Anyone have a cheap airbag setup?

[72gmcshorty]

I am looking into running an airbag setup on my blazer. I remeber reading a thread about someone who pieced together their own setup for a lot less money than a kit from air ride. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Plus, living in Canada makes it more expensive to buy a prefabbed kit for me. Anyone have any help?

[67Fleet]

Originally Posted by 72gmcshorty

I am looking into running an airbag setup on my blazer. I remeber reading a thread about someone who pieced together their own setup for a lot less money than a kit from air ride. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Plus, living in Canada makes it more expensive to buy a prefabbed kit for me. Anyone have any help?

*****************
They have a page on there where you can put together your own kit choosing the parts you want/need. Mine came to just under $1k for everything less fittings. That included bags, 8 valves, tank, compressor, gauges, relay/pressure switch, water trap, air line, and switchbox.

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

*****************
They have a page on there where you can put together your own kit choosing the parts you want/need. Mine came to just under $1k for everything less fittings. That included bags, 8 valves, tank, compressor, gauges, relay/pressure switch, water trap, air line, and switchbox.

for all four corners, right? not a air bag specilist , so dont give me crap!!!! ( and yes i do see where it says 8 valves)
i like your truck too

[67Fleet]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

for all four corners, right? not a air bag specilist , so dont give me crap!!!! ( and yes i do see where it says 8 valves)
i like your truck too

yep, all 4 corners.

[ohmsc10]

I got my bags and front brackets from SuicideDoors. Great prices and the brackets fit.

[Kenneth_CS87]

Originally Posted by ohmsc10

I got my bags and front brackets from SuicideDoors. Great prices and the brackets fit.

What brackets did u get? What did you do for your rear setup.

[Shane]

there really is no "set up" for the rear ... take out the coil springs ... drill 3 holes in frame for mount bolts and air fitting ... mount bag where the coil spring was.

[classicchev]

Actuallt ECE has a rear setup. Its with a convoluted bag.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by classicchev

Actuallt ECE has a rear setup. Its with a convoluted bag.

On "our" model trucks why bother spending the extra money for a "kit" when a Firestone bag works as a "bolt in" and still gets the truck down with only a C-notch as a mod to the rear.

He is looking for the most economical way of bagging his truck, or that's how I read it ... and I think bolting the bag directly in place of the coil spring would be the most economical.

Most economical, in my opinion:

2 Firestone 2,600 lb bags - 1/2" port- (front - $70 each)
2 Firestone 2,500 lb bags - 1/2" port - (rear - $70 each)
50 feet of line - ($30)
2 Shrader valves (1 for front - 1 for rear) - (approx $8.50 each)
2 Lower A-arm cups - 2 Upper plates - (front lower/upper) ($60)
4 90 Degree PrestoLok fittings (1 per bag) ($6.26 each)
2 "T" PrestoLock fittings (1 for front - 1 for rear) ($11.54 each)

Total: $435.12

This is not counting misc. grade 8 bolts, nuts & washers from Tractor Supply ... maybe another $10-$15. And another $20 or so for a piece of 4" - 4 1/2" OD pipe to make the C-notch.

For the future to make fully "self contained":

1/2" Starter kit - ($700)
Contains:
* Viair 450 or 380 Compressor (You Choose)
* 5 Gallon 8-Port Tank
* 8 SMC 1/2" Valves
* 10 Switch Box (You choose color)
* 2 Airlift Dual Needle Gauges
* 1 Airlift Single Needle Gauge
* Pressure Switch
* 30/40 Amp Relay
* 50' of 1/2" DOT Airline for bags
* 50' of 1/4" DOT Airline for gauge


EDIT: Prices pulled from ***************** website.

[67Fleet]

Originally Posted by classicchev

Actuallt ECE has a rear setup. Its with a convoluted bag.

For the price you pay them just for the rear "kit", you can have the whole truck bagged with everything except fittings. Their kit is waaayyyyyyy overpriced.

[jimmydean]

Stupid question:

I would also like to run bags and the setup Shane listed is perfect with the idea of adding the compressor and tank later. But do I also need to get lower shocks and shock relocators as well as the adjustable track arm bar?

Phase one is bags, with phase 2 being drop spindle discs in the front and c-notch in the rear. Then when I have the stance where I want it, add the tank and comp.

