If you had the money what system would you buy? Would you buy someone's complete kit or individual pieces and make you own kit? Someone told me that Parker Hanafin valves were the best you could get is that true. So far I am really impressed with the all the items from air ride technologies. These questions are for the 36 I am working. This is my first air bag project so I am kind of new too the systems.
Air ride tech is great stuff but a little costly when you start looking at their shockwaves. I have heard that people have been real happy with other stuff for less money. As far as the kits, make a list of what you need and compare it to whats in the kit. I've done a few systems for other people with kits and still had to order parts here and there. If funds are not an issue (lucky prick..HA HA) than some of these new systems like Accuride are a pretty cool way to go. They will self adjust if your 439 lb buddy jumps in the pass seat. There's a couple guys on here that have qouted doing a couple hundred systems so they would be judges of what the good stuff is. Anyway good luck.
If i had the money id go with shock waves. I want my car to handle like a vette. Better yet id buy that new frame from morrison chassis thats out they used in the amsoil 52 chevy! Mines a 52 but a 4 door. Anyone see that car in street rodder? Looks awsome!
Your right about parker valves, they are the bast and can set you up with a valve that suits your needs (hopping or just crusin....I would hope your not hopping) The shockwaves I've heard and researched alot of bad stuff about, no personal experience but have read that they have a separation issue that they still have not solved nor acknoledged exists....plus they just dont have a very good lift to em...seems like everything I've read about them folks either LOVE em or HATE em. I built my own, learned alot in the process and am now changing some things around (not products mind you but locations) over the experience I gained from the first install. I however swear by the Slam specialty bags, great design and have not had one issue with em in the 6 years I been running them....during the re-build of the truck I ordered 4 new ones just so they were new, after 6 years it looks as if they are at 50% used up.....not bad if you ask me... Edit: After I posted this the guy above me posted his views....I did not post the Slam specialtiy comment because of this, I posted that cause thats what I use and they work good.... Look up their cut away drawing and see why they are the best bag in the industry, internal bump stops so you dont cut a bag when you slam it, non-ballooning technology so they go up not out and a fully captured base lip as opposed to a crimp top.... more pricey yes....great service life though....
Thanks for the info so far. I did pick up some Firestone 2600 and they are really nice. ElPalacko is the one doing the frame for me and we are both doing some cool stuff on the frame so pics will be up soon on the El Portal coupe project. Any one else want to weigh in with their opinions or hard research? Here is a link to the coupe project. http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300942
The self leveling feature of the Accuair system is sweet. As previously mentioned it takes the guesswork out of leveling your ride when your fat buddies pile in. I also agree that it's difficult to buy a "kit". Unless you're working with something that's super popular like an S-10, odds are you could have built up a system cheaper yourself. ART seems to cater to the "kit" buyers that don't want to piece together anything. Some of their products look pretty good...but they're not cheap. We're also running Slam-bags.
I think the computer controlled systems are "nice" but not needed... Kinda like guages, nice, but not needed, put a presure switch in and let it do it's job. My thought: Bags are already a bit more complicated than your normal set up....keep it simple(er) Bottom line, I've learned that you get to know your ride and how your suspention feels...I always set it up by feel and never had any problems. Granted I'm not one to change my ride hight at ever single traffic light, riding low onna good street, riding a bit higher on a rough street. Super high in driveways and speedbumps... Put the system in without the additional crap, set it up and drive it...if you then cant live without all the superferlous (sp) crap then add on to it. They are modular enough to do that.
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