Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside

[72BlckButy]

Man Doug... that is smokin'!

Shh.... Shh... Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh gotta love it!

On my next truck, guaranteed!

[ibad57]

what did you use for bump blocks in front?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

Kyle,
my tires are 225/55/17 or 8.86" cross section. I checked the clearance before I removed the bed and I room to spare when completely aired out. wanna buy them?!!

All,
Yep, I was trying to slow down the dump in the video. I plan on using exhaust fittings on the dump valves which will slow down the drop a bit. glad Keith (lolife99) discouraged me from running 1/2" line. talk about hitting hard!!!

I had a tank fitting that I noticed was leaking a bit the first time I fired up the compressor. since I built this system with ease of component removal in mind, it was a test to see how fast I could remove a complete valve setup and fix the problem. after 5 minutes, the leak was fixed. guess I did okay......

Doug,... a cheap fix it to use some "drilled" pipe plugs in your dump valves.
(Brass would match everything nicely)
Start by drilling one plug with an 1/8" drill bit,... and see how fast it dumps.
Increase drill bit sizes until you get the speed you want.
Then drill the other three plugs.
Super simple and clean.
Almost un-noticeable.

[tcb-1]

Keith, that's why your a mod on the suspension forum! great idea!!!

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by ibad57

what did you use for bump blocks in front?

no bumpstops on the front. the Dominator bags have built in stops in them, don't know about Firestone, Slam Specialities, etc. Keith, do you know?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

no bumpstops on the front. the Dominator bags have built in stops in them, don't know about Firestone, Slam Specialities, etc. Keith, do you know?

The Slams are suppose to have internal bumpstops.
I had to install an external bumpstop on my lower a-arms to keep the tires off my inner fenders.
(my front 20's are approximately 27" tall)

[tcb-1]

that makes sense. mine are right under 27 and I have about a 1/4" to the inners. you've also got a bit more width on those meats of yours.

[kev2809]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

you've also got a bit more width on those meats of yours.

thats what she said...

lol, j/k...i had too

Originally Posted by lolife99

Doug,... a cheap fix it to use some "drilled" pipe plugs in your dump valves.
(Brass would match everything nicely)
Start by drilling one plug with an 1/8" drill bit,... and see how fast it dumps.
Increase drill bit sizes until you get the speed you want.
Then drill the other three plugs.
Super simple and clean.
Almost un-noticeable.

do you have a pic of this? ive heard of it but i dont think ive ever seen a pic. i have 1/2" line with 3/8" valves. i havent hooked it em up yet but wondering what i can do just in case they are to fast...

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by kev2809

do you have a pic of this? ive heard of it but i dont think ive ever seen a pic. i have 1/2" line with 3/8" valves. i havent hooked it em up yet but wondering what i can do just in case they are to fast...

No.
It's just a pipe plug with a hole drilled in the end of it,... to allow air to pass at a slower rate.

[tcb-1]

you install the pipe plug (that's drilled to your speed of drop) into the dump valve outlet. great idea. cheap, effective, and clean.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

you install the pipe plug (that's drilled to your speed of drop) into the dump valve outlet. great idea. cheap, effective, and clean.

And I like the idea of using "allen" plugs.
No square or hex head hanging out of the valve.

[sourkraut]

looking good doug!

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by lolife99

And I like the idea of using "allen" plugs.
No square or hex head hanging out of the valve.

ahhhhh, yet another good point. guess I'll be calling MSC tomorrow.

Keith, I have also seen the sintered metal exhaust fittings. have you ever heard how hey would work?? I'll get you a pic if you don't know what I'm talking about........

[lolife99]

Yep,...I know what you are talking about.
We use them at work as vents in pump and valve cases.
I'm not sure how much they would restrict flow though.
(if any)

[lolife99]

Doug,... Jegs also has black aluminum allen plugs.
(or blue, or red, or stainless)

The black 3/8" plugs sell for $3.99 a pair.

[kyull67]

No thanks on the wheels Doug, I think mine will clear after looking closer! Can't wait to see what you do with it next.

[tcb-1]

and so the bed floor raising has began. I knocked a ton of red Wyoming dirt out from between the floor boards. now I have design the floor structure and somehow remove the angle strips that were tack welded to the side panels.



stay tuned.....

[Jeffs70]

awesome Doug looking great every little bit helps

How well does it work with just the one compressor? I see alot using Dual Compressors and I am guessing this is for heavy use? Since I wouldn't be using mine for heavy use 1 Compressor should work good?

[tcb-1]

Jeff,
it takes my Viair 400c 1 minute 23 seconds to air the 5 gallon tank to 150psi. that is enough for 2 full up and down cycles, which is fine for me.

2 compressors would be nice, but imho, is not needed if your not doing anything crazy.

[Newtz67]

I really like the clean install you did! Looks great!

[project1968]

Subscribing to this thread....Really fantastic work.

[mexgrhd68]

niced work,keep it up, and more pics please!!

[big_al_71]

Doug you have done such an amazing clean job. I cant wait to see the truck finished..keep up the awesome work!!!!

[bw4sale]

Been away from the board for a while and just saw this. Your truck has always been one of my favorites. Did you say you're selling the wheels that were on there? (Sorry if it's a stupid question. Just kind of skimmed the post and mostly looked at the pics ) Can you tell me about them and what you want for them? I might be interested. Thanks.

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by bw4sale

Been away from the board for a while and just saw this. Your truck has always been one of my favorites. Did you say you're selling the wheels that were on there? (Sorry if it's a stupid question. Just kind of skimmed the post and mostly looked at the pics ) Can you tell me about them and what you want for them? I might be interested. Thanks.

Brent,

From my add over on the for sale posts:

"Decided to go yet in another direction. So, I’m selling (5) rims, tires, and center caps. That means you have an identical spare!

(5) NEW 17” x 7.5” on 6 x 5.5” bolt circle 2007-2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser rims
(5) NEW General Tire Altimax HP tires 225-55-17 (still has writing on center tread)
(5) NOS 89-94 Chevrolet center caps
-Tires have been mounted and high speed balanced
-The rims have been painted in HOK 2 stage gloss gray (have touch up paint)
-The rims and tires have less than 50 miles on them, total
-The tires are not blemishes
-No patches, never flat or under deflated

You will need to purchase double threaded lug nuts and the lug nut covers (sold on Ebay) to mount the center caps.

$625.00 picked up or delivered within 100 miles of Kansas City. I have shipped rims and tires before on this forum and the lowest I have found is Forward-Air. I can get a quote for actual shipping costs from Kansas City International Airport (KCI) Forward Air Terminal and will deliver there for free"


really had no takers on that price, which I'm loosing money on, but.......