Lower my 65 or airbags?

[FresnoFleetside]

OK, so I made the mistake of heating my coils to lower my truck (against advice from friends and online forums) I know it was a dumb idea, but I'm broke and impatient. lol The moral of the story, is now the truck sits uneven, and rides like $h!t

I'm interested in getting airbags for my truck (BTW, I know NOTHING about suspension) I want my truck to be as low as possible when parked, but still driveable....

I might also be interested in just getting lowering springs, if it is quite a bit cheaper than airbags.

My questions:

1. Approximate cost for airbags for a 1965 Fleetside if I do the work myself?
2. Approx. cost for bags if I have it done?
3. What else I would need for the job?
4. How difficult is that job for a NOVICE mechanic?
5. Cost for springs? (DIY vs having it installed)
6. What else would be needed parts-wise to do springs myself?

Thank you for reading, and any advice is much appreciated.

-Ray

[jimmydean]

I have no idea what is costs to have done. But with my somewhat limited ability and some searching, I was able to bag my '69 for about $500. That was 8 valves, 4 Slam Specialties bags (I wanted the internal bump stops), 1 5 gallon tank, 1 Thompson compressor, 2 dual needles gauges, 1 single needle gauge, 7 switch box, air lines, fittings, bag brackets, and everything.

A lot like this:
http://*******************/air-manage...starter-kit-38

[61_FL_Apache]

I bagged the front of my 65. The rears were already done when I got it. I installed a bigger tank and better compressor, two bags, 4 valves, dash controls for around $400. I'll PM you a link to the pics I took during my install. It was easy to do.

[jimmydean]

I would also recommend 3/8" valves and lines. I did 1/2" and it was WAY too fast. I installed dump and fill adjusters to get everything dialed in.

[k1rodeoboater]

It's really that cheap to airbag???? I figured it cost a lot more. Do you still have shocks or do the bags replace those too?
Posted via Mobile Device

[scum1]

haha im talking about the same thing in my thread i jsut started..if you go for it fresno i will too!!

[FresnoFleetside]

Yeah that seems really inexpensive, I think that sounds like the way I'll go.

Anybody have ballpark prices to lower with just springs?

k1rodeoboater, good question, can anybody answer that? also with the springs do i need to change the shocks too?

Scum1, I think i'm down if you are! haha

Thanks for all of the responses

-Ray

[FresnoFleetside]

61 FL apache, thanks for trying to send the link, but for some reason the pm didnt work, could you post on here? or e-mail to me? Thanks

[jimmydean]

The link I posted has everything that I put in my '69 minus the bag brackets that I got from Suicide Doors. There are also a few vendors on here that offer similar kits using the paddle valves that simplify it a little more, too.

I got the lowered shock kit and shock relocators from CPP, but you can make your own. I also used the CPP panhard bar, but I think the ECE bar is better. If you shop around, you can do it for pretty cheap. The ride is so much better than with coils, I will never do a static drop again.

<edit> You will need shocks for sure as bags are just air springs with no rebound or compression. You will also want to run 8 valves (1 fill/1 dump per bag) so you don't get air transfer through body roll.

Look at the vendor marketplace, there was a shrader bag kit for wicked cheap a few months ago. You could always do that with a portable 12v compressor until you decide on a management system.

[jimmydean]

Or this for $650.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=450697

[gixxerpymp]

Can be anywhere from $500 to $5,000 just in parts. That all depends on if you want to lay frame and what parts you choose (tubular arms, crossmember, ect...)

[FresnoFleetside]

thanks

[Paul Mitch]

I am installing air bags in my sons 65 C10 fleet side long bed. I am a novice and he is learning (16 years old). His truck was 100% stock when we started. Here is the rundown of costs

We bought the following from Pro Performance
(4) dominator air bags
(2) front bag mounting plates
(2) rear bag mounts
(1) c-notch kit
(4) schrader valves with 1/4" air line.
$733.00 with shipping

Bought a max air compressor from amazon for $124.00 with shipping

Bought a 5 gallon air tank with 7 ports for $58.00

Bought 50' of 3/8" air line for $25.00

Bought a 7 button hand held controller for $84.00

Bought 2 dual needle air gauges for $34.00 (for both)

Still need to buy:
ASCO quad selonoid manifold with selonoids
Air pressure switch
Air exhaust muffler
Air tank filter (water trap)
Misc fittings


Over the New Years weekend we removed the bed, removed the springs (rear). Cut the frame. Bolted in the c-notch and welded it in (just for extra strength). Installed the new bump stops and installed the rear bags with 1/4 inch schrader valves (for temporary operation and leak detection). All in all it was fairly simple.

Next we will install the front bags.

I was trying to do this on a tight budget, but the more we looked at it we decided to do it the way we wanted it in the end.

Good luck with your build

Paul

[andrewmp6]

Is the rear of the truck leaf springs or does it have the truck arms with coil springs?If its leaf springs things will be a little harder but do able,If its the truck arms its super easy to air bag it.Look at stage 1 front and rear http://www.azproperformance.com/Porterbuilt-67-72-C10/ and for air management http://www.azproperformance.com/1-4-...ement-Kit.html is the cheapest.Another company you can trust is http://www.avsontheweb.com/