Air Suspension Question
#1
Air Suspension Question
Allll rright so i have a 1975 ford f100 custom short bed and i have decided to bag it out yea turn it into a street scraper so i have decided to go with a parallel 4 link on the back but i dont know how im going to do the front is it as simple as taking out the coils welding brakets and mounting the bags inplace of the coils? someone plese let mee know the steps of bagging out the front of my truck and pictures wouldnt hurt ha ha and also will i have to shortin my drive shaft when i bag out the back thanks every one sorry about the long thread
#2
#4
What size wheel and tire do you plan on running? If it's going to be a larger combo you will really want to consider going with an a-arm suspension like the crown vic, or even a newer chevy full size front clip.
If you want to keep the beams, most guys will make their own upper bag bracket and weld a lower plate onto the beam. If you can't find much information on your truck, check out the Rangers before 98, their I-beam suspension is similar. The mechanics of how to add air bags should be the same.
What you need to decide on is how low you plan to go. If you plan to ever bodydrop the truck you will really want to consider swapping the front clip. If you want the frame to lay on the ground you will probably have notch your frame for the tie rods, and the beams. Additionally you may have to notch the beams for the frame some and possibly the oil pan. I'm not 100% on the specifics for the full sizes. I will ask a friend who is more familiar with your generation Ford and see if he has anything to add.
If you want to keep the beams, most guys will make their own upper bag bracket and weld a lower plate onto the beam. If you can't find much information on your truck, check out the Rangers before 98, their I-beam suspension is similar. The mechanics of how to add air bags should be the same.
What you need to decide on is how low you plan to go. If you plan to ever bodydrop the truck you will really want to consider swapping the front clip. If you want the frame to lay on the ground you will probably have notch your frame for the tie rods, and the beams. Additionally you may have to notch the beams for the frame some and possibly the oil pan. I'm not 100% on the specifics for the full sizes. I will ask a friend who is more familiar with your generation Ford and see if he has anything to add.
#6
Ya really! I might have to call AirLift when I decide what to do with my ranger`s suspension(`90).
Especially if they listened to us around here
-Jake
-Jake
#7
What size wheel and tire do you plan on running? If it's going to be a larger combo you will really want to consider going with an a-arm suspension like the crown vic, or even a newer chevy full size front clip.
If you want to keep the beams, most guys will make their own upper bag bracket and weld a lower plate onto the beam. If you can't find much information on your truck, check out the Rangers before 98, their I-beam suspension is similar. The mechanics of how to add air bags should be the same.
What you need to decide on is how low you plan to go. If you plan to ever bodydrop the truck you will really want to consider swapping the front clip. If you want the frame to lay on the ground you will probably have notch your frame for the tie rods, and the beams. Additionally you may have to notch the beams for the frame some and possibly the oil pan. I'm not 100% on the specifics for the full sizes. I will ask a friend who is more familiar with your generation Ford and see if he has anything to add.
If you want to keep the beams, most guys will make their own upper bag bracket and weld a lower plate onto the beam. If you can't find much information on your truck, check out the Rangers before 98, their I-beam suspension is similar. The mechanics of how to add air bags should be the same.
What you need to decide on is how low you plan to go. If you plan to ever bodydrop the truck you will really want to consider swapping the front clip. If you want the frame to lay on the ground you will probably have notch your frame for the tie rods, and the beams. Additionally you may have to notch the beams for the frame some and possibly the oil pan. I'm not 100% on the specifics for the full sizes. I will ask a friend who is more familiar with your generation Ford and see if he has anything to add.
Last edited by Tha Ray; 12-10-2011 at 10:45 AM. Reason: typo
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#9
I think your main goal is to be somewhat lower but still retain some adjust-ability, correct?
I think the easiest way to figure out what you will really need is with pictures:
If you want to be as low as this, you might be able to get away with Ibeams, but this guy only has 20's. I would assume with 24's you will probably be a little higher in the front and more camber
This guy is also running 20's and Ibeams
You will notice that both of those guys are running a really small tire. I'm not sure exactly what the factory coil mount looks like, so I can't say for sure if just removing it and moving down would be sufficient. My first question with that would be is there enough clearance for the bag on a factory mount? The air bag is going to have a bigger diameter than the coil possibly. You could go with a bracket such as this one for the Ibeam rangers:
The more common trend recently with the rangers is a tube mount:
A tube mount allows you to set better compound angles for the air bag during travel. The problem many people had with the traditional kit was the bag would end up too twisted or stretched when compressed versus ride height.
If you ever plan to be as low as the guys below, you will pretty much have to switch to a control arm suspension. The Ibeam will just get way too much camber when laid out and when aired up enough to clear your 24's.
If nothing else I hope my post gave you some inspiration. Without really knowing your end goal height, it's hard to say what would be sufficient.
I think the easiest way to figure out what you will really need is with pictures:
If you want to be as low as this, you might be able to get away with Ibeams, but this guy only has 20's. I would assume with 24's you will probably be a little higher in the front and more camber
This guy is also running 20's and Ibeams
You will notice that both of those guys are running a really small tire. I'm not sure exactly what the factory coil mount looks like, so I can't say for sure if just removing it and moving down would be sufficient. My first question with that would be is there enough clearance for the bag on a factory mount? The air bag is going to have a bigger diameter than the coil possibly. You could go with a bracket such as this one for the Ibeam rangers:
The more common trend recently with the rangers is a tube mount:
A tube mount allows you to set better compound angles for the air bag during travel. The problem many people had with the traditional kit was the bag would end up too twisted or stretched when compressed versus ride height.
If you ever plan to be as low as the guys below, you will pretty much have to switch to a control arm suspension. The Ibeam will just get way too much camber when laid out and when aired up enough to clear your 24's.
If nothing else I hope my post gave you some inspiration. Without really knowing your end goal height, it's hard to say what would be sufficient.
#10
hey thanks alot man i have been looking at some threads and going with a crown vic suspension doesnt look as complicated as it sounds so do you have any pointers for mee have you ever seen this done? oh and these are some sweet ttrucks thanks again oh and what do you mean by Ibeams im not for sure what they are post a pic of s pair if you dont mind thanks
#11
You may also want to look into using a camaro front clip, I know those have similar track widths and more aftermarket options available. The very last truck I posted has a camaro front suspension.
When I say Ibeam and I'm referring to your beams. They aren't an I-beam obviously, it's just something they are constantly referred to as.
My biggest suggestion is measure. Measure to see which front clip will best work for you, measure your wheel base, your frame horn locations, your width, and even where your steering is currently. Try to locate factory measurements as well just for reference.
If you can, try to use a frame rack, or really any flat surface. When I built my full frame I actually just built a gigantic plywood table and made sure to level it. I didn't have an entire vehicle on it though, just the frame.
When I say Ibeam and I'm referring to your beams. They aren't an I-beam obviously, it's just something they are constantly referred to as.
My biggest suggestion is measure. Measure to see which front clip will best work for you, measure your wheel base, your frame horn locations, your width, and even where your steering is currently. Try to locate factory measurements as well just for reference.
If you can, try to use a frame rack, or really any flat surface. When I built my full frame I actually just built a gigantic plywood table and made sure to level it. I didn't have an entire vehicle on it though, just the frame.
#12
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