Air Bagging the rear of a 62 and I have lots of questions

[Fudge]

Hopefully you guys can help me out.
What is needed to physically mount the air bags on the trailing arms of my 62? Do I need cups,plates, or anything special? Can the bags be bolted thru the arms and just drill holes in the frame and mount the directly? Does anyone have pics? I have read quite a bit on the 63-72 frame but is it the same as the 62 frame?
Thanks guys

[6863m]

I just put airbagits on my 62 and there was a little welding to do to put the plates on top of the bags and the all thread. I had a suspension shop do that part. Then I took the springs out and the all thread they welded on the airbag top and bottom plates installs right up through the same holes as the springs. I can take a picture of mine if you want. I don't have the bed on so they are exposed and easy to see.

[62 Bowtie]

could you please post a pic of the rear baggs 6863M sorry dont mean to jack your thread Fudge

[protrash64]

Depends on the bags, but it seems most use a bolt up thru the trailing arm on the bottom side, and then open up the frame slightly to put an air fitting in the top. A couple bolts as well, I imagine. I would use a plate on the bottom to support the bag.

When I did mine I used a hat on the top, but it is not neccessary. Here is a pic......this is my '64 but I'm not sure if there are any major differences on the earlier frames.

[6863m]

These are some shots of what I did. You can see the bolt we welded on in the top and bottom and then they just go through the same holes the springs were attached.

[62 Bowtie]

Originally Posted by 6863m

These are some shots of what I did. You can see the bolt we welded on in the top and bottom and then they just go through the same holes the springs were attached.

Thanks for the pics I see you have no notch do you bottom out on the rear axels when aired out and do you plan on a notch?

[6863m]

I don't think that it bottoms out I will look next time it is fully deflated. It takes about 3 days and it is flat. I am a little surprised by that I would have thought valves would be much better and leak at about the rate of a tire.. Maybe it is a design that wants a constant leak and adding pressure. I have checked all the hose connections with soap but it stll leaks so I think it is in the valve on the bag.

[Fudge]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know what the difference in the early frame is? Everyone says that they are different but no one I have talked to seems to know what is different

[6863m]

I have the airbags and good shocks on the front and rear and a 1980 front end suspension. In reading some of the discussion is there a problem with the ride with having only bags and shocks on the rear.

[Captainfab]

The '60-'62 frames have what is known as the X-member frame. It's the big X shaped member in the middle of your panel's frame. The '63 and up did not have this, just standard crossmembers perpendicular to the frame rails. The '63 and up frames are typically easier to work with, particularily whan modifying.

Originally Posted by Fudge

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know what the difference in the early frame is? Everyone says that they are different but no one I have talked to seems to know what is different

[Fudge]

Captain You the MAN!!! Thanks!!! Does this have anything to do the rear suspension? Does it make it a stronger frame? I plan on pulling a car trailer with it.

[Ghostwhite]

I don't know about stronger but it greatly complicates things if you want to go low low. If you are adding bags to the stock setup, no problems at all. If you are trying to get pretty low, it is very complicated with major fab work involved. Its not simple adding a notch and calling it a day, the X gets in the way. I have a 62 and am gonna just use a later frame.

[Fudge]

Good to know Ghost. I want to retain the stock floor, I still use it as a panel very frequently,so I don't think the X should get in the way.
Has anyone used RideRite double convaluted bags as primary bags? Yes I know they are helper bags but isn't an airbag an airbag? They are rated at 2500lbs each, my panel weighs just under 5k and the rear is the light end. Several people I have talked to say you can't use them as primary bags, but no one has been able to give me an answer based in facts just opinions.

[Ghostwhite]

All the helper bags I have had in hand are smaller and would never have enough lift to be usable, not saying you can't but that would play a big role. Check the specs on collapsed and extended heights and go from there.

I always recommend Slam Specialties based on feedback from others.

[Fudge]

Good to know Ghost. I couldn't beat the price on them as they were just handed to me by a buddy. I will have to test them to see what there range is.

[shortbed70]

Heres my rear firestone 2500's and upper plates and a piece of tubing cut for air line to go through. Bolt through trailing arm into bottom of bag and a piece of all thread going through stock bolt hole on top.

[edflores]

Originally Posted by shortbed70

Heres my rear firestone 2500's and upper plates and a piece of tubing cut for air line to go through. Bolt through trailing arm into bottom of bag and a piece of all thread going through stock bolt hole on top.

Great stance.

[Fudge]

Originally Posted by edflores

Great stance.

Took the words right outta my mouth. DAM!
Those look just like the bags I got.

[62 Bowtie]

Originally Posted by shortbed70

Heres my rear firestone 2500's and upper plates and a piece of tubing cut for air line to go through. Bolt through trailing arm into bottom of bag and a piece of all thread going through stock bolt hole on top.

Nice, you can see the difference in the frames and why you cant just notch a 60-62 frame I wonder if you could pipe notch it

[62 Bowtie]

where did you guys find these top brackets?

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by 62 Bowtie

where did you guys find these top brackets?

Actually, Dinos63 gave them to me. Most dont use them.

[creep]

I have ride rite bags on my 88 Astro as my main bags. I'm using them with a mono leaf setup and they do work but I wouldn't trust them for any serious hauling and they don't ride very well.

[61_FL_Apache]

subscribed. good stuff here.