Air ride guys is 100 psi enough? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*screamin_c102* · 03-23-2005, 10:17 PM

I am looking at putting air ride in Screamin. I don't want to hop and really don't need to be at ride height in less than a second either. I am looking use a 5 gallon tank with 3/8" valves w/ 1/2" line. I am going to use the Firestone 2600# bags that every body recommends.

My question is will a 100 psi electric compressor be enough to air up my system. I am not looking for speed and all that I just want to be able to lift her up to ride height and go.

What is the average air pressure you all run in your bags? I understand everybody has their preference but I am looking for a ball park figure.
I am aware that it will take longer to refill my tank with a low pressure/low volume pump, but It's either that or scrader valves for now.

Thanx again..............

68w/sbc406 · 03-23-2005, 10:29 PM

i talked to a guy that installs bags for a living, he said that he runs his at 80lbs. i have also seen harrison AC pumps being used as compressors for bags too. this is a mod i am planning on doing soon (hopefully) when i do the disc swap and i am probably going to start with scrader valves

stllookn · 03-23-2005, 10:47 PM

My '67 short stepside (without wood in the bed) runs at a 2 inch ride height off the "air'd" out position at about 25-30 psi. At 100 psi it would be at the top of its extension. Now remember, this is without the 100-200 lbs of wood that will be put into the bed eventually. I would say 100 psi is more than enough. I have Firestone 2600# bags.

68w/sbc406 · 03-23-2005, 10:54 PM

dont you put 2600s in the front and 2500s in the back. i heard that from somewhere and i dont know why

bagged91 · 03-23-2005, 10:58 PM

My 91' won't even think about lifting on 100 PSI in the tank. It isn't enough to untuck the tires but my truck lays frame & is bodydropped so I have a lot more to go up to get ground clearance... I have never put a guage to the bags to determine my rideheight. I put it where it feels good, then check the psi, from there go to a GOOD alignment shop & have your alignment done. Schrader valves are good to have as a backup incase of compressor failure or other issues...You will want them installed between the valve & the bag(as close to the bag as possible with a ballvalve installed between the valve & the schrader valve to hold pressure in the line incase your failure is a stuck dump valve or a blown airline).

You would want a compressor capable of 175 psi output but you should be fine if you run a 150 psi pressure switch. I would reccommend a Viairr 450 compressor. They are 100 % duty cycle, meaning they can run all day if needed w/o overheating. This is one area where I wouldn't skimp. If your compressor craps on you, how are you gonna lift your truck up to get it home from a show??? Remember, buy good quality components and you will have a reliable system.

As far as the Harrison A/C compressor is concerned, yea you could use it but I don't reccommend it. If you want fast air & a lot of it, use a York 210 A/C compressor as found on the late 70's to early 80's Jeep Grand Cherokee's, AMC's, F*rd cars/trucks/vans. The Harrison compressor rely's on it's lubrication being circulated inline with the refridgerant. Since you are not running a closed system, you will need to have a constant supply of oil for the compressor with an inline oiler. The York model compressors are the ONLY one's that have a built in oil sump and are lubed much like a Briggs & Stratton by splash oiling. You will still have to add oil to the York occasionally but they are 100x's more reliable than any other compressor.

Using the 3/8 valves & 1/2 line will be a nice system. You don't specify what size ports you are running on the bags themselves but I assume 3/8"... you will be happy with it...

BTW - I always use 2600's all the way around on any truck I bag. S10, Fullsize, import truck... They give a nicer ride than a 2500 IMO and a tad more lift...

*screamin_c102* · 03-23-2005, 11:01 PM

I dunno I was readin' a few posts and they mentioned 2600 all the way around.

It's hard to tell sometimes because it gets into a " I've got the biggest balls I mean bags" contest with a few members. LOL

*Shane* · 03-23-2005, 11:45 PM

I have 2600's on the front ... and 2400's on the back

Rollie396 · 03-24-2005, 12:02 AM

2600's here....well they're still in the box,but they will be under the frame soon.

