Front air ride for stock height?

[Bloodhound]

As I reassemble the front end of my 81 C-10, I started thinking about air ride instead of the coil springs. I have POL upper and lower arms, and stock spindles. However, I am looking to maintain the stock ride height. Apparently I’m the only person with such a desire. I have called all the major manufacturers of air ride for these trucks and they all say that their bags will lower it even when fully inflated. So my question is has anyone found air bags to replace the coil springs that can maintain the stock ride height when inflated?

[Tom]

If the air springs will lower even when fully inflated, then fab up a mount in the a-arm to make up the difference. Done.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Apparently I’m the only person with such a desire.

You're not the only person, I too want to bag my truck, but I may want to take it even a step further. I want the stock ride height, but I want the buttery smooth ride of bags. As I understand it, that super nice ride comes from when the bags are not fully inflated. So I have to come up with a way to get it to be stock ride height, when the bags are not even fully inflated.

So tom, I assume you're recommend just making a mount that raises up the bag even higher, inside the control arm?

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by bennylava

You're not the only person, I too want to bag my truck, but I may want to take it even a step further. I want the stock ride height, but I want the buttery smooth ride of bags. As I understand it, that super nice ride comes from when the bags are not fully inflated. So I have to come up with a way to get it to be stock ride height, when the bags are not even fully inflated.

So tom, I assume you're recommend just making a mount that raises up the bag even higher, inside the control arm?

Exactly what I'm going for. I would be concerned raising it up inside the control arm as it there is only so much room for it to sit, and it's not bolted down or anything. There must be a bag out there that is the right height, but hasn't necessarily been designated for this truck. My springs are 14in unsprung but I don't know what they sit at compressed. If you find any options let me know...I'll be making more calls this week.

[bennylava]

Yeah I was told by someone (may have been here) that you'd want to use bags that were somewhat larger than what this truck calls for. That way it would still be stock ride height, when not fully inflated. Might have to go to one of those off road or truck outfitter shops and talk to that one guy that knows everything.

[Edahall]

The rear air bags for the Lincoln Town Car are large and very tall. You might check them out.

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by Edahall

The rear air bags for the Lincoln Town Car are large and very tall. You might check them out.

Will do, thanks.

[v30crewcab]

just make a taller cup for the top of the bag.