Airbag suspension

[creative]

A thursday afternoon thought...


I was looking at airbag kits and was wondering if anyone runs them on a ute? If so, what did you choose and what is the ride like?

I really want to lower the ute but the cost of resetting leafs is putting me off and secondly i cant lower due to my new driveway. Airbags would be a good solution.

Also what are the legalities of them in NSW?

Tia!

[xisled]

How much is it to reset the leaf springs. An airbag kit is around $1200 for the back. You also need to remember that you will need to carry in the back of the Ute the compressor.

[Pepscobra]

I just put in a new set of King FOR-303SL leaf springs for about $600.

[creative]

My issue i have is i want to raise it when needed. Even stock height i scrape going into the garage and drive. If i get the best of both worlds this way so i would rather sink the $$ that i would on leaf springs and front springs into a bag system.

[The Yeti]

Bags ride like crap, I mean they really are harsh

Carrols springs re set and if you take the springs in you'll get change from $200

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Bags ride like crap, I mean they really are harsh

Its more down to the set up then the bags them selves.




IF you are to bag a Falcon ute, you would most likely have to go for a mono leaf setup, where on leaf on each side is retained as a locator for the diff. My mate had a Rodeo done like this, and it was quite rough.

You can get kits for the likes of Hiluxs etc, that use Airbags as extra support, yet retain all the leaves, the ride quality is considerably better.

Perhaps you could use a combination of reset leaves, and airbags. That way you arnt using the bags to lower it, only to raise it when needed. Just an idea, you wont be able to air it out and drop it, but if you get the springs set at a nice height that's all you'll want any way.


A good 4 link set up can ride good, as long as the bags are set at a good pressure level. When aired all the way out its just crap...

Expensive too...and a pain for engineering...

[creative]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Its more down to the set up then the bags them selves.




IF you are to bag a Falcon ute, you would most likely have to go for a mono leaf setup, where on leaf on each side is retained as a locator for the diff. My mate had a Rodeo done like this, and it was quite rough.

You can get kits for the likes of Hiluxs etc, that use Airbags as extra support, yet retain all the leaves, the ride quality is considerably better.

Perhaps you could use a combination of reset leaves, and airbags. That way you arnt using the bags to lower it, only to raise it when needed. Just an idea, you wont be able to air it out and drop it, but if you get the springs set at a nice height that's all you'll want any way.

Hmmm hadnt thought of that way... Thanks.

Whats the deal with legality in NSW? If it involves engineering aswell, i may just pass and leave it stock and go mental with a stereo install!

[mik]

dunno if you can still get them , but in the old days you could buy air shockers, they used to sell them in speed shops , with optional compressor controller from the cab, or the manual system with the schroeder valve mounted near the number plate or your choice to pump up at the servo, they did`nt work to bad imo.

[mickbundy]

Originally Posted by mik

dunno if you can still get them , but in the old days you could buy air shockers, they used to sell them in speed shops , with optional compressor controller from the cab, or the manual system with the schroeder valve mounted near the number plate or your choice to pump up at the servo, they did`nt work to bad imo.

Nah they are the old technology that we used lol. That is not hectic or fully *** for the kids today it has to be bagged

[XP6]

Originally Posted by mickbundy

Nah they are the old technology that we used lol. That is not hectic or fully *** for the kids today it has to be bagged

All the "Cool kids" use to use them at one stage

[79da]

G'day. Air bags on a mono leaf. Station wagon leaf should fit. Did in X series. Saves on reset cost ($250 approx). Give a lot softer ride when ute is empty. Ebay have air bag kits for sale. I'm reakoning on spending $500 for my pakage which is leaves and bags. I do a lot of klms in a mostly empty ute. Also like the idea of keeping my factory springs in case I want to return back to standard settings. A mate of mine has them fitted on his ute. So much more comfortable on country roads. You don't need a compressor. If he's got a load on thats heavey he just goes to the servo or pulls out his 12v tyre inflater and pumps em up. Cool as. Sits and rides smick without air when empty.

Reset leaves that are lowerer are harsher in ride. Typical of any ute though, they ride better with a load on.

Cannot see any legalties with air bags. Pumps ups though???

[grandpa_spec_F6]

My first car was used by my grandfather for towing (VK Commodore) and he had 'airbag suspension' in the rear, little valve that allowed you to pump up or lower the rear suspension while retaining the springs.

Might not be great for a 'flick the switch to drive into the garage' type scenario but worth a thought.

[mik]

Originally Posted by mickbundy

Nah they are the old technology that we used lol. That is not hectic or fully *** for the kids today it has to be bagged

yep gotta be bagged and slammed lol.