Torsion Bars vs Bags - Ride Quality?

[LostMy65]

According to the other thread, it seems to be the consensus that the torsion bar ride is superior to coils.
What about Torsion vs Bags?

[AcampoDave]

Are you wnating to compare to bags which are done with $$$ invested or just the basics needed to raise and lower. Reason I ask is because I've ridden in 2 bagged trucks which were lower on the $ scale, and it was like riding in a jet boat. I was scared. To make a fair comparison I believe we need a rough idea of what you would spend to set up the torsion bar front end to suit your needs and then compare the budget against the bagged suspension.

[joe dirt]

my bags ride smooth as silk...my bag setup is a low $$ settup

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

Are you wnating to compare to bags which are done with $$$ invested or just the basics needed to raise and lower. Reason I ask is because I've ridden in 2 bagged trucks which were lower on the $ scale, and it was like riding in a jet boat. I was scared. To make a fair comparison I believe we need a rough idea of what you would spend to set up the torsion bar front end to suit your needs and then compare the budget against the bagged suspension.

If someone was to replace their 60-62 front torsion bar suspension with just bags that were installed correctly and ran at the correct air pressure, would the ride be better than the torsion bar suspension?

[Mackie]

I will depend on your truck use. I'm actually trucking with me truck so I opted for new coils in front and air bags rear so I can adjust for varying loads. I did it on a tight budget with 7'" Slam Specialties bags and 2 lines running back to Schrader valves behind a flip down license plate. The ride is fine.
I've heard it said that torsion bars are best for handling due to the linear motion. The evolution to coils was a cost analysis change.

[LVPhotos]

I was so excited when Porterbuilt did a crossmember for X frame, I spent the $. I did the cost to rebuild vs new and was not far off. Short of over kill candy blue powder coat. I liked my torsions. Built a few 55-58s with Volair crossmembers in late 80s. With the bumpstops removed and draging bolts on ground the ride was too soft. But the original plan was Beltech 2.5" drop spindels and 70s disks. Dinos Panel was in Air Ride, now Ride Tech, cataloge and set me down on rear bags. Still running schrader valves the rear rode way better. The combo worked great. I tell everone to save the t-bars. I have some pic of a 57 truck with bags over tbar, like so many minis doing this in 90s. Hardbody Nissans were another bag over bar trend. Like hydralic over spring
2nd pic is tbar w rear bags