...

Go Back   Lateral-g Forums > Lateral-G Open Discussions > Open Discussion
User Name
Password



Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-08-2022, 09:12 AM
ModernMuseum ModernMuseum is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 139
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Anyone ever go with Air Ride and then think, nah, this isn't for me?

I've been kicking around the idea of going with a RideTech air bag setup for about 10 years now on my LS3 powered 69 firebird: front/rear, 4-link, the works on my stock front sub-frame with sub-frame connectors. At about $10k-ish, this is a hard pill to swallow. I think is really the only way to get the ride height that I want (at least when parked): which is the front fender slighly over the wheel.

It seems that most people are happy with these setups, but I'm wondering if there are any outliers here who have done it but then went a different way.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-08-2022, 09:31 AM
dontlifttoshift's Avatar
dontlifttoshift dontlifttoshift is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Beach Park. IL
Posts: 928
Thanks: 10
Thanked 168 Times in 100 Posts
Default

I take off more airbags than I put on. Reasons for removal include but not limited to:

-Customer doesn't know how it works so car is eating tires, always sitting crooked, or rides terrible

-Leaks in system

-Something rubbed on a bag and it burst causing a pucker moment while driving

-Tired of the complexity

It is usually less expensive to install coilovers than to rework a botched install with subpar parts so that is what happens.


90% of the problems can be solved with a well thought out and executed installation along with an educated user that understands what is happening. You can skip the education if you spend the money for a very good control system that measures ride height and bag pressure so that all you have to worry about is pushing a button.
__________________
Donny

Support your local hot rod shop!
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to dontlifttoshift For This Useful Post:
camcojb (06-08-2022), DBasher (06-09-2022), jarhead (07-11-2022)
  #3  
Old 06-08-2022, 03:50 PM
ModernMuseum ModernMuseum is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 139
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift View Post
I take off more airbags than I put on. Reasons for removal include but not limited to:

-Customer doesn't know how it works so car is eating tires, always sitting crooked, or rides terrible

-Leaks in system

-Something rubbed on a bag and it burst causing a pucker moment while driving

-Tired of the complexity

It is usually less expensive to install coilovers than to rework a botched install with subpar parts so that is what happens.


90% of the problems can be solved with a well thought out and executed installation along with an educated user that understands what is happening. You can skip the education if you spend the money for a very good control system that measures ride height and bag pressure so that all you have to worry about is pushing a button.
Thanks for the info; I think by nature I'm exempt from most of those. I guess one can never completely be clear of something penetrating the bladder while driving down the road.

I've heard that air ride systems are more "bouncy" going down the road compared to a standard spring/shock setup. Is this generally true with an advanced air bag system?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-08-2022, 06:42 PM
Musclerodz's Avatar
Musclerodz Musclerodz is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: washington, ok
Posts: 4,273
Thanks: 22
Thanked 159 Times in 93 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ModernMuseum View Post
Thanks for the info; I think by nature I'm exempt from most of those. I guess one can never completely be clear of something penetrating the bladder while driving down the road.

I've heard that air ride systems are more "bouncy" going down the road compared to a standard spring/shock setup. Is this generally true with an advanced air bag system?
They shouldn't be if properly set up. That includes shock valving, pressure settings, proper height AND bag type, etc.
__________________
Mike Redpath
Musclerodz & Customz
facebook page
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-08-2022, 07:40 PM
ataves1's Avatar
ataves1 ataves1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 87
Thanks: 7
Thanked 37 Times in 16 Posts
Default Yes

