Budget air ride

[69_shortbox]

Hey all,
I’m looking to go air ride on my 69 swb, I’ve been doing some research and came up with these two “budget” kits
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=655935
https://azproperformance.com/products/budget-air-ride-kit-63-72-c10
Basically I’m looking to get a nice low stance, decent ride quality and not break the bank. I was hoping to get some opinions and suggestions about these kits and other budget kits. I’d just like to say that although I’d love to go for a more expensive kit with more bells and whistles, I’m a college kid trying to pay for education AND build a badass truck!
Thanks for any help guys
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[HO455]

Could we get some more information? What is a "nice low stance" to you? A 2",4",6", or 8 inch drop? What is your intended use use for the truck? What size tires are you running? Those things contribute to the "decent ride quality" part of the equation.

[69_shortbox]

Originally Posted by HO455

Could we get some more information? What is a "nice low stance" to you? A 2",4",6", or 8 inch drop? What is your intended use use for the truck? What size tires are you running? Those things contribute to the "decent ride quality" part of the equation.

I’d like to get around 6”, the truck is just gonna be a cruiser, around town and the occasional show. I’ll be running 15x8 wheels likely with a 235/70/15. I should also mention the truck is completely stock in terms of suspension, with coils all around
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[demian5]

"Budget" I think of the picture of a coil spring with a football in it...

[69_shortbox]

Originally Posted by demian5

"Budget" I think of the picture of a coil spring with a football in it...

Hahaha I’m definitely not looking to go that route😂 is still like to have quality parts but I don’t need an extensive kit, just the basics that I can upgrade later
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[HO455]

Originally Posted by 69_shortbox

I’d like to get around 6”, the truck is just gonna be a cruiser, around town and the occasional show. I’ll be running 15x8 wheels likely with a 235/70/15. I should also mention the truck is completely stock in terms of suspension, with coils all around
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Your tire selection will help maintain a reasonable ride quality. Getting to six inches with stock control arms is tough as you will have very little clearance to the bump stop. Many have removed the bump stop to gain more room but it also removes the steering stop. If you comfortable with that then getting six is possible. Crawl under the front end and measure up from the bump stop 6 inches and see how much suspension travel you will be left with. For normal driving around 3 inches is the absolute minimum of suspension travel required and that much will bottom out on larger bumps and potholes.
It would be easier with 2 inch drop spindles. Be aware that 2 inch drop spindles may hit your 15" rims. My S10 has 2 inch drop spindles and a wheel with 4 1/2" back spacing will hit the tie rod but a 4" will clear it.
My Burban has bags and control arms I modified on it. If your interested you can check it out on the WMB thread below. It is a manual control basic system. If I was to start over I would have a set of 2 inch drop spindles and some 2" drop springs and an extra $800 in the bank.

[69_shortbox]

Originally Posted by HO455

Your tire selection will help maintain a reasonable ride quality. Getting to six inches with stock control arms is tough as you will have very little clearance to the bump stop. Many have removed the bump stop to gain more room but it also removes the steering stop. If you comfortable with that then getting six is possible. Crawl under the front end and measure up from the bump stop 6 inches and see how much suspension travel you will be left with. For normal driving around 3 inches is the absolute minimum of suspension travel required and that much will bottom out on larger bumps and potholes.
It would be easier with 2 inch drop spindles. Be aware that 2 inch drop spindles may hit your 15" rims. My S10 has 2 inch drop spindles and a wheel with 4 1/2" back spacing will hit the tie rod but a 4" will clear it.
My Burban has bags and control arms I modified on it. If your interested you can check it out on the WMB thread below. It is a manual control basic system. If I was to start over I would have a set of 2 inch drop spindles and some 2" drop springs and an extra $800 in the bank.

So you think static is the way to go? Who makes a good 4/6 or 5/6 kit?
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[p0508]

https://www.ridetech.com/application...etgrip-system/

One and done.

[69_shortbox]

Originally Posted by p0508

https://www.ridetech.com/application...etgrip-system/

One and done.

Wow that kit looks killer! Sadly it’s not exactly within my budget
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[flykelley]

I just did my 69 with a kit from Ez Air ride. I did the the controller for all 4 bags. I think his kits start around $1400 but they are a quality kit.

Mike

[p0508]

https://www.hotchkis.net/product/tvs...k=&yr=&md=&sm=

https://www.earlyclassic.com/node/1390

https://www.earlyclassic.com/node/1266

[Grumpy old man]

Budget ? Budget will get you a budget towing service to pick you up off the side of the road when it falls apart . Save up a few more bucks and do it right the first time and budget for all new ball joints/tie rods/control arm bushings/shocks etc/etc . you'll be happier in the long run .

