Page 34 - Issue 36

AIR-BAG BASICS:

WORDS & PHOTOS BY LUKE MERRILL (TINMAN 2 KUSTOMS)

ver the last few years double convoluted bags made
airbags have become by SLAM Specialties or Airlift for
a widely used type of almost all builds. Low-price (Ebay)
suspension on rat rods. The bags will work, but generally don’t
Oever-growing availability of give as much travel resulting in
affordable airbag components as worse ride quality & strength.
well as the extra “Flare” that airbag
well as the extra “Flare” that airbag
suspension can give your equipped) which tells electric ells electric ells electric
equipped) which t
equipped) which t
equipped) which tells electric
vehicle are very appealing to valves when to open- either
many of us creative “backyard infl ating or defl ating the bags.
mechanics.” Here I will address Think of it like the controller
some of the most common for a “Playstation” gaming
component and part selection console. It just sends a signal to
console. It just sends a signal to
your valves (playstation) telling
tips. In the next issue I will go your valves (playstation) telling
them what to do based on your
Valves direct
more in depth on the core areas Valves: Valves direct them what to do based on your
of actually setting up a proper air- the air to and from the bags. They commands.
ride suspension system, using the come in electric (Solenoid) and Recommendations: I almost
parts mentioned in this issue. manual confi gurations. They are always run the AVS 7-rocker
generally made of a brass body switchbox as it is extremely
CORE COMPONENTS OF ANY AIR with an open and closed position. convenient and universal for all
RIDE SYSTEM: You will need a minimum of 2 electric valves. You can run simple

valves per vehicle: one to infl ate toggle switches, but with the speed
and one to defl ate. Most people that air moves, within the system,
prefer to run 4 valves so they can it is often hard to control the bags
control the front bags together accurately with the simple toggle
and the rear bags together. style switch.
Some run 8 valves so they can
control each corner (wheel) NOTE: Advanced Valve &
independently. Switchbox Setups: There are
Airbags: Recommendations: setups that can operate themselves
There are many different models of ChassisTech electric valves or Little with height, PSI sensors, etc. These
airbags, all of which serve different Larry’s “FourPlay” manual system. units are fairly expensive, and are
purposes. Sleeve bags are more There are a ton of other electric considered more luxurious.
focused for load-bearing activities, valve options on the market Recommendations: SLAM
while the double convoluted including SMC, AVS & parker. If specialties and Air Lift kits (3h/3p)
bags offer much greater travel. you want to bypass any sort of are my preference. I recommend
Each specifi c bag has a different switches and keep it simple you avoiding Accuair Products (poor
extended length and compressed can even use a set of manual ball customer service and high price
length, which needs to be taken valves to direct the air. tag). I personally wouldn’t put
into account when choosing the one in the typical rat rod, but
proper bag. Switchbox: The controller the information is useful when
Recommendations: I prefer for your electric valve system (If considering options.

34 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-SIX

34x35 Airbags.indd 34 2/26/16 1:49 PM