BUGA Community
Technical => Miscellaneous Technical => Topic started by: Jock on August 09, 2010, 02:19:35 PM
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Has anyone ever done it? I'm thinking about it... ;D
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I had a set of Poly Air springs in my last van.....hooked to a compressor to adjust up or down....not real air bags but similar
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I have looked in to this a bit. Doing the back appears to be easy as (for a SWB, not sure about the LWB). Most kits designed for a leaf spring rear ("ute" kits) should bolt straight up to the back. Doing the front appears to be a bit more complicated, which is when i gave up. Still considering it for later though, but more pressing things to do on the beddie atm.
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hey nath good to see you back on , hows your van going?
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I thought of doing bags for my van, because i was going to do a decent compressor for my drivers seat i thought of doing it so as i could adjust the rake on it when i wanted. I have had air shocks b4 and decided to steer clear, what are the shocks like today, or do they even make them now there are bags. Tell me do you still have shocks with bags, or what do you keep and lose with bags.
george.
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Hey George the airbags for the rear just go between the leaf springs & the chassis But the front go in where the coil springs are so you have to buy the DEAR ones with the shoco built in because there is nowhere to mount them elswhere Iv'e checked this out as I was going to use airbags you would have to modify the top mount to fit them This could be done if you had the whole front xmember out but I deemed it not worth the trouble Cheers Reid
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Reid,
Is it still roadworthy if there is no shock in the front? I read somewhere that you need to have a shock to assist the airbag?
With the airbags in the rear end I get where they go (between the centre of the leaf springs and the chassis) but I'm not
clear on what happens to the rear shocks? Do you still run shock absorbers in the rear?
(http://nsw.allair.com.au/images/products/ride-rite.jpg)
For the front I was thinking of doing something like this:
(http://www.hot-rod.com.au/images/DSC_4580.jpg)
(http://www.hot-rod.com.au/images/DSC_4579.jpg)
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what happens if u get a puncture?
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If you want to run air bags you don't run shocks or springs.
I was going to run air bags in my custom van, but it's not worth the price over height as you would really need to use a different front suspension. Drop spindles work out cheaper and are a lot easier of the rest of the stuff like balljoints, steering and suspension bushes.
but if you do want bags ...
for the rear, get rid of the leaf springs and use a 4 bar set up
for the front they just replace the front springs
air bags are extra thick, they been using them in truck rear suspensions for years, if for any reason they did get a hole you replace them
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You leave the rear shock in the standard position but the front needs the airbag with the shock built into them they are expensive I dont think you can use airbags without shocks
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We have a iveco furniture truck and that has full adjustable suspension front and rear and both the front and rear have shockers. Also never ever had a puncture or any other problem with the bags ever and it's used every day and runs interstate. Only problem we have had is shocker leaks on the rear but nothing bag related. If they are good enough and strong enough for a 20 tone furniture truck they shouldn't have a problem at all on your beddy
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for the rear, get rid of the leaf springs and use a 4 bar set up
Busy,
What is a '4 bar setup'? You got any pics?
Cheers
Jock
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I was given an estimate of about $3K to do it all....but that was from an employee, not the guy who does them.
(swb mind you)
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Jock, have a look here http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/rearsusp.htm (http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/rearsusp.htm) the second one down (47-'54 Chevy Trucks) is what it is - with a panhard rod
or do a search on google images for "4 bar rear suspension" for better images
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(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0026b.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0033a.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0016a.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0093A.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0041a.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0044a.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0083a.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0015a.jpg)
(http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/DSC_0080a.jpg)
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Hey jock, 2. Qs.
1. This 4 bar system, is that sort of what is in the late model landcruisers and late model cars ?
2. This install above, it's not a bedford is it.
I think i can see why my mechanic told me it was a big job, and he did'nt think it was worth us doing it. I guess now, if i was doing a lot of towing or loading up the rear axel, it probably is'nt worth us doing it, or unless i win lotto. lol ;D
george
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yeh is that chassis going under your beddy jock?
ben
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you can still use the leaf spring set up with air bags you just strip all the leaves out leaving the eye leaf in to locate the diff but remember they wont hold weight any more Cheers Neil
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how much was your bag kit jock?, where did u get it from?
