Hey guys, I Was just thinking (uh oh lol) about the possibilities of using air bags with the stock straight axle. I already have a MII setup I was just pondering this. I know there would have to be a main bar of some kind to keep the axle in place (what the leaf springs normally do in keeping the axle in place) I saw a complete air bag setup on Craigslist the other day and the guy only wanted $200 for it. I thought it would be awesome to take advantage of a deal like that if you we're in a situation where you were just starting a build and could use the air bags with the straight axle to cut down on costs.... Just a thought lol

 

Four link and a panhard rod would work just fine. Use a good set of shocks like Bilstein to control it though.

 

I was thinking about this more as the day went on and I started to think to myself "why did I start that thread LOL". Have you ever had one of those "cool ideas" but then start to realize its not so great of an idea haha

 

Glad you came to your senses! It could be done, but should it is the real question. The amount of work compared to the small amount of adjustability available would not be justifiable. Just look at how little space there is between the top of the axle and bottom of the frame. Then you'd have to find space for the bags. They would have to go on the inside of the frame.

 

Exactly, more trouble than I originally thought lol

 

Hey Reed,
Easily distracted over there! Hey that Mustang II IFS is waiting for you -
not sure if there is ever an easy time to tackle that one. If you still are at the bare frame stage - it doesn't get any better than that.

What kit are you using?

Ben in Austin

(I never liked the airbag approach - you have to put the compressed air tank somewhere - ends up usually taking up bed space).

 

Yeah I have a chassisengineering MII, I was just throwing out an "off the wall" idea with the front airbags and stock straight axle. Thought maybe it could have been a different/possibly cheaper way to go but didn't think it all the way through. No I'll definitely keep the bolt in MII setup I have lol

 

I think it's a good idea if you were starting from scratch and had a good front axle. 4 link isn't needed. Twin I beams have a single radius arm on each side and those could be fabricated along with perches for the air bags. Brake master might have to move to the fire wall. hmm, is the tie rod on stock set up behind the axle? oops