Air Ride HELP!!!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chevyrod · 12-19-2006, 09:38 PM

I need some help. I want to put Air Ride on my Pro Street 79 Chevy Blazer. I have looked into different companies and was going to go with AIM because they had a complete kit for around $1000.00. I have been reading posts and noticed that AIM does not seem to have a good reputation. It looks like most people are going with Suicide doors. I want a good quality product for a good price. Suicide doors has a build your own kit and I have very little knowledge
of what I need to buy. If anyone can help me by giving me some opinions on products or a list of what I will need it would be very helpful. The truck is already lowered spindles and a Ladder bar set up now with a back half. I just want adjustability. I have no Idea were to start and my budget is around $1500.00. Also is there a company that makes a bracket to bolt a rear bag in place of a coil over.

pcmcobra · 12-19-2006, 11:04 PM

Dude,
sweet ride!
I'm no bag expert, but if you go to www.ridetech.com (Air Ride) check out their stuff, any questions, give them a call, and ask for a guy named Chase, he can help you out. Air Ride is far from the cheapest, but they good stuff.
I'm sure others will chime in here with some more info for you real soon.

jimmydean · 12-19-2006, 11:32 PM

Go to ***************** and use the built your own kit. Here's what I came up with as my ideal setup:

Viair Pressure Switch and Relay 165/200 PSI
2 Slam Specialties 7" RE 200 PSI Single Port (Front Bags)
2 Slam Specialties 7" RE 200 PSI Single Port (Rear Bags)
2 Viair 380 150 PSI Compressors
4 SMC 3/8" Fill Valves
4 SMC 3/8" Dump Valves
AVS ARC-7 Black 7 Rocker Switch
Black 5 Gallon 8 Port
50ft of 1/8" DOT Reinforced Air Line
SMC Water Trap 3/8"
KP 200 PSI Single Needle gauge (tank)
2 KP 200 PSI Dual Needle gauges (bags)
50ft of 3/8" DOT Reinforced Air Line

$1,020.00

Add some brackets and some fittings and you're good to go for about $1200. Call them up, they are way helpful. I know for a fact I am not the only one who has had nothing but excelent service from them with my setup.

<edit> Very nice rig BTW. Would love to see some more pics.

CHAPS7931 · 12-19-2006, 11:43 PM

-4 Slam Specialties RE-series 200 psi airbags
-8 Blitzluft BlackJack ½” electric valves
-50 feet of ½” DOT air line
-Complete brass DOT compression fitting package
-1 7-gallon tank- internally coated
-1 Thomas 337 air compress
1/2 inch and not 3/8 for less

http://www.fbimini.com/christmas_promo.asp

-1 145psi pressure switch
-1 Acrylic switchbox- 10 switch prewired
-1 Monster notch kit
-1 Front bag bracket set, and

-1 Rear bag bracket set

jimmydean · 12-19-2006, 11:47 PM

That's nearly the same setup I have now and 1/2" is too damn fast for real use. I had to run 2 fill adjusters and 4 dump adjusters to slow everything down. You can't lower my truck with 1/2, it's a straight DUMP to the ground!

I had to dump, then refill to get any sort of ride height out of it. Unless you want it to jump up and slam down, I would run 3/8 for sure because 1/2 is overkill.

*Shane* · 12-19-2006, 11:55 PM

***************** is the way to go ... run from AIM ...FAST!

CHAPS7931 · 12-20-2006, 12:03 AM

i agree with dumping 1/2 is fast but just ad a reducer
i have 1/2 all the way around but my dumps have reducers
i just got a good deal with all 8 1/2 valves instead of having to buy 4 and 4

SCOTI · 12-20-2006, 01:19 AM

Air-Ride makes a Shockwave air-spring/shock combo that's a bolt-in replacement for most rear coil-overs. How much time would it take to refabricate all the rear 'spring' bracketry? How much $$ is saved by doing so vs. the cost of a Shockwave?

The front would use their basic 'Cool-Ride' kit (or S.Doors similar stuff).

If you opt for the automatic set-ups you'll exceed that $1500 budget w/ART & prob come close w/SD. You could always start off w/mechanical switches vs. electronic to save the $$ & still be adjustable.

Nice looking ride BTW.

Chevyrod · 12-20-2006, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the help and advice. I just didn't want to buy the wrong set up and waste time and money. There is alot of experience on this board. Thanks again!!!!!

bagged70 · 12-20-2006, 08:53 PM

stay away from aim

Chops_by_Chase · 12-21-2006, 04:13 PM

The shockwave would be your best bet for a bolt in application on the rear, I would suggest using a 9000 series, it will give you the most adjustability. up front, the standard cool ride kit will work fine. If you want to contol the system from inside the truck, use a 1/4 valve system. It will also offer better adjustment ability. using 3/8, or 1/2 is often too fast for a really tunable suspension.

XXL · 12-21-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevyrod

I have looked into different companies and was going to go with AIM

AIM Industries, Inc (Mesa, AZ)-- Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record.