Yes, I hated it for a bit. I installed an Accuair Endo CVT system with Ridetech bags and adjustable shocks on a 70 El Camino. The amount of trimming to the front spring pocket is a lot, snipping up the inner fenders to fit around the shocks is a pain. Running air lines and wiring to all 4 corners is a little tough to make tidy. Out of nowhere CVT failed and Accuair went tits up. Sucked. I have since did a body off resto on the car and was able to tidy everything up and swapped the compressor in the tank to dual externals. I like it now. The ride is excellent and you can drive and park pretty low. Having the ability to lift the nose at will to avoid dragging is really good. Good thing to have around the shop is some Schrader valves to manually fill the bags if the car is in op. Aired out with no compressor and that thing isn’t moving. Also be aware of tire to fender clearance and anything under the car because it will leak down and touch it. I think everything looks good low.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-08-2022, 08:36 PM
zz430droptop67rs's Avatar
zz430droptop67rs zz430droptop67rs is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 256
Thanks: 155
Thanked 70 Times in 41 Posts
Default

No problems here, other than if it sits over a month it might leak down a little.

This is on a 67 Chevelle.



Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-09-2022, 08:38 AM
Ketzer's Avatar
Ketzer Ketzer is offline
Lateral-g Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Eads, TN.
Posts: 1,403
Thanks: 299
Thanked 140 Times in 97 Posts
Default

My air ride project isn't driving yet so I can't comment on the ride part, but I can add a few things... I'm running the Ridetech stuff, compressor, controller, bags, and adjustable shocks. I also upgraded to the height position sensors at all four corners.

It's not hard to figure the system out but there is no denying it is a lot of stuff. Where you package the tank and compressors, air lines to each corner, wiring to each corner...you wind up with a bunch of potential failure points. Its 100% how much effort you put into the install.

I also built bump stops into the frame on mine so that even when it's completely aired out (or I have a bag/line failure) the vehicle still rolls and I can ease off the road or on to a trailer/wrecker. Of course that means my project won't sit all the way on the ground at shows but thats a trade off I was willing to accept over being stranded.

Mine isn't even on the road yet and I'm not sure I would do it again... just strictly because of the complexity of the system.

Jeff-
__________________
You remind me of the timing on a turbo engine...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Ketzer For This Useful Post:
camcojb (06-09-2022)
  #8  
Old 06-09-2022, 03:03 PM
ModernMuseum ModernMuseum is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 139
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Great info. Definitely something to think about with the additional complexity and failure points.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-09-2022, 03:27 PM
ModernMuseum ModernMuseum is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 139
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ataves1 View Post
Yes, I hated it for a bit. I installed an Accuair Endo CVT system with Ridetech bags and adjustable shocks on a 70 El Camino. The amount of trimming to the front spring pocket is a lot, snipping up the inner fenders to fit around the shocks is a pain. Running air lines and wiring to all 4 corners is a little tough to make tidy. Out of nowhere CVT failed and Accuair went tits up. Sucked. I have since did a body off resto on the car and was able to tidy everything up and swapped the compressor in the tank to dual externals. I like it now. The ride is excellent and you can drive and park pretty low. Having the ability to lift the nose at will to avoid dragging is really good. Good thing to have around the shop is some Schrader valves to manually fill the bags if the car is in op. Aired out with no compressor and that thing isn’t moving. Also be aware of tire to fender clearance and anything under the car because it will leak down and touch it. I think everything looks good low.
I see you're a fellow firebird owner. Do you have any photos of it lowered / standard ride height, etc?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-09-2022, 04:59 PM
214Chevy's Avatar
214Chevy 214Chevy is offline
Lateral-g Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DALLAS, Texas
Posts: 4,541
Thanks: 283
Thanked 536 Times in 338 Posts
Default

I don't have air ride, but I have a buddy who owns a shop and he said without a doubt that INSTALLATION is the key to a likeable/enjoyable system. He said if you don't install it correctly with quality lines, fittings, etc...you'll hate it and think it's the system. He further states that most people try and cheap out on the install and that's where they wind up with a shoddy system. Cheap air bags, lines, fittings and other parts coupled with a crappy, poor installation job is a nightmare waiting to happen.
__________________
'68 C10 swb
'69 Camaro convertible
'72 Chevelle

Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net