Do i put air bags on this ?

[67cheby]

i dont see the problem with wanting to win trophies..... most guys want to win when they play sports or hunting ... i guess i must be a trophy hound, because someday when my truck is done i want to be "WINNING....like Charlie Sheen"....so i get it !!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

i dont see the problem with wanting to win trophies..... most guys want to win when they play sports or hunting ... i guess i must be a trophy hound, because someday when my truck is done i want to be "WINNING....like Charlie Sheen"....so i get it !!

In my book, 'winning' is driving your truck out to someplace like the GoodGuys in Scottsdale & hanging out w/Dino, Nate, & that group w/a slick truck. Drive it to all the local cruises they have & then head off east into the night on your way back home.

Trucks were made to be used. Use them & enjoy them....

[67cheby]

i can agree with that also !!

[original-71]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Asked again....

NO i really dont want to cut into the truck, the c-notch is maybe the farthest i would go.
NO i really never thought about the expense or the upkeep since ive never had an air ride system.
The only thing i want to gain is lower look, may just bring the rear down some more.

Thats why iam asking your thoughts for advice, if i was set on doing it, i wouldnt ask you guys and it would be in pieces right now

[chevyman95]

Only if you want them, who cares what others think

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by original-71

NO i really dont want to cut into the truck, the c-notch is maybe the farthest i would go.
NO i really never thought about the expense or the upkeep since ive never had an air ride system.
The only thing i want to gain is lower look, may just bring the rear down some more.
Thats why iam asking your thoughts for advice, if i was set on doing it, i wouldnt ask you guys and it would be in pieces right now

If c-notch is as low as you want...I'd vote no and just bring down the rear another inch or two if you can (without notching) If you're not going with a big notch it won't look like the photoshopped picture posted here. And the front shouldn't be too low if the rear won't be.

Maybe just look at some interior or engine bay upgrades that might put you over the top at a show if that's still a concern.

[lolife99]

With a set of PB tubular a-arms, and bags,... you can get the front really low,... but you would have to lose the inner fenders.
To get the rear just as low,... you will need to cut the bed floor.

The Porterbuilt Stage 2 kit might be the best rear kit without cutting the floor.
The lowest you will get,... will be like n2billets stepside, "Stella Mae" .

[colin_havens]

Beautiful truck! I have to agree with these guys, you should put bags on it because you want to, not just to get a trophy. I have a shelf in my garage full, and most I would part with no problem. If you are just looking for some plastic, I will send you a couple lol

Now that being said, a dropmembered truck laying the rails on the pavement definately demands attention depending on what shows you are at. At a local show with all these older guys and their origional restored rides.... I stick out like the black sheep of the family. However I cant stand anywhere near my truck without getting a thousand questions asked about how it works and how do I even drive it. But at a large show like ///RA Allstar Event, Showfest, or any other "minitrucker" show, 90% of the rides are bagged. Its such a common thing that just bags dont make you stand out, but rather attention to detail does. A couple of my favorite trucks are not on bags, but rather are static dropped and just overall super clean. Just so you can see here are some pictures:





Both of these might not draw as much attention as one slammed and tucking a third of some big billet wheels AT FIRST, but upon further inspection they are so clean and all the little details make you spend a ton of time looking at everything. In fact they have both recieved some "BEST OF ______" trophys at ///RA Allstar Event, which says alot about them. When it comes to winning shows, cleanlienss and details will win most of the time. I have seen plenty of half assed slapped together truck on bags at some of these shows and they didnt win a thing, and I didnt want to be anywhere near them when they left the show and were driving on public roads.

Build your truck FOR YOU, and not for some pieces of plastic. Last year I went to the ///RA Allstar Event show, the first show my truck had seen in 2 years. I did get a top 50 trophy, but I can tell you thats not the part about the show I enjoyed the most. The best part was the cruise down there with the windows down and the radio cranked, and hanging out with my friends at the show and the hotel at night.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by original-71

NO i really dont want to cut into the truck, the c-notch is maybe the farthest i would go.
NO i really never thought about the expense or the upkeep since ive never had an air ride system.
The only thing i want to gain is lower look, may just bring the rear down some more.

Thats why iam asking your thoughts for advice, if i was set on doing it, i wouldnt ask you guys and it would be in pieces right now

If you plan on keeping the factory front inner wheel wells in place & not cutting the bed floor for pumpkin clearance, you would get to about where n2billets Stella Mae is (this truck actually has the bed floor cut out for pumpkin clearance though).

The ride would be smoother on air.
The ride height would be adjustable on air (not just for dropping either).
Rear bags also allow the truck to maintain cargo capacity where dropped springs might suffer.

Do you have a budget in mind that would steer the decision process one way or the other?

[original-71]

i guess its just my own curiosity getting to me. trust me its not about the trophies,i have my share of best of's. i guess its more of people telling me at the shows "man this truck bagged would be so this and so that" that makes me ponder to myslef HMMMM do i or dont i ? then i think to myself i like just getting in it, turn the key and go. sorry if it seems like i just want a trophy its more like would air bags make that big a difference on my truck is really what i was trying to get at.

[original-71]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Do you have a budget in mind that would steer the decision process one way or the other?

its not about the budget, i know i have friends that would help with the labor if i decide to do it. its if i really want it or not and the way the poll is going it looks like more not, you guys are honest and helpfull i can appreciate that.

[bruin_d]

What "upkeep" are you guys talking about with running bags? I've had a few bagged vehicles and never put a dime into anything after the initial purchase.

[colin_havens]

Originally Posted by original-71

i guess its just my own curiosity getting to me. trust me its not about the trophies,i have my share of best of's. i guess its more of people telling me at the shows "man this truck bagged would be so this and so that" that makes me ponder to myslef HMMMM do i or dont i ? then i think to myself i like just getting in it, turn the key and go. sorry if it seems like i just want a trophy its more like would air bags make that big a difference on my truck is really what i was trying to get at.

