How Air Ride Suspension Works

Here is an air bagged Chevy C10 project truck with the bed removed to show some of the workings of air ride suspension. The truck has Firestone airbags, smc valves, avs switches, and viair gauges for controlling the air system. Aside from the air system, the 1986 C10 has 22 inch rims and a bored and stroked small block chevy 383 stroker. Still very incomplete but a work in progress.

[@Stormbow8821]

3:37 Throw the Frisbee, you monster! LOL

[@salemcripple]

You play with that dog right now!

[@thehiggsboson]

Im glad we can all come together as a species to shame this guy for not throwing that Frisbee.

[@HopeIsAlliGot]

Beautiful presentation, awesome explanation and great Truck 😀. Thankyou so much for such a beautiful video sir. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@thepaperboychopo3606]

You stop everything and play w your dog sir

[@South1185420]

This video explained all the questions I had I was searching but only found installments lol im planning to do this to my 2011 F150 👍🏽

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Awesome!

[@thecommenter654]

I love the guages and dash bezel itself. You're ride isnt my style but square boddies are❤. To each his own, nice truck.

[@tnymag523]

Basics explained very well, thanks man.

[@rallydogmakes3861]

Nice project truck dude

[@pitbullairbrushing6165]

Nice truck what kind of shocks do you have to support the air bags

[@Brooklyn_Powers]

Looks like you have some play in that driver side shock, on the top mounting point...

[@ViejoVelazco]

exelente trabajo, felicitaciones

[@MichaelTurner-rt6kr]

Im baggin my 86 as we speak got plate and cup for the front with 2600 dominator airlift bags...dp i need a 2" drop spindle also

[@superhigh99]

Beautiful truck

[@barrettbuford7390]

May be a little late but the top nut for the driver side rear shock is loose👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@project901hamilton9]

your video is very helpful

[@fippper]

We wanna see more of your dog 😀

[@josesaucedo498]

if you domt mind me asking im building my bag setup right and id like to know how long the link bars are on yours i noticed the pinion didnt change drastically. love the truck btw

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

+Jose Saucedo Sorry for the wait! They are about 38 inches from the pivot point to the center of the axle. My drive shaft isn't much longer than that so it makes sense why the angle is pretty constant I think.

[@gandigama1554]

Are you using bolt adapters to install those rims? How safety they are

[@AirGraffix]

End the video with throwing the frisbee for the dog to fetch, switch to slow mo right before dog leaps and punch in sfx(airide inflate) as dog liftsoff. Roll credits

[@josephloveless1945]

nice. like air bags

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

I am not using bolt adapters on them. They are the chevy 5 bolt spacing so they fit just right. I would be concerned about the additional back spacing that a bolt adapter would add. They would probably rub fender if had any spacer between the rotor and the rim.

[@andme9408]

What rims are those and specs

[@williamneigum7002]

poor dog

[@Alex7889.]

What gauges did you use on your cluster?? Great video 👍👍👍👍

[@fuzzymoto896]

They are Viair gauges, it has the little logo just below the needles on the gauge. Viair makes great stuff, some of the best compressors on the maket.

[@primalbeans]

Yeesh that fab work...

[@tommytomtomt]

u just dissed your dog at 3 40

[@dan6199111]

Is it better ride then stock?

[@moosedrummer1]

I had those eagle wheels on a blazer I had slammed. Good wheels. Just wouldn’t run a 2-link.

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

Play with your dog

[@thelocustemperor]

Does air ride change the way a car handles? I mean I know it makes the bumps more bumpy and so forth, but it also let's you ride very low to the ground and that can really change the driving especially a truck. Any pros and cons, it seems like a great idea for older cars...

[@primalbeans]

It's a spring. It actually does a better job soaking up bumps then a conventional coil. The suspensions you are confusing are the hydraulic suspensions. Air ride is very nice when set up correctly.

[@annaharris1786]

What does it cost to add air ride suspension? Can it be done on a 1967 GMC Truck that I also use for landscaping?

[@cryptorenegade3626]

I have a airbag system as well. My front bags release the air quick, but my rear does not drop as fast it dumps slow like a semi. How can I change it to making it quick like yours?

[@cubul32]

A couple of Qs: 1) If you had time to wait - could you manually inflate the bags with a 12V pump? 2) If I had a sedan and I need to adjust the car every other week (rarely anyway) could I do with a 1 gallon tank+compressor (or just the compressor which is essentially Q1)? I'm trying to find out how much air is needed for these; how much cfm goes into one bag at what psi?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Yes, you could inflate with a 12v compressor and no tank but it would probably take about three or four minutes and you would have a hard time independently adjusting each corner. With all bags tied to the same fill port and valve, you can have the issue of air transferring from one side to the other while cornering which will increase roll. A four gallon tank at 200psi will lift the truck about twice before it needs pumped back up, assuming the bags are in the 70 to 100psi range. If you wanted to just use airbags for the ride quality and didn't care about lifting and lowering them, you could put Schrader valves on each corner and pump up with a compressor just like a tire.

