4x4 with air bags?

[454_72_4X4]

SWEET!! I gotta do it!

More questions though...

I just noticed, (in your first pic of your last post), that the lower link sits pretty close to the botton of the axle tube. Did you do this for ground clearance?
I guess you would've had to lower the frame mounting points to keep the links parallel if you would've made the lower link farther from the axle.
Answering my own questions as I go I guess.

Second pic;
How much clearance beyween the tire and the bag. Between the tire and the links? What size tires are on there?
Looks like plenty of clearance but I was just curious.

Third pic;
How much clearance between the bag and the drag link? Again, it looks like it has plenty of room, I'm just trying to get a picture in my head of your setup at my +4 ride height.

Fourth and fifth pic;
I think I'm in lust!
This is the absolute best airbag thread I ever read!


I see you don't have a powerplant in it yet but do you forsee any issues with drive shafts when drop it all the way down or raise it up? I understand you're using the bags for ride quality, (as I hope to do), but I'm thinking is case of a "blow out" or broken line, etc.

I'm a PITA LOL

[kbracing96]

Thanks for all the props guys, it really means a lot!!!


454,

You hit the nail on the head with your first question and answer, LOL

As for the tires and the bars, these a good 2-2.5 inch from the corner of the tire and the bar (lots ). The tire are BFG's 285/75/16. There is at least 2.5 inches or more from the tire to the bag.

The steering link goes under the bag by about an inch or so (again plenty of room) and can't get any closer, no mater what the suspension does.

I'm really happy with the way the front shocks came out they where really easy and fit well. All I did was cut the old mount off the back of the axle, shortened them up so they where closer to the axle and rolled them around to the front and welded them back on upside down. Then, I fab the upper mounts out of the old shackle straps from the leafs. It does look like there would be room to do a crossover steering mod if a guy wanted to. I don't think my dad will do any hardcore off roading with this, so we probable won't be doing it.

Oh and the front drive shaft and transfercase are still in the truck and the slip yoke only moves about a 1/2 inch or so from siting on the stops to all the way up, so no issues there.

[454_72_4X4]

Damn! You even have the same brand and size tires as I do!
My mental picture is getting clearer. LOL

Awsome work, and very helpful answers kb!

[kbracing96]

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

Damn! You even have the same brand and size tires as I do!
My mental picture is getting clearer. LOL

Awsome work, and very helpful answers kb!

HAHA, Glade your getting inspired!

Anything you want to know, just let me know

[Chris27]

Awesome work! . How much will you have invested in the suspension when it's all done? I'm assuming just parts and material, looks like labour is all you (as it should be) . What are your plans for finishing? Paint? Powder coat? Clearcoat it to show of your fabing skills?

[kbracing96]

Thanks man I think we have about $2200 in parts for the suspension so far, but need to get a few more fitting and stuff to finish out the pluming. I think I'm just going to paint it with some semi gloss black for right now, I need to get this truck drivable, and I still have a LOT of work to do with the motor trans, and turbo stuff.

[Idaho Outlaw]

I have a question. Your going to be running this pickup at stock height. Have you put any thought into changing the pitman arm, just incase you decide to lift it with the air bags? Or is the pitman arm not revelant?

[Russell]

If you want more travel from the shocks to lift it up higher than it does right now, consider getting some Ford front shock towers, and relocating the rear shocks to a home built crossmember...

[Chris27]

I think the stock pitman arm has to stay. The axle I swapped into my K5 came out of a lifted truck with the raised pitman arm. I had to change it back to a stock pitman arm because it hit the idler arm. There may be some "bump steer" if adjusting ride height while driving because of the changing angle of the idler arm.

[kbracing96]

Been a while, so I though I'd give ya an update. The suspension is mostly done, just need a few touch up welds when I pull it back apart for paint. I got the motor, trans and transfer-case mock up. The cross member was a lot bigger PIA then I though it was going to be. I though I would be able to just drop the motor in, weld some tabs to it and bolt the stock 5.3 mounts to them, but nothing even came close for that to work. I ended up building some adapters to bolt some stock replacement 72 mount to the 5.3 and then had to remake the stock cross member, lowering and widening it for every thing to fit. I was a pain, but every thing clears now even with all the air out of the bags.









Here is the adapters and shaft (bottom one) I have to use to bolt the 4L60e to the NP205 t-case.




I have started building the turbo part of the built.

[kbracing96]

Originally Posted by Idaho Outlaw

I have a question. Your going to be running this pickup at stock height. Have you put any thought into changing the pitman arm, just incase you decide to lift it with the air bags? Or is the pitman arm not revelant?

We are going to run it 98% of the time at stock ride hight. Everything clears when all the way up and down. There is a bit of bump steer from down to up, but I will align it in the middle and live with it.

[SCOTI]

Once again . . ..... very impressive work & creativity. How do you feel those bags are going to fair w/the heat created by the turbo? Is that pass side bag going to get some shielding?

[kbracing96]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Once again . . ..... very impressive work & creativity. How do you feel those bags are going to fair w/the heat created by the turbo? Is that pass side bag going to get some shielding?

The inner fender is going to go back on and only be trimmed enough to just fit around everything. Should shield ok, if not I'll build something

I did start a new thread in the performance section for the engine and turbo part of the build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=228856

[SCOTI]

Wow... fast response. I didn't know if it was gonna be an issue or if the wheelwell would do the deed. Hhmmm.... Hi-temp coating on the engine side & rhino-line the suspension side.

[N2TRUX]

The bag may hold under the heat, but that air line won't. Great build so far, but trust me on the air line issue...

[kbracing96]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The bag may hold under the heat, but that air line won't. Great build so far, but trust me on the air line issue...

Ya, I haven't plumed the air lines yet, it only a temp line so I could air it up.

[72CSTC5]

Just read this entire thread, you do really nice work and what a pioneer to airbag a 4x4. Very nice keep us posted on your work.

[kbracing96]

Wow, looks like i missed this thread when i did my last round of updates, so I guess it gets a double update

Alright, got some more done on it. Turbo piping is pretty much done and got most of the airbag pluming and parts mounted. Here is some pics.

[kbracing96]

Got some more done on it. Got the tail pipe built out the back and then striped everything off the back half of the frame and gave it a down and dirty rattle can makeover. I'm pretty much done out back except for some wiring for the solenoids and the tail lights

I temporally hooked up the switch box for the bags to see how they work and WOW, I'm gona have to put some flow restriction in them or something, It goes from completely flat to hitting the chain limiters in about a sec, You can't hit the button fast enough to get it right where you want them,

[jimmydean]

I used the dump adjusters from Suicide Doors along with the fill adjusters and was able to dial in my system.

[kylejamers]

holy crap
expediency defined

[1lowdiesel]

do you have any other pics of the other manifold?
also i'd ditch that muffler and go with an aero turbine, it would work much better for that turbo.
http://www.xtremediesel.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=814

[kbracing96]

That's a nice muffler, but a bit pricey for us. I had the Flowmaster so it was free, and I think it will be fine for want we want for this truck. If I want to get crazy, I'll just put a cutout on it . Here is a couple more pics of the manifold.


EDIT: Opps, I miss read your post, the other side is just a stock 5.3 manifold. I'll have some pics of the whole setup assembled on the motor stand in a day or two.

[1lowdiesel]

what about a crossover pipe?

[kbracing96]

Originally Posted by 1lowdiesel

what about a crossover pipe?

Thats what the V-band clamp on the back of the manifold is for This is the crossover and the down pipe.