Page 16 - Issue 37

PART
AIR-BAG BASICS: TWO
WORDS & PHOTOS BY LUKE MERRILL (TINMAN 2 KUSTOMS)
n issue #36 I wrote a short article
discussing the basic components of
an air ride system. For this issue, I
have written a more detailed article.
IFirst, I will address some of the most
commonly asked questions. Second, I
will discuss more advanced concepts to
consider when executing your setup.
16 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-SEVEN
16x18 Airbags2.indd 16
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
“How much does air ride cost”?
This is like asking someone how much a paint job
costs; It depends on the quality of the components
used, the skill of the bodyman, etc. In general an air
ride system can cost anywhere from $800-20,000 in
parts alone. If you’re creative, which many of us “rat-
rodders” are, you can build systems to be effective yet
still affordable.
“How can I get my ride low”?
How low do you consider “Low”? What is your
goal/use with the vehicle? These questions need
to be addressed before I, or anyone else, can make
recommendations. First, I generally encourage
people with common vehicles (such as c10’s, s10’s,
Ranger’s, etc.) to do a simple google or forum search
to fi nd out the best relative information; the internet
is your most useful resource!! In general the lower
you want to go the more work and money it will be.
“What do I have to do to my suspension to run
air-bags?”
There are many styles of suspension setups.
Simply bagging a leaf spring, while it can be done,
is generally not the direction most would want for
their rod. The more preferred methods include:
Parallel 4-link, triangulated 4-link, 3-link, cantilever,
Independent, etc. Each of these has their own pros
and cons that they present. The most commonly
used and easiest to setup (In my opinion) is a
parallel 4 link with a panhard or wattslink to keep
the axle centered.
“I don’t want to cut up anything, but want to bag
my ride.”
Most vehicles do not have a simple bolt-in bag
“kit” available. Cutting, fabrication, patience &
creativity are almost always needed to bag a vehicle
the proper way. Doing your own cutting saves
money, but can be dangerous if you do not take
your time to think through the process. If you want
the easiest starting platform (for a beginner) fi nd an
s-10 or ranger frame and order a kit- there are many
options for those.
4/19/16 7:25 AM