So, has anyone out there set up air ride on a 63' or newer Mopar A body? I found a guy on slantsix.org that has but he won't give up the info on the set up. I'm mainly wanting to know about how to set up the front, any info and or pictures would be great. Thanks
The only thing i could think of is a new front clip. I have no idea how you would put air ride with torsion bars. I know toyotas came with torsion bar front suspension too and they also sell a kit to bag it but i couldn't figure it out.
Yeah I've thought about doin that. I have found a company that makes a direct bolt on tubular lower control arm that does away with the torsion bars, but I'm still not sure on where to mount the bag or if there is even enough room. http://www.capautoproducts.com/lower_control.php?pageid=17&osCsid=a5a716075e36b3ed71bfb9d49df71ee4
I've heard bad things about CAP control arms. You could probably run the stock LCA with the torsion bars cranked down so they still hold the arms in place.
I would not recommend CAP. Talk to Bill Riley at Riley Motorsports (www.bigblockdart.com or http://www.reillymotorsports.com/). He sells the AlterKtion front suspension setup. Very well designed. Maybe you could get the coilovers out and replace them with airbags?
The AlterKtion is a very nice setup, but a little out of my price range. How about if I move the shock and put the bag on top of the uca? If I remember correctly thats how the guy from slantsix.org set his up. Other than that he didn't give any info on his setup.
I would still try to talk to Bill Riley, even if you won't be buying an AlterKtion setup. He might have some insight. Maybe start a thread on the bigblockdart forums or search "air ride" or "air bags". He regularly posts there.
Maybe you could install tubular A arms and put one of these in place of the shock absorber http://www.ridetech.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=1880 Jukka
eithr put the bag over the top arm...(not a lot of room) or switch to a shockwave small body setup.....been awhile since i had my 63 val...i remember going to a car craft show when brent first started bringing that orange mustang around.....i measured and drew up all kinds of stuff trying to get some of that "new" air ride on it...that was what, 1996? you might do a search on the hub garage for bob mannard's 61 seneca....brent did the setup on it in probably 95 or 96.
Don't forget to brace that inner fender where the shock goes. It was meant to only hold the shock, not the whole car's nose. They have let loose with just a shock! If you look at the aftermarket suspensions with coilovers, they all have a new bracket/frame to handle the load.
Yeah, I thought about using the shockwaves... until a friend who has some experience with air ride set-ups told me that I shouldn't use them. If I remember correctly, he said that it's really easy to blow out the shock and they ride like ****. I guess a friend of his ran 'em on his mini truck. I would like to use a standard bag so it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to replace like the shockwaves. So, why shouldn't I use the control arms from Cap Auto products? The LCAs they make for the coil over conversion is the only way I have found to get rid of the torsion bars, other than a complete package like the AlterKtion set up. I have also thought about hydrolics, since a basic set up is cheaper than a basic air ride set up. I really don't want the extra weight from the batteries, or to have to deal with a blown hydrolic line.
Back the torsion bars all the way down and use the shockwave to support the remainder of the weight. i think that is how ride tech does it on the cudas (e body?). Shock waves work if properly set up. Let us know how it turns out.
If you know how to work with metal a way is to crank the bars down, build a bag mount over the upper control arm and a lower bag mount on the top of the upper control arm. Or you can make a pocket in the frame where the shock p***es through to put the bag in and mount it to the lower control arm. I know a guy who did it. Ill put some pics up for in a min. A sleeve bag shockwave would work in the front also instead of a raw air bag, but would require just as much cutting and welding. Shockwaves ride fine...
Lowlifematt.... That is exactly what I've been looking for! That is one sick ride. Thanks for the pics.
I did a set up on a toyota . I just cranked them to the bottom and made a weld on bracket to mount the bag. It was no big deal. If there is no room can you mount the bag on the top of the a arm like a mustang?
Glad to help. Ive been looking around for the same Ideas. Im going to do my 57 some day. There is a guy on here who has a white 57 Plymouth 60's custom. He hollowed out the frame rail where the shock goes through, reinforced it put a shock wave though the shock hole and did a ford 9" in the back on mono leafs. He said with the 9" it lowered the drive shaft enough that he didnt have to cut the floor of the car. Its a show car, so im not sure how well it ride or how much he drives it but Its got the perfect stance.
The Jalopy Journal
