air ride tech request

I have read Kustombuilder's tech on air ride and apreciate the info. I have some more specific questions regarding bag pressure and shock absorbers. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
I have a 49 Mercury (heavy), four bar rear suspension, lots of unsprung weight (heavy wheels, tires and rear end). My car rides like a bucking bronco after a bump. It taks a long time for the shcok to settle the rear. I currently run some KYB shocks. I also know air pressure in the bags makes a difference.

I called Air Ride and their advice was to run enough pressure in the rear bags so they are 9-9.5 inches from top to bottom. This seems like a lot and takes about 90 psi. Plus the car sits too high when the bag is that tall. I would like to avoid remounting the bags. What I want to know is can I run the bags at lower pressure and make up for the difference with a better shock absorber. Or is there some other way to deal with this.

thanks for your help.

Dan

 

You dont have to do this of course, but this is what i do for my customers that i install air bags for. Measure your collapsed length of your shock when your car is on the ground. Take that measurement and the style ends that are on your shocks and get Rancho 9000x shocks. Its a adjustable gas charged shock so you can set the shock form soft to so stiff its hard to move. I do that alot because people like to drive low without bottoming out.

Are your bags mounted above your axle?
Are you running sleeve bags or bellow bags?

 

thanks for the info. My bags are above my axle and they are bellow bags.

Dan

 

Those bags ride better with low pressure. Get those shocks and i think you will be alot happier. If you want get me the collapsed length and end styles of your shocks and i can get you a part number.

I am only saying this from experience and airbags are a very touchy subject to some people. I am only telling you from my experiences in doing this stuff. i know everyone has a different opinion, but this is what has worked for me.

 

215slowpoke is an air bag god.. if there is one..

 

damn straight!

i ride with my front bags at about 35 psi and the rear bags about 20-25 psi.

i am also running the same shocks.


Also different brands of bags have different "boucny" feelings.

Firestones, really bouncy

Air lift , pretty firm

Slam Specialties - REALLY firm.

connectech are pretty much like firestone bags

and there's a pleathera of other offshoots.


I really like the airlift and slam bags the most they tend to give the less "bounce" ...

 

What is a recommended affortable bag type out there? Im looking to buy some here shortly...and only want up and down, simple but effective.

Anyone have a spare set for sale laying around?

 

they're pretty much about all the same price range.


avoid bying used. people set up airride all the time, and are pretty dumb about it , rub = blown.

you can just do a front bag set up, for manual fill, or front back, side side (gives you each wheel adjustablity, suggested so you don't end up crooked.)

anyway... there's a ton of options.

check out www.suicidedoors.com and www.bagsandbrackets.com , both offer a wide selection of parts, and some decent prices on air manegment parts , rather than buying for the big names and getting taking to the launders.

 

bottom feeder,
I also forgot to ask what kind of angle your shocks are mounted at because if they are layed down too much it will make the car feel like the shocks are blown. There will be too much leverage on them causing it to bounce.