Ag380 swap

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Jt20, Oct 30, 2017.

  1. Jt20

    Jt20 Bobtail Member

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    For those of that have done the AG 380 to the ag400 8 bag what was the process. Did u swap out all parts or just back half it... Wanting a walk through b4 I start on it ... Really wanting a better ride
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    AG380 is a completely different suspension than the AG400. Its going to be more work than its worth IMO. Frame will need to be re-drilled to mount the hanger on each side as well as the air bags. Torque arms mount differently so you'd likely have to replace some crossmembers too. The lower bag mounts for the 400 will need to be welded to the axle as well as the brackets to bolt the waffer bars to as the 400 doesn't use u-bolts IIRC.
     
  4. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    That would be an expensive and overly complicated swap. Park next to a truck with ag400 and compare the rear-ends. You would almost have to swap the rear-ends with the suspension, and still be left with the nightmare of redrilling the frame and dealing with a mess of null holes.
     
  5. SmokinCAT

    SmokinCAT Road Train Member

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    The real question is why would you want to go to 8 bag
     
  6. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    Have you looked at a 380 closely? They are junk! With that half moon spring and boxy spring bracket that eats bolts. The quickest way to swap to the 400 is do a cut off swap. If you don't mind your frame having a weld on each side.
     
  7. SmokinCAT

    SmokinCAT Road Train Member

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    The flex air has been around for a long time, The only complaint i hear from my friends that haul heavy with it is that the bags don’t have the best lift capacity.
     
  8. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    And it is only rated at 38000 lbs. It was a poor design to begin with. Kinda like the wishbone bars were when they came out.
     
    Oxbow Thanks this.
  9. Jt20

    Jt20 Bobtail Member

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    Yea I get some driver that say they love it... And it rides like a Cadillac... I wonder y mine rides like a Dump truck... It's the front and rear but the rear is really rough... It's even Rough when the trailer hits the bumps
     
  10. swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

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    Don't get me wrong, I like kenworth but why do they have to make every rear suspention so overly complicated?
    They almost all ride like crap and wear parts out.

    What's wrong with just 4 big bags like airliner or Hendrickson. Ride really good, handles excellent and tough as nails.

    Every 8 bag setup kenworth had was terrible IMHO. Except maybe the ag100. But then that would lean like crazy in the corners if loaded heavy.

    I love my airliner in both my stars.
     
    Oxbow Thanks this.
  11. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    8 bags ride rough as a pallet of bricks just so you know
     
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