Air ride vs. Coils

[Ru5tyNut5]

for what part of the air ride? seems the majority of people are running viair compressors, I personally like Slam Specialties bags. I would recommend some sort of air-engine or manifold over individual valves as it will save you a lot of headache. tank brand doesn't matter, I would try to not have more than like 2.5 - 3 gallons per compressor but you can do it how you like. for a pair of Viair 380(200 psi) compressors, a manifold with 1/2" fittings, and 4 bags you'd probably spend like $900. There would still be a lot of little things you'd need like fittings, air line, switches, tank, guages...etc, but all of the big stuff would be out of the way.

[Ru5tyNut5]

Oh, just an FYI, I found most of the parts I wanted at www.airbagit.com then found the same parts cheaper on ebay, you can save some money that way. The manifold with 3/8" and 1/2" fittings and all the accessories is almost $400 on airbagit and I got the same thing on ebay for $300, and the seller on ebay is just a drop shipper for airbagit so my order was actually shipped to me directly from airbagit. airbagit doesn't have Viair compressors I don't think, so I got my compressors from AVS or something like that. you can find slam specialties bags all over for like $75 or $80 EA and remember, the bigger dieameter the better with your bags, so get as big of bags as you can fit. I am running slam specialties RE7's in the front and RE8's in the rear, I probably could have went with RE8's in the front too. an RE7 is a 7" diameter bag and the RE8 is an 8" diameter. hope that helps, if you have any more questions just ask.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by drewskiren

Thanks for chiming in. Any thoughts on what brand or company to go with for the air ride.

I initially started with a complete ART front and rear kit. But as my suburban build evolved, this is what I ended up with, .

Bags (Firestone?) - ART
Front Tubular A-arms - ART
CPP 2" modular dropped spindles
Rear Tubular trailing arms (2" built in drop) - Porterbuilt
Shock relocation kit - Porterbuilt
CPP dual adjustable long track bar
Air management system (manifold, tank, lines, remote...) - AccuAir with load leveling

[Hottrucks]

I'm bagged at all 4 corners I haul wood tow a 21' checkmate with a BB in it and drive it everyday with Pro streets...maybe I'm NOT RIGHT..but I would never go back to springs...

the biggest thing I will say is find a tire size you like and build it around them...I run 235/75/15's up front and I can turn from stop to stop with NO ISSUES with NO AIR and the ride is great....
My pro streets are 31/15.5x15 and ..same thein 0 Air No Problem....well unless I have to go over a speed bump or something but I can always get home or to a parts place

[drewskiren]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

I'm bagged at all 4 corners I haul wood tow a 21' checkmate with a BB in it and drive it everyday with Pro streets...maybe I'm NOT RIGHT..but I would never go back to springs...

the biggest thing I will say is find a tire size you like and build it around them...I run 235/75/15's up front and I can turn from stop to stop with NO ISSUES with NO AIR and the ride is great....
My pro streets are 31/15.5x15 and ..same thein 0 Air No Problem....well unless I have to go over a speed bump or something but I can always get home or to a parts place

At what pressure is the ride "great" and what diameter bags are you running?

[N2TRUX]

Drew if you really want to know the answer to many of your questions, spend some time in our Suspension Forum. These guys are giving good answer for the most part, but you have to understand there are many variables.

Lets start with how low you want to go. What size tires do you want to run? Is towing or hauling loads a concern? What's your budget?

As mentioned air suspension can me made very reliable, but no matter how well it's designed it still can fail. To prevent being stranded, the system should be designed to roll in the event of a failed system. This will inhibit how low you can go so you must decide if it's a concern or not.

You seem to be concerned about ride quality. The "generic" answer is air suspension can be set to ride very smoothly. The problem is in most cases people run low profile tires, and short shocks. Both of these will give you a much firmer ride regardless of the suspension style. Again, it will be your choice to determine tire height, and shock length as well as valving.

You can still use your truck like a truck "if" you set it up that way. If the suspension is designed to accommodate a load, it will handle it better than a static drop because you can add additional air as the load changes.

The cost of your system can greatly vary as well. You can run a simple rear bag set up with schrader valves, all the way to auto control system that does every thing for you. There are many companies to buy from, but I prefer well established companies with a good reputation in customer service.

The leader of them all is Air Ride Technologies. We also have some great companies that are forum vendors such as Suicide Doors.

I would stay far away from airbagit.com. Do a search on AIM, Chassis Tech, or what ever alias they are hiding behind this week and you will quickly find out why.

[Hottrucks]

the ride is good at any presure but for DD I run about 55 in front and 30 in back..my bags are 8"....with the traielr on I run about 55 in back too with a load of wood or junk I have had it up to 100..but I would gues I have about 1500 lbs on

as you can see I know a litle on how air ride will work...In my big truck I run about 65 lbs in my pusher axle.. gross @ 79000

[drewskiren]

Thanks for the input. Most people seem to say that it should ride smoother than stock. Certainly smoother than static lowered.

Anyone else want to chime in feel free.

[MrGoodpliers]

I have ECE's drop spindles with stock springs in front and their airbag setup with no compressor but 2 schrader valves in back on my suburban. I love it. We haul our camper and boat with it and just bump the pressure up to 45-50 psi. When I'm not towing, I run about 38 psi and the drop to me looks like about 3/5. I would prefer better shocks than the ones included in the kit, and at some point I will install a rear swaybar like the one Frizzle Fry did. If you do elect to stick with springs, don't go 6" in the rear without a notch! (they may not even work with one, I don't know) The extra weight of a burb is way too much for the 6" spring (ask me how I know) The only mod with the airbag kit is to enlarge the original spring cup hole in the frame.

[Mondo]

I have static lowering (5/7) and it rides great. The only issue is loading the bed. The rears springs are designed for a good ride when empty. I wouldn't put anything over 500lbs in the bed.
I'd really like to put helper air bags inside the springs (or even the old "air shocks" but I don't think they make that anymore.... simpler to just put bags by themselves.
I think coils in front (no alignment issues) and airbags in back would be best compromise.

[OldSkool71]

I've got drop spindles and coils up front....and ECE air springs in the rear....very nice ride and adjustability for a load....got the hidden hitch just in case I need to tow something as well....I think it just depends on what your needs are...good luck...Ron

[Ackattack]

I'm using air bags and have inner fenders. I didn't want to lay frame, or modify my bed, but have a nice "sporty" stance.

I'm using RE-7 that have an integrated bump stops, so that takes care of one issue.

I'm using schrader valves to operate the bags. This is cheap and simple, but the main reason I went this way is I didn't want the weight of compressors/tanks when I'm racing. Plus, I didn't want to play with ride height when I'm driving. I just want to drive to a show, lower it down, and then fill it up when the shows over and drive home.

I've never driven a truck with coil springs to compare, but at ride height my truck rides fairly firm, which is based on the bag pressure, shocks, sway bars.

[jhwkns]

Originally Posted by Ru5tyNut5

... and remember, the bigger diameter the better with your bags, so get as big of bags as you can fit.

Words of wisdom.

My rear suspension is adjustable. I have three sets of coils.

[Tom Vogel]

I would personally Never go back to coils.

BTW... Ive got LOTs of torque and a five speed and couldnt care less about draggin frame. I just like products that function well... and for me, its bags. See ECE and ART.

[CB24]

To me air ride is just more stuff to go wrong. I have enough to worry about without the added worry of an air system. I'm sure they are nice & can be made dependable but for me I'll stick with coils.