Ok guys...Need bag, wheels and tire input for Logan

[Logans 66]

Ok, Logan got his donor truck and we will be using the 66 frame with the 85's rear diff and front suspension. Logan wants bags and he'll need wheels and tires. We'll try and sell what we can from the donor truck along with the new chrome bumper and the 6 bolt rally wheels he bought a while back.
So wheres the best place to get the bags? Nothing wild, simple setup that he can afford and do himself.
He also needs new wheels and tires to fit the 85's bolt pattern...He want at least 17's and wide all the way around. He wants his truck to handle as well...Any help in the right direction would be great.
Even with pics of what you've done and or how it turned out...
Thanks, Paul...

[Logans 66]

Is it ok to "bump"?

[chevy_mike]

This might do better in the suspension forum. I have moved it.

[joedoh]

affordable doesnt really describe air suspension, a good system complete with everything needed will easily top 2k.

you can make the system "simple" by using a manual valve set like little larrys, they are $280, but that is the same as buying 8 electric valves, fittings to join each pair together, wiring for switches, switches and switchbox. install barely takes an hour, and you can go as fast or as slow up and down as you want.

quality airbags are not inexpensive, even firestones will be almost 400 for 4 bags, and better bags like slam specialties will be a little more.

compressors are also a place where you will want to buy reliability, so getting a good compressor pair like a VIAIR dual pack is recommended. If you have the ability, I would recommend making a mount and using an engine driven compressor made from an old York style air conditioning compressor like what came on 60s/70s fords and jeeps. recovery time (the time it takes the compressor to refill the tank after filling the bags) is measured in minutes with electric compressors and in seconds with an engine driven compressor. I used my last electric compressor about 10 years ago.

then you need tank, lines, fittings, mounts, shocks, shock mounts. I recommend making a system drawing and detailing every required part with a part number, like an assembly drawing. this way, you can make a part list with quantities (for example, 60ft 3/8 line 6 3/8-1/2npt PTC fittings, etc) , and visit a couple websites to price parts. I like gauge store magazine, and newmatics, but there are many others.

on setting up: figure out desired ride height, that will tell you if you need a porterbuilt crossmember or just drop spindles. that will also tell you if you need a big notch or just a c notch. the rear axle to ground measurement can only be changed with wheel and tire sizes, so once you know ride height you can measure the frame height and see exactly where the axle will sit.

dont skimp! shocks are a must no matter how many people tell you they run without them. buy quality parts because a sudden failure can do more than leave you stranded. saving $50 on a $2000 suspension is 2.5%. worth it?

you are not forging new territory here, so they make mounts specifically for your crossmember, and hundreds of guys have already done it. ask specific questions like "what bag is better, firestone or slam specialties or air lift" or "3/8 or 1/2 air line" and you will get more responses.

hope this helps some!

[tinydb84]

There are a number of board venders that will give you a bunch of different options to choose from. Boris (Way2low2) can set you up with an inexpensive bag kit and has an install thread on here. Travis http://www.azproperformance.com/ is super responsive and can get you whatever you need (and will help you figure out what is best for you).

[Logans 66]

This does help, a lot...We're not looking for cheap, just the basics to get started with a stock 66 frame on a 15/16 year olds budget...Probably wont be able to do everything at once but maybe get the bags and get them mounted for starters.