Air ride.....

[Coach529]

So I am assembling a selection of parts for my 1949 Chevy truck......which will be on air.

I had previously decided it would be full manual control....but the more I though about it....running the air lines in the cab did not sound great.

Now I am thinking of just buying some good quality 12VDC solenoids and just run it all of some switches.

Am I missing something........some of these Air ride control kits are outrageous........

[68shortwide]

I've learned that with air ride you get what you pay for, what kit were you talking about in particular?

[Pro Performance]

Going with electric valves does get the price up there, and there are different options to go with. We really like using the AccuAir, for its compact size and cleanliness of running lines. It has 4 1/4" ports right in the manifold that you can tap into for gauges. With running a manifold style like this, you also have less threaded fittings of doing 8 individual valves.\, which means less points of possible air leaks. The VU4 does come with a little higher cost vs. other electric valves due to these reasons though.

Here is a link to some of our air management kits, but also individual valves.

http://www.azproperformance.com/Air-Management-Kits/

http://www.azproperformance.com/Air-Valves/

[Advanced Design]

Coach, no doubt the guys at Pro Performance can take good care of your needs.

I bought a Ride Tech system from a dealer who has a hot rod shop and builds a lot of vehicles on air ride. While I was leaning toward the higher end electric control system, he talked me into the basic system which of course cost way less money. The only downside you mention is running lines in for the gauges. That is what I did on the 48 truck and it will work on the 48 Burb too. He does a lot of them with great success.

[Coach529]

No matter what I do I need two compressors, a tank, some fittings and air lines. So it comes down to the control.

Full manual (Little Larry's or similar) is about $300.00
Pro's: Cheap
Con's: Running air lines inside cab, still need gauges

http://www.littlelarrys.net/


Ride Tech analog control runs about $700.00 for the valve body, switches and gauges.
Pro's: Name brand
Con's: expensive

Air Bag It runs about $400 with valve body, switches and gauges
Pro's: Price point
Con's: not sure of quality

http://www.airbagit.com/Brass-Air-En...ngine-8aaa.htm

[andrewmp6]

Forget airbagit they are known for selling junk and giving you the run around if you call with a problem.Even if you gave me their stuff i would throw it away.Save up and do it right the first time or end up spending double re doing the things you cut corners on.

[clemsonteg]

Running air lines into the cab isn't really all that difficult. No more difficult than running wires into the cab for electric valves. If you do go electric, I would take Travis' advice and go with s manifold type setup. Plumbing and wiring 8 individual valves can certainly be done, but I think it would be a lot more headache than running 4 airlines into the cab.

For what it's worth, I have an entire dloe manual valve setup including a stainless panel I made to hold the switches as well as a 3 gauge setup to monitor all the bags and tank. I will be removing it this weekend if you are interested.