AIM Industries, Inc (Tempe, AZ)-- Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record.

aka Chassis Tech

Chevyrod · 12-21-2006, 08:31 PM

OK, Aim is not an option. Now I'm trying to decide between Suiside and Air Ride Tech. Alot of people seem to be satisfied with Air Ride Tech. I may go with them and just do the front end for now. It does seem that it would be easier to use the shockwaves in the rear. I'll just have to save alot more money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ they are pretty expensive.

SCOTI · 12-22-2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevyrod

OK, Aim is not an option. Now I'm trying to decide between Suiside and Air Ride Tech. Alot of people seem to be satisfied with Air Ride Tech. I may go with them and just do the front end for now. It does seem that it would be easier to use the shockwaves in the rear. I'll just have to save alot more money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ they are pretty expensive.

Expensive? Yes. But they're also a bolt-in & adjustable. How much is convenience & your time worth?
(no....I am in no way affiliated w/ART)

PBFAB.COM · 12-22-2006, 01:37 AM

Air Ride Technologies' components are the ONLY air suspension components I will use.

Chevyrod · 12-31-2006, 08:31 PM

I got all my air ride parts in yesterday from suicide doors. Looks like they have high quality parts. I started to tear the blazer down today for a total update. I just wanted to say thanks for the advice on the air ride. it was all very helpful. I am going to probably need more in the future as I hook everything together. Here are a few pics from this afternoon.

1bad chevy · 01-02-2007, 06:52 AM

sweet ride and your post also helped me decide on air ride also they seem to have it together good luck

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-03-2007, 11:50 AM

Subscribing to this thread just for the great info

On a side note, why 12volt comp vs. Engine driven?

Chevyrod · 01-04-2007, 07:04 PM

I'm going with 2- 12 volt compressors. I was not sure if I could keep my AC with the belt driven set up.

pharcydekm · 01-07-2007, 02:22 PM

I have had both electric and engine driven compressors. Hands down the Engine driven is better no doubt. But.... I'm pretty sure on my next setup I will run a pair of electric and then a nitrogen bottle. The Nitrogen is fast, keeps the system dry and clean, and is also very cheap! The engine driven was very nice but with the expense I was always worried about something going wrong with it. Anyway just my .02

12-19-2006, 09:38 PM	#1
Chevyrod Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: florida Posts: 170	Air Ride HELP!!!!! I need some help. I want to put Air Ride on my Pro Street 79 Chevy Blazer. I have looked into different companies and was going to go with AIM because they had a complete kit for around $1000.00. I have been reading posts and noticed that AIM does not seem to have a good reputation. It looks like most people are going with Suicide doors. I want a good quality product for a good price. Suicide doors has a build your own kit and I have very little knowledge of what I need to buy. If anyone can help me by giving me some opinions on products or a list of what I will need it would be very helpful. The truck is already lowered spindles and a Ladder bar set up now with a back half. I just want adjustability. I have no Idea were to start and my budget is around $1500.00. Also is there a company that makes a bracket to bolt a rear bag in place of a coil over. Attached Images

12-19-2006, 11:04 PM	#2
pcmcobra Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,684	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! Dude, sweet ride! I'm no bag expert, but if you go to www.ridetech.com (Air Ride) check out their stuff, any questions, give them a call, and ask for a guy named Chase, he can help you out. Air Ride is far from the cheapest, but they good stuff. I'm sure others will chime in here with some more info for you real soon. Last edited by pcmcobra; 12-19-2006 at 11:04 PM.

12-19-2006, 11:32 PM	#3
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! Go to ***************** and use the built your own kit. Here's what I came up with as my ideal setup: Viair Pressure Switch and Relay 165/200 PSI 2 Slam Specialties 7" RE 200 PSI Single Port (Front Bags) 2 Slam Specialties 7" RE 200 PSI Single Port (Rear Bags) 2 Viair 380 150 PSI Compressors 4 SMC 3/8" Fill Valves 4 SMC 3/8" Dump Valves AVS ARC-7 Black 7 Rocker Switch Black 5 Gallon 8 Port 50ft of 1/8" DOT Reinforced Air Line SMC Water Trap 3/8" KP 200 PSI Single Needle gauge (tank) 2 KP 200 PSI Dual Needle gauges (bags) 50ft of 3/8" DOT Reinforced Air Line $1,020.00 Add some brackets and some fittings and you're good to go for about $1200. Call them up, they are way helpful. I know for a fact I am not the only one who has had nothing but excelent service from them with my setup. <edit> Very nice rig BTW. Would love to see some more pics. Last edited by jimmydean; 12-19-2006 at 11:34 PM.

