bags on stock LCAs

[Mikec10]

Can some of you guys post some pictures of different type of cupped LCAs you guys are running? Trying to get some ideas on how to bag the front end.

[project 67 sub]

have some pics of mine in my build thread (link in sig below) if you wanna check them out
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[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Mikec10

Can some of you guys post some pictures of different type of cupped LCAs you guys are running? Trying to get some ideas on how to bag the front end.

How low are you trying to go? If this is for your 80, you don't need to cup your arms. You can lay the crossmember on the ground with 3" spindles and stock arms. You will need to remove the inner fenders to make it lay.

[Mikec10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

How low are you trying to go? If this is for your 80, you don't need to cup your arms. You can lay the crossmember on the ground with 3" spindles and stock arms. You will need to remove the inner fenders to make it lay.

Well the thing is i dont know how to mount the bag on the LCA i see some people 'box' them some do a dropped cup, im just trying to find the easiest way to bag my front end for now so i just want pictures of how people have there's set up, im assuming i cant just bolt on a mounting bracket on the LCA.

[tubbedII]

Actually, it's even easier than that...the front kit comes with a plate you bolt to the top spring pocket and the bag bolts to it, and then you bolt a cup to the bottom of the bag that sits in the LCA's pocket. I'll look around for a pic and post it up...

[Mikec10]

i heard i have to cup/box the LCAs or else the bags will rub and can break do to excessive wear though.

[3r!c84]

i also am planning on doing this for my 84 swb. same question i was going to ask..

[tubbedII]

Originally Posted by Mikec10

i heard i have to cup/box the LCAs or else the bags will rub and can break do to excessive wear though.

Well over half the air bagged rides on this board (including mine) as well as other trucks are bagged with cups on the bottom on stock lca's with no issues. Cupping the lcas is done to get you lower as it sits the bag lower into the lca the same as getting a tubular arm with a built in drop.

Even with a cupped/boxed lca or even a tubular arm, the bag will over lap the metal bottom and touch the arm when fully compressed. It's true you have to worry about the bag rubbing something during it's travel, but not this.

There's a kit on eBay that uses a plate that mounts to the lca instead of a cup if that gives you a piece of mind.

[N2TRUX]

Your on the right track now by asking questions. What your hearing is not entirely true. You DO NOT need to cup your A-arms to clear the bags. I can assure you that you can lay your crossmember on the ground with 3" spindles, and short bag cups. The only thing cupping your A-arm will do is allow more air pressure at a lower height.

I suggest you bag it with a stock arm first then determine what your needs are from there.

Heres a pic of my 82 Blazer with 3" spindles and short bag cups. You can not get any lower than that without crossmember mods.

[Mikec10]

This is what they mean by cupped correct?


Now your saying i dont have to do this i can just use this type of kit?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-C10-63...#ht_500wt_1413

it says the cup just sits in place it doesn't need to be welded in or bolted in?
or should i do this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-1987-Ch...#ht_500wt_1180

And yeah im not really trying to lay frame or anything, just trying to make the ride a bit nicer and laying crossmember is enough for me, right now the truck is dropped using 3" drop springs which makes it ride like **** along with some alignment issues. Got them for 100$ off a friend before i knew anything about suspension geometry. Also i have 15" wheels would that cause an issue?

[Bad Karma]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Heres a pic of my 82 Blazer with 3" spindles and short bag cups. You can not get any lower than that without crossmember mods.

What do you mean by "short cups"? As far as I can tell, the pre-made cups are 2" tall. Did you cut yours down, and if so, by how much? Thanks!

[gGMC DOG]

i cut my pre-made cups down to like 1' 5/8

[gGMC DOG]

cups

[Bad Karma]

Cool, that's what I figured. Was your 1-5/8" determined by trial-and-error, or is that as far as you can go before it rubs? Also, is it necessary to remove the steering stop from the control arm?

I'm seriously considering bagging my suburban, just trying to gather some info...

[tubbedII]

Originally Posted by Mikec10

This is what they mean by cupped correct?


Now your saying i dont have to do this i can just use this type of kit?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-C10-63...#ht_500wt_1413

it says the cup just sits in place it doesn't need to be welded in or bolted in?
or should i do this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-1987-Ch...#ht_500wt_1180

And yeah im not really trying to lay frame or anything, just trying to make the ride a bit nicer and laying crossmember is enough for me, right now the truck is dropped using 3" drop springs which makes it ride like **** along with some alignment issues. Got them for 100$ off a friend before i knew anything about suspension geometry. Also i have 15" wheels would that cause an issue?

