4x4 with air bags?

[Tony@AirRideTech]

The work looks great man...... A couple of things that I would recommend doing. First, on your front four bar bracket that drops down from the frame. I would gusset that in front and behind the bracket to help disperse a little of that load. Second is your airspring mounts. Keep an eye on them. By offsetting the airspring to one side you may be subjecting them to a side load hich will end up trying to twist the bar. That would result in you blowing bushings out a lot quicker. Last but not least, you may want to either move those airsprings in a little more ( its hard to tell from the pictures ) but it still looks like it is all most at a 1:1 ratio with the axle. At that ratio a double convoluted airspring will not ride that great. That is where you would want a longer tapered sleeve like a 9100. Props though man... the fab work looks great and dont take any of this wrong... I am only trying to help you out and the only thing I can go off of is the pictures.

[kbracing96]

Thanks, and I'm always open to suggestions , thats why I started this thread. I was thinking of gusseting the front 4-bar mount a little more, and I will keep a eye on the bushing, but this truck won't see a lot of heavy loads, so I thinking it won't be to much of a problem. As for moving the bags in a little, are you meaning to move them forward on the bar? Right now, they are about 8" from the center-line on the axle and there is about 30" from the front pivot point to the CL of the axle. That would give the bags a ratio of 1:3.75, right? They are 2800lbs bags and this is a 3/4 ton truck. Shouldn't then they ride pretty decent there?

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Yes they will definitely be a lot better then running them at a 1:1 . In the picture. it looks like they are damn near on the axle.

[kbracing96]

Here is a better pic.



That's why I went with this style of 4 link setup, they told me that putting the bags on the bars would give the best ride for this application. I'm all about learning, this is my first attempt at bags.

[earl87gta]

if you can find a copy of this episode of extream 4x4 you will see them put a coil spring front end from a doge on a chevy burb chassis. its kinda cool but they kept the coil springs but it would have been easy to bag it instead here is a link to them doing it but not a lot of info onit . http://www.powerblocktv.com/sites/xt.../XT2006-03.php

[kbs71]

Go here, http://www.keldermanairride.com/ their in Oskaloosa, IA and their phone number is 1-800-334-6150. I talked to Gary the owner and several questions regarding an AG question, and we talked at length about his lift kits. I'm sure he would be willing to help (or sell) you anything that you need. They Won SEMA a believe last year, for best new product.

[jimmydean]

Air ride lift, that's bad ass. I might need to do that for my next project. I hope to have my truck on the road this weekend with it dropped, but there are times I miss the high end of things.

Nice work so far, look forward to the finished product.

[kbracing96]

Thanks guys. I just got back in town last weekend and am starting back on this project TODAY! Keep an eye out for updates!

[Russell]

Looks awesome! Keep us posted for sure!

[454_72_4X4]

Just listening in. Looks great so far!

[st1x10]

Any more work done, it looks sweet so far.

[kbracing96]

Got held up a little bit, had to build a turbo kit for a 96 TA.




Didn't like the way the bags where off set on the upper bars, so I cut all the mounting brackets off and re-did them. The rear is pretty much done now and I'm starting on the front today.

[GMC71k20]

looks awesome
did you stand the radiator up straight in the 96 ta? what size turbo?

[kbracing96]

Originally Posted by GMC71k20

looks awesome
did you stand the radiator up straight in the 96 ta? what size turbo?

Ya, we cut the upper core support and moved it forward and put a new 2 core alum radiator in it. The turbo is a T76 with a .96 A/R, Q trim exhaust wheel, should support about 1000 fwhp if the motor would take it, lol. The guy has big plans

[CG]

With this bag set up can you still use the truck as a truck.....towing, hauling, camper etc etc? And can you give me an approximate price you are going to be into this in parts.

[kbracing96]

Originally Posted by CG

With this bag set up can you still use the truck as a truck.....towing, hauling, camper etc etc? And can you give me an approximate price you are going to be into this in parts.