[@dsmchick935]

I appreciate your video there I would like to put an air ride on my 99 Eclipse Spyder

[@rysmith9433]

YES

[@rysmith9433]

. . .

[@VIRGILSHELTONII]

I need this on my 07 Avalon

[@JavierLopez-iv5qe]

Can you send me the link to the air bags you have

[@streetclasscc5189]

How much can an air bag twist and bend?? Like i mean if its not straight up and down. Can it inflate and deflate even if the back is not straight up and down??

[@streetclasscc5189]

do you have a pressure switche? for your compressors?

[@blackkoganinja5093]

Show ya pooch some love

[@elgallo1996]

Do you have any shock recommendations from a stock height to a lower height? Thanks in advance

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

I basically scoured the napa (or munro maybe) catalog to find a set that worked with the new, shorter dimensions. They had an online catalog that had the eyelet diameters and max and min height of every shock. Its not perfect, since there might be a better option for the exact weight of the vehicle but it is pretty good. These trucks are pretty middle of the road as far as weight goes.

[@barbarahernandez6264]

Do you have to have shocks with air ride or can you go with out like on hydraulics??? I have air ride on my lincoln and I preferably like the bounce as I'm cruising was thinking of taking my shocks off but want to know will that mess up my suspension or bags

[@Nikel87]

It will probably bounce of the road. The air bags work like a football so your car will act like that.

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

The air bags are just replacing the springs on the car and not the shocks so it would ride similar to if you removed the shocks from a normal car and bounce all over the place. In most states I don't think they would legally allow you to ride without shocks but I'm not positive. I live in Pennsylvania and they are pretty strict.

[@linasvilciauskas8738]

esa tweety ese shadow lokote x3 gghj

[@barbarahernandez6264]

Linas VILCIAUSKAS ???

[@franciscocarranza4633]

nices c10 Truck....

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Thanks! I really like those square body chevy's. I think in a few years they are really going to get popular

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

If you are talking 67-72 C10 I think they are freaking awesome. Unfortunately I think just about everybody does so it is hard to find one without paying an arm and a leg. I think once all the 73-87s start to rust out and become more rare, they will appreciate in value at a much faster rate than the second gens. Mostly because they have a lot more room to grow in terms of price

[@marcuscobley473]

Grind off those old mounts!!!!!!!!!!

[@AC-gq9nk]

Great vid. I've been thinking on doing my truck but I've heard bad things about air ride suspension. Is it worth it or just better to go with a coilovers?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

I think it depends what you want. For performance I would say go coilovers but for ride comfort and just being able to set it on the ground and tuck the wheels then go air ride. The air ride really isn't too much more complex but there are a lot of little fittings, so it can be a little annoying chasing little air leaks around. Then there is always the fear that you could get a leak or have a compressor crap out when you are on the road which would make for a long night.

[@ElVic82]

What’s the difference from valves and a manifold?

[@cptsquish]

how does it compare to hydraulics in terms of long term maintenance?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

It is hard to say and depends on the build really. On a good build, it should be pretty low maintenance. The main things would be the airbags which could need replaced eventually if they get dry rotted, but they are not too expensive. I would think a really well built ride with hydraulics would need almost no maintenance aside from a rare fluid change and maybe a seal here and there. But hydraulics are going to be a lot more money and questionably legal in some states

[@aManVexed]

How much would I have to pay for a decent air ride suspension kit? Not super high quality, but not bottom of the barrel, either.

[@josenarvaez5338]

Where did you get the link sistem

[@jsmith9970]

Who bubble gummed that rear notched frame together. Nice and safe up to driveway speed at best. But luckily it has big dollar air lift system.

[@1dogpobo]

how do u steer the front wheels when lowered. Or is having truck low to ground just for show? If so why spend money and time just for show?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

You have your ride height which is about 4 inches off the ground and allows you to turn fully then when you park or in a parking lot or car show you can set it on the ground. It's all for show but you do pick up some ride quality with the airbags vs leaf springs or coil springs.

[@yotalife0366]

What size air lines your running???

[@grugg3108]

I don't own a car yet but, so if i get air ride suspension, I could raise a truck for dirt roads but lower it for track?

