Under the bed rear air bag setup **need pics**

[gimmie11s]

Truck is a 81 SWB.... i really have no interest in cutting up the bed.

Truck already has a basic C-notch which will allow it to sit plenty low for me.

What options do i have to set up the rear air?

I was giong to fab up a some 2.5 square tubing behind the axle and hang top bag mounts off of that...then use some behind the axle lower mounts. Will this work?

How will it ride with a mono leaf and air ride dominators?

TIA

dd

[Shane]

you can try a search for "air over leaf" ... I'm not familiar with this type suspension setup, but there have been several posts on this subject.

good luck and post up some pics of your project.

[N2TRUX]

If you want to keep it simple you can run an "air over leaf" AOL system. As Shane mentioned there have been several threads on the subject.

I suggest that you do not run a mono leaf as it leaves potential to break and create a dangerous situation. Instead go with the two top leafs.


Here's the system in my 77 Cheyenne-

[gimmie11s]

holy crap... that's exactly what i was looking for... couple questions..

how does it ride?

when aired out does it fill your notch or is there room to go lower?

are those drop shackles?

thanks so much...


here's what it's going on....

[gimmie11s]

N2TRUX... also... what did you do with the shock on the pass side?

thx

[N2TRUX]

Very nice truck you have there.

It rides great. No better or worse than any other lowered vehicle that I have owned. I have my suspension set so I can roll when aired out. This was done in case of system failure. I could probably go about 1" lower before it hits the bed.

Yes, dropped shackles and 2" blocks (not in pics).

It looks like this aired out.

[chevyrestoguy]

N2TRUX- I love the way your truck sits. I'm not a big fan of the "layin frame" look because I hate the way the front camber looks when the system is aired out. Can you do any kind of lightweight hauling at all? I am currently building a short/fleet that when finished will look sort of like yours but have more of a big and little 18" tire/wheel combo.

I was always curious how an air-over-leaf system rode, so thanks for the input. I have a good friend who owns a hot rod fabrication shop and one of his employees is a younger kid who builds some very nice mini trucks. He builds everything with air-ride suspensions, and I asked him how well an air-over-leaf system worked, and he told me they ride like "butt" (his words). I just think he wasn't a fan because you can't lay the truck on the pinchwelds with that type of system. I will definately give that system some thought.

Did you see Gimme11s question about the passenger side shock? I'm curious too.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

....Did you see Gimme11s question about the passenger side shock? I'm curious too.

I will try to get pics of the passenger side. In the meantime, tell your friend that not "all" AOL systems ride like butt. I have had several people ride with me and were really impressed with hot my suspension works.

While I have never use this truck to haul a load, I have had several trucks with similar AOL systems, and hauled loads, pulled small trailers, etc. All you have to do is add more air and the "spring rate" goes up to accommodate the load.

Regarding your 18" big/little look, I suggest you look closely at this option. My experience has been that 20"s with a slight stagger in tire height look better on square bodies. The only way an 18/20 or 20/22 really looks aesthetically correct is if the truck is sitting low. Once raised up to ride height, the front tire/wheel looks rather small.

Here is an example show 18/20's-

[66chevy PROSTREET]

def. go with 20s all around.

[silent_orchestra]

Wow that's a real nice set up there...I wonder if I could pull that off on my
'94.

I vote for same sized wheels all the way around.. I had 20's and 18's on my Cutlass, and she only looked good low..I'd just play with tire sizes until you like it.

[gimmie11s]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I will try to get pics of the passenger side.

Did you relocate the shock to mirror driver's side or did you do something else?


dd

[gimmie11s]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I will try to get pics of the passenger side. .

Any luck on that?

Also.. i have a question on your drop shackles... since they are so long it looks like they'll interfere with the bottom of the bed... looks like the bed mounts in that same spot and the railng under the bed goes all the way from side to side (left to right)....at least on my truck it does?

Did you have to notch the bottom of the bed railing for the shackles to clear?


TIA...

dd

[N2TRUX]

Sorry for the delayed reaction. I have been traveling quite a bit and haven't had a chance to get the pics.

Yes, the left and right shock are mounted the same. I don't really care for the asymmetrical stagger that the factory uses.

I did have to notch the bed cross brace to clear the shackle. Since the bed was nicely painted we did not box it in. I don't haul anything back there so it has not been an issue.

[made2drag]

n2trux, i was wondering if i were to step notch my frame (8 inches) could i do the same setup as yours only raise the front hangers 2 inches and use a 3 inch block? i think that would put me 3 inches lower than your setup but not sure. im thinking that with raised hangers i would have to move the rearend until the pinion was straight then weld my axle seats to the axle and it would line up? wondering if all this would work? love your truck and i know you went to a different setup but i like your old setup too. thanks

[made2drag]

also, i have always heard to keep the bottom flat leaf in to help the arc'd leaves to flatten. is this a myth? i can see if people took it out without a flip... it would lower the truck the thickness of the leaf. but after a flip was done, im not sure why anyone would want to pull it? can you shed any light on that?