Air bag installation help please, please, please?

[stangalang]

I am a rookie and i want to install my own air ride setup nothing fancy just want the basic for now so that i can learn how to do it

I have a small budget, do to the fact that i would like to upgrade the system once i have gained the knowledge i am seeking

At this time i know nothing, I don't know what compressor to buy, or what valves do, I am a total bonehead when it comes to air bags (I taught myself how to build and install hydrolics back in my lowriding days but that was over 12 years ago)

I want to know what to buy, who to buy it from, how to wire and plumb everything. If there is a how to on bags please point me in that direction but I would like to hear info from as many individual as possible

THANKS

[stangalang]

Sorry I forgot the info

I have a 72 LWB on a 68 frame with trailing arms

[6772owner]

Well I would start by looking in the build threads, there are a lot of bagged trucks on here and many different set-ups. My build thread shows a basic set-up on my 72' C10. The rear bags just replace your rear coils and for the front usually just upper plates and lower cups that rest in the factory coil pocket (with factory LCA's of course) I have just schrader valves for now, but will soon be doing compressor(s), tank(s) and valves. I plan to buy the valves from Suicide Doors, they have an 8 valve kit (best to get 8) for under $300 (no fittings or switches) Hope this helps!

[Naterman35]

"Basic and simple" describes my rear end perfectly.

Im going with a traditional hot rod/ rat rod theme. So do everything cheap and simple.

For an air tank i looked on ebay and found a guy who was selling tanks off an old city bus for the air brakes. $11 bucks.

Then valves i bought 4 brass valves from homedepot.

Then bought 50ft. of 1/2 line from *****************

Then all of my fittings which was 6- 1/2" 90* fittings- There male on one end and push to connect on the other.

Then i used copper and galvanized fittings from home depot to conect it all.

Then 2- 2600 Air lift Dominators for the bags.

All in all im at just over $200 for the rear only.

Thats with no notch with the bags inplace of the coils.

Im planning to back half it in the next two months tho.

If you need pictures or anything i have plenty just let me know.

[stangalang]

Yes pics would be good

[71swb4x4]

The FAQ section if your friend!
FAQ - http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=157669
C-notch - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=195566
C Notch - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=196013
Air bag install - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=129463
Lowering methods info - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=47700

These may not answer all of your questions but hopefully they will get you started.

[FnLow69]

go to ***************** and look under there air management kit section that will give you a good idea of what you'll need. thats were i get most of my stuff as well.

[stangalang]

keep em comin

you guys are awsome i have learned a lot already

THANKS

[kev2809]

what u could also do is look at the kits each company sells and they come with what u need, so if ur piecing it together like me it gives a good guideline of what u need. I have a bag help thread also and got a general idea of what i need. air tank, compressor, valves, airline, switchbox, guages, fittings, bags, and bag cups/plates. the hard part is finding out which of each and how many u need, and how low u want to go. the lower the more expensive - drop spindles, dropmember, drop blocks, notch. hope this helps some.

[stangalang]

thanks it really does help,

anyone have a wiring diagram for the switches and valves?

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by stangalang

thanks it really does help,

anyone have a wiring diagram for the switches and valves?

If you did hydros, these work the same way. 12v to the switch, and a leg to the valve/solenoid. The other wire from the solenoid is grounded. Repeat as many times as needed to get your whole system working.

[kev2809]

check out this thread for the wiring..
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/...es-valves.html

[C10Slim]

Suicidedoors has all the wiring and plumbing diagrams in their HOW TO section here:

http://www.*****************/content/how-commit-suicide

[kev2809]

there we go, thanks for the link. i just ran through the one i posted and its pretty much useless now..lol

[7T2]

I'll throw in my recommendation for www.***************** as well. They are about the cheapest place around to get components that aren't junk. I have ordered several brackets, bags, tanks, etc. from them and have never had a problem.

Air Ride Technologies without question makes the best stuff out there, but reading through their new catalog it seems more and more like they have turned their focus toward the high-dollar "G-rod" crowd, and have less and less to offer to the 1 car garage enthusiast on a budget.

