68 firebird air ride

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Iam drooling over this street challange air ride kit from ride tech. It almost seems impossible with my budget to attain. My goal is to get that low pro touring look and ride without spending a fortune. I would change the wheels to 17s, and would love to get rid of the leaf springs. Are there any other alternatives besides the ridetech suspension? I could just save my money for the next 3 years and get the street challange, which is what I would want... Thanks in advance. Derek

[ProdigyCustoms]

If you want Air suspension, Ride Tech is the only system I would use. If you can wait it is worth saving your money for. Also, you DO NOT have to do the Street Challenge kit to get air ride suspension on the car.

If you simply cannot afford air susension you can get that low and cool stance with many other set ups. you just won't have the cool in car ride height adjust ability.

We have 5 different brands of suspension products, so feel free to call and discuss budget and time frain,

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Thanks for the reply. What if I bought the rear air bar with the air shocks as a stand alone for now and air up the shocks manually until I can afford the rest. This way I can lower my ride for now and buy each system in the future as my money allows, until I eventually get the whole street challange set up. I know it might cost allitle mor that way instead of buying all at once but thats what will have to happen.. Will that work or do I need the air pod and compressor right away. Thanks in advance

[dhutton]

Thanks for the reply. What if I bought the rear air bar with the air shocks as a stand alone for now and air up the shocks manually until I can afford the rest. This way I can lower my ride for now and buy each system in the future as my money allows, until I eventually get the whole street challange set up. I know it might cost allitle mor that way instead of buying all at once but thats what will have to happen.. Will that work or do I need the air pod and compressor right away. Thanks in advance

Yes you can:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35367

[ProdigyCustoms]

Yup, that works. We can provide the shrader valves and tubeing to do that.

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Thats awesome !! Thanks, it will probably be a winter project for next year. Dont want to take the car off .. just getting ready for cruizing and shows. Cant wait!!!!

[bret]

Think about setting it up with our Balck Series ShockWaves. They are about $300/pair less expensive than the single adjustable ShockWaves adn provide a nice ride quality. You could always trade up to the single adjustable or double adjustable ShockWaves when time/money permit. You may like the Black Series so well that you wont want to change! Here is some Shockwave info: http://www.ridetech.com/shop/suspension-systems/shockwaves/

[elitecustombody]

I'd spend $250-400 extra and buy a compressor and cheap valves,so you can adjust the height and not get stuck somewhere, or just carry air tank in the trunk,lol

also if you're not too concerned about the handling,have some tools and can fabricate, you can install airbags,and have the car slammed at the low low$

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I do have an air tank lol. Iam not to concerned with handling as long as the ride is comfortable, its more of a cruzin car. Thanks again for the advice.. Ill start with the rear and work my way up front. Cant wait to get rid of those leaf springs. There are not alot of pro touring first gen birds, Although you guys have some amazing cars, very nice.:) Oh btw I have a lackwood ladder bar that connects from the rear to the floor board, will I have to remove this in order to install the rear bar with air system?

[MonzaRacer]

Birdboy, as for single air line setups Bret set me up in '98 for my 71 Monte Carlo CoolRide air springs and brackets.
Now not exactly the same but the Air Bar will give you good ride and handling, I simply went to local hardware store and had the fittings for a bladder tank, simple 1/8th NPT fittings, and bolted them into holes already in my rear bumper.
This system worked awesome.
Now if you are looking for a simple compressor setup, look around for an A6 air conditioner compressor and use that, mine lasted on my 78C10 from 04 to late 06 and I drove my truck daily 90miles a day round trip to work.
So either way using a single line to each ShockWave or installing an A6 compressor works.
Also you dont need solenoids you can use manual paddle switches it just takes more line and some ingenuity.
I have a single line to Coolride on each front corner on my truck and the rears are tied together on tee. And I use 3 gauges, 2 front one rear but you could also use dual needle gauges.
Then as finances get better up grade to electronic control.
BUT if you buy an electric compressor always buy the biggest they got, never get small one.
My newest project is getting CoolRide all around(84 Caprice 2dr) Corvette big brakes and 18 in Corvette wheels.
As for handling with individual lines to each corner and dial it in right and the car WILL handle great.

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Hey thanks lee. Alot of good info there.

[MonzaRacer]

Yell if you need any help. i am a genius at swapping,moding and just plain making anything work.
Been there and still doing it.