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Spring ride to air...

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by CbarM, Sep 20, 2012.

  1. Sep 20, 2012 #1
    CbarM

    CbarM Heavy Load Member

    894
    247
    Jan 17, 2011
    Irvine, AB
    0
    I bought a truck that has a spring ride susp. in the rear and I am considering changing it over to air ride. I want to put a load on it first to see just how rough it might be, maybe not that bad. If I was to change over to air ride, is this gonna be a major job that a shop should do, or is it something that I can do myself with a descent amount of tools and pretty handy mechanical knowledge...
    This is a project truck, so time is not essential at all...
     
    CbarM, Sep 20, 2012
    CbarM, Sep 20, 2012
    #1
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  3. Sep 20, 2012 #2
    wideload

    wideload Heavy Load Member

    868
    388
    Sep 1, 2012
    in the granny lane
    0
    easiest way is to buy a cutoff from a slavage yard. they just cut the frame and all the suspension comes with it. you can either unbolt it and use the frame rails to make a template for the suspension holes then transfer to you frame and drill them or if you want to stretch it a little you can just cut the frame and graft the cutoff onto your frame.

    it will be rough loaded or not
     
    wideload, Sep 20, 2012
    wideload, Sep 20, 2012
    #2
  4. Sep 20, 2012 #3
    CbarM

    CbarM Heavy Load Member

    894
    247
    Jan 17, 2011
    Irvine, AB
    0
    Thats what I am lookin at right now, a cut off with a Neway air ride with 390 ratio's for $1500. The only issue is I will have to transfer everything from frame to frame since the truck I am wanting to redo has an aluminum frame...
     
    CbarM, Sep 20, 2012
    CbarM, Sep 20, 2012
    #3
  5. Sep 20, 2012 #4
    wideload

    wideload Heavy Load Member

    868
    388
    Sep 1, 2012
    in the granny lane
    0
    aluminum frames suck. they have a definate life span so if you are planning to run.it i would replace the rails all together. we had one aluminum frame and were always chasing cracks once it got some age on it.

    also pay attention to the width of the rails since aluminum is so much thicker. you may end up needing a slightly longer torque arm to compensate. i dont remember if the extra thickness of the alum frames changes the outside width or the inside. i am thinking inside
     
    wideload, Sep 20, 2012
    wideload, Sep 20, 2012
    #4
  7. Sep 20, 2012 #5
    Quickfarms

    Quickfarms Heavy Load Member

    898
    236
    May 29, 2012
    Los Angeles, Ca
    0
    I looked into this for a project truck and my mechanic talked me into holding off on the conversion until I drive the truck. What I found out is that it did not ride that bad.

    My research showed me that with certain suspensions the conversion can be done with minimal drilling.

    Drilling on my frame is an issue due to the frame spec, it is a very heavy thick and hard frame. We do not drill the frame with anything other than the bucks drill.

    I second the concern on Aluminum frames.
     
    Quickfarms, Sep 20, 2012
    Quickfarms, Sep 20, 2012
    #5
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