Also Shane, why run heavy bags up front, why not 2600's on all fours?

[ChevyDude]

Got rid of her....she talked way too much and didn't like my beer! LOL!

[hotrodhomi]

Originally Posted by Shane

On "our" model trucks why bother spending the extra money for a "kit" when a Firestone bag works as a "bolt in" and still gets the truck down with only a C-notch as a mod to the rear.

He is looking for the most economical way of bagging his truck, or that's how I read it ... and I think bolting the bag directly in place of the coil spring would be the most economical.

Most economical, in my opinion:

2 Firestone 2,600 lb bags - 1/2" port- (front - $70 each)
2 Firestone 2,500 lb bags - 1/2" port - (rear - $70 each)
50 feet of line - ($30)
2 Shrader valves (1 for front - 1 for rear) - (approx $8.50 each)
2 Lower A-arm cups - 2 Upper plates - (front lower/upper) ($60)
4 90 Degree PrestoLok fittings (1 per bag) ($6.26 each)
2 "T" PrestoLock fittings (1 for front - 1 for rear) ($11.54 each)

Total: $435.12

This is not counting misc. grade 8 bolts, nuts & washers from Tractor Supply ... maybe another $10-$15. And another $20 or so for a piece of 4" - 4 1/2" OD pipe to make the C-notch.

EDIT: Prices pulled from ***************** website.

A couple of questions.
Why the diffrent bags, front and rear?

Do the lower A arm cups come in diffrent hieghts? iF so, why? and what size is best? The only reason I ask is I see that people have been cutting them.

Would you need shock relocators with this set up and drop spindles?

What valves do you recomend? I have a york already to supply it.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

Stupid question:

I would also like to run bags and the setup Shane listed is perfect with the idea of adding the compressor and tank later. But do I also need to get lower shocks and shock relocators as well as the adjustable track arm bar?

Phase one is bags, with phase 2 being drop spindle discs in the front and c-notch in the rear. Then when I have the stance where I want it, add the tank and comp.

Also Shane, why run heavy bags up front, why not 2600's on all fours?

Not a stupid question. I took it for granted (silly me ) that one would already have dropped spindles, dropped shocks, relocators and an adjustable track arm. I am NOT running shock relocators on the front, just shorter shocks ... but I am running relocators on the rear.

When he said "bag setup" I took all the other for granted. Sorry.

Yes, I would advise having those things before bagging.

The reason for the "heavy bags" in the front is because that is where the majority of the weight is located and is transferred under braking on these trucks (engine, tranny, etc). The 2,600 lb. bag, capability-wise would work on the back, but they are larger in diameter and you may have interference and rubbing issues with their larger diameter/size.

Hope this helps.

P.S. I am by no means an "expert" on the subject ... but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

[E's c10swbfleet]

i want to go bags to but before i start chopping my fram does any one happen to know what the hieght of the bag fully aired and fully deflated.

[JAMESCHURCH13]

Shane... Great list man. Thanks. I should have bought bags instead of drop springs. Oh well. Live and learn. Peace.

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by JAMESCHURCH13

Shane... Great list man. Thanks. I should have bought bags instead of drop springs. Oh well. Live and learn. Peace.

That's where I'm at. I had all the dough saved for a coil setup, but I think with a few more bucks, the basic bag setup will be better in the long run.

[svgould]

How do you mount the bag to the trailing arm? Some bags only have studs on the topside so do you have to have a bag the has studs on top and bottom or am I missing something?
Thanks

[Shane]

The bottom of the 2,500 lb bag that is used in the rear has a tapped hole dead nuts in the center. You can bolt it to the trailing arm just like you would the coil spring.

The top of the bag has 3 tapped holes - 2 holes are used for mounting and the center hole is the pipe tap hole for the inlet/oultet fitting.

I have never seen bags with studs ... only tapped holes, so I can't tell ya much on that.

[jimmydean]

So I was looking at a "universal" kit on ebay and it comes with mounting cups for the bags. Will these work with our trucks, or do I still need the brackets form Suicide doors? There are a couple kits for around $750 that come with all the hose, switches, fittings and everything. Seems like if you get the righ brackets, it would be a sweet setup.

[jpkerley]

New To Bags What Is The Advantage, If You Have The Drop Spindles Etc, Can You Just Raise It Back Up To Whatever Height??