Type of front bags

[drewskiren]

I am wondering why the front bags on all kits have to be the fat bellows type. You have to put a plate at the top so the bag can't go up into the spring pocket. Why no do a rolling sleeve type bag and mount it up in where the spring used to reside?
I am looking for a softer smoother ride more than I am wanting to drag the ground. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Mkcustums]

Sleeve bags are designed to move straight up and down, not working on a pivot like your front end operates.

[drewskiren]

Really? Not possible? That's a bummer.

[dubds10]

What MK said....no can do

Smoother and softer ride? Have you rode in a bag'd truck before? It's not a stiff ride. My bag'd S10 rode great actually. Just depends on the bags you buy. Size and brand does make a different in ride quality. Having shocks and a sway bar will also change how it rides of course.

[SCOTI]

Softer & smoother ride vs. what?

[jimmydean]

When I first bagged my '69, I was blown away at how well it rode. Good shocks, proper bag pressure, and it will ride like a dream.

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Softer & smoother ride vs. what?

I think he might mean that everyone talks about how sleeved bags ride in the rear way better than a double convo when it's set up one to one / directly over the axle. With hearing that thinking "so if they are better in the rear, why not better in the front"? I can see the misunderstanding for sure if you're not familiar with air suspension.

I'm not speaking for him, that's just what came to mind.

[nikwho]

Not to highjack, but im trying to figure out a lot about air bags right now too. I have a '59 Apache with a '79 Camaro sub frame. Will I get as good of a ride out of bagging the front as I would stock? I want to leave the sway bar on. I also want to be able to have it up at the factory ride height or close to it. I'd like some adjustability though.

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by nikwho

Not to highjack, but im trying to figure out a lot about air bags right now too. I have a '59 Apache with a '79 Camaro sub frame. Will I get as good of a ride out of bagging the front as I would stock? I want to leave the sway bar on. I also want to be able to have it up at the factory ride height or close to it. I'd like some adjustability though.

With the right bags it will ride better. I read your build and other posts about your suspension, I think you will be very happy if you decide to bag it.

[djw32]

I have RE7 bags on the front of my truck, and my truck has a very comfortable overall ride.

[drewskiren]

Thanks for all of the replies. MKcustums is exactly what I was thinking, I heard sleeves rode smoother. Since I can't run those up front, which convoluted bag would be the smoothest? I understand biggest volume helps here. All of this is going on a 2001 frame which will have a 1972 Crew Cab sitting on top. (Young Frankenstein build). Because of my wheel tire combo and body mounting issues, I am not planning on lowering the truck much at all. All of the bag mounting kits give you a huge drop which won't work for me. I guess I will have to fab my own brackets, any ideas?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by drewskiren

Thanks for all of the replies. MKcustums is exactly what I was thinking, I heard sleeves rode smoother. Since I can't run those up front, which convoluted bag would be the smoothest? I understand biggest volume helps here. All of this is going on a 2001 frame which will have a 1972 Crew Cab sitting on top. (Young Frankenstein build). Because of my wheel tire combo and body mounting issues, I am not planning on lowering the truck much at all. All of the bag mounting kits give you a huge drop which won't work for me. I guess I will have to fab my own brackets, any ideas?

My suggestion now knowing what chassis you have is to utilize bags intended for that specific chassis. Update everyone w/as much info as possible to get the best answers for your questions. Looks like a cool build BTW!

[drewskiren]

The rear set up will be RideTech universal 4 link with a panhard rod. Sleeve bags mounted at/in front of the axle. Shocks mounted behind the axle. For the front of my 2wd frame I am unsure how to approach it knowing I can only have about a 2 inch drop at most at normal ride height. I am sure if I just dive in I can figure it out, but I was hoping others might have some tips to keep me from doing it over.

[dubds10]

Honestly, if you want to run stock height or within 2" at ALL times and never lower the truck past the 2" mark I wouldn't run bags up front. It's be a waste of money and your ride wouldn't be any better than running static suspension. You're better off just running some nice 1-2" drop coils with good shocks if you plan on staying close to factory height all the time. Just my opinion though. I wouldn't do bags if that's your plan and the restrictions you have on the frontend height.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by drewskiren

The rear set up will be RideTech universal 4 link with a panhard rod. Sleeve bags mounted at/in front of the axle. Shocks mounted behind the axle. For the front of my 2wd frame I am unsure how to approach it knowing I can only have about a 2 inch drop at most at normal ride height. I am sure if I just dive in I can figure it out, but I was hoping others might have some tips to keep me from doing it over.

For ride quality, Firestones work very well. Given the minimum drop requirement, swapping the bags into place should yield 2-3" of drop @ ride height & fit within your goals.

RideTech recommends the F6873 dbl convoluted bags for the 99-04 GM trucks. They offer a 'CoolRide' kit that has the brackets & everything needed for an easy install which would allow focus on other areas of the project or you could spend the time to figure out your own bracket arrangement since you obviously aren't scared to fab stuff.
The vitals:

F6873/224's
3" min height @ full compression (internal bumpstop)
5-5.5" ride height
8" max extended height
8" installed diameter @ max inflation

These are also the same front bags used on 67-72 builds. Ironic? I do agree w/the previous post though.... for that little drop amount I'd do spindles first & leave it a static spring set-up since they ride good as is. My guess is you want to adjust the height like you will be capable of on the rear??

[drewskiren]

Originally Posted by dubds10

Honestly, if you want to run stock height or within 2" at ALL times and never lower the truck past the 2" mark I wouldn't run bags up front. It's be a waste of money and your ride wouldn't be any better than running static suspension. You're better off just running some nice 1-2" drop coils with good shocks if you plan on staying close to factory height all the time. Just my opinion though. I wouldn't do bags if that's your plan and the restrictions you have on the frontend height.

Originally Posted by SCOTI

For ride quality, Firestones work very well. Given the minimum drop requirement, swapping the bags into place should yield 2-3" of drop @ ride height & fit within your goals.

RideTech recommends the F6873 dbl convoluted bags for the 99-04 GM trucks. They offer a 'CoolRide' kit that has the brackets & everything needed for an easy install which would allow focus on other areas of the project or you could spend the time to figure out your own bracket arrangement since you obviously aren't scared to fab stuff.
The vitals:

F6873/224's
3" min height @ full compression (internal bumpstop)
5-5.5" ride height
8" max extended height
8" installed diameter @ max inflation

These are also the same front bags used on 67-72 builds. Ironic? I do agree w/the previous post though.... for that little drop amount I'd do spindles first & leave it a static spring set-up since they ride good as is. My guess is you want to adjust the height like you will be capable of on the rear??

I wanted the rear bagged for great ride, but load capacity when I needed it. I figured if I had all the system for changing the rear on the fly, might as well do the front too for the cost of 2 more bags. Upside is that I could air out at a show and make it look better. Plus I just want to do it.
Thanks for the bag dimensions and recommendation, what sleeve bags for the rear?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by drewskiren

I wanted the rear bagged for great ride, but load capacity when I needed it. I figured if I had all the system for changing the rear on the fly, might as well do the front too for the cost of 2 more bags. Upside is that I could air out at a show and make it look better. Plus I just want to do it.
Thanks for the bag dimensions and recommendation, what sleeve bags for the rear?

F9000's