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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | That looks like a nice front suspension, what kind of bus, it doesn't look all that big? Here's how I put air springs on my AD truck http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2324065910080251109mrqkVsPretty simple to do, still have the leaf springs but they are weak enough that the bags bottom out with no pressure in them. Grigg | | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 | Its a 2001 Bluebird, its actually kind of a big bus. Its used to transport criminals/aliens bcuz it has stainless steel seats and cages. I think its a nice setup
How does your truck ride with the airbags inflated? | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Seems like it rides nice what little I've driven it, but it's not really on the road yet.
I wasn't so much looking for airbags like many folks do, to make it low or a smooth ride... I simply wanted helper springs to get it back up to ride height and have some adjustment for different loads. They do that, now if the ride is really nice because of it that's an added bonus.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | Watson and Chalin used to make them, but I don't see them in their catalog anymore. It looks like a Watson and Chalin unit. Ridewell still makes a unit like this. http://www.ridewellcorp.com/Web/Site.nsf/ID/RAS238 | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 | I would assume Airlift and Air Ride do also. They both have a lot of kits though. I built my own from parts from them both. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 | Thats crazy how they got so many styles of setups but I guess my real question is why hasnt anyone done this to an AD truck?
Apparently its possible with a solid straight axle! | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I rcall someone asking about doing that a while back. It may not have been here, as I was also a regular on the Gearz site at the same time, but I don't see why it couldn't be done. Using the front suspension from a 2wd Jeep late '80s/early '90s Jeep Cherokee might be one way to go, as they are a 4 link coil spring suspension. Replace the coils with airbags. Suspension from the 4x4 models and the '94-'02 Ram 4x4 could also work, same design exept with a drive axle instead of a tube axle.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 | I totally agree with you Longbox55. All youre really doing is eliminating the leaf springs and using an air bag instead. Just have to fab up some type of 4 link or even 3 maybe?  | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | I think before going to the trouble to fabricate a front air suspension figure out what for...
What do you hope to gain by doing it, will you actually gain anything, and is it worth it?
Leaf springs are pretty good at their jobs.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 84 | Cool! Thanx for the input!  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | Air ride on the drive axle does a lot more than air ride on the steering axle. Air ride has been tried on the steering axle for many years and very little has been accomplished. The first steering axle failure I can remember was when GMC offered it on their cracker box cabs in the 60's. Owners retrofitted them with springs. Air ride on the drive axle is great. And on trucks with a tilting hood, air ride on the cab is great too. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 256 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 256 | That looks like a nice front suspension, what kind of bus, it doesn't look all that big? Here's how I put air springs on my AD truck http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2324065910080251109mrqkVsPretty simple to do, still have the leaf springs but they are weak enough that the bags bottom out with no pressure in them. Grigg How did that work out for you did you use it to actually lift the front up from being low? | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | So far so good.
Yes, I put a little air in them to pick it up to normal height. Plan to use automatic leveling valve eventually, it will compensate for load and keep the same height.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 256 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 256 | So far so good.
Yes, I put a little air in them to pick it up to normal height. Plan to use automatic leveling valve eventually, it will compensate for load and keep the same height.
Grigg Did you buy a kit if so any info on it or did you fab it all yourself? | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Msde it muself, RE5 bags from slam specialtys I think. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 256 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 256 | Msde it muself, RE5 bags from slam specialtys I think. Ok cool thanks do you get alot of lift out of it i was going to IFS my truck but with the expense i think im going to keep it straight axle but i want it slammed low but yet still have air ride | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Cant help you there. Don't see how what I have is any lower than stock or how you would do so, not and have the bags between axle and frame..
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | On an AD truck the front spring packs are relatively flat. Not alot of room between frame and axle. Going outboard creates a problem with steering clearance. Not to menting the front frame being tapered, it would be a fabrication nightmare. If one wants to jump in the airbag game, it'll be headfirst without a life vest.
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