Does anybody have AirRides rear trailing arm kit?

[1LoC10]

Does anybody have one of these things on there truck yet? post some pics if they do

[1LoC10]

I take it nobody on here has gone this route yet?

[itsmike2k]

I'm thinking about it but haven't ordered it yet.. It looks like its a nice kit. Just trying to decide if i need to spend 2000.00 on the rear suspension...

Mike

[BigTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by 1LoC10

Does anybody have one of these things on there truck yet? post some pics if they do

IMO its to pricey and looks like its a little on the weak side.

[Alvin]

I bought just one component of that system, the trailing arm crossmember. It is quite heavy duty, and weighs just about the same as the stamped factory piece. If that's the section you're referring to as "weak", I disagree completely.



Here's the install on Chase's '65: http://www.ridetech.com/employee/chase.asp

[itsmike2k]

So how was the fit? I about 100% positive i'm going to go with this whole cool ride system plus the front coolride also. I am also kinda wondering what Big Truck was talking about being weak? Anyway it looks great on your frame...

Mike

[Alvin]

It took some persuasion from a dead blow mallet, but after a few taps here and there all the bolt holes lined up with the factory holes. The factory trailing arms were a perfect fit as well. Couldn't ask for a better product.

[1lowdiesel]

Originally Posted by itsmike2k

I'm thinking about it but haven't ordered it yet.. It looks like its a nice kit. Just trying to decide if i need to spend 2000.00 on the rear suspension...

Mike

shoot for 2grand i'll make everything for ya. imo you can spend much less and get it just as good.

[Chops_by_Chase]

here are a few pics

[randomhero472]

neat setup, but $2000... i think NOT! You could do your entire truck for $1000... and it still be a great setup

[itsmike2k]

Hey Chase, What front setup did you run? Are you happy with the Airride? What rear disk breaks do you have? It looks great though...

1700.00 is alot for a rear system but for what it is i dont really think that is outragious..

Mike

[1LoC10]

is yours on upside down?

[1LoC10]

where do the shokwaves bolt at, on the shockwave model

[pharcydekm]

It is a VERY nice setup. Seems a bit pricey but hey it is a quality kit and ART makes great products. I have the front strong arms and love them. If I had it to do all over again I would STILL buy the ART arms.

[pharcydekm]

Originally Posted by 1LoC10

is yours on upside down?

I think his frame is upside down in this pick.

[itsmike2k]

I'm pretty sure the shock wave bolts in place of the shocks.

Mike

[1LoC10]

thats what I figured, just wasnt sure if maybe it bolted to the back of the trailing arm like the coilovers do

[BigTruckDriver]

It is definitely a quality package! When I see it though the first thought is what keeps the frame from twisting? The trailing arm cross member does not look seem to have a solid link from one side to the other and the same with the shock mount. The trailing arm cross member has a bar on top and bottom with a couple of brackets and the shock mount is only connecting both sides at top of the frame rails. It just seems that with typical truck use and bags up down side to side that theres not much to keep the frame straight. If its just a cruiser then you should be fine.The package looks great this is JMO.

Twisting is minimal with something like this http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ck/6372LDL.htm

[Chops_by_Chase]

Originally Posted by itsmike2k

Hey Chase, What front setup did you run? Are you happy with the Airride? What rear disk breaks do you have? It looks great though...

1700.00 is alot for a rear system but for what it is i dont really think that is outragious..

Mike

the frame you see pictured is one we are working on here, i believe it has the CPP rear disc kit. I did the rear kit on my truck as well, but this one isn't mine. I used our ART strong arm kit up front as well.

[Chops_by_Chase]

Here are a few pics of the kit on our shop truck here.

[BigTruckDriver]

What is the bar for that attaches the 2 trailing arms?

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

What is the bar for that attaches the 2 trailing arms?

Looks like a shock mount with some added stability. Good looking system for sure, but a lot more money than I would spend considering the limited improvement over a modified stock system.

I guess if you had a leaf truck it would be a viable option.

[yoyokidss]

JMO but if your truck already comes w/trailing arms y spend 1700 bucks on a replacement.. i guess u would save some weight and i know some arms break but weld it up and you have a strong factor setup.. because the amount of drop is the same... i would spend 1700 bucks in some othe way on the truck.... but it sure is nice tho..

[Chops_by_Chase]

Originally Posted by yoyokidss

JMO but if your truck already comes w/trailing arms y spend 1700 bucks on a replacement.. i guess u would save some weight and i know some arms break but weld it up and you have a strong factor setup.. because the amount of drop is the same... i would spend 1700 bucks in some othe way on the truck.... but it sure is nice tho..

there are a few things that are different in addition to the added strength and the new bushings, the axle pads pads have been repositioned to correct the pinion angle change for the new dropped stance, the arms have bag mounts on thenm, the c-notches contour the frame much tighter and have an airbag mount, the shock crossmembers are beefier, and reposition the shocks for the dropped stance, the front crossmember allows the extra room need for running dual exhaust, it has the adjustable panhard bar with the relocated mount to best align the rearend through full range of motion, and it is pretty easy to put on, i had about 5 hours in installing the whole rear without a lift... a person could install a four-link, and it would be cheaper, but it would require welding and some fab work and more time, or you could use stock componets, thats what i did at first, then i just slowly worked into the tubular stuff as i could afford it. it all works, some better than others, just a matter of which route to take

[BigTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

Looks like a shock mount with some added stability. Good looking system for sure, but a lot more money than I would spend considering the limited improvement over a modified stock system.

I guess if you had a leaf truck it would be a viable option.

IMO
The bar just seems to be adding unnecessary weight to the rear suspension. The shocks also have a pretty steep angle and should be mounted further apart. The more you lay the shocks over the less effective they are. Being too inboard does not help either. The Panhard bar looks to be to short also ,looks like stock length, the longer the bar the better. A longer bar will help you stay center when moving up and down. "CPP" and EC make one that goes from the frame to the trailing arm probably about a foot longer than stock.