[xratt]

also check airbagit.com. I've had good luck with them so far. Have not finished my whole install yet. Every time I have a question or a change in plans, i shoot them an email. And get instant responce. Another week or so and i will have a better idea of the quality of my new parts, after i see them in action. I ordered their lower control arms, dominatorII 2600 bags, 8 valve red manifold, switches and guages.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by xratt

also check airbagit.com. I've had good luck with them so far. .....

Be sure to do a search on this company "before" you buy from them. Aim/Chassis Tech/airbagit.com has a terrible rep.

[tcb-1]

***************** has a good tutorial on the basics. they are also there for questions if you have them. I've also heard good things about AVS, another fine site supporting vendor. call these guys and tell them what's on your mind and where your going. they are knowledgealbe and know their sh!t....

I'm installing bags on my truck right now..... check out my build thread in my signature. I will have about an even grand in my build. However, depending on how cheap you want to go, you could do a bolt-in rear notch, bags, Schrader valves, and some cheap fabrication and you could probably get under $500 if you buy from Ebay, Craiglist, look for sales through our vendors, etc.

my .02

[yellowGT]

Originally Posted by Naterman35

"Basic and simple" describes my rear end perfectly.

Im going with a traditional hot rod/ rat rod theme. So do everything cheap and simple.

For an air tank i looked on ebay and found a guy who was selling tanks off an old city bus for the air brakes. $11 bucks.

Then valves i bought 4 brass valves from homedepot.

Then bought 50ft. of 1/2 line from *****************

Then all of my fittings which was 6- 1/2" 90* fittings- There male on one end and push to connect on the other.

Then i used copper and galvanized fittings from home depot to conect it all.

Then 2- 2600 Air lift Dominators for the bags.

All in all im at just over $200 for the rear only.

Thats with no notch with the bags inplace of the coils.

Im planning to back half it in the next two months tho.

If you need pictures or anything i have plenty just let me know.

exactly where in home depot do you find the brass valves. I have been there and havent found them.

[xratt]

I have never seen brass valves at Home Depot. Grainger has industrial valves. But for your money, i suggest saving up and getting an 8 valve set up made for airbags setups. i bought the airbagit.com red valve. NOT real happy with it. The wire snake that came with it, has already failed twice. I forked out $400 for this thing. Now it sells for $200 something, and they now a bigger fancier valve that cost $400. That is rated for a lot more air pressure then mine. I wish I had tried ***************** stuff in hindsite. I also wish I would have built it with 3/8 inch air lines. The 1/2 inch stuff is too fast. Makes trying to maks small movements impossible. Then they want to sell you a inline adjuster valve to slow things down. I think 3/8 is more user friendly.

Over all I love my truck on bags, and would do it again in a second. I drive it daily. The next one I build I will have a few fresh ideas. I'm searching for '66 Suburban to build next. Using my knowledge from this build will make my next one awesome.

[tubbedII]

I don't know which parts of the air system you are using from Home Depot, but I wouldn't recommend using their compression fittings or using anything from them to connect the actual air lines. They aren't rated for the pressures of a bagged vehicle, and it's best to use only DOT approved parts in this area. I saw a video of someone testing their fittings on a pressure tester (probably an actual name for it, but I don't know it), and it blew out at less than half the psi of a DOT fitting. I'm all for the cheap, but sometimes you gotta consider safety too.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by xratt

also check airbagit.com. I've had good luck with them so far.

consider yourself very very lucky. i would not suggest these scam artists to my worst enemy.

but that''s just me.

[Naterman35]

The brass valves i got were in the plumbing section.. You need to look and make sure they are W.O.G certified... They are rated for up to 600 psi of continual pressure. I dont have them directly connectred to the lines i got push connect fittings from suicide doors. The only time i ever had a leak was when i first tested the system out and i didnt have a fitting all the way tight and that is all.

[52chevy]

I would look at waylayed's slow and low kit. It seems to be decent if you dont want a very fast rising system. I had 2 viar 380's on 10 gallons of air with 3/8 valves and 1/2 airline on my s10. Let me tell you that was to fast for my blood, I ended up running plugs in the dump valves and had to tap the switches for going up.