Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71C10SWB · 07-06-2009, 11:47 AM

I have some light springs (not C/10, Jeep TJ) in the rear of my 71 C/10. I would like to be able to tow my trailer or carry a load every now and then. I was thinking I would like to run a set of the rear AirLift bags in my rear coils for load carrying purposes.
I found a part number listed in summit's catalog, but no pictures.
I went on to Air Lift's web site and they don't list anything for the truck.
I know I should probably run lowered rear C/10 coils, but I'm on a budget here.

Is anyone on here running bags in their rear springs?
Any pictures?
How's the load carrying?

chevy_mike · 07-06-2009, 02:00 PM

That's my plan. I know Air Lift doesn't have a specific bag for the C10 springs. I figured ones for a Chevelle/El Camino would work fine, I think part # 60733 is for the El Camino. Their springs are about the same diameter as C10 springs.

Not sure if the TJ springs are similar in diameter but I bet those would work. This stuff is fairl basic. Air Lift claims 1000# capacity of those bags.

67dragtruck · 07-06-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

That's my plan. I know Air Lift doesn't have a specific bag for the C10 springs. I figured ones for a Chevelle/El Camino would work fine, I think part # 60733 is for the El Camino. Their springs are about the same diameter as C10 springs.

Not sure if the TJ springs are similar in diameter but I bet those would work. This stuff is fairl basic. Air Lift claims 1000# capacity of those bags.

Yes they do and I have run them with success.

Tom

69GMCLonghorn · 07-06-2009, 05:10 PM

Nope... I have rear springs rated somewhere around 9000 - 10,000 lbs. If I need to bag it, I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing with a 40 year old truck!

I've heard good things about bags on the 1/2 ton trucks... Good luck!

Longhorn Man · 07-06-2009, 05:22 PM

i have them in the back of the suburban, got the ones you are talking about. I had to call them up and get some rubber spacers, and then modify them a bit, but it was all quite painless... even calling the lady to get the added parts.
They work great. The lowering springs on the back of my suburban are 4 inch drop truck springs... that made about a 6 or 7 inch drop... I couldn't run over a pebble without the axle slamming into the frame. No problems at all now.
However, you mentioned budget... by the time you get the bags, and the added parts, you could very well have bought better springs.
On the flip side, these are adjustable from low to stock height.

chevy_mike · 07-06-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67dragtruck

Yes they do and I have run them with success.

Tom

When you say "Yes they do" do you mean they have a set for coil sprung C10's? I wasn't able to find a part number on their site.

1970bowtie · 07-06-2009, 09:01 PM

i have a set for the el camino, i was afraid to install them because of the bolt that comes threw the bottom of the trailing arm into the spring, no one has any problems with this rupturing the bag? also what did you do with the air line running to the bag? did you drill a hole in the frame rail or what? info would be appreciated, i have ss chevelle springs already installed in the rear and was wanting to bags to stiffen things up some

Longhorn Man · 07-06-2009, 09:58 PM

you'll have to call the company and order some rubber spacers, then drill a hole in it for the line.

1970bowtie · 07-06-2009, 11:19 PM

well i have the spacers from the elcamino but there only bout a half inch thick, youu dont happen to have any pics of your set up do you?

Andy4639 · 07-07-2009, 09:34 AM

Here are the bags I used and I think Longhorn Man used. We PM'ed each other on this before. I love them. My 71 has the lowered back springs and it rode like crap before now it has a nice floating ride.

Longhorn Man · 07-07-2009, 04:20 PM

you see andy had to install the specers above, and below the bag.
I also chopped off the eposed bolt that pokes up through the center of the coil on the bottom, where the hold down to the trailing arm is. look in your coil, you'll see what I am talking about.

1970bowtie · 07-09-2009, 08:12 PM

ok thanks for the pics is there anywhere i can go to get the spacers, any suggestion on what i could make them out of? i want to avoid orderin them if i can

lts70 · 07-09-2009, 09:41 PM

I have 4" lowering springs from CPP and am not impressed. I was thinking about doing this mod as well. Is there benefits in running the leveling bags in the springs over running a couple actual air bags off of a shrader valve?

