2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Air ride seats

[EricBu12]

I think this one would be ideal, it seems to be low enough and a similar style of seat for the pickup

http://www.kabseating.com/vehicle/product.asp?product=32&grouptype=range&rangeid=7

 

[geusterman]

Eric--I think the KAB 700's are too tall. The engineer from KAB whom I was talking to is working on a module and module/seat for the pickup market. There is only 8 inches from the butt part of our seat to the floor and not much room for the suspension. I did get a fax of another National seat with little wedge shaped bladders on both sides leaving room for electrics underneath. What I wonder is what kind of wrecking yard would have components compatible to our needs. A rare one, I imagine. George

 

[SOOT]

As a truck mechanic I really like this idea. I will look around and see what I can dig up.

 

[T-Ricky]

George,

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The air bags on my suspension are just like on large trucks. They actually roll inside themselves. The more load the more pressure. A height adjusting valve takes care of the air flow. The only real draw back that I have found is under hard acceleration the rear of the truck lifts more than with standard springs. This changes the angle of the rear wheels resulting in a slight adjustment of the direction the truck is going. It takes a couple of weeks before you become used to this situation.



The ride is much improved. The first day I had this truck I chipped a tooth driving on a fine N. M. road. With the air ride this same stretch is smooth.



Rick T.

 

[C. Harlan]

Hey... . try this website... it will stop all the Oo. in the seat, and make it more like ... ... go to www.4statetrucks.com, and click on the seats link when you look at the main menu... they have some Talladega LSO seats, that are LOOOOOOO Profile, basically made for mean lean, chicken haulin' mo'chines!! haha, anyways, they have some that I know will fit in there. . Take a gander and tell me what you think!! laters,



-Chris-

 

[geusterman]

Well, I was going to park my truck and drive it when I had to and buy a little diesel Passat for running around. That would mean a whole new car adventure and that costs time and money. I decided to make this new Dodge of mine a comfortable daily driver without spending a bunch.



The seats mentioned above (Telladaga) are Bostrom seats for mid and big cab trucks. None look useable especially with our seatbelts now coming out of the seats. We need to reuse our seats. National Seating actually has a low profile that looks the best I have seen yet, Models 196 Hi Back, 296 Intermediate and 296-H with headrest. Againg the seatbelts appear to be an issue (in what year I don't know). I will keep persueing the modular idea or finding and "rigging" a lowprofile base (perhaps from the models above) to my existing seats.



I am going to ask "afresh" about Mor/rydes. George

 

[HoleshotHolset]

George... you and I are in the same boat.



I'm REAL close to buying a VW tdi for use as a daily driver because of this trucks comfort or lack thereof.....



Matt

 

[hammersley]

Thought there was only One Seat......

These guys in my opinion make the best seat - http://www.hobostrom.com/en/ - and I think the low mount ones will work in our truck - unless you've got a tall trunk... ...

 

[geusterman]

Matt--I just passed on a 97 wagon in Connecticut with 43K miles for $14,500. Want it? I think we need to just keep researching this issue and find out how to make our trucks more liveable. It may be a Kelderman front and rear and/or air seats plus blankets on the engine. George

 

[HoleshotHolset]

That's low mileage for a '97... but the price is still a little high.

I can get a '00 or '01 Golf for less than that...



The engine noise doesn't bother me... . it's just the ride... . I've had folks ride/drive my truck that own quad cabs and say that mine is VERY harsh.



I did see a new '02 24-V quad cab for sale down the road... . it said $6000 off! Hrmmm..... maybe I should cross over to the overvalved side??!!



I'd like to go for a ride in a 2nd-Gen Ram with an better air-ride seat... . just to see if it's worth the effort... .



The VW option is still a strong contender... .



Matt

 

[MBurke]

IT WORKS!!!!!!

Ok... I am now finished. I installed an air seat in my truck. Works Great!!!!

I got a nice low profile bostrom base from a local junk yard, and some heavy bracket material at lowes. After about 4 hours, I had the thing designed and installed. I have aftermarket steelhorse seats, so I mounted my steelhorse drivers seat to the air base, cut the main bracket and rigid mounted the passenger. Looks stock, but makes a BIG difference!!!! I am now looking at a way for onboard air. I think I have it figured out!!!Oo.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Thanks for the update... . time for me to go to the junkyard!



Matt

 

[geusterman]

Good on ya, Mburke. Tell us when the air is going. There are little teensy weensy pumps for air seats (National) if you don't want an full air system--but you wanted Air Lockers too, right? Or an air ride suspension with Rancho's? With the seatbelt issue on the quad cabs we need to use an airbase. Which Bostrom base did you use and does it leave your seat in the same spot height wise? George

 

[geusterman]

Been thinking here after reviewing Ricky T's comments on his floater and that without an armrest his right arm is flopping up and down as his air seat goes up and down. My stock seats have no right arm rest and no place to reliably hook up my shoulder belts in the quadcab. I either have to bag resting my right arm or concentrate on air ride suspensions. Anybody have any thoughts on this? George

 

[MBurke]

Air is hooked up

I got the air hooked up... I just plumbed into my Air Ride.

I really don't have an issue with the arm rest. The seat, when properly set, doesn't travel that far, or that quickly. I am using my armrest, and have no problems at all.

It is the low profile Bostrom base. Pretty hard to find, really.

I had to make brackets out of hardened steel to get the angle just right, but it rides at stock height.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Pictures, video, audio... . we want media!



About the seat belt issue: The trucks I have seen only had a lap belt... and both ends of the belt attached to the seat... .



All you quad cab guys have to do is take your floor mounted seat belt mounts and bolt 'em to the underside of the seat... then the belt will ride with you... instead of putting you in a choke hold.



Matt

 

[MBurke]

seatbelts

I had no problems with the stock seatbelts in the stock locations... . You do however have to bolt the reciever end to the floor, since the frame is no longer there. Seatbelt movement is non existant..... You really don't move that far with a low profile base.

 

[geusterman]

Mburke--if the motion is that limited is it worth it for the effort? I would think a 4 inch movement would be a minimum. Maybe not? Tell us how it does in the bumps. George PS--thanks for the effort there!

 

[Fast 1]

Where a air ride seat really shines is the overpasses and bridges, it takes out the big bumps and the roller coasters. The travel on one is usually about an inch in either direction. Sometimes maybe up to 3 inches. If you put on alot of miles the difference is awesome. Over the an extended period it makes alot of difference. I had put one in my 97 3500 when it was new. and when I got my 2001 I had to put another one in it within the first week. It makes a big difference if your a hot shotter.



Verlyn Fast

 

[geusterman]

Hey Verlyn--what's a hotshotter? George