Air ride without controls or coilovers?

[Dave R]

Hey guys,
I was getting my car set up for air ride with the 8000 series bags in the rear and 104's in front of my 63 Fairlane 4 door. I went with the 8000 idea because I don't really know the weight of the car and I want the ability to carry 4 adults as well as some stuff in the trunk. From the factory, the car weighed around 3200 with the 260/2 speed. I now have an aluminum 4.6 DOHC with a 4R70W in a MII front end and an 8.8 from an explorer on a 4 link. The measurements are perfect for the bags but I can't really afford to get the entire setup as I was hoping to. I'm retiring from the Air Force in April and we have to adjust plans. I have the coil springs for the front now but need something for the rear. Eventually I'm going to get the air ride setup within the next 3 years or so. With that, would I be able to get the rear setup and just use them with a set level of air with no compressor on board and work fine? I'm thinking like the old helper air shocks where you filled the valve with a tire filler at the gas station. I just need to find the pressure that gives me the right ride height and then set it and forget it. Then when I finally go for the rest of the setup, I don't have to try and sell some coilovers that I had to put temporarily on the rear.

Otherwise, if not possible, I'm going to be looking at some coilovers and will probably need help picking the spring rate.

I built the rear and bracketry to accommodate the 6.9 stroke RQ 8000 setup at a 73* angle and that would let me ride at 17.25" ride height and set it down to where my bump stops would hold the axle just 1/2" before shock bottoming. That leaves me 1/2" before the lower 4 link bracket is on the ground.

In case you haven't realized. This is not a race car. I'm doing it for a daily street driver that is going to sit low at the car shows. I plan on a 2.1 Kenne Bell too if you're wondering about the rear size.

So, to shorten this up, can I run the air bag rear setup on 2 separate air valves that I manually fill until I get the rest of the setup?

Thanks guys.

Dave

[MonzaRacer]

Yes. I ran a pair of 1/8th in pipe thread bladder tank pressure fittings, the type you use too fill the bladder tank with air. I used them and bolted them into the rear bumper of my 71 Monte Carlo, I had bought rear coolride too replace completely worn out springs that had been "helped" with 2 welded together coil spring lift kits.
I ran that car from before the 98 East Coast Power Tour till fall of 2000. I carried 4 sbc engine blocks, 8 cylinder heads and multiple other parts all with a simple air pressure change.
Heck even simple paddle switches could be used to feed air from a tank/pump setup. My 78 C10 has a full on CoolRide set up, 5 gallon multi port tank, three paddle switches,three gauges and and the first couple years was fed by an A6 AC compressor, then a York/Tecumseh compressor.

[Dave R]

Awesome. Sounds like fun. I'll go ahead and order the bags and then fit it all with air lines to a temporary spot. At least then I can drive the car and move it around to the shop until I get the rest of the system. I'll probably do the same with the fronts and then get the pump/tank/solenoid setup after.

Thanks for the real world experience.

Dave

[marolf101x]

DaveR,

We actually use our "Inflation Kits" while we are building a car and do not yet have a compressor system fitted. We've had many customers use the inflation kit for years before they purchased a compressor system.
We offer a number of options for inflation kits which you can see here:
http://www.ridetech.com/store/components/compressor-system-components/air-line/

[Dave R]

Awesome. Thanks for the replies. I'm going to get the stuff ordered soon. Do you think I need to go with the 8000 series or can I go with the lower rated 4" bag setup?

Thanks
Dave

[marolf101x]

If you have room there's no real disadvantage of using the larger 8000 Series air springs.
If you do not have room we need actual vehicle weights and suspension points so we can calculate anticipated load.

[Classic Nova & Performance]

We use the inflation kits on project cars here at the shop so we can move them around, and as Britt said a temporary fix until the air management is purchased/installed.

[Dave R]

Awesome news guys. I'm just waiting on a sale and then I'll get the 8000's and the inflation kit. I built the 4 link and mounts for the 8000 clearance so I'll just go with them. Can't wait now.

Thanks for the info!

Dave