Hello Forum!

I have searched many forums hoping to find information on converting to an air bag suspension on all 4 corners. I want improved handling as well as a 2" - 4" drop (front-rear), and I rarely tow anything other than my 4x6 light duty utility trailer. The big problem so far is finding parts or kit suppliers for my 1980 F-100 2WD flareside short box pickup with approx. 170,000 kilometers (100,000 miles) on the ticker.

I have a number of basic questions that maybe the more experienced readers could help answer for me:

1. General: If I cannot locate a full conversion kit that includes the parts for all 4 corners, then I will have to design a system and then gather-up what I need from various suppliers. I would probably include performance sway bars, higher quality gas shocks, and polyurethane bushings with the suspension upgrade, and also replace the steering components as part of the overall project. Based on what's available, is there anything wrong with building a hybrid system and mixing air ride parts with conventional parts ?

2. Front: If I replace the front coils with air bags, will I need to replace the stock spindles and radius arms to achieve the minimum 2" drop in ride height I seek without losing ride quality or risking any safety issues ? (I am not looking to "slam" the vehicle to the ground, but I do enjoy fast cornering and robust handling, so yes, safety is something I always consider...);

3. Rear: Can I flip the differential and install it on top of the leaf springs to achieve the 4" lower rear ride height that I seek ? Are there any driveability or safety issues that arise when the differential is flipped ? Would it lower the rear too far - say, 5" or more ?

4. Rear: If the flipped differential will lower the rear 4" and I am not concerned about increasing towing or cargo carrying capability, would I really need the air bags in this configuration assuming that good quality gas shocks and a performance sway bar were installed ?

5. Rear: If I did need the air bags in the rear after all, could their mounts be adapted to work with the flipped differential, or would I forget about flipping the differential and have to modify the frame and install a c-notch instead to maintain the 4" lower ride height ?

6. Rear: What is the difference between a panhard bar and an anti- sway bar, or are they the same basic products that have different names ?

BTW, budget plays a large role in this project, and there's very little chance of an increase in my allowance to pay for it all, so I might be faced with doing it in stages. I'm sure I can do most of the work myself, so I should be able to save on the labour expense unless the cost to correct any of the errors I might make gets out of hand!

In any case, I would appreciate any advice, comments or tips along with the answers to the above...

Thanks in advance,
JT

 

Lots of questions but that is always smart. First let me say that for a 2-4 drop there is no need for an air suspension set up at all. It sounds to me that what you want is a lower meaner stance on a truck that loves to carve corners. If this is true, then my suggestion would be to build it with a staic drop and use some high performance coilovers. If you bag it you will be eliminating the rear leaf springs and going to a link system in the rear. ie a four link where you would use either a parralel four link in which both the upper and lower bars run in line with one another, or a triangulated four link, in which the upper two bars will be triangulated. The parralel four link has to use a panhard bar to keep the axle centered where as the triangulation of the uppers on the tringulated system locates the axle. I know all of this seems very confusing. The best advise I can give is search the net for pics of both systems to get an idea of how they work. I also suggest getting some books about chassis fabrication, as they will help you fully understand the workings of most any suspension. For the application you are considering I would recomend going with tubular upper and lower control arms up front and running an adjustable coilover spring set up. You may want to look into getting an aftermarket weld in mustangII kit from someone like Heidts, Fatman Fab, Total Cost Involved ect. If you really want something that will carve there are endless setups that will get you there. Keep in mind that if you want perfromance it costs both money and time. Where are you located I would love to build this truck for you. Feel free to email me at circleacustoms.com to talk more, I have tons of pics that would help you out.

 

http://airbagit.com/advanced_search_...1&inc_subcat=1

 

Honestly I wouldnt put a part from airbait. com on my lawnmower. Besides with what you are looking for, just a 2-4 drop there is no reason to bag your truck. To really get the performance you want out of it look into a Mustang II conversion and get rid if those i beams. I have bagged probablly a hundred cars and trucks, body dropped probablly half as many, in my opinion nothing looks tougher than a truck laying rocker, but from what you described you really would benifit more from an ifs conversion and some adjustable coilovers.

 

circleacustoms:

Thank you very much for the information and detailed reply; the time and thought in your so doing did not go unnoticed!

If it's okay with you, I'll take advantage of your kind offer to communicate via email.

Best regards,
JT

 

Yeah no problem here ya go, circleacustoms@hotmail.com