[67chevemall]

4 quality bags 200 psi and 4 Schrader valves, and some airline. Up with a tank and down with your thumb. Cheap and solid

[69_shortbox]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Budget ? Budget will get you a budget towing service to pick you up off the side of the road when it falls apart . Save up a few more bucks and do it right the first time and budget for all new ball joints/tie rods/control arm bushings/shocks etc/etc . you'll be happier in the long run .

Budget to me isn’t 500$ I’m looking in the 1000-1500$ range for a quality kit that I can expand on later, either air or static I’m looking for around a 4/6 drop
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[69_shortbox]

Has anyone had luck with the ece or cpp kits?
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[weq92f]

.
Static drop will get you there for less, require far less maintenance and the relative 'quality' of the parts that you can achieve within your 'budget' will be much higher. That is, a 1200 dollar static drop pile vs a 1200 dollar bagged drop pile of parts will have a clear quality winner.

Upgrade? Hmmm. Not so much.

-klb

EDIT: quality=overall finished system and its reliability over time

[p0508]

Do not buy CPP garbage, you will just end up taking it off later.

https://www.hotchkis.net/product/tvs...k=&yr=&md=&sm=

1800 dollars, all in one box, all from a decent company.

If you put a drop spindle on the tie rod will probably hit your wheels, then you will need new wheels. If you don't already have front disc brakes a drop spindle wont work without them, chalk up another 400 dollars.

When you get under the front end you are going to find a bunch more things that are worn out and need to be replaced. There goes another 75-250 for tie rod ends etc etc.

Whether you want to hear it or not, you came here asking how to do it the right way. The right way and money go hand in hand. You are in this suspension re do for about 2,000 all said and done to do it the right way.

Or you can pull your springs out and cut them, find a blow torch and heat the rear springs and throw some weight in the back till it suits your ride height. Lowering kit complete.


If you put a quality budget setup on it right now, you wont ever have to mess with it again. Bolt it on and forget about it. You dink around and do some home made stuff, or buy a bunch of cheap o miss and match parts you will have it all apart down the road and end up doing it the right way in the end. I still struggle with this very thing, I cheaped out and bought a 300 dollar steering column, I just spend 500 on different one cause the 300 dollar one was junk. Instead of spending 500 dollars one time, now I have 800 in it.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by 69_shortbox

Has anyone had luck with the ece or cpp kits?
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Lot of folks have used both of those kits with success. Take some time to look through the suspension section, you should find information about either of those kits. Or do a search like "ece problem" and see what comes up. You can get information from people who may no longer active on the forum by searching.
Good luck!

[69_shortbox]

I feel like I should clarify what I’m looking for. I’m not looking for some cheap low quality miss match of parts, I’m looking for a quality kit at an affordable price, something that is made from well known brands. I’m thinking something like the azproperformance kit that I can expand upon later.
https://azproperformance.com/product...-kit-63-72-c10
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[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by 69_shortbox

I feel like I should clarify what I’m looking for. I’m not looking for some cheap low quality miss match of parts, I’m looking for a quality kit at an affordable price, something that is made from well known brands. I’m thinking something like the azproperformance kit that I can expand upon later.
https://azproperformance.com/product...-kit-63-72-c10
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In the aftermarket truck suspension world The terms "budget"
"Affordable " and "Quality" from a well known supplier don't go together.

, You'll probably get better answers in the Suspension thread .

[cebra]

Front:
McCaughys 2.5" Drop Spindles $250
CPP 2" Drop Springs $100
CPP 2" Drop Shocks $100

Rear:
CPP Rear Shock Relocator $60
CPP Adjustable Track Bar $60
CPP 6" Drop Springs $100
Use stock shocks or get new ones for $100

Total = $670 or $770 if you need new rear shocks. You can get all CPP or all ECE, etc in this setup for $700-$800. At 6" you are going to be close to needing a c-notch in the rear but many folks get away without it.

[Zeroman]

69_shortbox, I think you answered your own question with your last reply.

Call Nick at Pro Performance and ask the professional. They are great to work with, and Nick knows his stuff. If you are a member on their Facebook page, C10 Addiction (Pro Performance), they even give you a discount.

I have used Early Classic Enterprises static drop stuff for 20 years. Installed it, ran it, it sat for 10 years, then did a restore. I replaced the shocks and added a few other ECE parts. They have great products as well. Call them, too.