Paging N2TRUX - Air over leaf

[r0lf-]

So, im REALLY sick of the rear of my truck feeling like a dumptruck. And I just dont care about laying out fully/dragging any of that bling bling crap anymore. I just want a nice ride. And right now I have about 1" of travel in the rear.

Drop leaves + flip kit + shackle, long story. Needless to say, its 2" away from the top of the notch. So its nice and low, I love the stance, but hate the ride.

I was wondering if AOL was ok to daily, I know N2 likes his and with the right componenets will ride just dandy.

I was thinking F9000's with some stocker leafs /w only the top 2 in, just like N2TRUX. I just dont know what bracketry to use.

[N2TRUX]

I just got back in from a late night cruise in my 77. With the truck aired up at ride height it rides very nice. I am totalled pleased with my set up.

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble with my alt bracket loosening up. When the alt isn't charging, the Air Ride gauges go blank so I can't give you exact pressure reading.

It may take some fine tuning to get the ride height where you want it, and still carry decent pressure in the bags. I think you will be much happier than you are now....

[r0lf-]

Sweet. You used regular leafs right?

Is that ART bracketry you used? Its like 300 bucks, correct?

Oh, and do you have any pics of ride height?

[N2TRUX]

Yes we took all the leafs out of the pack but the top two. The kit was an ARK3002 from ART. No, I never take any at ride height. I'll try to get some this week if I get it back together...

[r0lf-]

Sweet. Tony @ Innovative Air suspension always gets me great prices on ART stuff. That will most likely be added to the arsenal. Then I can sell off my 4" drop springs.

[bodydropped]

i got a similiar setup like kens truck but i did a flip kit on my 96 and i found a setup from belltech that uses air bags to ride better i bought all my stuff used but the notch was bent to sht so i used a djm notch and modified my upper bag plate to bolt up i like it because i either lift it to tow or lower it to ride lower but it doesnt drag it uses 2500 firestone bags with 1/4 line im goin to convert it to 1/2 line so i can adjust it with valves instead of schrader valves

[Bad Karma]

What kind of axle wrap do you get with only two leaves?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Bad Karma

What kind of axle wrap do you get with only two leaves?

I have had no problem at all with axle wrap. Keep in mind the stock 350 that my truck came with had a whopping 150 HP and 3.08 gears so don't think axle wrap would have been an issue if I had used one leaf...

Now that I have the Ramjet 350 installed that might be a legitimate concern. So far I have been driving pretty easy till I put a few break in miles on it. Once I get it broke in a little I'll test it out and report back...

[Izzy]

I installed a similair setup on a 95.

Here is a pic of the rear setup.



I left the main leaf and the overload. I replaced the pins with grade 8 bolts/nuts/washers from Home Depot. The notch is a Western Chassis and 3 of the 4 bolts lined up with the ART upper bracket.

It rode great on the 45 minute test drive and the 2 hour long drive back to him.

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by Bad Karma

What kind of axle wrap do you get with only two leaves?

The truck I did had a mild cam, headers and a few other mods and it had zero wrap.

[r0lf-]

Originally Posted by Izzy

The truck I did had a mild cam, headers and a few other mods and it had zero wrap.

I remeber that truck, ecsb, right? I was gonna ask you over at FSC about it. I know you had good results like Ken did. Thats why I wanted to check it out. 2 Leafs + F-9000's and a mild motor should be dandy for me. F9000's dont need anything over a 1/4" valve correct?

[1974gmc]

how much travel to you get between aired up and aired down? and any pics of your trucks aired out with this setup?

[N2TRUX]

I don't have any pics of it aired up other than one where the front is up. In this pic the driver front is all the way up, and the passenger front and rear are all the way down.

[N2TRUX]

Here it is aired out

[1974gmc]

and thats with drop spindles, rear flip and shackles along with the bags right?

[N2TRUX]

Front has 3" dropped spindles with bags. The rear has flip, all but two leafs removed, 2" block and bag over leaf set up with acustom built C-notch.

The truck could go an inch+ lower, but right now the bump stops are set so it will still roll when aired out..

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by r0lf-

I remeber that truck, ecsb, right? I was gonna ask you over at FSC about it. I know you had good results like Ken did. Thats why I wanted to check it out. 2 Leafs + F-9000's and a mild motor should be dandy for me. F9000's dont need anything over a 1/4" valve correct?

I wouldn't run anything over a 3/8" valve, it would be overkill on these heavy trucks imo.

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by 1974gmc

how much travel to you get between aired up and aired down? and any pics of your trucks aired out with this setup?

The truck I did was able to use the full 7.5" of travel out of the bag. It had a 6" flip kit, 2" shackles and 1.5"(2) worth of leafs.

Here are a few pics of it all the way down.



It could lift to stock height but it would be way too stiff to roll that high.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I wouldn't run anything over a 3/8" valve, it would be overkill on these heavy trucks imo.

I will assume since your interested in this type of somewhat basic system speed is not a big concern. I ran ART "Big Red" 3/8 valves on my 77. They are as fast as you will need for this set up. Anything bigger would be wasting your money, anything smaller is just a waste of time....

[r0lf-]

Hrm... good stuff. How tall are your tires? My rear is lower than yours right now when youre aired out.

But I also have much smaller tires im sure. 255/60/15's.

Well, unless you guys are full of BS Im thinking this is how im gonna do my rear. Until im out of college atleast. As long as it rides like a champ im down. I dont need that cali rake from the back.

[N2TRUX]

My rear tires are 295/40/20's. I think you will be happy with the results..

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by r0lf-

Well, unless you guys are full of BS Im thinking this is how im gonna do my rear. Until im out of college atleast. As long as it rides like a champ im down. I dont need that cali rake from the back.

I tested it for about an hour before I drove it back to Brad. It rode great and I tested it at all heights and situations I could think of.

[r0lf-]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I tested it for about an hour before I drove it back to Brad. It rode great and I tested it at all heights and situations I could think of.

Good news my friend!

[DroppedZ84]

Hey Rolf,
Look over at the post on FSC. There's going to be a NOR*CAL Get-Together. Come to it, and I'll give you a bunch of the airbag stuff I ended up not using (20' 3/8 DOT Airline, and a bunch of 3/8 fittings)

[r0lf-]

Originally Posted by DroppedZ84

Hey Rolf,
Look over at the post on FSC. There's going to be a NOR*CAL Get-Together. Come to it, and I'll give you a bunch of the airbag stuff I ended up not using (20' 3/8 DOT Airline, and a bunch of 3/8 fittings)

Ahh sweet. I wouldnt mind meeting up. Ill take a look at the post. Whats your sn over there?