, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the lead on the build thread Charx2. I'll keep track of your updates because I'll probably have a lot of the same issues. I know I do concerning the wife part!
And thanks Scoti on the Wilwood link. I've looked at their site before, but I guess I missed it.
One day, I'll have a build thread somewhere.

vin63 · 05-18-2011, 11:39 AM

Not to hijack the thread...yes, I fabricated a through-frame splined rear sway bar (sway bar housing as a welded cross member), and those are the arm links to the rear housing. And, the small triangular rear caliper is a mechanical parking brake. As far as brackets...I used to be a Mark Williams dealer in another life, and this was a left over rear disk brake kit with integrated parking brake for the Lamb or symmetrical housing end. But, it is not too difficult to fabricate a bracket to mount to an existing caliper bracket. If I didn't have the left over parts, I probably would've gone with a drive shaft parking brake set up.

The front air springs are Slam Specialties and the rears are left over Firestones.

05-11-2011, 12:53 AM	#1
63lemon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Millersburg Ohio Posts: 76	Air Bag question Im new to fixing up these older trucks, but i was wondering if anyone has pics of airbags replacing the coil springs in these trucks, i don't want to notch or slam my truck but i like options the air ride gives, is there a way not to have a on board compressor (pics)?, how hard are they to instal. I also wanted to thank all the members of this site i spend hours reading threads and am amazed on how much ever one helps eachother out. Its a great community to be a part of Colt __________________ Ich möchte vroom vroom

05-11-2011, 10:40 AM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,072	Re: Air Bag question Someone will post up some pics pretty soon I'm sure (I don't have any on my laptop). Try looking in the FAQ's section under the truck tech icon. Look for the suspension related threads & there's one from board member Mr. Shelly that has some great info. Any specific reason you're wanting to avoid compressors? __________________ 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.*

05-11-2011, 11:19 AM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Air Bag question Welcome to the Suspension forum 63lemon. There are ways to do what your considering, but I don't recommend them. If your just wanting bags in the rear you can run a pair of Schrader valves and that has proven to be effective. This allows you to adjust the rear for comfort, or a heavy load. You can do the same in the front, but it's not something I suggest. If the rear gets a leak, you can limp to an air source. If the front gets a leak or failure, you have the potential to be stranded. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

05-11-2011, 12:46 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,072	Re: Air Bag question I had more time..... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=129463 __________________ 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.*

05-11-2011, 06:07 PM	#5
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,262	Re: Air Bag question Is this what you're looking for in photos of air springs in place of the coil springs? I wouldn't recommend running a 4 corner air suspension system with out some way of filling the air springs while on the road. __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

05-13-2011, 03:07 PM	#6
charx2 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 365	Re: Air Bag question Hey Vin, what is that bar running from the frame to right next to the U-bolt on the axle? This intrigues me. Auto leveling system? __________________ ----------------------------------------- My 67 c10 Thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=409192

05-13-2011, 04:21 PM	#8
charx2 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 365	Re: Air Bag question WOW! That is awesome if that's what it is! More pictures please? __________________ ----------------------------------------- My 67 c10 Thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=409192

05-13-2011, 04:37 PM	#10
67cheby 67cheby Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: siloam springs ar 72761 Posts: 17,890	Re: Air Bag question WOW...we need more pics and a build thread.....that thing is TIGHT __________________ Check out Slosh Tubz, bolt-in inner fenders for frame laying C-10's Slosh Tubz Introductory Price $559 67 Cheby's Dropmember Build Thread Slosh Tubz on Facebook http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554172

05-13-2011, 08:11 PM	#11
truckzilla Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 468	Re: Air Bag question Thanks Scoti! Your illustrated piece showing the bag installation is going to help me big time throwing the bags in the '85 C20/30 that I'm working on. Those of us who are doing stuff like that for the first time appreciate those who take the time to give us great pics like yours. I'll be using the Accuair leveling system on my project and going with a compressor and dual 5 gallon tanks.

05-13-2011, 10:27 PM	#12
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,072	Re: Air Bag question All I did was provide the link. Mr.Shelly did the work, documentation, & was nice enough to post it here on the site for others. __________________ 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.*

05-16-2011, 09:41 AM	#13
truckzilla Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 468	Re: Air Bag question Then my thanks go to Mr. Shelly for what he has made available to us new guys!

05-16-2011, 09:48 AM	#14
truckzilla Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 468	Re: Air Bag question To Vin63, I know we'd like to hear more details on that rear disc brake set-up. What is that dark triangular piece next to the caliper in your pic? An E-brake maybe?

05-16-2011, 12:08 PM	#16
truckzilla Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 468	Re: Air Bag question Any idea on details? Who made it? Mech or hydraulic? Main caliper source? Bracketry? Etcetera, etcetra. Inquiring minds want to know.

05-16-2011, 12:18 PM	#17
charx2 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 365	Re: Air Bag question Hey truckzilla, check out my build thread, I will be updating it this afternoon with a step notch I've almost got finished now but I think it shows some of my front bag placement pretty well. __________________ ----------------------------------------- My 67 c10 Thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=409192

05-16-2011, 12:51 PM	#19
truckzilla Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 468	Re: Air Bag question Thanks for the lead on the build thread Charx2. I'll keep track of your updates because I'll probably have a lot of the same issues. I know I do concerning the wife part! And thanks Scoti on the Wilwood link. I've looked at their site before, but I guess I missed it. One day, I'll have a build thread somewhere.



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05-18-2011, 11:39 AM	#20
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,262	Re: Air Bag question Not to hijack the thread...yes, I fabricated a through-frame splined rear sway bar (sway bar housing as a welded cross member), and those are the arm links to the rear housing. And, the small triangular rear caliper is a mechanical parking brake. As far as brackets...I used to be a Mark Williams dealer in another life, and this was a left over rear disk brake kit with integrated parking brake for the Lamb or symmetrical housing end. But, it is not too difficult to fabricate a bracket to mount to an existing caliper bracket. If I didn't have the left over parts, I probably would've gone with a drive shaft parking brake set up. The front air springs are Slam Specialties and the rears are left over Firestones. __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes Last edited by vin63; 05-18-2011 at 11:52 AM.

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