Ya, That's the plan, this is a 3/4 ton truck and will be used as such. The bags are 2800# conitec's and the bars are 1 1/2 x1/4 round on the bottom and 2x2x1/4 on the top, so VERY heavy. I bought everything from suicide doors (2 4-link kits and a complete air management system with compressor, gauges, valves, and switch box, ect and I think we have about $2200 in part, plus some extra steel since its all custom installed. Should ride really nice though which is what dad wants.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by kbracing96

I know Tony suggested bracing the front side of the 4-link bracket & can see where you added one. As heavy as that rig will be, how about adding another brace from the bottom of the frame-rail to the bottom of the 4-link bracket?

That would further traingulate the bracket w/the frame & spread any loads out better. Even better would be some type of driveshaft hoop that allows connecting both frame rails & the 4-link brackets together to limit frame flex.

Just a suggestion. I really like the progress you've made so far. Please keep the updates coming once you start on the front.

[msgross]

Your tire choice will help with the ride as well. For a 3/4 ton you will still need a good load tire but you don't have to go to hard.

[ChiefRocka]

You definately should brace that front mount from the the lowest point to the bottom inside of the frame....and call it done.

What are going to do for the front ?? I'm curious as to what route you are going ??

Long arm, coiled Jeep style or Ford style ??

John

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

You definately should brace that front mount from the the lowest point to the bottom inside of the frame....and call it done.

John

I think the brace that he has on the front mount is actually low enough to serve for both for/aft and side to side movement. I think welding a plate between the end of the tubing and where it's welded to the frame would have been good though.
Basically doubling the thickness of the frame, so that tubing wouldn't try to push through the frame.

Never to many gussets or braces though!

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

What are going to do for the front ?? I'm curious as to what route you are going ??

Long arm, coiled Jeep style or Ford style ??

John

I'm also very interested in the front setup. Keep up the good work!


Questions;
What is the length of the 4 link bars?
What is the "drop bracket" fabbed out of? (Where the ront of the 4 link bars bolt to). Square tubbing or channel iron?

[kbracing96]

Gees guys its only a daily driver The pics don't do it justice. Everything is 1/4" wall or sched 40 pipe, it's VERY beefy Most of the load is carried on the back half of the upper bar and the top bag mount anyway.

The first spacer off the frame is 2x6x1/4 rec tubing and the down leg is 4" channel. The bars are 26" long.

I'm working on the front now and it's going to be 4-link just like the rear only coming from behind the axle forward. Because of where I HAVE to put the bars to clear the steering and front pumpkin the bag would have to be mounted off center on the upper bar like I first had the rear, and I don't like that so the lower bag mount will probably be welded to a 1/2x2 plate coming off one side of the 4-link mounts. I will will have pics to better show this shortly.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

I think the brace that he has on the front mount is actually low enough to serve for both for/aft and side to side movement. I think welding a plate between the end of the tubing and where it's welded to the frame would have been good though.
Basically doubling the thickness of the frame, so that tubing wouldn't try to push through the frame.

Never to many gussets or braces though!



I'm also very interested in the front setup. Keep up the good work!


Questions;
What is the length of the 4 link bars?
What is the "drop bracket" fabbed out of? (Where the ront of the 4 link bars bolt to). Square tubbing or channel iron?

I'm sorry...your right....I'm just so used to overkill custom work. My air-ride systems usually consist of 400+ PSI's....and the vehicles (chassis') have to be built accordingly !!! When the tires are leaving the ground in feet (not inches) your ride has to be stout !!!

Thinking about 4-linking and bagging my off-road Samurai some day.

Great work !!

What's up with the front ??

John

[Bishops Trucks]

That is a very nice setup. You are giving me some ideas. Thanks!

[Russell]

any updates?

[kbracing96]

Yep I just got back on this AGAIN yesterday. now that the holidays are over I have some time to work on it.

I got the 4 link on the front all mounted and tacked on, and one of the pockest for the bags cut out in the frame. I'm going to work on it a bunch tomorrow and will have some pics for guys.