What is the ride height of a bagged truck...different setups? Pics help!

[WB72]

I am new to air suspension.
After reviewing many posts, I am still confused about the height of different air bag setups. What is the amount of drop, ride height, for the following set ups?

1.) Just replace springs with air bags with trailing arm rear suspension?
2.) is there any need to use of drop spindle? Or A arm?
3.) how big of a step notch is needed to lay frame?

Also, what are the basics that need to be done to lay frame? I am thinking I want to do this with this next project, and want to know what I am getting into.

[brad_man_72]

6-8" of drop is all you get with replacing the springs with bags and removing the bumpstops.
Ride height is whatever height you got your alignment done.
Drop spindles help keep the suspension at useable angles.
Size of notch and z required to lay frame depend on tire height and front suspension setup.

The roadster shop makes a nice rolling chassis for $10k about the cheapest way I've seen to do it right and get an awesome frame to boot.

[MattPSU]

I was in the same boat when I started. I couldn't find any threads with pictures of various components, so it was hard to gauge how low I was going to be when aried out or at ride height. So I bought components in stages, and took pictures after each parts change. You can look at my build thread (in my signature) or at the thread below that's specifically about this topic.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=609897

Here's the chart I eventually came up with.

Good luck & let me know if I can help any more. - Matt

[Ram-Man]

Porterbuilt stage 1 front stage 2 rear with 1" rear drop blocks. Stock spindels I plan on putting on drop spindels sometime. Aired out it will drop about 2.5" from this height.

[WB72]

Originally Posted by MattPSU

I was in the same boat when I started. I couldn't find any threads with pictures of various components, so it was hard to gauge how low I was going to be when aried out or at ride height. So I bought components in stages, and took pictures after each parts change. You can look at my build thread (in my signature) or at the thread below that's specifically about this topic.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=609897

Here's the chart I eventually came up with.

Good luck & let me know if I can help any more. - Matt

This is just what I was looking for MattPSU, are you planning on going any lower than this? if you were to go lower, what would have to be changed up?
Front? dropped a frames and fender well removal?
Rear? Step Notch and bed cutting?

[WB72]

Originally Posted by Ram-Man

Porterbuilt stage 1 front stage 2 rear with 1" rear drop blocks. Stock spindels I plan on putting on drop spindels sometime. Aired out it will drop about 2.5" from this height.

Great Stance. What is your tire size for reference?

[HO455]

This is my Burban aired out with no bump stops front or rear. Front end is sitting on the sway bar mount and the rear is hard on the axle. In reality it needs to be about four inches higher to drive. The wheels are 15". Front tires 245 60's. Rear 295 50's. My Burban has no other suspension modifications other than the air bags and the bump stops being removed. (Which I since have replaced with aftermarket versions) The second photo is about where I run it at.

[Eastonspeedworks]

Your best bet is get out the tape measure and see how much room your suspension can travel minus collapsed height of the bag here's me setup I've got ridetech uppers and lowers with 2" drop spindles and uppers bag plates up front. The rear is flipped trailing arm brackets bags in place of coils and a 3" pipe notch. I'm running d2600 bags all around on a 28" tall tire. This is as low as you can go on stock inner fenders. You will have to raise the bed floor or cut a hole for the pumpkin to go through at this height hope this helps

[boraxman]

Heres a shot of mine, air out, uncut frame, 20's, 2.5" drop spindles.

[Ram-Man]

Originally Posted by WB72

Great Stance. What is your tire size for reference?

245 50 20 20x9 wheel 5.71" backspace

[MattPSU]

Originally Posted by WB72

This is just what I was looking for MattPSU, are you planning on going any lower than this? if you were to go lower, what would have to be changed up?
Front? dropped a frames and fender well removal?
Rear? Step Notch and bed cutting?

Unless I win the lottery or something, this is as low as I plan to take this truck.

If I were to go lower:

In the front the inner fenders would have to go, and I'd probably go with a Porterbuilt, GSI, or Choppin' Block cross member.

In the rear, the bed floor would have to go and either a larger notch or a back half kit from one of the above companies would probably happen.

[Mollzyie]

All the way down ... No c notch . That chart from mattpsu pretty damn accurate .

[57larry]

on a stock front end, can you just go with 2-3 in dropped springs instead of dropped spindles? thanks, Larry

[HO455]

You can but ride quality suffers. With drop spindles you don't have that stiff ride caused by limited suspension travel. You do lose ground clearance under the lower control arms. So it does limit ones off roading capabilities.

[WB72]

Originally Posted by Eastonspeedworks

Your best bet is get out the tape measure and see how much room your suspension can travel minus collapsed height of the bag here's me setup I've got ridetech uppers and lowers with 2" drop spindles and uppers bag plates up front. The rear is flipped trailing arm brackets bags in place of coils and a 3" pipe notch. I'm running d2600 bags all around on a 28" tall tire. This is as low as you can go on stock inner fenders. You will have to raise the bed floor or cut a hole for the pumpkin to go through at this height hope this helps

I like your set up, I think this is closer to what I want for my set up.

How much did you raise your bed? Will your tank fit under the bed floor?

[WB72]

Originally Posted by Mollzyie

All the way down ... No c notch . That chart from mattpsu pretty damn accurate .



Attachment 1598990

Thanks. Yes that chart is a great asset.

[WB72]

Sorry for the bulk replies, but some days I have lots of questions, but am unable to log on to the site. So i save them when I have a few minutes.

Is it common for the ride height to be roughly 3-4" higher than the aired out measurement?

What are the factors in this? Comfort? Drive shaft angle?

[Eastonspeedworks]

I don't have an exact measurement for you I raised the stock wheel wells to to the bottom of the bed rails be careful fastening them since the outside panel is so close. And the tank and compressors fit along with dual batteries all behind the axle your ride height will be about 4" up for enough clearance and spring rate for normal driving in smooth conditions it can be lower

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by Mollzyie

All the way down ... No c notch . That chart from mattpsu pretty damn accurate .



Attachment 1598990

This is one sweet ride Mollzyie

[Mollzyie]

Lots of very sweet trucks (and burbs) in this thread .... Thnx gr8-68 !