ABOUT AIR RIDE....Is it just me or... - Lateral-g Forums

Leadfoot1 · #1 09-07-2014, 08:50 PM

....there was a time not long ago when it was starting to get accepted and even started to get used quite a bit on projects as it was finally proven it can perform as well as c/o's, offer a super nice ride AND offers suspension adjustability at your fingertips?

Only now, if im not mistaken, i dont see air ride beeing talked about much? Even the main company that offers them has (seems) started to push its c/o's more than its air line of products?

Im starting to look at the possibilities to put under my newly decided to jump into project and always liked the air ride set ups versatility and altough i have not had the chance to ride an air ride car, many close friends have and all agree on how smooth it is. So, thinking of running either 18/19 or 19/20 wheels on my car has me thinking air couls smooth the ride out for my old a$$ but then...

I realized the subject line.

What do you think? Am i right? Or have i missed on some projects going with air shocks lately?

'Listening...

Lead.

**Ketzer** · #2 09-08-2014, 05:35 AM

It's not just you. Same thoughts.
I have a Nova that is more resto-mod but I've made it handle better with newer suspension and coil-overs. I also have a 54 wagon that I am building that's on Shockwaves/bags. I want the Nova to ride kinda stiff and track flat with very little body roll. I want the wagon to be more of a cruiser and ride nice and soft but not handle like a 70s Buick.

Interested also in hearing everyone's thoughts.

mitch_04 · #3 09-08-2014, 06:06 AM

I think part of it could have been heavy advertising to "let it be known" about air bags. Now that it's "known" they don't push it as much.

Just a thought...

Vegas69 · #4 09-08-2014, 07:49 AM

Events like the Optima Challenge have changed the landscape where guys are going for every last fraction of an inch in performance. Which you achieve with coil overs.

Air ride is a fine choice for most around here. Me, I'd rather not have the extra sources for failure. Give me a shock and a spring. Not a racing shock on a pro touring car, either.

Code510 · #5 09-08-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Me, I'd rather not have the extra sources for failure.

Just remember that all the big rigs on the road are all on air ride.

I've been on air ride for 11 years now and haven't had a problem. I wouldn't ever go back to any sort of coil system either. I love that I can have this car ride like a Caddy, but then perform like a road race car with the push of a button.

I think it just takes a little more thought up front than slapping in a coil over or anything like that.

And completely throwing performance aside...nothing looks as bad ass as a car sitting on the ground.

Vegas69 · #6 09-08-2014, 05:43 PM

When I see it in Nascar, you'll have me sold.

ccracin · #7 09-08-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

When I see it in Nascar, you'll have me sold.

If that's the criteria, why is everyone spending so much money on coil overs?

**bret** · #8 09-08-2014, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

When I see it in Nascar, you'll have me sold.

Believe me, if it was legal they'd be using it...or some sort of adjustable suspension.

If you perceive that you've not heard as much about air suspension as you used to, please blame me solely.

It is a typical business practice to offer the most promotional effort to your newest products. We launched the coil over line in 2010 and have proceeded to promote that new product line heavily. Since there are only so many promotional dollars to go around, the money we spend on promoting coil overs cannot be spent on air suspension products (or any other product).

If you have ever seen our 66 Chevelle, it is still on ShockWaves. So is Smittys C10 that has been very successful in the Goodguys and Optima series. So is my 69 Mustang. And many other vehicles that may not create the headlines.

I think because I chose to promote our new coil over line via the last two major projects (48 Hour Camaro and my 33Ford) that we've somehow abandoned the air suspension market. In reality, as wildly successful as our coil over line has become, our air suspension sales are still the large majority of our sales..And continue to grow.

Another cool thing about our ShockWaves is that the air spring and the coil over are completely interchangeable. This means that if you start out with coilovers, you can upgrade to ShockWaves just by removing the coil and replacing with the airspring. We've work quite hard over the last 3-4 years making all this stuff compatible.

Look for some headline making cars and trucks on air suspension next year...and beyond. Air suspension is still an unfair advantage

Leadfoot1 · #9 09-08-2014, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bret

Believe me, if it was legal they'd be using it...or some sort of adjustable suspension.