07-06-2009, 11:47 AM	#1
71C10SWB Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seymour, IN Posts: 42	Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? I have some light springs (not C/10, Jeep TJ) in the rear of my 71 C/10. I would like to be able to tow my trailer or carry a load every now and then. I was thinking I would like to run a set of the rear AirLift bags in my rear coils for load carrying purposes. I found a part number listed in summit's catalog, but no pictures. I went on to Air Lift's web site and they don't list anything for the truck. I know I should probably run lowered rear C/10 coils, but I'm on a budget here. Is anyone on here running bags in their rear springs? Any pictures? How's the load carrying?

07-06-2009, 02:00 PM	#2
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? That's my plan. I know Air Lift doesn't have a specific bag for the C10 springs. I figured ones for a Chevelle/El Camino would work fine, I think part # 60733 is for the El Camino. Their springs are about the same diameter as C10 springs. Not sure if the TJ springs are similar in diameter but I bet those would work. This stuff is fairl basic. Air Lift claims 1000# capacity of those bags. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

07-06-2009, 05:10 PM	#4
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? Nope... I have rear springs rated somewhere around 9000 - 10,000 lbs. If I need to bag it, I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing with a 40 year old truck! I've heard good things about bags on the 1/2 ton trucks... Good luck!

07-06-2009, 05:22 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? i have them in the back of the suburban, got the ones you are talking about. I had to call them up and get some rubber spacers, and then modify them a bit, but it was all quite painless... even calling the lady to get the added parts. They work great. The lowering springs on the back of my suburban are 4 inch drop truck springs... that made about a 6 or 7 inch drop... I couldn't run over a pebble without the axle slamming into the frame. No problems at all now. However, you mentioned budget... by the time you get the bags, and the added parts, you could very well have bought better springs. On the flip side, these are adjustable from low to stock height.

07-06-2009, 09:01 PM	#7
1970bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 549	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? i have a set for the el camino, i was afraid to install them because of the bolt that comes threw the bottom of the trailing arm into the spring, no one has any problems with this rupturing the bag? also what did you do with the air line running to the bag? did you drill a hole in the frame rail or what? info would be appreciated, i have ss chevelle springs already installed in the rear and was wanting to bags to stiffen things up some __________________ Justin 1970 c/10 short wide bed My build thread WTT 1970 chevy front end for 67/68 chevy front end WTT 2 15x10 american racing outlaw 2 wheels for 2 of the same in a 15x7 or 15x8

07-06-2009, 09:58 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? you'll have to call the company and order some rubber spacers, then drill a hole in it for the line. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 07-06-2009 at 09:58 PM.

07-06-2009, 11:19 PM	#9
1970bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 549	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? well i have the spacers from the elcamino but there only bout a half inch thick, youu dont happen to have any pics of your set up do you? __________________ Justin 1970 c/10 short wide bed My build thread WTT 1970 chevy front end for 67/68 chevy front end WTT 2 15x10 american racing outlaw 2 wheels for 2 of the same in a 15x7 or 15x8

07-07-2009, 09:34 AM	#10
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? Here are the bags I used and I think Longhorn Man used. We PM'ed each other on this before. I love them. My 71 has the lowered back springs and it rode like crap before now it has a nice floating ride. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

07-07-2009, 04:20 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? you see andy had to install the specers above, and below the bag. I also chopped off the eposed bolt that pokes up through the center of the coil on the bottom, where the hold down to the trailing arm is. look in your coil, you'll see what I am talking about.

07-09-2009, 08:12 PM	#12
1970bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 549	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? ok thanks for the pics is there anywhere i can go to get the spacers, any suggestion on what i could make them out of? i want to avoid orderin them if i can __________________ Justin 1970 c/10 short wide bed My build thread WTT 1970 chevy front end for 67/68 chevy front end WTT 2 15x10 american racing outlaw 2 wheels for 2 of the same in a 15x7 or 15x8

07-09-2009, 09:41 PM	#13
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,038	Re: Anybody running rear load leveling bags in coils? I have 4" lowering springs from CPP and am not impressed. I was thinking about doing this mod as well. Is there benefits in running the leveling bags in the springs over running a couple actual air bags off of a shrader valve? __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.



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