12-19-2006, 11:43 PM	#4
CHAPS7931 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: san jose california Posts: 109	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! -4 Slam Specialties RE-series 200 psi airbags -8 Blitzluft BlackJack ½” electric valves -50 feet of ½” DOT air line -Complete brass DOT compression fitting package -1 7-gallon tank- internally coated -1 Thomas 337 air compress 1/2 inch and not 3/8 for less http://www.fbimini.com/christmas_promo.asp -1 145psi pressure switch -1 Acrylic switchbox- 10 switch prewired -1 Monster notch kit -1 Front bag bracket set, and -1 Rear bag bracket set

12-19-2006, 11:47 PM	#5
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! That's nearly the same setup I have now and 1/2" is too damn fast for real use. I had to run 2 fill adjusters and 4 dump adjusters to slow everything down. You can't lower my truck with 1/2, it's a straight DUMP to the ground! I had to dump, then refill to get any sort of ride height out of it. Unless you want it to jump up and slam down, I would run 3/8 for sure because 1/2 is overkill.

12-19-2006, 11:55 PM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! ***************** is the way to go ... run from AIM ...FAST!

12-20-2006, 12:03 AM	#7
CHAPS7931 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: san jose california Posts: 109	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! i agree with dumping 1/2 is fast but just ad a reducer i have 1/2 all the way around but my dumps have reducers i just got a good deal with all 8 1/2 valves instead of having to buy 4 and 4

12-20-2006, 01:19 AM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,938	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! Air-Ride makes a Shockwave air-spring/shock combo that's a bolt-in replacement for most rear coil-overs. How much time would it take to refabricate all the rear 'spring' bracketry? How much $$ is saved by doing so vs. the cost of a Shockwave? The front would use their basic 'Cool-Ride' kit (or S.Doors similar stuff). If you opt for the automatic set-ups you'll exceed that $1500 budget w/ART & prob come close w/SD. You could always start off w/mechanical switches vs. electronic to save the $$ & still be adjustable. Nice looking ride BTW. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.* Last edited by SCOTI; 12-20-2006 at 01:21 AM.

12-20-2006, 07:39 PM	#9
Chevyrod Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: florida Posts: 170	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! Thanks for the help and advice. I just didn't want to buy the wrong set up and waste time and money. There is alot of experience on this board. Thanks again!!!!!

12-20-2006, 08:53 PM	#10
bagged70 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 77	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! stay away from aim

12-21-2006, 04:13 PM	#11
Chops_by_Chase Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 98	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! The shockwave would be your best bet for a bolt in application on the rear, I would suggest using a 9000 series, it will give you the most adjustability. up front, the standard cool ride kit will work fine. If you want to contol the system from inside the truck, use a 1/4 valve system. It will also offer better adjustment ability. using 3/8, or 1/2 is often too fast for a really tunable suspension.

12-21-2006, 08:31 PM	#13
Chevyrod Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: florida Posts: 170	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! OK, Aim is not an option. Now I'm trying to decide between Suiside and Air Ride Tech. Alot of people seem to be satisfied with Air Ride Tech. I may go with them and just do the front end for now. It does seem that it would be easier to use the shockwaves in the rear. I'll just have to save alot more money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ they are pretty expensive.

12-22-2006, 01:37 AM	#15
PBFAB.COM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,981	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! Air Ride Technologies' components are the ONLY air suspension components I will use. __________________ www.PorterbuiltFabrication.com Phone: 480-297-2621 E-mail: sales@pbfab.com Find us on FaceBook under Porterbuilt Fabrication Specializing in Chassis and Suspension Components for your Classic Chevrolet Truck. We offer components from the following manufacturers: Porterbuilt Accuair Ridetech (Air Ride Technologies) Air Lift Wilwood Intro Unisteer ECE Gotta Show Air Lift Borgeson CPP Supporting this forum since 2003!

12-31-2006, 08:31 PM	#16
Chevyrod Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: florida Posts: 170	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! I got all my air ride parts in yesterday from suicide doors. Looks like they have high quality parts. I started to tear the blazer down today for a total update. I just wanted to say thanks for the advice on the air ride. it was all very helpful. I am going to probably need more in the future as I hook everything together. Here are a few pics from this afternoon. Attached Images

01-02-2007, 06:52 AM	#17
1bad chevy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: POWNAL VERMONT Posts: 343	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! sweet ride and your post also helped me decide on air ride also they seem to have it together good luck



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01-03-2007, 11:50 AM	#18
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! Subscribing to this thread just for the great info On a side note, why 12volt comp vs. Engine driven? __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

01-04-2007, 07:04 PM	#19
Chevyrod Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: florida Posts: 170	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! I'm going with 2- 12 volt compressors. I was not sure if I could keep my AC with the belt driven set up.

01-07-2007, 02:22 PM	#20
pharcydekm Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 146	Re: Air Ride HELP!!!!! I have had both electric and engine driven compressors. Hands down the Engine driven is better no doubt. But.... I'm pretty sure on my next setup I will run a pair of electric and then a nitrogen bottle. The Nitrogen is fast, keeps the system dry and clean, and is also very cheap! The engine driven was very nice but with the expense I was always worried about something going wrong with it. Anyway just my .02

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