I gotta doit so the ? is 4 link or just pull a leaf or 2 out and go that route? thats on the falcon wagon by the way.
I've seen some bagged leafs with only a single leaf and bags. It didn't have traction bars but I would put one just below the spring if it was me
From my experience being around the truckin scene you dont want to bag air over leaf. the ride quality*****s and its a little dangerous...the rear end bounces all over the place. if you're gonna do it, do it right...4 link it.
4-link may be the way to go, but I've had a great experience with the 'AOL' set-up on my Galaxie. I've never driven a 'bagged 4-link car to compare. A few details: '62 Ford Galaxie, main leaf +1 remain, AirRide Technologies 'bags, 2" lowering blocks. I drive the car pretty hard with a 5-speed and do not have wheel hop problems. Malcolm
My Hearse drives like***** with Air over Leaf, it's still how it was when I bought it and the axle moves around all over the place when you corner or accelerate with anything but the bigs pumped to the max.......I'll be changing it out as soon as I get it back from crash repair.
What about a half leaf set up that way its like a ladder bar with the bags on the back of the rear end insted of the coil overs. Its what im thinking about for my falcon wagon. Fat man fab makes one.
Like surprises? I have seen six examples of broken springs with this setup. Luckily, nobody was hurt. Fixing the crash damage and then putting some sort of link system in there cost way more in the long run than the initial, safe setup would have cost. I am just your average cracker. If I can pull this off, so can you.
http://www.deviouscustoms.com/Gallery/WallOfShame/tabid/61/Default.aspx look for yourself at the broken leaf springs
DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT TRY TO DO THIS IT IS SUPER DANGEROUS, air over leaf is not at all the right way unless your using it for extra load, people try air over leaf because they think of simplicity, make the extra effort and at least do a two link or ladder bars, but if you are going to have alot of lift start looking towards a three or four link, the extra effort is worth it I promise adn you'll enjoy a better ride.
and half leaf systems are very dangerous. If you are goin to go as far as cutting the leaf in half to mount bags behind the axle, why not make 2 links that will be bushing mounted at the frame (can use stock spring mounts depending on the car) and u-bolted at the rear end. Its crude but exponentially safer then the "half-leaf" method.
Yup-4-link it!!! Triangulated is the best way to go,becuase there is no side to side movement like you get with a panhard bar in a parralell set-up. Sure it may be more work-but worth it in the long run! Do it once-do it right-Long after the price is forgotten,the quality still remains!!!!
2-link it using the stock spring hangers. 2"x2" sq. tubing, a pair of bushing ends, some bag brackets, bags, u-bolts and a panhard bar...done.
I'm inclined to agree with that. There's a lot of tunability in a triangulated four-link. The other options are Straight four-link with lateral locator (Panhard/Watts/Mumford/whatever) Three-link with lateral locator Upper A-bracket & lower links Lower A-bracket & upper links and probably a few more I can't think of right now.
I just had my car redone and completely ripped out the old leaf spring and bag set up.They used the old leaf mount for one of the link mounts and made new ones for the other.I had toxic shocks put on it which are gas and made for low cars.The car went from riding like a complete pile of***** to riding like a nice smooth car and I can only put about 3 fingers under the car when it is dumped.I agree with" if your gonna do it my as well do it right".
Hey, the rent is cheap, and the bullet holes add character! The locals all know I me as really crazy, and they steer clear of ME.
I thank you all for the advise and i think the answer is 4 link! It has to be safe! In hopes that the wife will own this one so i can get my truck!
There is nothing dangerous about air over leaf if done correctly. You will not get the amount of drop you could otherwise. Do not do it with just one leaf. And it doesn't ride as nicely as some other setups but if done correctly rides fine.
How would using air bags on the back of this system be any different then using coil overs. Im not saying to cut the back of the springs off.Fat Man Fabrication sells the kit. Its not just some hacked up*****. It bolts into your stock front spring cup.
Drugasm is a PIMP, just because he got rid of his RockStar 49 Chevy doesnt automatically take his PIMP card... I went 4 link. Gambino has the perfect kit!
best advice think of it was a racecar with a 4linksetup for the rear for traction and handling... not replace the coils with bags now you have an adjustable suspenion that will handle and get traction...bag over leaf is for towing and then its not even that reliable either...its better to go with a 3 link or more...
I did the air over leaf on my 55 Caddy with 3 of the 5 leaves removed. With my 455 Olds I can torque steer the**** end over about 6-8" at freeway speeds. Not KOOL at all. I am either doing a custom triangle 4 link or something exotic
The air over leaf systems that don't work right are done the wrong way and for the wrong reason . Someone nailed it earlier ; it is great for a helper for extra weight . I put aol on my '40 about 40,000 miles ago and it works wonderfully . Of course if you take all the leaves out of the springs , they will not work correctly and may break ...d-uh . I put mine on when I started towing a camper and only keep a few pounds in the bags when not loaded . The leaf springs already worked correctly for normal driving . If you want to do that mini truck thing and "lay frame" or whatever , use a triangular 4 link .
Thats right!!! I got a dude running an S-10 the last 10 years with air over leaf and not 1 problem! It is safe and dependable if done right
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