Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bfr57 · 03-31-2007, 12:10 PM

I want to install rear air bags for towing purposes on a 71 4x4 3/4 ton PU. I've not seen anybody making a kit for the 67-72 PUs. But, I have seen kits for 73-87s. Anybody know if they'll fit with some mods? Any other air bags ideas for this truck?

jimmydean · 03-31-2007, 12:12 PM

Are you talking about overload bags? I would think you could get them to work with a little effort. The bag mounting between the frame and spring should be the same, I would think.

bfr57 · 03-31-2007, 12:29 PM

Exactly, I need the overload ones. Buddy of mine has them on his F350 and they work great. I figured with a little modifying, I couldget the 73-87 style to work, especially if they have them for 3/4t 2WD crew cabs.

Rokcrln · 03-31-2007, 01:24 PM

I will be building a set in the next week or two for Project Low Buck. It is a 2x4 but will be a simular set up for a 4x4.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Billhilly · 03-31-2007, 04:31 PM

Exactly what I will be doing soon. I bought a pair of Firestone 6781's for the job. Only six and a half inchs in diameter. I'm actually doing a U Bolt reversal, so will fab one bracket to go on top of the leaf springs then another off the side of the chassis at the right height (what ever that is!!) and some sort of cross memeber to tie them together. Pic's are several months away......

**slomotion** · 03-31-2007, 06:14 PM

I did the same thing for the same reasons. I just wanted to be able to keep the truck level. I elected to take out my coils and run only the bags, but I did leave the over-load springs in case the bags went "away". (the bags are piped in series.) I got my entire set-up from Air Ride except the top-hats, I had to fab them out of big pipe and flat-stock. So far I'm very satisfied with the system.

Spray-Bomb · 03-31-2007, 09:31 PM

You can take all of your leaves (except for the main one) & put a bag on top of the axle, you should get a good ride with & without a load

C10-Driver · 04-01-2007, 12:12 PM

It is not clear from the posts but I'm guessing you have a leaf spring setup. This is the kit I installed on my 1970 SWB.

http://ridetech.com/productinfo/airoverleaf.asp

I believe it is the same (or a similar) kit that N2TRUX installed on his truck (73-87 vintage). The only issue was the mounting plates that sit on top of the leaf springs. They have tabs that locate them over the spring and have a 2.5" opening which is intended for the wider new style leaf spring. I had my buddy the welder put on a small bead in the corners and then cleaned them up with a die grinder so they would fit better on our 2.25" springs.

I can get some pictures of my setup if you are interested.

03-31-2007, 12:10 PM	#1
bfr57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 106	Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering I want to install rear air bags for towing purposes on a 71 4x4 3/4 ton PU. I've not seen anybody making a kit for the 67-72 PUs. But, I have seen kits for 73-87s. Anybody know if they'll fit with some mods? Any other air bags ideas for this truck?

03-31-2007, 12:12 PM	#2
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering Are you talking about overload bags? I would think you could get them to work with a little effort. The bag mounting between the frame and spring should be the same, I would think. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

03-31-2007, 12:29 PM	#3
bfr57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 106	Re: Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering Exactly, I need the overload ones. Buddy of mine has them on his F350 and they work great. I figured with a little modifying, I couldget the 73-87 style to work, especially if they have them for 3/4t 2WD crew cabs.

03-31-2007, 01:24 PM	#4
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	Re: Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering I will be building a set in the next week or two for Project Low Buck. It is a 2x4 but will be a simular set up for a 4x4. Kevin LFD Inc.

03-31-2007, 04:31 PM	#5
Billhilly Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand. Posts: 782	Re: Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering Exactly what I will be doing soon. I bought a pair of Firestone 6781's for the job. Only six and a half inchs in diameter. I'm actually doing a U Bolt reversal, so will fab one bracket to go on top of the leaf springs then another off the side of the chassis at the right height (what ever that is!!) and some sort of cross memeber to tie them together. Pic's are several months away...... __________________ 1972 K2500 Long Box 400/350

03-31-2007, 06:14 PM	#6
slomotion Old Duffer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 1,821	Re: Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering I did the same thing for the same reasons. I just wanted to be able to keep the truck level. I elected to take out my coils and run only the bags, but I did leave the over-load springs in case the bags went "away". (the bags are piped in series.) I got my entire set-up from Air Ride except the top-hats, I had to fab them out of big pipe and flat-stock. So far I'm very satisfied with the system. Attached Images __________________ '68 Short C20 Flatbed Dually w/ 292 4bbl, Langdon cast headers, and WC T5 trans. '81 G10 Shorty Van "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers "Under promise, then over achieve."

03-31-2007, 09:31 PM	#7
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering You can take all of your leaves (except for the main one) & put a bag on top of the axle, you should get a good ride with & without a load __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer

04-01-2007, 12:12 PM	#8
C10-Driver Chevy Truck Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 1,176	Re: Rear air bags-for towing, not for lowering It is not clear from the posts but I'm guessing you have a leaf spring setup. This is the kit I installed on my 1970 SWB. http://ridetech.com/productinfo/airoverleaf.asp I believe it is the same (or a similar) kit that N2TRUX installed on his truck (73-87 vintage). The only issue was the mounting plates that sit on top of the leaf springs. They have tabs that locate them over the spring and have a 2.5" opening which is intended for the wider new style leaf spring. I had my buddy the welder put on a small bead in the corners and then cleaned them up with a die grinder so they would fit better on our 2.25" springs. I can get some pictures of my setup if you are interested. __________________ . 1970 Chev C/10 SWB, 355 SBC, 700R4, 3.73 Posi, Air Ride (Click to view Build Thread) (SOLD) 1978 Chevy C/10 SWB 1970 Pontiac Lemans .



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