Who is good with Airbag suspension??

[spastic_chicken]

Today I came across a really good deal on a set of air bags. The problem is, I'm airbag retarded. These bags may be a bit too much for a hearse. I'm hoping one of you here knows about bags that might be able to help me. The bags are Firestone 1T14C-1's. Apparently they are an ideal choice for busses. I eventually want to bag the hearse so it sits damn near close to the ground. My initial thought about these bags is that they would be good if I want to LIFT it, but not really for lowering. Also it looks like these bags need a great deal of pressure. Right now I have 2 bags (for the back, I'll definately need a smaller bag for up front), but I thought about getting another set so I could trade someone for smaller bags that I need for the hearse. Can you tell me what you think?

Here are the stats to the bags:

http://airpicker.com/pdfs/industrial/datasheets/IMPERIAL_PDF/EMDG_1t14c-1.pdf

[BIGEVIL]

Yeah Bro,
Those are way too big. The bags we need don't need that cone in the center. You would want to use 2,600# bags in the front, and depending on your set up 1,000-2,500# in the rear.

Check out www.airbagit.com or www.airridetechnologies.com

Does your coach have coil or leaf springs in the rear?

[spastic_chicken]

Leafs.

This is going on a 72 Superior.

[BIGEVIL]

My 1st hearse (1970) was done by completely removing the coil springs up front and replacing them with 2500# bags. I should have gone with 2600# though. It would take just over 100psi to lift the front.
The rear was done by removing 2 leafs out of each spring, 3" lowering blocks, cutting notches in the frame (and reinforcing it) for axle clearance, and putting much smaller bags just inboard of the leafs.

[R U INJRD]

Air Ride Technologies is probably the best resource as far as finding the proper bag for your application. There prices are usually higher, but they do really know what they are doing.

A good place to buy equipment from is www.suicidedoors.com , although they are more into mini trucks they do have a good selection of bags and compressor systems from a lot of different manufacturers at the best prices you will find online.

I tend to stay away from www.airbagit.com , which is a division of AIM/Chassis Tech. On the surface they seem to have rock bottom prices, but if you do a little research you will discover a lot of unhappy customers. They tend to bottom-dollar a lot of equipment that ultimately goes into critical applications on your vehicle, which is never good.

Dean at the PCS is a good person to talk to as well. His 60 Chevy is fully bagged. Your better off doing a little research and getting the right thing rather than trying to make swap meet equipment fit the bill.

[Riff Raff]

The rear was done by removing 2 leafs out of each spring, 3" lowering blocks, cutting notches in the frame (and reinforcing it) for axle clearance, and putting much smaller bags just inboard of the leafs.

Can this be done by just removing leaves and using airbags? I want to bag my 71 but don't want to get into heavy mods. It doesn't have to lay frame just be able to go low and still raise for speed bumps and stuff.

[BIGEVIL]

The front can be just as involved as the rear. If your just wanting a better ride height, I would cut a couple of coils off of the front springs and put blocks in the rear and call it good.
If your going to spend all the time, money and effort doing air ride, go "all out".

[spastic_chicken]

Big, did you 4 link yours?

[BIGEVIL]

No, not at all. I used the exisiting springs like I described earlier. I just didn't want to risk changing the geometry of an 8000lb car. With the bag over leaf system, it only took 35 lbs of pressure to lift the rear, and it would still lay frame. I did have to C-notch the frame however.

[hearseballer]

Yeah Bro,
Those are way too big. The bags we need don't need that cone in the center. You would want to use 2,600# bags in the front, and depending on your set up 1,000-2,500# in the rear.

Check out www.airbagit.com or www.airridetechnologies.com

Does your coach have coil or leaf springs in the rear?

both of these sites sell shitty quality parts. i can give u shops that will agree. ive had bags on my 92 caddi federal. so if u have any questions feel free. and i can give u some names for some people that can hook u up with help and parts.

my hearse had:

engine driven york
slam specialties re7s in the front
universal air suspension 13" power house bags in the back
12 gallon air tank (use to have 2 slim 5 gallons
4 1/2" smc valves for fills and 3/8" smc for dumbs
1/2 air lines and fittings
back up compressor was a 380 viair
hearse could hop a few inches and 3 wheel

if you go to you tube you can see my hearse with the airbags, (hearseman85)


hit up airassisted.com for deals and all the help you can ever want. ask for rob or kevin and tell them hearse from layitlow sent u

[R U INJRD]

both of these sites sell shitty quality parts.

I'd agree with you on airbagit.com, but I don't see how you could apply that statement to Air Ride Technologies. They probably have the best equipment and engineering out there. The problem is you will pay for it. Their prices are way more expensive for comparable equipment, but they will go out of their way to engineer something that will correctly fit your vehicle and last for years. I would love to outfit all my vehicles with ART gear, but I can't afford it in most cases. The stuff I've picked up used of theirs is flawless in fit, finish and quality.

[hearseballer]

air ride technologies is the same as airbagit. same parts bad quality. im part of a lowrider car site and nothing ever has been posted good for either whether it be parts or customer service

[BIGEVIL]

air ride technologies is the same as airbagit

I thought airbagit was part of chassis tech just outside of Phoenix.

[hearseballer]

I thought airbagit was part of chassis tech just outside of Phoenix.

just did some back tracking i was wrong with the air ride tech being garbage. but they still charge way to much for there stuff

[R U INJRD]

Part of the problem is that a year ago Air Ride Technologies website was www.ridetech.com . The guys at AIM/Chassis Tech decided to register the website www.airridepro.com for their air suspension division, which confused people into thinking they were dealing with Air Ride Technologies. Air Ride Technologies filed lawsuits for patent and trademark infringement (for their Shockwave line of products) and ultimately settled out of court. Part of the agreement was that AIM/Chassis tech would use less misleading advertising and names. Now AIM/Chassis tech has the websites airbagit.com and streetridepro.com for their air suspension products.

Google "AIM Industries" if you want to read about bad customer service. AIM Industries, Chassis Tech, Airbagit and Streetridepro are all the same company.

If you are looking for low priced, quality no frills air suspension equipment I always direct people to www.suicidedoors.com . Everything I have gotten from them has been exactly what it was described as, and if they don't have something they can probably make it for you if you give them a few specifications. They also have good prices on some major brands as well.