Air Bag Suspension?

[2nd Day]

Does anyone know anything about Air Bag Suspenion?

Lookin at the how it works and how to put on my Jeep after I chop the frame and rear springs. Should be able to fab something so it can sit on the rear ubolts...?

[ July 02, 2003, 05:26 AM: Message edited by: 2nd Day ]

[rockjeep44]

Yea I've ridden with a feller that ran air bags in the rear. We talked about it pretty extensively and it's cool and all but after you get the bags, compressor, run the lines, and build the 4-link you might as well have run coils. Unless you just want the cool factor of running air bags, coils are more practical. Also, you do know that you'll have to build a link suspension to run that right (4-link or 3-link) since with either air bags or coils there won't be anything locating the axle and building a link suspension isn't exactly a walk in the park nor a cheap endeavor. We're talking heim joints, tubing, rod inserts, brackets, etc. I'm not trying to discourage you from making your truck hardcore, I just think you drifted away from reality there for a little while and need to be brought back. SOA is probably more feasable for you right now and thats still not an easy job but I'm sure people from the board could help out. You could still bob around 15in off the frame and chop the top.
-Andrew

Edit: You may have been thinking about running air bags with the leaf springs you already have and then you wouldn't have to build a 4-link but the only purpose that would serve would be to level out the rearend if you had a heavy load. An air bag suspension for hardcore offroad purposes will only function well by themselves (ie no leafs)

[ July 02, 2003, 05:56 AM: Message edited by: rockjeep44 ]

[2nd Day]

So your sayin I could still do the SOA in the rear and the front with cuttin the frame?

[rockjeep44]

Yes, without actually going out and gettin an exact measurement I know FSJs have about 16in of overhang past the rearmost spring hangers. The rearmost spring hangers are the last thing on the frame that is crucial so everything else past that can be chopped off. Just look at my Jeep, thats exactly what I did...cut off the excess.
-Andrew

[scotty]

no,still chop youe frame,just keep susp mods to a minimal at this point in time. if you want airbags or coils thats cool,we just want to make sure you have a clear picture of what it will take to actually make it work...

thats what i gathered from andrews post,anyway ;)

[2nd Day]

How much would a coil setup like that cost?

EDIT-Andrew can you post pics of your chopped springs and the spring hanger area? I tried lookin on RRR Site, but it no worky this mornin...

[ July 02, 2003, 06:12 AM: Message edited by: 2nd Day ]

[JeepKahn]

Originally posted by rockjeep44:

Edit: You may have been thinking about running air bags with the leaf springs you already have and then you wouldn't have to build a 4-link but the only purpose that would serve would be to level out the rearend if you had a heavy load. An air bag suspension for hardcore offroad purposes will only function well by themselves (ie no leafs)Actually, there was a guy in one of the mags last year with a competion rockrig that used airbags and just cut his leaf packs down to the the main leaf for axle location purposes and the bags handled the suspending duties...

[rockjeep44]

Yea, I'm a little pissed off about that. We're trying to move providers but we don't have all the club dues collected yet. You can sift through these and see if you find anything helpful, they are the only pics I have access to right now.
http://community.webshots.com/user/rockjeep44
http://community.webshots.com/user/rockjeep4
Just for clarification, I didn't chop my springs, just everything reward of the rearmost spring hanger.

As far as the cost of a coil setup it all really depends on the quality of the parts you buy. If I was building one I would use DOM for my links which is around $5/ft depending on size and wall thickness. Then you'll need at least 8 heims and I wouldn't skimp here since you're linking your axle and don't want any weak points so those are going to run about $30 apeice, 8 misalignment bushings at $4 apeice, 8 tube adapters at $12, 8 link attatchment tabs unless u want to fab your own at $4, miscellaneous tubing for crossmembers over the axle and to mount your links to, limiting straps, etc. And thats before you buy your coils. Those prices are a little rough but definitely close enough to give you an idea. It's not all that bad but it ain't cheap either.

[rockjeep44]

Originally posted by JeepKahn:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by rockjeep44:

Edit: You may have been thinking about running air bags with the leaf springs you already have and then you wouldn't have to build a 4-link but the only purpose that would serve would be to level out the rearend if you had a heavy load. An air bag suspension for hardcore offroad purposes will only function well by themselves (ie no leafs)Actually, there was a guy in one of the mags last year with a competion rockrig that used airbags and just cut his leaf packs down to the the main leaf for axle location purposes and the bags handled the suspending duties...</font>[/QUOTE]Thats what I like to call the "I built it like this because I don't know how to build a 4-link" suspension :D In regards to my previous post, a 4-link can be built for next to nothing but when it comes to going hardcore I don't like to skimp on parts so that is reflected in the advice I give. But, just in case you're interested, my buddy build a 4-link in one sitting using schedule 40 pipe, energy suspension bushings at all corners, some 2x2 square tubing for an axle crossmember, and used some stock TJ coils.