You are correct that the picture is a set of "Cupped LCAs". The picture gGMC Dog posted is of bag "cups" and yes they just sit in the pocket of the stock LCA.

The difference between the two ebay kits is simply what you see...1 bolts in and 1 doesn't. It's really up to you on which one you choose, but I went with the cup version as it's easier to install.

The 15" wheels should not pose any issues with installing the bags. Do you already have drop spindles installed?

@Bad Karma 1 5/8" is what the majority of guys cut them down to in order to get as low as possible with this type of configuration. With mine cut down to this, the cup's mounting plate sits level with the LCA instead of a little higher.

[Mikec10]

Originally Posted by tubbedII

You are correct that the picture is a set of "Cupped LCAs". The picture gGMC Dog posted is of bag "cups" and yes they just sit in the pocket of the stock LCA.

The difference between the two ebay kits is simply what you see...1 bolts in and 1 doesn't. It's really up to you on which one you choose, but I went with the cup version as it's easier to install.

The 15" wheels should not pose any issues with installing the bags. Do you already have drop spindles installed?

@Bad Karma 1 5/8" is what the majority of guys cut them down to in order to get as low as possible with this type of configuration. With mine cut down to this, the cup's mounting plate sits level with the LCA instead of a little higher.

No at the moment i only have 3" drop springs which ride really bad and give me crazy bumpsteer, So i've decided im going to Cup the LCAs as that is a more wallet friendly approach, now just to clarify, i have to cut a hole for the cup and weld it in so it looks like that picture i posted OR can i just set the cup onto the LCA without cutting the LCA. But either way i have decided to get a cup kit and 3" drop spindles, with the dominator 2600 bags. Now i just gotta figure out what compressor to get etc.

but you guys are saying i dont have to weld in like those 'drop' cups i can just set them into the LCA spring pocket?

[firedog]

here is a pic of the cups they mount on the bags then fit into the lower control arm where the spring would fit no need to cut up the LCA, and considering the cost for electric and gas to cut and weld the LCA the cups and plates are idiot proof and cost less than $150

[maxxxy]

Firedog: YOU DO NOT WELD THOSE CUPS TO THE LCA'S.
Those that are bolted to te bottom of those bags just sit in the spring pocket of the stock lca's.
If you "cup" your lca's, that is to take a portion of 7" or 8" pipe and sink it into the lca's, then weld it. That way the bag sits inside the cup. Like the pic from mikec10
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[Mikec10]

Ooh okay so I don't have to cut up my lcas I can just buy the 50 dollar kit
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[maxxxy]

Correct mike. It is not necessary to cut the lca's. The only clotting you might do, is trim the cup to make the height of the cup shorter. But I wouldn't worry about that until you just install them how they are to get a better understanding of everything.
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[N2TRUX]

Mikec10- Lots of input put here, but I think your on the right track. Of the two links that you posted I would consider the 2nd one. Street Machinery is a member here (Way2Lo2) and a Vendor as well. Take a look in the Suspension or Vendors Marketplace for deals and great service from Boris.

One thing that may be of concern is the 15" wheels. If you go with 3" spindles you may have clearance issues depending on the width and backspace of your wheel.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Bad Karma

What do you mean by "short cups"? As far as I can tell, the pre-made cups are 2" tall. Did you cut yours down, and if so, by how much? Thanks!

No mine are not cut. There are more than one height of cup available some are 2" and others are shorter. Mine were 1.5" if I remember correctly.

[maxxxy]

I've never seen a plate on the lca's before like in way2lo's eBay listing. But it looks like a good product. I agree on supporting forum vendors whenever you can
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[Mikec10]

So i think im going to settle on this kit
http://*************/-63-87-fullsize-...ag-bracket-kit

Now do i have to get drop spindles or can i upgrade those at a later time?
Guess now its time to start looking at air managment, any suggestions? I have a static drop in the rear at the moment cause college and part time job cant allow for a rear set up at the moment so i was thinking a 4 valve set up for the front and a tank with 4 ports for when i do my rear later in the year.

[maxxxy]

You can get drop spindles later, but without them, you won't lay crossmember. I think the 4 valves will be good, but some advice I'd offer you is on the air management such as compressor and tank and such, save up and buy the ones you want because you'll end up wishing you had bought the one you wanted and have to spend even more money in the long run.

You might search made2drag 's build thread. He does a good job of explaining things. And his entire build isn't incredibly pricey either and it will give you a good idea.
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