air bags and lift

[Archive]

I was wondering if you put air bags on the the back if you get any lift out of it. If I could get two inches then I would put some on the back and a spacer to raise the front 2 inches. Then I get the high stance that I want and it won't squat so bad when I put on my cattle trailer.

------------------
99,4x4,slt,3500,5spd,
black,hoswel bale bed,
blue box,sraightpipe,
K&N,silencer ring removed,5 star aluminum wheels,brushguard,
blackouts,eclipse stereo,
matrix blue headlight bulbs,blazer blue neon fog lights,

-- email address removed --

 

[Archive]

Hey Phil,
I think if you use the air bags for lift, it will make your truck ride too rough. I used a Rancho 2" spacer and lower link on the front of my 2500 and it sits perfectly level. When I hook on to my trailer though, the truck looks like its sagging in the back. I even had a guy ask if it was a half ton. If you use the spacers, I would definetly use air bags, but only for towing. Hope I've been some help.

------------------
99 quad cab,4x4,everything but leather,4. 10,2"Rancho lift,33" BFG muds,black sport,not bombed,YET!!

 

[Archive]

The problem is that my truck sits level now. If I added a spacer it would make the front sit higher all the time. My bed that is on my truck is a bale bed that is all steel and has 4 hydraulic cylinders. That's why it sits level.

------------------
99,4x4,slt,3500,5spd,
black,hoswel bale bed,
blue box,sraightpipe,
K&N,silencer ring removed,5 star aluminum wheels,brushguard,
blackouts,eclipse stereo,
matrix blue headlight bulbs,blazer blue neon fog lights,

-- email address removed --

 

[Archive]

Phil,
I have the Airlift bags (5000 lb. capacity)
and when I put the 5th wh. trailer on I air up the bags to bring the truck back up to the empty heighth. That equates to 45psi for my trailer. That works great and rides great.
You want the bags to be a lift kit and you might not be able to air them up enough to do the lifting AND carry more weight. Plus your truck would ride terrible empty even with the pressure necessary to raise the back 2". If I take my trailer off and forget to let the air out,the back end is about 2" higher and rides like a hay wagon.
I think you need a lift kit and then the bags to maintain the heighth when loaded. That's my 2 cents. Craig

------------------
97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, Banks, TST, AF942M Air filter, Gutted Cat, 4"From Turbo, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[Archive]

Hey Phil,
You could also try an add a leaf in the rear. The company that makes the suspension lift I purchased but have not installed yet has one that they say will raise the rear 3". With that heavy bed you might get 2" out of it and you can still use air bags.

------------------
99 quad cab,4x4,everything but leather,4. 10,2"Rancho lift,33" BFG muds,black sport,not bombed,YET!!

 

[Archive]

Hello, my truck has the 3" lift w/ the add a leafs, it still sags alot with more than say 1000lbs so I'm going to get airbags to keep it level. I've got alot of friends doing or have done the same with good luck. Hope this helps, Adam

------------------
'96 2500 4x4 3. 54 traclok,billit grill,blue head lights,tenzo blue fog lights,clear tail lights w/red bulbs,chrome front & rear dif covers, alumium bed rail covers and tailgate cover,3" stageII lift,35"BFG M/T's on alumium rims, Kenwood sterio system,tinted windows,westach 60lb boost/egt guage,NOS,bullydog LPG injection,360 degree K&N,"tweaked" pump, 4" exaust w/ flowmaster and a 5" tip, 119k, best performances to date=14. 41et@94. 7mph,328. 7hp w/out LPG,372. 2hp with, more on the way=HX40 w/ 18cm2,TST #10 w/ spring kit,thicker head gasker(lower compression), porting the head, and "killer B" injectors,cant wait to see them pherd guys jaws drop in shame HeHe. '98 Prostreet FXR,Kenny Boyce,96" S&S,Thunder Header,Metzler,!2. 10et@105mph

 

[Archive]

Thanks for all the info. Who has the best add on springs. I think the one that is supposed to raise it 3" will do two for me.

------------------
99,4x4,slt,3500,5spd,
black,hoswel bale bed,
blue box,sraightpipe,
K&N,silencer ring removed,5 star aluminum wheels,brushguard,
blackouts,eclipse stereo,
matrix blue headlight bulbs,blazer blue neon fog lights,

-- email address removed --

 

[Archive]

Phil,
I was told by a local spring shop that the air bags lead towards cracked frames. I have overload springs in the back on mine. They raise the rear to normal with a load in place (see signature). Makes the ride empty, a little rougher. They also advised against add a leaf, espeacially if you are going to put any kind of serious weight on.
Jack

------------------
1997 4x4, 3. 54 rear, 5 spd, red, vinyl floors.
Banks Stinger Plus, BD 4" cat back (minus muffler), K&N (not Scotty YET!), Delvac 1, Lund cold front, Shelf-it overhead storage system, CB mounted overhead like the BIG rigs!
Pull Trailswest 2 horse slant, 1972 8' Bell slide in camper (heavy son of a gun), Sylvan 1750 jon with 60/45 Merc. Jet prop, and one great hunting Black Lab

Check out my pics: http://communities. msn.com/BigRedDodge

 

[Archive]

I have spent some considerable time and effort into researching lift kits and air bag systems - and there compatability. There are companies out there that can ofer amazining systems, all operated from the cab, automated - you name it. Companies like Air Ride, Air Axe etc. , all provide these systems. In fact
if I dig through my notes, I will prob. find about 6 or 7 companies that offer this stuff.
There is some pretty advanced stuff out there, as the U. S. millitary has been messing around with Air Suspention Systems for some time and other "cutting edge" stuff (all for off and on road capabilities - they need the same kinds of equipment too!(IMHO)

Actually, it is not cutting edge stuff at all. It is just the application we are talking about that is relitively new to the public. I believe a major auto maker has been working with one such company on air ride systems (G. M. if I recall-I guess the are trying to catch up with DC!).

To make a long story longer, a quality lift combined with a quality air bag system will allow a caddy-like ride on the highway (loaded or unloaded) and can be "aired down" so you can drive empty in comfort, or play off road with your super flexy suspension system (lift kit).

If you are willing to; Do a little digging on your own for shops in your area that can do the work, Phone one or two of the leading (yes, there are several) companies that specialize in exactly what we are talking about, And then spend some money, you will have a "one h$%l of ride" (IMHO).

The Cannuck