[2nd Day]

For once I am not all that worried about price. I have about 700-800 maybe more to put get it all done plus a roll bar. After I do all that I will stil have only put about 1500 total into my Jeep. I have made some new friends that have a garage and the knowledge down here that are willing to help me too so I am gonna learn a lot. I am definetley not gonna be "too" hardcore lol,but Id like to be able to sit up about 6 inches and not scrape if I go back on the tougher trails....

[2nd Day]

Wheres a good place to get all the parts for the spring deal like what hes done on www.muddyjeep.com (http://www.muddyjeep.com)

Thats basically my inspiration and what my Jeep should look like,but on a smaller scale,lol.I really dont want to relocate my tank unless I have too...

[2nd Day]

Or could I just cut the rear springs, make the rear SOA higher, SOA in the front and chop the back off along with the frame and still get the rollbar in?

[ July 02, 2003, 08:03 AM: Message edited by: 2nd Day ]

[CowKiller]

i remember what jeepkahn said. there was a dude that used his main leaf as the sus bars, cuthte rear half of it off, then put the coils on it. the leaf held it in place

[rockjeep44]

Originally posted by Cow Killer:
i remember what jeepkahn said. there was a dude that used his main leaf as the sus bars, cuthte rear half of it off, then put the coils on it. the leaf held it in placeYea but like I said that is the "I built it like this because I don't know how to build a 4-link" suspension.

Brandon, you can shop around the internet for the best prices but there are one stop shop places out there with good prices like www.bluetorchfab.com (http://www.bluetorchfab.com) www.poisonspidercustoms.com (http://www.poisonspidercustoms.com) www.mountainoffroad.com (http://www.mountainoffroad.com) www.polyperformance.com (http://www.polyperformance.com)
They all have everything you need to build a link suspension.

Originally posted by 2nd Day:
Or could I just cut the rear springs, make the rear SOA higher, SOA in the front and chop the back off along with the frame and still get the rollbar in?Again, for clarification, you're not cutting the rear springs, just everything behind the rear most spring hanger. The rear springs stay exactly the same. And yes, you can make the existing rear SOA higher to match a front SOA, chop everything off the back, and still get the rollcage in. Basically you have just described my jeep. Also, if you want to save yourself a lot of time and money you should consider buying my cage. It's an 8pt cage, fully bolt in, will fit a bobbed or non bobbed FSJ, extremely beefy, and even has built in mounts for seats and 5pt harnesses which many cages do not. You want to mount your seats and harnesses to the cage rather than the floor. Heck you might even want my bumpers especially if you're gonna bob yours cuz they would fit perfectly and the rear bumper even has built in quartel panel side protection.
-Andrew

[orangecherokee]

brandon i enjoy the fact you're into building your rig up but let's be realistic. if you have 700-800 dollars let's try and use it wisely. i would suggest a good SOA ($100-150) and use the other funds to get your rig in shape. you need a tranny cooler, a roll bar or cage, better brakes, maybe new body mount bushings and maybe some engine upgrades. building a 4-link isn't a walk in the park and half assing one together isn't gonna cut it. also, if money is not an option why not save up for some tons. it's taking me forever but that's the route i'm going. ok this is getting long but the point is...slow down and figure out what is best for for the later. what's now may be cool but later it may just seem like a waste.

[2nd Day]

Im all about SOA man, can it be done if I chop the rear springs?

[rockjeep44]

OMG Brandon, how many times do I have to tell you that you are not chopping the rear springs, only the excess past the rearmost spring hangers. And yes it can be done. Read my last couple posts. I've answered all of those questions in detail. Comeon man, I'm putting a lot of thought into my replies, read that junk thoroughly and then reread it! smile.gif
-Andrew

[2nd Day]

Sorry man, I think i hit my head pretty hard Saturday...thanks for all teh help!

[2nd Day]

Andrew check ur PMS....

[CowKiller]

Originally posted by rockjeep44:
OMG Brandon, how many times do I have to tell you that you are not chopping the rear springs, only the excess past the rearmost spring hangers. And yes it can be done. Read my last couple posts. I've answered all of those questions in detail. Comeon man, I'm putting a lot of thought into my replies, read that junk thoroughly and then reread it! smile.gif
-Andrewhahahahhahah! sounds like a lil kid. like omg! lol, just playin andrew

[Will Morris]

Hey Brandon, good luck with this endeavor, but I think you'd be best off doing an SOA on the front, and shackle flip on the rear with suburban springs so you can move the rear axle back some. Forget airbags and 4 links and listen to what Andrew has to say. He knows his stuff and he's giving you good advice. Then chop the top, get a part time transfer case, weld the diffs, get some locking hubs and get some used tires and your 700 will be used up and then some. You'll have a truck that'll cruise over a lot of stuff but still be reliable. Just so you know, that 700 will disappear a lot quicker than you think it will.

Will

[2nd Day]

Thanks Will (and Andrew smile.gif ) I think im gonna shoot for SOA front and rear....definetley lots of Choppin.... :D