The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Big bolt on air ride?

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has ever put on of these big bolts on complete air suspension using the stock frame and axles? Want to do this to my '54 2 ton stake, maybe turn it into a small toy hauler and would look wicked slammed.

Thanks

It wouldn't be that hard to do. Back in the 80's, we converted a lot of spring ride to air ride. Trucks are almost all on air ride now, and when I buy wrecked trucks for parts, I usually just scrap the suspension.

Now my question is how? 4 link front I beam and 4 link the rear diff?

How much do you want to spend. If you want to buy new, these are good ones.

http://www.watsonsuspensions.com/Truck/Drive-Axles

I have been using their trailer suspensions and lift axles for almost 30 years.

Also try kelderman.com
They have a number of suspensions suited for 1 ton and a little larger "pickup trucks" which would be sized about right for our old 2 tons. I had been eyeballing one of their systems a few years ago that had 4 links borrowed from semi trailer suspension which are cheap and easy to replace and very robust, and a 5th link over the axle, and 2 smaller air bags per side.

For the front axle I'm not sure how you can really do full air ride and how it wold be worthwhile, there is just not much room at all. look how close the axle and springs are to the frame now, if you want it "slammed" then you don't have much room to play with.
Here's how I added air helpers on the front of mine
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XhpxTSOlop6_8t-sRPk_rNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
can't seem to find a picture of it instaled, but I have an extra 2" of room to work with from stock because of the axle (2" drop) and custom springs to make up that 2" and get it back to stock height.

Here are my rear air helper springs
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XTzkG6xsrAUBw5N5PhhG8tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Thank you very much for all the responses and useful links! Definitely gives me a plan.

I built a 4 bar system similar to Kelderman's, semi rear track bars as has already been stated, got 5th bar, cut in half, put 1" rod in the. Middle, bent to match diff., for track bar. Track bars were about $40. Ea, quite reasonable. Ends are .875" ID, got moly impregnated nylon to bush down to .750" easier to get .750" bolts. Used 2 bags off a semi 4 bag system. This for 1.5 ton capacity truck. 4-53T, RTO, Brownie, D-80.

I designed and built a double triangulated 4 link with bags on my 66 L60. It is all custom I could not find anything premade that was big enough except the 1 1/4" heim joints and the airbags. Heres some pics.

http://lamebot.com/Progress/2012-11-10_16-15-14_608.jpg
http://lamebot.com/Progress/2012-11-10_16-14-59_126.jpg
http://lamebot.com/Progress/2012-11-05_17-50-05_422.jpg

Nice, clean job.

thanks for the pics jake45! looks wicked. could i bug ya to post pics of what you did for the front end??

thank you

I have not tackled the front yea but I plan on only removing some leafs and having the springs re/over arched to give it a softer ride. I was wanting to do air ride but I feel like I will not have enough room under there for all the parts need. Ill be in my new shop next year and I plan on doing that soon as I move in so I post here with some kind of update when it happens.

That would be much appreciated if you could do that. Or lemme know if you start a post with pics of it. Thanks