FL 70 suspension conversion

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Dapologuy, Mar 28, 2015.

  1. Dapologuy

    Dapologuy Bobtail Member

    5
    0
    Mar 28, 2015
    0
    good morning all; this is the only Freightliner specific forum that I have been able to find so I will post here, if the questions about my "little" truck best belong somewhere else please feel free to redirect.

    After a string of pick-up truck fiascos I recently acquired an FL70 to use as a hauler for a 10-15K# horse trailer. In order to keep me and the horses from getting shaken to bits I think that I would like to replace the rear springs with an air ride system. Any thoughts? Is it feasible? Any recs on suppliers, used parts, etc. ?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

    1,388
    649
    Feb 27, 2011
    Middletown,Oh.
    0
    Yeah it can be done but would have been cheaper to put air on the pickups. I am assuming the "string" of fiascos refers to more than one pick up, and the same problem. If that is the case the problem probably is in the trailer. If that is the case then all air ride is going to do is hide the underlying problem at best. Maybe if you were more specific about the fiasco's we could help a little more accurately.
     
  4. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

    4,167
    5,981
    Aug 26, 2014
    0
    Conversion to rear air ride would make it a different truck, your trailer is much to lite to load the spring suspension and I am sure it rides very rough. It is very doable but the only affordable options are probably salvage or aftermarket kit. The Freightliner air leaf suspension from a single or tandem axle set will probably both work. It may require redrilling frame. If you list what area you are in and ask you may get a response for salvage, aftermarket, and service recommendations in your area. Then do the math, it may be cheaper to trade trucks.
     
  5. Dapologuy

    Dapologuy Bobtail Member

    5
    0
    Mar 28, 2015
    0
    Thanks guys for the quick answers. I'm not looking to "solve" any answers with pickups, I've been "power joked" enough. I am going to use this FL70 as a hauler, I just want some options to soften up the ride on want I know is is a real light trailer for this truck.
     
  6. Mooose

    Mooose Light Load Member

    161
    61
    Apr 13, 2014
    Sherwood Park,AB
    0
    I've got a flat deck FL-70 and a FL-60 service body both are spring ride, have you got 22.5 or 19.5 wheels?? I find the FL-70 with 22.5 rides pretty decent once you get some weight on it and run the tire pressure appropriately. Might be worth trying that trailer out behind the truck before you go to all that work. Great work trucks.
     
  7. Dapologuy

    Dapologuy Bobtail Member

    5
    0
    Mar 28, 2015
    0
    yeah, BoxCar, a different truck is just what I want out of this. After looking at $50-60,000 pick-up trucks I would much rather start with this and do some work on it, for literally a fraction of the cost. I was planning on salvage or aftermarket for the air ride, truck is in New Jersey, so there a lot of yards around. Will check on tire size (truck is not here yet), was also considering lower rated drive tires (still far in excess of my loads) and removing the inner pair (also saves tolls!). Anybody have any ideas on what that might do for the ride?
     
  8. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

    4,167
    5,981
    Aug 26, 2014
    0
    Does that mean you plan on doing the work yourself and would like some advise from someone who has done that type or work or are you just discussing the feasibleity of the project.
     
  9. Dapologuy

    Dapologuy Bobtail Member

    5
    0
    Mar 28, 2015
    0
    I'm exploring options at this point and would love to hear from anybody that has done this. As for doing the work, I might be able to get the duals off it with a lug wrench, but that is the extent of my capabilities!
     
  10. Mooose

    Mooose Light Load Member

    161
    61
    Apr 13, 2014
    Sherwood Park,AB
    0
    I'm not trying to discourage you but that conversion is going to require more than installing bags on the back, if you have 22.5 rubber you could have a look at going with super singles, super singles will give you a better ride in part because there's so much adjustment allowed for air pressures and they tend not to be as rigid as duals. I've got SS on my Argosy and one of the benefits I enjoy is the air pressure/load flexibility. If you have a good Freightliner dealer take the vin and have a chat with them about it.
     
  11. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

    4,167
    5,981
    Aug 26, 2014
    0
    There is a possibility of lighter after market springs but I am no help in that. I am familiar with hauling horses and class 8 tractors suspension work. If I were to do that I would go with a factory suspension from a salvage yard and keep the last 6 of the serial number of that truck. I guestimate it to be around a 35 hour job and would probably quote it at 40 and I'll help you if I can. That was just a quick mental run through in my mind but a general idea. Don't get into a cost plus job. Then you may need new air bags, shocks, and spring bushings, that's extra. Then do they know how to check axle, drive line, wheel alignment and correct? My wife pulls a trailer that size with a Kodiac which has air ride rear axle, cab, and seats it rides great except when hitting bad potholes and the like. The front axle is still spec,ed to carry a load even though the engine is small,light, for the truck class and can be a jarring experience. The front axle jarring is as bad or worse than any other truck I have ever driven and the rear end is a little squirrelly with the high travel air suspension and short wheel base. I have thought about front spring options but I can still hook to a flat and haul a 20,000 LB load. Your FL should have a set back axle and a larger engine which will help a lot but its still a heavy truck. Good luck Box Car out.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.