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Old 04-18-2014, 02:35 PM   #1
oldestof11
 
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Custom front airbag suspension

So how does one go about replacing the front springs with air bags? I has no problem relocating the front shocks. Any good articles?

Who is a good company to buy from? Looking for lowering and and ride comfort. I know how I'm doing the rear, it's the front I'm not sure what to do.


2wd truck if you're on Tapatalk.


Sent via USPS 2 weeks ago
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Old 04-18-2014, 03:14 PM   #2
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Buy the bag brackets from a fab shop or something. Weld one to the axle and another in place of the top mount. Add spacers if needed on either end of the bag.

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Old 04-18-2014, 03:44 PM   #3
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Check out Ride Tech (formerly Air Ride Technologies) they know their stuff and have kits for MANY popular cars and trucks as well as fab parts for those wanting to do custom stuff. They are not the cheapest in air bag suspensions, but many would consider them the best!!!

http://www.ridetech.com
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Old 12-20-2014, 12:03 PM   #4
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Is this thing on?
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Old 12-20-2014, 12:26 PM   #5
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Nope
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Old 12-20-2014, 01:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goose View Post
Is this thing on?
Thank you!

So I have narrowed it down to the bags I want I do believe.

Now stock replacement springs have an OD of 6", installed height of 11.25", and carry 2264lbs (Moog 7226 springs).

Going off of that, I think Ride Techs F6873 90006873 would be a good bag. 8" OD, 3400lbs capacity, double convoluted.

For the rears, I am going with the F2107 90002107 sleeved bag with 3500lbs load capacity.

I will install an engine driven OBA unit.

I hope to purchase all of this over the next 2-3 months.
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Old 12-20-2014, 02:13 PM   #7
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Whats the spring rate on those Moog springs? The 2264 lbs. sounds about right for the weight at the wheel, but the spring is basically at a 2:1 ratio with the a-arm, so the travel will be about half but the force will be about double.
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Old 12-21-2014, 06:35 AM   #8
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I cannot fine any of that. It just says load rating.

That said, on a vehicle that ways 5800lbs, wouldn't 6800lbs combined weight rating of the front bags be enough? I see these are used in chevy dually bagged setups all the time.
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Old 12-21-2014, 02:20 PM   #9
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I've never weighed the axle weights on my 2wd, but my 4wd was around 4600 on the front and 2600 on the rear. I'm betting that a 2wd would still be close to 4000 lbs. on the front end. So you might need close to 8000 lbs. of spring force for it. Not sure exactly what the ratio is, but its something that needs to be addressed.

Also, if you're using convoluted air bags, keep in mind that their load rating for a given pressures varies dramatically from minimum height to max height. Sleeve bags are a much more linear rating.

http://firestoneip.com/-/media/www/g...alogs/EMDG.pdf
Page 61 gives the load rating at various pressures/heights on a bag that's max rating is 5k lbs.
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Old 12-21-2014, 03:19 PM   #10
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If you want any more information regarding the Firestone products just PM me if you can not find what you want, I can help. Hopefully.
 
Old 12-21-2014, 04:26 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tate View Post
I've never weighed the axle weights on my 2wd, but my 4wd was around 4600 on the front and 2600 on the rear. I'm betting that a 2wd would still be close to 4000 lbs. on the front end. So you might need close to 8000 lbs. of spring force for it. Not sure exactly what the ratio is, but its something that needs to be addressed.



Also, if you're using convoluted air bags, keep in mind that their load rating for a given pressures varies dramatically from minimum height to max height. Sleeve bags are a much more linear rating.



http://firestoneip.com/-/media/www/g...alogs/EMDG.pdf

Page 61 gives the load rating at various pressures/heights on a bag that's max rating is 5k lbs.

To get a bag that big, there would be no way for it to fit. 8" would be max before I run into suspension issues.

Doing some more digging, I'm finding 1144lbs/in according to O'Reilly auto parts.
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Old 12-22-2014, 10:18 AM   #12
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Talk to the tech guys at Ride Tech they are sharp guys and design custom setups all the time, I would think they would be able to help you with proper air spring selection especially since you are planning on using their springs!
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Old 12-26-2014, 09:51 AM   #13
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I noticed these guys a while back and bookmark it, worth a look

http://www.airbagit.fr/product-p/fbx-f-dod-60.htm
 
Old 12-26-2014, 12:20 PM   #14
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I'm not touching airbagit.
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Old 12-27-2014, 09:37 PM   #15
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this is the bag i am going to use on my front setup
Attached Images
File Type: jpg bag.jpg (25.2 KB, 0 views)
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Old 12-27-2014, 09:38 PM   #16
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here is the specs
http://firestoneip.com/-/media/www/g...W013585426.pdf

just need some brackets should be pretty easy to make
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Old 12-27-2014, 10:25 PM   #17
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Subd
 
Old 12-27-2014, 10:44 PM   #18
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Check out this thread. Jared did a 4-link air bag rear and also air bagged the front.
http://www.competitiondiesel.com/for...d.php?t=121397
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Old 12-28-2014, 09:00 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by winkdemon View Post
here is the specs
http://firestoneip.com/-/media/www/g...W013585426.pdf

just need some brackets should be pretty easy to make
Link doesn't work on my phone. I'll try it in a bit with my laptop

Quote:
Originally Posted by SKYNYRD View Post
Check out this thread. Jared did a 4-link air bag rear and also air bagged the front.
http://www.competitiondiesel.com/for...d.php?t=121397

Thanks for the thread! I was just thinking of this one last night.
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Old 12-28-2014, 09:42 AM   #20
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This is the pdf file, I took a screen shot of it.
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File Type: jpg uploadfromtaptalk1419781352365.jpg (31.5 KB, 0 views)
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