air bags on "I" beam - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

the lights · 12-24-2009, 12:14 AM

I acquired an off topic truck that has an I beam suspension. MY question is would it be possible to fab up a sort of trailing arm that bolts to the beam and use a bag to lift and lower the front? obviously it is not going to lay frame, does this sound like it will work?

smashingchuck · 12-24-2009, 11:37 AM

It should work, but the in the ideal world you should ditch those I-beams.

**N2TRUX** · 12-24-2009, 11:47 AM

If your going to bag it, you "might" be able to fab a plate to work. The problem is the I-beams will prevent you from getting low.

My buddy ended up with a Mustang II based suspension on his 68 Ford.

I think you should consider an aftermarket IFS as Chuck suggested. Check with Justin at Scotts Hotrods www.scottshotrods.com to see what they can do for you.

72hotrodder · 12-24-2009, 01:07 PM

google bagged ford ranger. give ya all the pics youll need to do it. i've done alot of them.

**N2TRUX** · 12-24-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72hotrodder

.... i've done alot of them.

Don't be shy, tell us how you did it. I like to learn regardless of the brand of truck.

smashingchuck · 12-24-2009, 05:02 PM

I'm interested too I've never actually seen a picture of how they do it.

entourageguy · 12-24-2009, 05:34 PM

On the H.A.M.B there was a guy selling a kit for bagging front I-beam axles

smashingchuck · 12-24-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entourageguy

On the H.A.M.B there was a guy selling a kit for bagging front I-beam axles

link?

the lights · 12-24-2009, 08:03 PM

thanks for the replies guys. Im not too interested in getting that low, just thought it might be rad to let the air out when parked to get it a little lower and maybe down the road add a dropped I beam. will it need a track bar like the typical back suspension needs to keep it centered? and pics would be awesome someone has em.

Throwback · 12-24-2009, 10:19 PM

What I-Beam vehicle do you have? All Ford I-Beam trucks have Radius arms which in turn are the track bar style you are talking about. on Ford Rangers, Most people are using a 84-95.5 Toyota Front clip to get rid of I-Beams and add a better suspension geometry. the F100s, People are using the front Frame Stub from a Crown Vic, I think 2001 Model, to get rid of the beams and added upgraded steering, Suspension, and Brakes. If your interested in bagging a I-Beamer, The best way to do it is to make a mount on the portion of the I-Beam near the lower spindle Mount and make an upper mount. Problem though is the I-Beams run out of motion farely quick and either require you to install Dream Beams (Dropped I beams) and/or cut the motor crossmember and re-inforce it to allow more drop.

ShowSS12 · 12-25-2009, 01:05 AM

Here what I've got for a ranger I-beam

the lights · 12-25-2009, 04:26 AM

the F@#d I have is a 1949 and is a completely different monster from the chevy I am use to. just thought it would be cool to say I had a bagged I beam truck. I fiqure if you put bags, and later on get the "dream beam" or dropped beam it would put you pretty close to the ground. again thanks to all for the replies I think I am going to go forward with the baggin

Spray-Bomb · 12-26-2009, 08:30 PM

A 49 would have a solid beam, not the crappy twin I beams

I dont see why you couldnt do it like a air over leaf setup, just like on the rear of a truck... Other than Im not sure there is enough room between the frame & the beam to begin with
You may could mount the bags on one side of the frame or the other, so you have a lil travel

edflores · 12-27-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

A 49 would have a solid beam, not the crappy twin I beams

I dont see why you couldnt do it like a air over leaf setup, just like on the rear of a truck... Other than Im not sure there is enough room between the frame & the beam to begin with
You may could mount the bags on one side of the frame or the other, so you have a lil travel

ding ding.
and you have to notch for the axle like the rear but then the axle may hit the oil pan.

Spray-Bomb · 12-27-2009, 03:16 PM

Yup

72hotrodder · 12-27-2009, 05:57 PM

is it an ibeam truck or solid front axle?

Spray-Bomb · 12-28-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72hotrodder

is it an ibeam truck or solid front axle?

Same thing, different names

the lights · 12-29-2009, 10:44 PM

the good news here is that the truck is built ford tough with chevy stuff, so the beam has a ways to go before it hits the oil pan. however I do not want to notch the front, the dropped beam I plan on getting later should provide enough drop along with the air bags just for a little up or down action. thanks again everyone.

towb3 · 08-29-2010, 04:11 PM

I'm sorry for the thread dig, but I was searching for something else and stumbled upon the thread and thought it might be able to help. I am currently setting up the kit that is mentioned from the hamb. The company has its issues with customer service, but the kit is pretty nice. You can search for bad influences hot rods.

12-24-2009, 12:14 AM	#1
the lights Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: turlock CA Posts: 98	air bags on "I" beam I acquired an off topic truck that has an I beam suspension. MY question is would it be possible to fab up a sort of trailing arm that bolts to the beam and use a bag to lift and lower the front? obviously it is not going to lay frame, does this sound like it will work?