If you perceive that you've not heard as much about air suspension as you used to, please blame me solely.

It is a typical business practice to offer the most promotional effort to your newest products. We launched the coil over line in 2010 and have proceeded to promote that new product line heavily. Since there are only so many promotional dollars to go around, the money we spend on promoting coil overs cannot be spent on air suspension products (or any other product).

If you have ever seen our 66 Chevelle, it is still on ShockWaves. So is Smittys C10 that has been very successful in the Goodguys and Optima series. So is my 69 Mustang. And many other vehicles that may not create the headlines.

I think because I chose to promote our new coil over line via the last two major projects (48 Hour Camaro and my 33Ford) that we've somehow abandoned the air suspension market. In reality, as wildly successful as our coil over line has become, our air suspension sales are still the large majority of our sales..And continue to grow.

Another cool thing about our ShockWaves is that the air spring and the coil over are completely interchangeable. This means that if you start out with coilovers, you can upgrade to ShockWaves just by removing the coil and replacing with the airspring. We've work quite hard over the last 3-4 years making all this stuff compatible.

Look for some headline making cars and trucks on air suspension next year...and beyond. Air suspension is still an unfair advantage

Bret, thanks for chiming in.

I am starting on a new (really, it is like new lol!!) '69 Camaro w/only 48k miles, its mint! Not a beast by any means... Yet! As its an all orig car that i have had a hard time coming to decide to modify its so nice and original. (It was /is 100% matching and was never tempered with) but yes, i did decide recently that it was "MY"car and it deserved the best i could offer it.... Er, I mean, offer myself!!!!

I had bought an Air Bar back in 2005, (long time ago, i know, but when i received the parts, i had put everything on my bran new, nice wood kitchen table to take pics for everyone on here to see and you had made comments about it and we talked about my wife better not be knowing about it lol!! Anyway, it was funny.... long time ago already lol!!) and i did put it on my super project back then and had finally ended up turning around and making a "fastest street car" style car out of the project and had ended up selling everything i had purchased to Pro Tour it (lots of hi po parts, especially back then) and my Air Bar was part of the lot (altough it was the last thing i sold).

I now feel like i always wanted to try an air ride system and that now the time has come. That's what got me looking at the latest projects on here hoping to see what was going on with the crowd and thats when i noticed there was a lot less talking about Air Ride then i remembered...

My car is a gold on black '69 Camaro w/black vinyl top and i just decided to run black 2013 style ZR-1 wheels (kinda like on 'Jackass' / Charley 's car, but black, to complement my vinyl top and hockey stripe!) and the idea to be able to lay the car over those monster wheels and tires is just soooo sweet in my mind!!!

Hey, you know, having revived Air Ride, if your looking for a new face to showcase your stuff.... I would gladly wave the flag!!!

Again, thanks for coming in to tell us about it,

Mario/ Lead.

**130fe** · #10 09-08-2014, 06:18 PM

I have had the ridetech air suspension on my car and now have their coil overs. I drove the air stuff for about 3 years and I liked it a lot. I am in the finishing stages of major changes to my car and the conversion to the coil suspension was one of them (easy especially since I already had the front and rear brackets in place). I just wanted to simplify things overall.

In my opinion there might be 3 things that sway people towards the coil over system- price, simpler components and space.

Price- comparing a level 2 system, a complete coil system is $4100 and the similar air system is $6250 (ridetech website prices).

Simpler components- the air system has more moving parts including the air lines, the sensor wiring, air compressors and the air tank. The coil over system just has the coil and spring.

Space- having a first gen camaro, trunk space is tight to begin with. If you have ever done a long trip like a power tour (I have done 3), you find out that when you starting putting things in it, it fills up pretty quick. I had the air system with 2 compressors and a 5 gallon tank. I could have gotten by with the smaller tank but I got a good deal on the one I had. i had it configured similar to the air pod and it took up a good portion of the forward space of the trunk. The coil system doesn't take and trunk space.

The air system drove great! I don't have any feedback on the coil over other than a couple of drives around the block. I am a big fan of Ridetech and their products and they put out an excellent product. Either way, I don't think you will go wrong.