Air Ride Opinions Wanted

[slosteve]

I've never had an air bag suspension but have been wanting one for quite some time. I have finally picked out all the stuff that I want to use on this long overdue project.
All of a sudden I start getting negative input about these systems. Mainly from guys who drive their rigs alot. "Never again" and that type of stuff. So I ask 'WHY'.
LEAKS, Compressor failures when the truck is 'down', bags scuffing on more difficult roads, bag failure and no dealer within 500 miles, etc.
So I'm looking for feedback from more folks that have air systems and drive them; not just to cruise nights or shows, but on the road, highway, dirt roads, RR crossings and all the stuff that goes with 'using your ride'.

I think that I should have titled this Air Ride Facts Wanted

[dbmx66]

i could just be a matter opinion i know people who had air ride and people who still have air ride. all of them had the certain like and dislikes. personally i would never get bags but they seem like the could hold up to daily driving from what ive heard.

[N2TRUX]

Take a look around you next time your on the highway. Almost every big truck you see has air suspension. So do many of the larger motor homes. An air suspension is very reliable if the right components are used. The system has to be designed properly and they have to be installed correctly.

An air ride suspension can be great, or a pain in the butt. You decide which one gets put on your truck.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by slosteve

I've never had an air bag suspension but have been wanting one for quite some time. I have finally picked out all the stuff that I want to use on this long overdue project.
All of a sudden I start getting negative input about these systems. Mainly from guys who drive their rigs alot. "Never again" and that type of stuff. So I ask 'WHY'.
LEAKS, Compressor failures when the truck is 'down', bags scuffing on more difficult roads, bag failure and no dealer within 500 miles, etc.
So I'm looking for feedback from more folks that have air systems and drive them; not just to cruise nights or shows, but on the road, highway, dirt roads, RR crossings and all the stuff that goes with 'using your ride'.

I think that I should have titled this Air Ride Facts Wanted

What type of air bag system were you looking at?
I think the biggest problem is people trying to do a bagged truck build on the cheap. I DOES take some money to complete a GOOD riding air suspension.

What year truck are you working on?
We'll see if the air suspension gurus on here will chime in and help you out.

[Shane]

You can have cheap. You can have quality. You can't have both.

[slosteve]

What type of air bag system were you looking at?
What year truck are you working on?
We'll see if the air suspension gurus on here will chime in and help you out

Although I have a '71 SWB, my first air bag project is a '54 Chev Sedan Delivery. I had decided on NoLimit Eng. AirGlide front suspension & their trailing arm rear with airbags. Looks like a good system.

I am a retired truck driver and have driven many air ride tractors, but they are not similar in design to A-arm IFS. They also use an engine driven air compressor.

[lolife99]

Sounds like a COOL project.
Got any pictures of your progress?

[slosteve]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Sounds like a COOL project.
Got any pictures of your progress?

Well, sorta! My first phase of the project is the suspension choice, so I haven't really made any progress. But I'm itchin' to get started.
[IMG][/IMG]

[lolife99]

Sweet.
Check out the Sept. '09 issue of Street Rodder Magazine.
It has a complete suspension section for the '49-'54 cars.

[au03z71]

You get what you pay for man. Plain and simple.

[smashingchuck]

Man that thing is cool. I would just set it on the pavement and be done... hubcaps and all.

[kev2809]

wow that thing looks like its in good shape! just layin it on the ground would look good!

[edflores]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1313000084.html

same thing right?
deng these things look cool

[slosteve]

same thing right?

Pretty Much!

[Billet Jason]

Just remember that all things mechanical can fail at any given moment and be prepared. I have driven my truck almost 75k miles since it was bagged in 2001. The only problem I have had was because I was in a hurry. When I changed from a 20x8.5 in the rear to a 22x10 I didn't check clearance on the air line. When driving really low the tire would rub the line and I ended up rubbing a hole in the line. Other than that, my truck rides and handles better than stock and looks WAY better! (This is on my F-150 by the way.) I just try to be prepared at all times. I keep an extra bag, fittings, air line, jack and tools in my truck just in case.

[slosteve]

Thanx Jason. That's what I'm looking for - feedback on how they work for you. Your EXPERIENCE. Positive or negative, but I like the positive.

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by slosteve

Thanx Jason. That's what I'm looking for - feedback on how they work for you. Your EXPERIENCE.

My experience with my truck - everything works great. My experience with a friends ride that some one else performed the work on.... not so good. It's all in the install and the parts working together.

[6772owner]

I have had the rear of my 72' bagged for probably 5-6 years now and its my DD, no problems at all (I have the ECE rear kit, sans compressor) and I just finished bagging the front. I have had no issues with the front yet and drive apx 70 miles a day just for work. I would agree that its about quality parts and taking your time to install everything properly the first time. Enjoy the awesome ride quality and height adjustability!

[lolife99]

Any updates on the sedan delivery?