Table of contents:
How To Install Air Bags Suspension – SKU: 24463 Category: Autobooks Tags: How to Bag a Car, How to Install Air Ride Suspension Systems, Hydraulic Suspension, Kevin Whipps, Low Riders
Air suspension is expensive, difficult to install, and complicated to figure out. But that was years ago. Today, thanks to kits made for all makes and models of car and truck and the popularization of automatic leveling kits, getting a vehicle on the ground is easier than ever. With a properly installed air ride suspension, you can set your ride height where you like it, keep your ride on the asphalt when you want it to, and rip corners like you’re driving a slot car. But here’s the most important part: it’s just plain fun.
How To Install Air Bags Suspension
Having a vehicle with an air bag is not restricted to one vehicle class or another. Although it first became popular on mini trucks, it soon caught on to street rods, cars, motorcycles, and even traditional lowriders embraced the scene. Because if earlier adjustable suspensions had problems, air ride setups are often cleaner and easier to maintain. It all depends on how it is installed and managed.
Uas Vs Air Demand Suspension
In How to Install Air Ride Suspension Systems, air ride veteran Kevin Whipps walks you through everything you need to know about installing air suspension on just about anything. After going through the basics of each component, he explains how everything works together in easy-to-understand terms that make it simple even for the mechanically challenged. After all, you’ll know more about air suspension than you thought and have a clear idea of what you need to do to bag your ride. When lowering a lowrider to the pavement, there are hydraulic suspensions. Traditionally installed on all lowriders for over 50 years. As that era or history of custom-applied “hydraulic lifts” began, General Motors was also introducing air suspensions as standard equipment on their ’57 Cadillac Eldorado. The purpose of air suspension was, then and still is, to raise and lower the vehicle to provide a smooth and consistent ride quality.
Air ride suspensions are becoming more popular today as they are customized for every application from street roads, trucks, SUVs, bombs and classic lowriders. Air ride suspension systems basically have small electric air compressors (like VIAIR) that pressurize an on-board air tank/reservoir that stores compressed air to fill air springs (bags) to raise or lower the vehicle to a certain height. .
The installation and configuration of these systems are different for different makes and models, but the basic principle is the same. The vehicle’s original metal spring (coil or leaf) is removed and an airbag, also known as an air spring, is fitted or fabricated in place of the factory spring. Adjustable suspension allows vehicles to sit very low, yet be raised high enough to overcome obstacles and irregularities in paved surfaces. When you release air through the valves in an air suspension system, the bags decompress, allowing the vehicle’s suspension to lower to a certain point depending on where the installer decides where the vehicle’s limits go. This change allows the user to make adjustments (higher or lower) by pressing an electric button or switch.
In this Suspension Tech article we install a quality air ride suspension system on a 1968 Chevy Impala Super Sport just to show you how such systems are basically installed. We’re not really comparing old-school hydraulic suspensions to “new-school” airbag technology in this article, because if you spend the same amount of money to buy a hydraulic suspension or an air ride suspension, there won’t be much of a difference. Either travel comfort.
Cadillac 1963 1964 Complete Air Ride Suspension Kit 3/8“ Manifold Bags 480 Black
When applied hydraulically with front and rear shocks and properly rated coils they are comparable to the ride comfort of air suspensions. The only differences between the two worlds are the six batteries, two 5-gallon air tanks, oil leaks and air leaks. In the end, it doesn’t really matter because they both leak, and yes, the system gets a little messy when one does.
The most important thing about modified suspensions is that you have quality products and the right person to install the system. We all know there are plenty of installers out there who give both suspension worlds a bad name. When it comes down to it, which suspension to choose is your choice. The important thing is that your ride achieves maximum ride comfort and lies flat on the ground. Follow along as we pull out only the best tools in the bolt-on air suspension install so this super sport locks up and rests on a cloud.
D.O.T. The cleanest most reliable valve on the market with approved fittings. Eliminates loose wires. 200 psi for millions of cycles.
1. To begin this air ride installation, remove the front and rear rear shocks and coil springs from the vehicle so it can be lined up and measured for adjustments needed for brackets and airbag placement.
Tesla Model 3 Air Suspension
2. Universal airbags and the mounting brackets shown here were chosen because these air springs only go up high and the balloon doesn’t pop out and rubs against your hands like other bags. No welding or modifications to the frame are required as this is a bolt-on kit
3. This is a view of the mounted air spring and bracket with the air fittings installed.
4. Here’s a view of the rear universal double-curved air spring that includes the bracket, which rises to 11 inches when fully extended and compresses to two inches. It makes a lot of fun!
5. Dave Engle (Engle Bros Metal Fab) applies his skills to making a special template for the front air spring mount and lower A-arm bracket. This change was necessary because the ’68 Super Sport had the “RideTech” suspension equipped.
How Much Does Air Suspension Cost?
6. This picture shows the result of the lower A-arm mount receiving a custom mounted level and flat mount to bolt the lower air spring.
7-8. Dave installs the front air spring and mounts the bracket to the Super Sport’s front A-arm housing.
10-11. The rear air spring is set here and then the rear axle spring is attached to the saddle.
12. A view of the rear air spring broken down to allow measurements of the shock absorber mounting bracket specifications.
How To Install Air Ride Suspension Systems
15-16. QA1 shock absorber installed. The best shock to use for air or hydraulic suspension installs. It is a must for complete ride comfort, stability and handling support.
17. The complete air suspension setup is shown here. VIAIR 480 dual chrome compressors and a very cool-looking specialty air tank mounted atop Dynamat Xtreme sound deadening sheets applied to the trunk floor. This aluminum-coated, heat-resistant adhesive sheet material keeps out heat and noise.