Well this is a totally different reason than I thought. I will say, I have had my fair share of static dropped trucks, but nothing I have ever owned rides as good as my 67. Not even my wifes Lexus RX330. Before I swapped the crossmember for a raised one from Suicide Doors and 4 linked the rear, it was bagged with plates up front and and bags on the trailing arms, with a bolt in c notch. I still had the stock wheel wells in the back, but had to pull the ones up front and trim the inner fender to get it as low as possible. You can get a great ride from a bag setup, and depending on how low you want to be will determine how much you have to cut the truck up.

I dont consider the maintence to be a real big deal, and it gives me an excuse to work on the truck for a bit. A visual inspection of the lines and bags, and draining any moisture from the airtanks occasionally and thats about it right now. Eventually you could wear out some compressors, but the last set lasted several years and were still pumping air when I replaced them, although not like they did when they were new I assume. Check your wireing occasionally, just to be sure your connections are good, and maybe clean out a valve if it gets stuff in it. I dont consider any of that overkill.

My truck rode pretty good with the first setup, but the second one is amazing. The rack and pinion greatly improved the responsiveness and feel when driving, and now it truely takes advantage of the airbags sweet spot. Good shocks help dampen any bumps, so the ride is neither bouncy or rough. Its smooth as glass, rides better than a cadilliac.

If you are ok with cutting into it a little, you can lay it completely out and install some of Mike's Slosh tubs up front, and raise the bedfloor in the rear so you still have a flat bed floor and somewhat stock look, and the protection up front from throwing stuff all over the engine bay and the underside of your hood.

If not, Porterbuilt can set you up with a mild drop setup that would require minimal cutting at most or none at all if you wanted. Just so you can compare, Here are some pics of mine through the its procession:

When I first got her, it had an airbag setup. No drop spindles, just bags in place of colis and spacers. Still had the front inner fenders and everything



This is after adding a bolt in c-notch and mounting the bags directly to the trailing arms with 2 inch drop block, and adding drop spindles and removing the front inner fenders and cutting into the inner fenders



And now with an aftermarket crossmember, rack and pinion, and triangulated 4 link and a step notch in the rear



Just remember, it seems like once you start going lower, it becomes an addiction. you keep going lower, and lower, and lower..... till the frame os on the pavement and then you think about doing a body drop lol

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by bruin_d

What "upkeep" are you guys talking about with running bags? I've had a few bagged vehicles and never put a dime into anything after the initial purchase.

This is the sort of stuff I was thinking of....

Originally Posted by colin_havens

I dont consider the maintence to be a real big deal, and it gives me an excuse to work on the truck for a bit. A visual inspection of the lines and bags, and draining any moisture from the airtanks occasionally and thats about it right now. Eventually you could wear out some compressors, but the last set lasted several years and were still pumping air when I replaced them, although not like they did when they were new I assume. Check your wireing occasionally, just to be sure your connections are good, and maybe clean out a valve if it gets stuff in it.

None of this is necessary on static dropped trucks. Relatively minor, but it should be factored in when making educated decisions.

[Rochlow]

Originally Posted by colin_havens

Just remember, it seems like once you start going lower, it becomes an addiction. you keep going lower, and lower, and lower..... till the frame os on the pavement and then you think about doing a body drop lol

Amen to that!!! I'm in the final stage of my blazer and I'm already debating on the slosh tubs, dropmember and step notch...

[67cheby]

well....i say DO IT ..but i am a little one sided...LOL

[original-71]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

well....i say DO IT ..but i am a little one sided...LOL

you guys are killing me

[lolife99]

Let me help,... DO IT!
You have a perfect ECE suspension now.
Sell the old springs on here and swap in some Slam Specialties RE-7 bags.
Add a bolt in c-notch and a set of 2" blocks in the rear.
Add some Accuair air management,... and call it done.

Option #2- Deluxe Version:
Call Nate Porter and add his PB tubular a-arms, and front shock relocators.
Then add a Stage 2 rear kit,... plus the above mentioned air managemant.

[67cheby]

option #3....HACK THE $#%@ out of it ...and lay pinch welds!!!!!!!

[Rochlow]

Option #4
Trade your truck for my blazer, add all the go low goodies and have room for the whole fam damily!! Lol...

[67cheby]

they may not be great but we are at least giving you IDEA'S !!!LOL....we just want to help

[original-71]

Originally Posted by Rochlow

Option #4
Trade your truck for my blazer, add all the go low goodies and have room for the whole fam damily!! Lol...

i wouldnt sell or trade the truck it has more meaning to me than cash or another vehicle but i have been considering getting a blazer also, post of a pic of yours when you get a chance brother

[original-71]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

they may not be great but we are at least giving you IDEA'S !!!LOL....we just want to help

i know, thanks...

[travis4710]

Yes, but only because you want to. Who cares what everyone else thinks as long as you are happy with it. The truck will always be with you, while the trophies are packed up in boxes.
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[72BlckButy]

Kind of been in a similar situation to be honest and thanks to a few (you know who you are), I've seriously considered doing it. But...

For me it was about the truck. I wanted a drop on my truck that could be reversed if I would choose to do so, or possibly the next owner if I ever decide to sell (which is quite unlikely ). I love the looked of a bagged truck and would love to have my truck sit that low, but just couldn't bring myself to cut the frame for the c-notch.

Now, it also sounds crazy to want to buy/build another truck just so it has bags, not that I haven't considered this myself. If the moneys there do it.

I think your truck will look great either way you choose to go... I'd still buy it regardless.

Keep us posted on your decision.