Budget air bag setup?

[jkran89]

I'm trying to figure out a way to put my '66 on bags without spending $1000+ on a kit. I'd even be happy just doing the rear of the truck. I was wondering if I could pick up a set of two bags from eBay and just replace the rear coils with them and run air line from both into a tee, then run that into a schrader valve. I would pick up an air tank and just fill it up with my home compressor, then use that to fill the bags. I can weld so I'm not too worried about making brackets to fit them into the stock spring location and I was thinking this same setup might also work for the front. Please let me know if you have any experience with a setup like this and if you have any recommendations. Thanks!

[LVPhotos]

A set of Firestone 2500 or 2600 can be bought on Amazon. I run 2500 rear and 2600 front. Think there is more lift out of 2500. Look at Ride Tech kit, what I have for rear. There is a cup that takes 2 bolts to one nut to mount thread to spin in stock spot. Keep bags separate on Schrader valves.

http://www.ridetech.com/store/1963-1...ar-system.html

[jkran89]

Thanks for the response. Why do you suggest running air to the bags separately? If the came together into a tee, wouldn't they stay level with each other automatically?

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

A set of Firestone 2500 or 2600 can be bought on Amazon. I run 2500 rear and 2600 front. Think there is more lift out of 2500. Look at Ride Tech kit, what I have for rear. There is a cup that takes 2 bolts to one nut to mount thread to spin in stock spot. Keep bags separate on Schrader valves.

http://www.ridetech.com/store/1963-1...ar-system.html

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[LVPhotos]

You want to lift the sides separate to compensate for load and/or suspension sag. The bags might require a different amounts of air to be level.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by jkran89

Thanks for the response. Why do you suggest running air to the bags separately? If the came together into a tee, wouldn't they stay level with each other automatically?


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Because of air transfer between the bags when you corner. When one side compresses, the air gets moved into the other side bag and cause it to lift, creating even more body roll. I did figure out a way to do it with one fill port and one exhaust port but you need to run 4 check valves so air can only travel one way in the system. If you want basic, run an individual valve to each bag.

[jkran89]

Ok, that all makes sense. How did you run the 4 check valves? And that would air them both up to the same pressure and keep them there, right?

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Because of air transfer between the bags when you corner. When one side compresses, the air gets moved into the other side bag and cause it to lift, creating even more body roll. I did figure out a way to do it with one fill port and one exhaust port but you need to run 4 check valves so air can only travel one way in the system. If you want basic, run an individual valve to each bag.

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[64shortbox]

jkran89,
I don't know how low budget you wanted to go - I went real low budget. I bought my air bags, Viair 380C compressor and air tank all used for $100.00 off Craigslist. Originally off an S 10. The S 10 air bag cups didn't fit my application so I made my own from some 4" schedule 80 pipe (scrap from my work) and some scrap 1/4" plate. I never got around to mounting my compressor or tank and just ran individual air lines to some schrader valves I installed on my bumper brackets. But on my other truck I installed them through my unused license plate mounting holes. That truck still has the black plastic dealer frame around the plate and with the black valve stem caps on you have to look real hard to even see them. When I built my cups I just went 1/2 way between compressed and fully extended and it worked out real well for me. I removed the springs and am just running Bags at 45 PSI and the truck has a nice ride.
If you want to see how I mounted my schrader valves check out this link: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...613097&page=32

Scroll down to post #786 and get past my seat pictures and the last 2 are of where I mounted the schrader valves but I honestly think using the license plate frame holes would be a better location. With a chrome frame just use chrome valve stem caps and I'm sure they would be almost invisible to the casual observer.

[dougf]

Awesome, love it! Thanks for posting.
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[wjjeeper]

Wow your truck looks alot like mine!!