Please help. Air suspension...
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 33
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Please help. Air suspension...
Hello all,
Has anyone modified their suspension to be Air-Ride?
I was thinking of going with some Firestone bags rated the same as my 1989 F350 4X4 and keep my fillings. The ride empty is just to rough.
If someone has how was it done? Light leafs with backup air bags I would think would be cheapest. But Bags with bars would be cadillac smooth.
Please give input if you have some.
Thanks
Has anyone modified their suspension to be Air-Ride?
I was thinking of going with some Firestone bags rated the same as my 1989 F350 4X4 and keep my fillings. The ride empty is just to rough.
If someone has how was it done? Light leafs with backup air bags I would think would be cheapest. But Bags with bars would be cadillac smooth.
Please give input if you have some.
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
I've acquired the bags (front and rear, though not firestone), remote resevior shocks, a plethora of low and high pressure valves, a huge air tank, and an AC compressor I modified to self-oil to use as an engine mounted compressor (instead of electric).
But it sits in four boxes in the attic as I've only collected parts, I haven't had a chance to work out all the homemade bracketry... too many projects before that.
But it sits in four boxes in the attic as I've only collected parts, I haven't had a chance to work out all the homemade bracketry... too many projects before that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Probably because it's an expensive upgrade, and requires a fair amount of fabrication. I debated on and off for a long while before I finally decided to figure out the components I'd need (bags, valves, etc) then measure out what I'd have to fabricate.
Add to that how they are advertized... many people conclude air bag suspensions are strictly for "slamming" the truck down into the weeds. While I've not done anything other than collect parts, I've figured out how to remotely control air pressure front and rear, as well as shock stiffness, front and rear. This way I can soften the ride for highway runs while unloaded so it's comfortable, and adjust things for hauling heavy, and everything in between. I don't really want to change the ride height - in fact loaded or unloaded I'd like it to be about the same as it is now for a 4x2. But as my crewcab is now, the entire suspension (unloaded) is the front suspension, and the rear tires. The rear springs do not seem to flex much when unloaded, which really isn't pleasant for my back. It rides really nice and smooth with about 3000-3500lbs of sand or gravel in the bed, but that's not good for gas mileage
Making a 4-link isn't really difficult, there's enough pictures of such things on the web one can measure, and figure out how to do it. Just need to use really big pieces of steel
Add to that how they are advertized... many people conclude air bag suspensions are strictly for "slamming" the truck down into the weeds. While I've not done anything other than collect parts, I've figured out how to remotely control air pressure front and rear, as well as shock stiffness, front and rear. This way I can soften the ride for highway runs while unloaded so it's comfortable, and adjust things for hauling heavy, and everything in between. I don't really want to change the ride height - in fact loaded or unloaded I'd like it to be about the same as it is now for a 4x2. But as my crewcab is now, the entire suspension (unloaded) is the front suspension, and the rear tires. The rear springs do not seem to flex much when unloaded, which really isn't pleasant for my back. It rides really nice and smooth with about 3000-3500lbs of sand or gravel in the bed, but that's not good for gas mileage
Making a 4-link isn't really difficult, there's enough pictures of such things on the web one can measure, and figure out how to do it. Just need to use really big pieces of steel