12-24-2009, 11:37 AM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: air bags on "I" beam It should work, but the in the ideal world you should ditch those I-beams. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

12-24-2009, 11:47 AM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: air bags on "I" beam If your going to bag it, you "might" be able to fab a plate to work. The problem is the I-beams will prevent you from getting low. My buddy ended up with a Mustang II based suspension on his 68 Ford. I think you should consider an aftermarket IFS as Chuck suggested. Check with Justin at Scotts Hotrods www.scottshotrods.com to see what they can do for you. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" Last edited by N2TRUX; 12-24-2009 at 11:47 AM.

12-24-2009, 01:07 PM	#4
72hotrodder THE TOY STORE Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: florence al Posts: 227	Re: air bags on "I" beam google bagged ford ranger. give ya all the pics youll need to do it. i've done alot of them. __________________ having a badass truck and not driving it is like having a playboy model as a wife and not..... well you know.

12-24-2009, 05:02 PM	#6
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: air bags on "I" beam I'm interested too I've never actually seen a picture of how they do it. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

12-24-2009, 05:34 PM	#7
entourageguy Yellow truck club Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barrie Ontario Posts: 2,080	Re: air bags on "I" beam On the H.A.M.B there was a guy selling a kit for bagging front I-beam axles __________________ ................................................................ Brian ...... My hub garage address http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/59apache I gue$$ everything has it'$ price ALL GONE NOW *59 Chev Apache* *PRAISE THE LOWERED* 350 700r lokar shifter power MII front end, shockwaves tilt, 4 wheel discs 4-link and bags 10 bolt limited

12-24-2009, 08:03 PM	#9
the lights Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: turlock CA Posts: 98	Re: air bags on "I" beam thanks for the replies guys. Im not too interested in getting that low, just thought it might be rad to let the air out when parked to get it a little lower and maybe down the road add a dropped I beam. will it need a track bar like the typical back suspension needs to keep it centered? and pics would be awesome someone has em.

12-24-2009, 10:19 PM	#10
Throwback Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Watson LA Posts: 105	Re: air bags on "I" beam What I-Beam vehicle do you have? All Ford I-Beam trucks have Radius arms which in turn are the track bar style you are talking about. on Ford Rangers, Most people are using a 84-95.5 Toyota Front clip to get rid of I-Beams and add a better suspension geometry. the F100s, People are using the front Frame Stub from a Crown Vic, I think 2001 Model, to get rid of the beams and added upgraded steering, Suspension, and Brakes. If your interested in bagging a I-Beamer, The best way to do it is to make a mount on the portion of the I-Beam near the lower spindle Mount and make an upper mount. Problem though is the I-Beams run out of motion farely quick and either require you to install Dream Beams (Dropped I beams) and/or cut the motor crossmember and re-inforce it to allow more drop.

12-25-2009, 01:05 AM	#11
ShowSS12 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sugarland,Tejas Posts: 356	Re: air bags on "I" beam Here what I've got for a ranger I-beam __________________ Adam M STX Designs Motorcycles \| Choppers \| Hotrods

12-25-2009, 04:26 AM	#12
the lights Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: turlock CA Posts: 98	Re: air bags on "I" beam the F@#d I have is a 1949 and is a completely different monster from the chevy I am use to. just thought it would be cool to say I had a bagged I beam truck. I fiqure if you put bags, and later on get the "dream beam" or dropped beam it would put you pretty close to the ground. again thanks to all for the replies I think I am going to go forward with the baggin

12-26-2009, 08:30 PM	#13
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: air bags on "I" beam A 49 would have a solid beam, not the crappy twin I beams I dont see why you couldnt do it like a air over leaf setup, just like on the rear of a truck... Other than Im not sure there is enough room between the frame & the beam to begin with You may could mount the bags on one side of the frame or the other, so you have a lil travel __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer

12-27-2009, 03:16 PM	#15
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: air bags on "I" beam Yup __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer

12-27-2009, 05:57 PM	#16
72hotrodder THE TOY STORE Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: florence al Posts: 227	Re: air bags on "I" beam is it an ibeam truck or solid front axle? __________________ having a badass truck and not driving it is like having a playboy model as a wife and not..... well you know.

12-29-2009, 10:44 PM	#18
the lights Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: turlock CA Posts: 98	Re: air bags on "I" beam the good news here is that the truck is built ford tough with chevy stuff, so the beam has a ways to go before it hits the oil pan. however I do not want to notch the front, the dropped beam I plan on getting later should provide enough drop along with the air bags just for a little up or down action. thanks again everyone.

08-29-2010, 04:11 PM	#19
towb3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Belleville IL/St.louis Posts: 4	Re: air bags on "I" beam I'm sorry for the thread dig, but I was searching for something else and stumbled upon the thread and thought it might be able to help. I am currently setting up the kit that is mentioned from the hamb. The company has its issues with customer service, but the kit is pretty nice. You can search for bad influences hot rods.



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