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1. This 4 bar system, is that sort of what is in the late model landcruisers and late model cars ?
Not sure, Busy put me onto it.
2. This install above, it's not a bedford is it.
No it's not a bedford but you can see how it could be done to a Bedford.
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how much was your bag kit jock?, where did u get it from?
Dano,
I haven't bought a kit yet but that one was from an American site that Busy gave me the link to.
http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/rearsusp.htm (http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/rearsusp.htm)
Cheers
Jock
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yeh is that chassis going under your beddy jock?
Ben,
That chassis is from an unknown vehicle.
Jd
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Hey Jock, have a look HERE (http://www.mcdonaldbrosracing.com.au/suspension1.html)
Some good quality parts, and pretty well respected in the drag circles
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wont airbagging the front create havock with the wheel camber?
thus scrubbing out the edges of the tyres?
i think if u really want to airbag a beddy then u might need to build a chassis like merlin has and add from there.
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mty, with a standard setup you're probably right
with THIS (http://www.mcdonaldbrosracing.com.au/replacetubwish.html) or THESE (http://www.mcdonaldbrosracing.com.au/tubularwishbones.html) setups you have the ability to adjust the camber/caster
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wont airbagging the front create havock with the wheel camber?
thus scrubbing out the edges of the tyres?
i think if u really want to airbag a beddy then u might need to build a chassis like merlin has and add from there.
That is only if you drive with it dropped. I plan to drive with the bags inflated and deflate when parked.
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wont airbagging the front create havock with the wheel camber?
thus scrubbing out the edges of the tyres?
i think if u really want to airbag a beddy then u might need to build a chassis like merlin has and add from there.
That is only if you drive with it dropped. I plan to drive with the bags inflated and deflate when parked.
whats the point of airbagging it then, unless ur a midget?
to get in n out.
lol it will be like driveing a hovacraft, haha
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whats the point of airbagging it then, unless ur a midget? to get in n out.
My wife is a midget, this is the reason for the airbags. :D :D :D
lol it will be like driveing a hovacraft, haha
It will be like driving a bedford with modern day air suspension as opposed to past day leaf spings and shocks,
I think it will improve the ride significantly.
Cheers
Jock
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that makes sence then .
sounds like it will be well worth it , :)
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airbags would be ideal for johnno, did someone not say he was a bit short. lol ;D :o Hey jock, make sure you keep the pics coming on this job, cant wait to see it come together.
george.
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No worries George,
I am going to see a guy about it all next week to get some professional advice.
This is going to be a 'home' job so there will be plenty of pics and info posted on here.
Cheers
Jock
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G'Day Jock .I have had a bit to do with these air bag set ups (mainly in hotrods ) and have found them very wallowy (for want of a better word) and have had to fit firmer shocks so if its drivabillity you are after ie:cornering then I dont recommend you use them but if you just want a cruiser with attitude then go for it Cheers Neil
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Merlin,
I'm really just building a cruiser with attitude. Not up for outstanding handling!
It couldn't be any worse than the original setup right?
I was thinking of having the airbags supported with shock absorbers both front and back anyways...
Cheers
Jock
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Hey Goerge just want to clear up a misconception shockers DONT hold weight (unless airshocks ) im not saying you didnt know this but a lot of people assume they do .hope this helps Cheers Neil
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Hi Merlin, actually i thought the shocks did carry the weight along with the springs. So do they still make air shocks today, and are they an improvement on what was out in the 80s. I had them on a vehicle and they were always leaking, so ended up scrapping them. If i was to use them on the van, it would be to ajust the rake for shows or for towing. Because i will have an air compressor for the drivers seat, i can adjust at the shows.
george.