Slam Specialties question

I'm using RE7's in the front and RE8's in the rear of my 48 Chevy pickup. I'm having trouble fitting the rear bags. I'm using a triangulated four link and I want to put the bags on top of the bars in front of the axle,I was told this would raise the truck rear at the same rate as the front but room is very limited because of top bars. Can any one tell me the max height of bag when inflated? Factory specs say max of 12" with 200lbs. I'm also opened to suggestions for lay out.

 

Why such a big bag for the rear?

 

The rear bags will have the capability to extend more than the front bags anyway, so I do not think it is necessary to mount them on the top link bars. Mounts on the axle would be way less complicated, no?

Plus, I do not understand your statement "I was told this would raise the truck rear at the same rate as the front." - At the "same rate"? The rate of rise will be controlled by the valves/controller which will be separate from front to rear anyway, so the rise "rate" between front and rear based on bag placement should not be an issue.

Additionally, The idea of having all the weight of the back of the vehicle suspended by bag mounts placed somewhere along the horizontal length of a (relatively small dia.) link bar is not ideal.

 

I went with the bigger rear bags on the recommendation of dealer because I want to pull a trailer. I'm now thinking of swaping them out to be same as fronts.
Good point about all the weight on the small pipe.
Maybe my question should be about raising the truck equally with one control. I was told the front comes up a little faster when bag is placed over axle. Is this true?

 

I have seen set ups with bags in front of axle. Is that just for more travel?

 

Bags on the lower bars is really only good for getting more lift, if your going to tow i'd recommend over the axle/ or behind so you get the most weight handling capacity out of the bag. if not make the lower bars out of 2x2 3/16 and mount them on the bars. they well be more than strong enough.

 

http://slamspecialties.com/

click "compare"....tells you all you need to know on the bag specs

 

Are you saying that you plan to run all four corners with just one controller?

I would definitly recommend against that - especially if you are going to be towing as you'd want to be able to add more pressure to the back.

When I first set up my bags, I tried to get away with only two controllers; one for front and one for back with the front bags tied together and the back bags also tied as pairs. Bad, bad idea as it allows the air to transfer from bag to bag (sway) around corners and was very difficult to convince the car to ever sit level from side to side without alot of dinkin around. You really need to have each corner on its own separate controller/lines.

I eventually went to an AccuAir computer controlled setup that automatically adjusts each corner's air pressure to sit the car level at any given (pre-programable) ride height. It was an expensive setup and I'm not sure you need to go that crazy, but for sure don't try to cheap-out (like I did the first time around). You need to take it to a certain level, or you will just end up hating it & having to re-do it and therefore spend more money than just doing it right the first time.

 

The Slam Specialties handle 2,281 lbs. force at max stroke (80PSI) I'm not totally clear what that means but it sounds like plenty to handle a small trailer with 9N tractor. If I had to I could use load levelers.
I'm new to the air bag scene, I have a valve for each corner. I know you can pancake with one switch. Can you raise front and back with one switch? I'll use as many switches as needed.
Looks like I had some bad info with the front lifting first thing.

 

yes you can raise the front and back together if you wanted but i'd do the front and the back on two switches. you might need more pressure in the back from time to time. most people run one for each corner, front and back and pancake. so 7 switches would work fine.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll post photo when I finish layout. I made frame from cab back out of 3/16 plate,finished in 2x4 tube. Looks stock...kinda.

 

If you plan on towing DO NOT mount the bags to the links. Mounting the bags on the link bars is something people have been doing to get crazy lift. If you are going to be towing then put the bags over the axle.