Front Airbag install in 67-72 2WD

[cped]

Hey all, new to the board and thought I would jump in here with a quick question. I searched the archives but couldn't find what I was looking for. I am working on a 1970 C10 SWB. I have done the rear airbags and now want to do the front. I would like to avoid dropping the $500+ for a front kit.

Has anyone made their own brackets for monting the front bags? Can you tell me what you used for materials, what bags you used, etc.? Any pointers, pictures and details will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[SCOTI]

Materials: 3/16 steel plate, DOT air line, bags, fittings, grade 8 or better hardware. Make a cardboard template of the bottom side of your front crossmember where the spring pocket is located & transfer it to steel. Drill 6 holes (2 front, 2 side, & 2 rear) to bolt the plate to the lip of the crossmember. Do the same for the lower control arm (start the template just after where the factory bumpstop is spotwelded & stop it an equal distance on the opposite side of the spring pocket). Center the spring (you want it centered as close as possible to the original location) & on the top plate trace the outside diameter of the bag to help determine where the holes need to be drilled to mount the bag. Bolt the bag to the top plate. On mine, I just used a urethane bumpstop, bolted on the botton of the bag & drilled a equivalent dia hole in the lower a-arm plate to the keep the bag centered. If you bolt both ends of the bag & over-extend it, you will pull it apart. My way allows the bag/truck to be lifted w/o the bag overextending & uses the bumpstop to center the bag w/o issue when setting it back down & costs less (IMO). I spent 20$ for steel scrap & assorted 3/8, 7/16 grade 8 hardware + about 300$ for 2600# firestone (Air-ride)bags, 33ft airline, necessary air fittings for installation, & urethane bumpstops, delivered. Check w/Insane on this board for pre-fabbed brackets or a better deal for the bags/hardware.

[fastbagged68]

Hey what kind of kit you want? I can do 2600# firestone bags, brackets, and grade 8 hardware for about $250. Check outmy website. Its not even the way I want it. i will be putting products on it soon! And pictures of our projects. The 65 thats on that webpage is a freinds of mine that I just did a month ago. Its just bagged no drop spindles yet. www.dragginbycustoms.com

[cped]

That 65 looks sweet. Was the $250 for the front or rear kit? What size ports on the bags? How much for the bags, front brackets, hardware and solenoids for the front and rear?

I was looking at the AirRide Technologies and Easy Street front kits as a basis for the price. Both kits come with new shocks, which I don't need. Right now the rear bags are only 1/4" ports. I would like to enlarge that in order to speed up air delivery. I will also need to work on solenoids/valves and most likely get a new air compressor. Right now I just have a 2 gallon tank and Firestone compressor.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Can the rear bag ports be drilled and retapped for bigger openings? What would a set of Firestone bags for the front cost? What about solenoids? I only want to be able to raise and lower the vehicle with two switches (one front and one back). Any schematics or diagrams available on how to plumb the air ride including solenoids?

Thanks again for all of your inputs.