Air Bag Helpers on a 4x4?

[72longbed]

Don't know if this has been covered yet, but has anybody ever seen or used an air bag setup in the rear of a 67-72 4x4 as a supplemental helper?

Ride-Rite makes a few kits and I have been thinking of retro'ing one for my truck. The Tough Country springs don't really have the carrying capacity of much more than a light 1/2 ton.

Any ideas of input would be great.

Thanks,
72longbed

[2tons of fun]

dont wheel with them on or you will tear the bags apart.

[msgross]

we use to have some on our 85 GMC 2500... use to haul a large sprayer and tank on the farm... shouldn't be much different for the 67-72 frame...

How much extra do you need to haul? They make a coilover spring to assist as well. WOn't be as heavy as the air bags but it's better than nothing.

[72longbed]

Big Mike,
I am interested in having the kind of carrying capacity that my truck had as a factory 3/4 ton 4x4. The Tough Country leaf spring packs are a smooth ride but a little 'light in the loafers' when it comes to weight, and when I'm out doing my firewood cutting, the ass end of the truck drops to uncomfortable level pretty quickly with a half a bed of oak.

Are you referring to a coil over the shock absorber setup? Who makes those to fit my Tough Country rear shocks? I can get diameters of the shock body when necessary. I'd be interested in knowing just how much weight that type of setup can handle?

Thanks guys .... good stuff!!

72longbed

[msgross]

I would suggest an air bag system with a small on board compressor if you are adding a lot of weight, then you don't have to ride around with a lot of air (making a stiff ride). The shocks that i've seen are replacements for your current setup.


The Monroe Sensa-Trac load adjusting shock absorber

The Monroe Sensa-Trac load adjusting shock absorber with PSD (position sensitive dampining) and the Safe Tech™ system combines our exclusive precision tapered grooves in the pressure tube with application engineered valving and Fluon banded piston to improve the ride, handling, and safety characteristics of the vehicle.

These units also include a heavy gauge calibrated spring for extra control and comfort. A new pair of Monroe Sensa-Trac load adjusting shock absorbers can assist in maintaining ride height when up to 1,200 lbs*. of additional weight is loaded. These units are ideal for light trucks that carry varying loads or tow trailers.

[72longbed]

I have a couple of 3500# Timbren rubber bumpers that I bought on eBay. I might try to mount them and see if they help the problem.

Anybody have experience with their products?

I'll have to figure out how to fill up the huge space between the bottom of my frame rails and the top of the spring pack where they are supposed to make contact. It might not look pretty ... but hopefully it will work to keep the rear end from draggin'.

Ideas?

[msgross]

just remember to not overload your axle and tires... they will fail if a spring doesn't...

[special-K]

Back to the beginning,I have used the auxilary bags on a`95 K3500 SRW.They were a great aid in load leveling/extra capacity as well as height adjustment.I had an on board compressor on that truck.I`ve run them in coils on a`70 C/10 and it gives real muscle,1500# more.

[72longbed]

Well, I broke down and ordered the Ride-Rite 2264 last night. It is made for trucks with 4" of lift. I'll install it and let you know how it goes.


Thanks for all the input and ..... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

72longbed