and the 61-66 forum. 
::air Bag::
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New User
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::air Bag::
hey i just bought a 66 about a week ago and im trying to make a game plan for it.im interested in the rat rod look (ya know..flat black/chrome accents). i am interested in putting air sispension in it. now i know the the rear end will work but is it possible to put air bags in a 66 with the twin I bean front end or will i have to put in a clip from something else. if i do have to get a different clip which on? how hard is it to install? how much $?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,793
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From: San Diego CA
I have done alot of looking at air bag systems and see no reason why one could not bag the front of a twin I beam truck. Realize that you will allways want to drive the truck at the same ride hight and set it on the ground for parking. You'll have to fabricate some air spring mounts and you will lose some front suspension travel. Bags with longer stroke have bigger diamiter. Make sure everthing is bolt on just in case it dosen't work to your satisfaction. Welcome to FTE, Rich.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,677
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From: Near Yosemite CA
I don't see a problem with it, I would like to see how it turns out. Basically, you are just replacing the coil springs with airbags. I have done a few rears with air bags. No fronts yet, big thing is watch your shocks, make sure they are good ones, and make sure they can take the drop to the ground w/o bottoming out in their housing. I think it would be sweet, and they way I look at it, EVERYTHINg is doable! These ol trucks are fun to wrench on and learn on. Been doing it for 25 years! Have fun! Take plenty of pics
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
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From: Glendale Arizona
Bags Work but, and here is the kick at Slammed height the top of the tire will hit the spring mount if you do not put on drop beams.
Bags are not the way to go for a just a slammed look/drop on a Twin I beam Truck.
With Drop beams in place you can then bag it to get the extra drop to the stop and keep the front suspension reasonably tilted in but still be able to drive due to the inward tilt of the tire wheel combo.
It all has to do with geometry and the center of the I beams rotation being all the way on the other side of the truck.
For a twin truck i see no reason to install a clip or other aftermarket suspension as it can be adequatly dropped buy reasonably priced new beams and a good alingment shop with the correct tools. Beams can also be custom dropped by companies to your specs for less than half the cost of a aftermarket suspension.
Garbz
Bags are not the way to go for a just a slammed look/drop on a Twin I beam Truck.
With Drop beams in place you can then bag it to get the extra drop to the stop and keep the front suspension reasonably tilted in but still be able to drive due to the inward tilt of the tire wheel combo.
It all has to do with geometry and the center of the I beams rotation being all the way on the other side of the truck.
For a twin truck i see no reason to install a clip or other aftermarket suspension as it can be adequatly dropped buy reasonably priced new beams and a good alingment shop with the correct tools. Beams can also be custom dropped by companies to your specs for less than half the cost of a aftermarket suspension.
Garbz
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Garbz
thanks for the heads up
and to the rest of you. thanks for all of your insight. im in the navy so this point of the project will have to wait untill i get back from our 7 month cruise (Oct). im telling you...i cant wait to start on this truck.
thanks for the heads up
and to the rest of you. thanks for all of your insight. im in the navy so this point of the project will have to wait untill i get back from our 7 month cruise (Oct). im telling you...i cant wait to start on this truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Rainier, OR
Originally Posted by garbz2
as it can be adequatly dropped buy reasonably priced new beams and a good alingment shop with the correct tools.
Garbz
Garbz
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Rainier, OR
Originally Posted by garbz2
There are two makers of new beams AIM and DMJ they have multi page ads in truckin magazine.
Industrial Chassis in AZ will modify the I beams you have. Call Steve.
Garbz
Industrial Chassis in AZ will modify the I beams you have. Call Steve.
Garbz
I don't get Truckin'... does American Iron work?....
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 166
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From: Rainier, OR
I found DJM at http://www.djmsuspension.com/Product...5F100Parts.htm but still don't know what AIM stands for so I can't look them up...
Does anyone use these beams? if so, which ones and what do you think about them?
Does anyone use these beams? if so, which ones and what do you think about them?
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Willamette Valley Oregon
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,310
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From: Illinois
Air bags are do-able with a Twin I-beam suspension. A little warning though, in stock form these front ends will eat tires faster than most A-arm suspensions. If you "bag it", you might compound the problem. If it was me, I would use "Shockwave" shock/airbags with dropped I-beams on the front. Make sure that there absolutely no where they can rub anything. Use digital pressure gauges for each front bag. Have the alignment shop align it where they feel would be optimum and record the pressure they used. Whenever you raise the truck back up to ride height, be sure to set the pressure where it was aligned at.
For AIM products, contact ChassisTech. Little warning here, they are not very "customer freindly".
For AIM products, contact ChassisTech. Little warning here, they are not very "customer freindly".