03-23-2005, 10:17 PM	#1
screamin_c102 Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yoncalla Oregon Posts: 775	Air ride guys is 100 psi enough? I am looking at putting air ride in Screamin. I don't want to hop and really don't need to be at ride height in less than a second either. I am looking use a 5 gallon tank with 3/8" valves w/ 1/2" line. I am going to use the Firestone 2600# bags that every body recommends. My question is will a 100 psi electric compressor be enough to air up my system. I am not looking for speed and all that I just want to be able to lift her up to ride height and go. What is the average air pressure you all run in your bags? I understand everybody has their preference but I am looking for a ball park figure. I am aware that it will take longer to refill my tank with a low pressure/low volume pump, but It's either that or scrader valves for now. Thanx again..............

03-23-2005, 10:29 PM	#2
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i talked to a guy that installs bags for a living, he said that he runs his at 80lbs. i have also seen harrison AC pumps being used as compressors for bags too. this is a mod i am planning on doing soon (hopefully) when i do the disc swap and i am probably going to start with scrader valves __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

03-23-2005, 10:47 PM	#3
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	My '67 short stepside (without wood in the bed) runs at a 2 inch ride height off the "air'd" out position at about 25-30 psi. At 100 psi it would be at the top of its extension. Now remember, this is without the 100-200 lbs of wood that will be put into the bed eventually. I would say 100 psi is more than enough. I have Firestone 2600# bags. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

03-23-2005, 10:54 PM	#4
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	dont you put 2600s in the front and 2500s in the back. i heard that from somewhere and i dont know why __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

03-23-2005, 10:58 PM	#5
bagged91 Out draggin' Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pitman,NJ Posts: 1,574	My 91' won't even think about lifting on 100 PSI in the tank. It isn't enough to untuck the tires but my truck lays frame & is bodydropped so I have a lot more to go up to get ground clearance... I have never put a guage to the bags to determine my rideheight. I put it where it feels good, then check the psi, from there go to a GOOD alignment shop & have your alignment done. Schrader valves are good to have as a backup incase of compressor failure or other issues...You will want them installed between the valve & the bag(as close to the bag as possible with a ballvalve installed between the valve & the schrader valve to hold pressure in the line incase your failure is a stuck dump valve or a blown airline). You would want a compressor capable of 175 psi output but you should be fine if you run a 150 psi pressure switch. I would reccommend a Viairr 450 compressor. They are 100 % duty cycle, meaning they can run all day if needed w/o overheating. This is one area where I wouldn't skimp. If your compressor craps on you, how are you gonna lift your truck up to get it home from a show??? Remember, buy good quality components and you will have a reliable system. As far as the Harrison A/C compressor is concerned, yea you could use it but I don't reccommend it. If you want fast air & a lot of it, use a York 210 A/C compressor as found on the late 70's to early 80's Jeep Grand Cherokee's, AMC's, Frd cars/trucks/vans. The Harrison compressor rely's on it's lubrication being circulated inline with the refridgerant. Since you are not running a closed system, you will need to have a constant supply of oil for the compressor with an inline oiler. The York model compressors are the ONLY one's that have a built in oil sump and are lubed much like a Briggs & Stratton by splash oiling. You will still have to add oil to the York occasionally but they are 100x's more reliable than any other compressor. Using the 3/8 valves & 1/2 line will be a nice system. You don't specify what size ports you are running on the bags themselves but I assume 3/8"... you will be happy with it... BTW - I always use 2600's all the way around on any truck I bag. S10, Fullsize, import truck... They give a nicer ride than a 2500 IMO and a tad more lift... __________________ 91 GMC Xcab LB-Bags/bd/caddy clip SOLD 72 C10 Cheyenne Super LWB SOLD 92 GMC K1500 Burb 72 C10 Burb (ex. Cheesewagon)SOLD 72 C20 Burb parts truck 71 C10 Burb "project" Last edited by bagged91; 03-23-2005 at 11:03 PM.*

03-23-2005, 11:01 PM	#6
screamin_c102 Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yoncalla Oregon Posts: 775	I dunno I was readin' a few posts and they mentioned 2600 all the way around. It's hard to tell sometimes because it gets into a " I've got the biggest balls I mean bags" contest with a few members. LOL Last edited by screamin_c102; 03-23-2005 at 11:09 PM.

03-23-2005, 11:45 PM	#7
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	I have 2600's on the front ... and 2400's on the back

03-24-2005, 12:02 AM	#8
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	2600's here....well they're still in the box,but they will be under the frame soon. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics



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