Question About Air Bag Sizing

I have an issue with the front bags on my 51 Chevy. They are rubbing on the lower control arms. Obviously this needs to be addressed.

I found some bags that are 1 inch smaller in diameter. I understand that the smaller bags will require more pressure to lift the car, but will it ride much stiffer? I have heard both sides of the story, and I can understand the logic for both arguments.

So, for those who have done it, or know more than I do. Will a smaller bag ride firmer at a specific ride height?

 

What bag do you have now?
I used firestone bags I got from Air ride technologies in my '54 it was the smallest double convoluted bag they sold (part # F6781).
My car rode great.

 

Yes it will ride slightly stiffer due to the psi increase to get that same amount of lift from a smaller bag.

 

I have the small firestone bags now. They are slightly too big. The ones I am looking at are the 5 inch smal specialties

 

They are actually 5.5 inches not 5 so be careful there. Yes they will need more PSI to get the same lift, but because they are smaller you can get the same ride quality at a lower ride height. LOL.

 

yep, and i would like to buy the big ones if you decide to change.
the smaller ...the stiffer. Believe it or not.

 

Even at 5.5 inches they are an inch narrower than the firestone I have now. I figure is they are too stiff I will put then in the back, and move the rears to the front.

 

Smaller bags will require more pressure to lift the car, but i don't think you will notice much difference in ride, may actually be a little less float than a significant increase in stiffness. I don't think you would even notice if you have shocks in the front.
I have two cars on bags and the only thing I notice is the increase in air usage with the smaller bags, even though the smaller ones are on a much lighter car.