[@user-zp3wb1lp9y]

Correct

[@samnuebel]

How much did it cost to bag that c10

[@JVEReyes]

My car is a chevy s 10 but who put the suspension airbags not good I will be want another compressor I would like if you can tell me how I can install another compressor because I was very expensive where I take it and I do not They left her well

[@Davincisgarage]

Am i missing something or are yu forgetting 2link bars?? Ur shocks are a dif stablizer?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

It is more of an old school trailing arm setup vs a 4 link where the links would keep the pinion relatively level through the travel of the suspension. Under the axle is a ladder bar that each arm is rigidly fixed to to provide resistance from side to side motion. I would rather it be a 4 link but I bought it as a half finished project and have found that I need to re-do a lot of stuff that was done poorly. I am probably going to put a panhard bar on to provide some additional stability and who knows, i may end up doing a 4 link. It is more of a cruiser than a high performance ride though so probably not that critical.

[@Davincisgarage]

Crazy! I am just used to a 4 link setup lol . I see the link bars welded to the dif now. How do you find the handling? and is there any binding?

[@andme9408]

What are the wheels you are running, specs

[@diegozz8476]

no panhard bar ???

[@jessiemaningo4928]

Hello what compressor are you using?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

I don't remember the model of the compressor. It was old and used. It worked well enough, but I never did trust it 100% and had considered putting dual viair compressers, but I ended up selling the truck.

[@Bigrich0g]

Fvcking bad ass i want to get my burban on bags it has 26s on it

[@marianocastrogiovanni1476]

Whats is the model of tires?

[@bigsalo8598]

where's the rest of the car? :P (jK obviously)

[@mariomoya3565]

how much???

[@drewdowncutomz4792]

On ur fuel tank wat size tank did u use and did u swap to a electric fuel pump??

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

It is a 15 gallon tank with a Holley electronic fuel pump.

[@drewdowncutomz4792]

@@CoolStuffGuysLike was it a bolt on or u had to fabricate?

[@Stolencamaro]

How many sekunda is between 3/8 and 1/2

[@ImmortalMatcha]

Can I put this on a 96 chevy 1500 4x4 truck?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

You won't be able to lower a 4x4 very much. The front axle and front driveshaft need somewhere to go. A 96 2wd would be very similar though. And you could lift your 4x4 which would be pretty cool.

[@lolomorales5266]

nice 👍👍👍👍👍

[@cashbling1able]

The dog like I'm tryna play forget the video mate

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Haha, that is her style for sure. Whenever I make an outside video you can usually hear her pouncing and scratching on a frisbee in the background or dropping it on the concrete.

[@cashbling1able]

Cool Stuff Guys Like hey does this setup work for a 09 challenger because iv only seen trucks like yours with the airmaxx

[@RicardoGomez-cg1ev]

Where can I get a tank like this one?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

I found this one on eBay. It also struggled to find a size fuel tank that would fit between the frame rails well. I don't remember the exact dimensions unfortunately. I also custom added on the tall fuel filler riser. Any shop that welds aluminum could probably make you a similar tank if you really wanted.

[@jmtz2335]

What size valve

[@macmufknteezy]

Why does the air have to dump out? Can't you make it "vacuum" from the bag back into the tank?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

The tank pressure is much higher than the bag pressure, so you really can't push it back in there without a pump in between. The easiest thing is just to dump it and keep the tank pressure up with your standard pump.

[@macmufknteezy]

@@CoolStuffGuysLike okay I'm understanding... My project is giving me nightmares lol

[@mjt1971]

Is that illegal?. Or will cops give you fix it ticket? When driving on the street?

[@Soldier1287]

deflate completely when not in use?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

No need to but you can for show if you want. I don't think it causes any added wear to leave pressure in the airbags

[@Soldier1287]

ok

[@jennyboland482]

Dog soon loses interest

[@wallpurgesnight8209]

@2:43 hope you caught that.

[@esant1042]

he got la mamalona

[@michaelramirez109]

How much for air suspension

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

A lot... Minimum about $1500 up to probably $10,000 depending on how much you can do your self

[@michaelramirez109]

Cool Stuff Guys Like thank you!

[@justingriffith8486]

@@CoolStuffGuysLike cool car I like the air suspension

[@JVEReyes]

I hope you read my comment and you can help me

[@kyle_fagan]

Not a very good install but cool over all

[@dcarden3031]

Kyle 89obs no but cool cheap.and it work and made to last

[@savondavis4896]

Dogs just don't understand:(

[@portuculpa2178]

And the front???? No body show

[@jang6969]

👍👍🇨🇦

[@tylerkeleman]

a air spring an step notch.. do you say a nightstand instead of a dresser lol

[@Pachuco]

Tyler Keleman96 but a nightstand and a dresser aren't the same thing

[@JoseRamos-ks3pd]

that's a bad truck bro ........

[@dontfollowmygirlgetsmad7769]

Play with your dog baba

[@weknowhisvoice9296]

Jesus is coming soon believe in him obey his teaching live by them and you will be saved

[@camchorichie2734]

take care the dog not you stupid truck. .

[@rysmith9433]

Exactly