Ok, now that I've been convinced to bag my 50 Chevy, I am looking for a book or link to a site where I can learn a solenoid from a valve, and how these systems are wired and plumbed. I couldn't find a book called "Bagging for Dummies" so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction?
I found a link that shows the plumbing diagram that is nice and simple for a system. www.ckcustoms.com/images/instructions I too am in process of getting all of the pieces that I need to put airide on my car. It has not seen the road yet so I am just going to chop some coils and drive it for now. There is also a wiring diagram but it is if you want to use a multi switch box. The wiring is simpler to use a couple of 3 way toggles. I hope this helps. Dan-O
Ill just add my opinions. You get what you pay for, you cheap out, you are looking at headaches. I would 4 link it, but you could go 2 link or air over mono-leaf, but each of those two have their problems that go along with them. Engine driven compressor (york 210). Personally I am sold on engine driven compressors. My first bags I did were on my truck, I did a lot of research before I undertook it because I didnt know anyone in ND with it. I got the engine driven and when I fired it up, and after I heard electric ones, big difference. Electric ones are noisy and dont fill as fast as a engine driven would. Dont rush into it, get many opinions, decide what is right for you, and dont let a minitrucker try to tell you something you're doing is wrong, in my experience 90% of minitruckers are hacks. I've seen people destroy vehicles because they listened to a "friend" who "knew about this stuff".
kustomkulture1951, couple things that diagram doesnt take into consideration is gauges, there should also be a check valve after the compressor, to prevent blow-by, and one thing I am putting into my air ride is schroeder(sp) valves and shut offs, because I am building mine to be able to take on long trips and to drive daily during the summer, so if there is ever a problem (air line melts through or rubs through) i can shut off the line and fill it up with a regular compressor.
Do a search here for airbags...you'll find pages of info and diagrams. Off the top of my head, Suicidedoors.com, AirrideTechnologies, and FenderBenderInternational all have info and package deals. Try a google search on those companies to start off. Bryan
BAGS ??? WATSONS CHEVY OR THE ERNST CHEVY WERE NEVER BAGGED ! I THOUGHT AIR BAGS WERE EX~GIRLFRIENDS ...
auto core in phx az does really good work and i will bring them my cars to do when i am ready for it. kurt is a minitrucker from back in the day who really really knows his shit
On the air line note: Use copper tubing and you won't have to worry about airlines melting or breaking. It takes a lot more patience to use copper, bc it has to be PERFECT at the fitting or it will leak, but it's definitely more durable for the daily driver.
Ok its simple you just pull that bugger over her head. Sometimes it takes two. Thus the term "two bagger".
That's good advice right there. I tried to do it cheap and simple and ended up re-doing it all after about two years of hating it - which of course, then ended up costing way more than if I'd done it right the first time. Also...beware of the bags where the rubber is attached to the end caps by those chrome bands - mine came with my Heidt's front suspension kit - The rubber eventually worked it's way out of the band and blew-out while driving. Get the ones where the rubber disappears into the metal end cap (if that makes sense). Also be sure to separate all 4 corners. Don't try to plumb the fronts together as one system and the backs together as another. This will allow the air to transfer side-to-side when you corner and will handle shitty. Plus it will make it harder to get the car to sit level. Ah, well...live and learn.
You can email Kurt at Autocore at autocorekustoms@yahoo.com. He does awesome work. You won't be disappointed.
If you go to Lowrider magazines website. They just ran an article on bagging a 50 Chevy. Pretty straight forward. I never use the D.O.T lines. I always use hydraulic lines. Costs more, but never ever had a problem with em
I second that on the "banded" bags, they will blow out. Stick to Firestones, Contitechs, or my new personal favorite Slam Specialties. Cruise around on forums like layitlow.com, you can get a ton of info on what works and what doesn't.
mini-truckers are a goldmine for info on bags and setups. My rear setup was just finished by a mini-trucker.
I'm a former minitrucker and just sold my bagged/bodydropped Nissan Hardbody for a 61 caddy. I'll give my 2 cents, definately buy good reputable shit and do your research. I would check out suicidedoors.com for anything you need, they have some of the best prices and excellent service. It's all pretty good quality shit. I know of local places around here that I would recommend to install but none other than that. There are diagrams all over the place on the internet so just do a search. If you got any questions I can try and help too.
I know everybody has their own preference, but based on experience, and speaking with very reputable custom shop owners in the minitruckin business, I would not recommend Contitech bags. Unlike Firestones, as you put more pressure in them, the bellows (bag part) tends to get wider instead of taller, which inhibits the quality of the ride. Just a bit of friendly advise
I gotta say buy cheap and you will be on the side of the road fixing shit....I know a guy that makes a decent living fixing bags that have been done cheap....
True, dont go cheap you get what you pay for. Personally I'll run Slam Specialties in my Caddy along with an engine driven or VIAir 450's compressors. I'll be buying all my stuff from Suicidedoors.com and online classifieds to get the best deal. Check out dfwminis.com, occasionally they have good stuff for sale and good advice if you need it. There are a few members that have built cover trucks and my previous truck which was done very very well.
basically.. 1. nothing can rub the bag.. NOTHING. 2. a valve is a valve is a valve, electric or manual it just lets air in or out.. if you cant wire a switch you shouldnt be working on cars.. (i have seen minitrucker guys using ball valves from home depot. (identical to the valves under my kitchen sink..) i use paddle valves.. which are getting more and more difficult to locate.. 3. a PUMP is NECESSARY. ONBOARD.. (i actually carry a spare) 3.5 the pump should be connected to power through a relay.. the relay can be controled by a switch or a pressure valve.. or whatever.. but I just use a switch.. ( carry a spare relay too..) 4. A BIG reserve tank for spare air.. so that the pump has somewhere to store the air IS NECESSARY.. (i use the biggest tank I can fit) and try to use something brand new and try to use stainless steel tanks if I cant find a new tank that will fit....) 5. did i say that the bag cant rub anything.. NOTHING 6. air lines are important..but I dont think copper is a good idea.. (how do you fix copper at roadside) i just buy d.o.t. stuff air line and I insulate my air lines inside another piece of tubing..(usually an old piece of air compressor hose..) 7. somewhere your going to want to run a guage.. so that you know what pressures your runnin at.. try not to put gauges or controls for your valves dead center of the dash.. (it looks stupid and your friends will laugh at you..) 8. I think that its perfectly ok to run the bags together (fronts T'ed) rears T'ed etc.. but i only speak from the 40000 or so miles my bagged 40 has traveled.. 9. i think it (bagging) can be done lowbuck.. however i wouldnt skimp on bags.. I run firestones..
I agree with sawzall, with one extra tidbit of info on #8 of his list. When you T the airlines to the bags, there is always the possibility of the car swaying when you turn (if you don't have a swaybar). Not all vehicles do it. I personally T my stuff all the time, and have never had a problem, but keep that in mind. Shawn
one thing on banded bags, i got a dollar i'll bet that says 99% of the failures of them are due to improper installation/use. bags are not meant to be the component that limits suspension travel, you MUST have shocks that limit lift, or some other means of limiting how tall the bag gets, or else you will literally rip the bag apart. i only hear horror stories about banded bags coming apart from people like mini truckers and lowriders who really abuse their setups. if you jack your car up and leave the suspension hanging from the bags, leaving them looking like a 80 year old saggy tit, you are fucking your own stuff up, don't blame the manufacturer when they fail.
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