Air ride Questions

[lts70]

I am a little confused and was hoping for some advice. I want to install a rear Air bag setup on my 70 SWB. I already have 2.5” drop spindles and 1” drop springs in the front and 5” drop springs in the back. I used the kit from CPP that came with shock re-locaters, drop shocks, and sway bars front and back. The rear springs are way too weak and thus I want to upgrade to Airbags in the rear for when I am hauling stuff in the bed or towing a trailer. I searched the forums and read up on what others recommended. It seems that Slam Specialties RE7’s seem to be the most recommended on the board and ***************** the best place to get them. So I called them up to order my RE7’s and they recommended I use a Dominator bag for $60 a bag or the RE8 for $75 a bag and not the RE7. Also they said it was not a good Idea to run a shrader valve as I had planned and that I needed to go with an Air compressor, tank, and valves to do it right. They said it would cost me $500 to $600 dollars to do this rear system. He said that it would be cheaper to just buy one of their air management systems that gives you air ride all the way around for around $1000 and up. I have absolutely no experience with Air ride systems. I am hoping you guys will chime in and give me some advice. What components should I go with? Should I go with an air ride system over my static drop all together, what would be the pros and cons? If I did go with air on all fours just the basic system, what would be my normal ride height? Would I have to remove my front and rear sway bars?

[71tahoe]

I can only answer part of your questions.

Normal ride height would wherever you choose to set it.

Sounds like a bit of salesmanship by SSD. Your absolute needs are a guaranteed air supply and adjustability.

[Hottrucks]

you can add the rear bags easy just like you planned then IF you want to do the fronts I would lean towards a compressor and tank set up just for your ease.....my compressor sh1t out and my system still works perfect I just use the shop compressor to air up my tank on the truck...it gives me at least one full dump to ride height....I have been hauling fire wood with mine so I fill up the rears a couple times ( when loaded with 3/4 cord of wood) then dump when I get to the pile at home before I need to add some home air to the tank......hope that helps yea....do the rears and keep your eyes open for a deal on the rest ( used maybe)

[gus]

Im on the same boat, I'm not familiar with airbag, and have no idea How to install it, But I alreday have some goodies like kompressor valves and other chingaderas, but need the brakets,hoses and installation.

[Hottrucks]

dude you'll never get low enough for those tires..better keep you eye open for for a larger side wall.....

bag installs are fairly easy and theres tons of info here on the board...use your seach button and have a plan before you start on what you want to spend and how low you want to go...heres a front shot of mine using stock parts and alot of my labor

[lolife99]

Its70,...
Sounds like SD was out of re-7's. Ha.
They promote the Dominator bags, which are just fine.
Alot of people run them on schraders. Just make sure your run a seperate line and schrader to each bag to keep the bags from "transferring air" side to side, when your truck goes around corners.
Sounds like SD was trying to make a sale.
Look at other board members if you still want the re-7's.

[tk-mpl]

I got dominators all around and the copilot setup... I don't know what is better, but they seemed to fit good for me. I still haven't get the solenoids wired up though.

[lts70]

Does anyone know the difference from the RE7 to the RE8?

[lolife99]

7" and 8" diameter bag,...

Both 200 psi bags.

[tk-mpl]

Are you suppose to get longer brake lines when you put air bags in and lower your truck. I just noticed that there is alot of tension on my brake lines, even when the wheels are straight..
Trevor

[lolife99]

I used the longer 73-87 brake lines on my blazer.

[tk-mpl]

So they are longer then the 71 brake lines.. Do you happen to know the length of them...
Trevor

[67chevemall]

RE7's are a great bag and there is no need for compressors and tanks.
schrader valves work great. Just run a line for each to your fill location
Dude was probly out of pot and having a bad day.

[lts70]

I put CPP's Rear sway bar on my truck. Whould I have to remove it if I run Airbags?

[tk-mpl]

Where does I guy get new bumpstops for the upper control arms..
Trevor

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by tk-mpl

Where does I guy get new bumpstops for the upper control arms..
Trevor

Do you really need a bumpstop on the upper control arm on a lowered truck?

[tk-mpl]

I wasn't sure.. I took mine out when I painted them and they were rotten anyways.. So I got nothing there.
Trevor

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Do you really need a bumpstop on the upper control arm on a lowered truck?

Hopefully you won't have any bumps that are bad enough to need a bump stop. I have broken a shock because the metal dust cover hit the frame when the front suspension was fully extended without a bump stop. My solution was to get a shock with a rubber accordian style dust boot.

[BAGNDRAGIT]

doing the bags is pretty easy, im in the middle of it now, just time consuming without a corded drill. Grrrr, waiting for battery to charge.

[dznucks]

i have bagged the back of my '69. I have the rest of the system waiting to go in. i just need to get exhaust done so i can route all the tubing and electrical, and find the time to do it since its a DD.

I have dominator 2600 with schrader valves in the rear. i just installed a CPP Deluxe trac bar last weekend. when i dump the bags the bar barely clears the chunk. if you run an aftermarket diff cover that is any taller than stock, it will hit.

I found the pyramid style aftermarket bumpstops, that you can trim, at pepboys. i think they were $10 a pair.
like these:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-9-9101G/

I think summit also carries the stock bumpstops if that is what you are looking for.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

dude you'll never get low enough for those tires..better keep you eye open for for a larger side wall.....

How do you know that? He never mentioned how low he plans to go.

[tk-mpl]

I have trailing arms in the back of my 68 and I was wonder if I should put limiting straps in. So if I jack it up or put it on a hoist I don't tear out the bags..
Trevor

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by tk-mpl

I have trailing arms in the back of my 68 and I was wonder if I should put limiting straps in. So if I jack it up or put it on a hoist I don't tear out the bags..
Trevor

I had that setup on my last truck and dont recall any problem. I beleive the shocks would limit rebound when you jack it up with the frame, but youve got a good point if you think youll be bouncing to full limit on the road... then you would damage your shocks.

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

How do you know that? He never mentioned how low he plans to go.

I was speaking of the blazer.....that wheel/tire combo look pretty short...( I could be wrong) but since we are talking about just bagging and not putting a cupped LCA , a C notch or even cutting the floor out...I don't see those tires getting a good tuck...but thats just my $.02