Air install for ' 02 F150

[Patrick]

I am trying to determine what components to use for my install. Should I use Shockwaves or CoolRides in the front; and should or can I go with te AirBar in the back? I trying to be completely bolt-on.

However, I already have 22' s with an offset that will not allow tucking, so the
lowest I can go is something similar to a 4/6 drop; just above the tires.

I want to be able to set a threshold so that when I lower the vehicle, it doesn' t drop any lower than that, and I want to be able to raise my vehicle to it' s current height which would be my normal drive height

Any suggestion or feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Pic of side view:
http://www.fordtruckworld.com/gallery/LASCrew/251323.jpg

Pic of Front Wheel:
http://www.fordtruckworld.com/gallery/LASCrew/251327.jpg

Pic of Rear Wheel:
http://www.fordtruckworld.com/gallery/LASCrew/251328.jpg

[darren@ridetech.com]

Patrick,
We could probably work something out in the front but using the AirBar in the rear and changing the ride height could be a problem.

[Patrick]

What would you suggest for the rear?
How does the AirBar present problems in my specific case?

Thanks.

[darren@ridetech.com]

To get this custom height out of the rear, your best bet would be our universal weld-on 4 link. The AirBar is designed for a certain ride height and cannot be altered. It will be almost 9" lower than stock.

[Patrick]

Could bump stops be employed in conjunction with the Air Bar for a threshold?

[darren@ridetech.com]

No, you would also have to modify the bag brackets to get the bag height back into spec. Also the length of the bars will need to be changed, and pinion angle will need to be set. Pan Hard bar mounts will need to be changed. And the list goes on. Bottom line, by the time you modify the AirBar you could do a weld on and save time and money.

[Patrick]

Got it.

Should I be going with something like your Triangulated or Parallel 4 link?

Another guy from a local shop suggested an articulated 2 link with ladders.

????

I like the fact that you can run a tighter tire to fender clearance with the triangulated, and whatever I do I still want to feel the ride benefit of air at drive height.

[darren@ridetech.com]

You are going to want to use a parallel 4 link. The Tri link will require you to move the gas tank and your frame rails are probably too narrow.

[Patrick]

Which Air4Link Parallel system would I use for my application?
Could I use one of the models that include the rear Shockwaves, like the PAR1000-SKW

Would I have to order the PAN1001 separate?

...and for the front, I can go with the CoolRide ARF5005?

[darren@ridetech.com]

If you want to use the CoolRide up front then I would use the CoolRide in the rear. The part # is ARS 14500 and will include the panhard bar kit.

[Patrick]

Do I have an option for the front?
I was under the assumption that I was stuck using the CoolRide in the front because the ShockWaves would not work for my application.

Is it a case where either would work, but the CoolRide is obviously the most cost effective or is it the ShockWave will not provide the larger range of travel between lowered and lifted?

Also, can you tell me if with the use of the CoolRide and/or the ShockWaves in the front, that I could possibly get enough camber ( / \ ) to where my front wheel may tuck slightly? I' m thinking that my wheels may tuck if there is a camber.

I would attach a pic of my front from a forward perspective, but I do not see how you do it here. I do not see the " upload" or embed" options.

[darren@ridetech.com]

You won' t be able to attach any pic, you will have to give me a site to go to. I suggest using the Cool Ride up front in you case because it can be modified easily to get the height you want. Also I doubt it will camber that much.

[Patrick]

Darren,

Here is a link to some pics on Ford Truck World

http://www.fordtruckworld.com/mygallery.asp?id=4424&album=17373

Which model Air4Link would I be going with?
I see that the ARS14500 is a Parallel 4-link with CoolRide, or would it be a different model?

Would I need to get the PAN1001 separate, or would the package already include the panhard bar that I need?

Is there an option to upgrade the shocks to the QA1s, or is it really worth it or necessary?

Thanks for all the feedback.

[darren@ridetech.com]

The trucks look great!! That is the right part #' s and the ARS14500 does include the PAN100. And the QA1 would be a great shock upgrade.

[Patrick]

Darren,

1 last question, hopefully.

I' ve been checking various shops in my area for the airbag install.
One shop suggests going away from " bolt-ons" and wants to do a full fabrication job (2 way) using a 2-link with ladders and a 2-way compressor system. ($3500) installed, which apperas to be a good price. This place is also saying that if I go with a parallel 4-link that I will loose some drivability because of the the s/s setup and I' d be better off sticking with a f/b setup only.

I just spoke with Dean from " SporTruck by Dean" (one of your referred dealers) and he said that this is not true, and that I should not lose any ride quality.

The concluded setup with Dean, which is what you & I conversed about, is...

Air4Link Parallel 4 link with CoolRide (ARS14500) $799
CoolRide for the front (ARF5005) $549
BIGRed Max 4-way compressor system (ARC4800) $1795

I commute 70 miles a day and this will be my daily driver.
What would be the expected ride quality with this setup?

Again I' m trying to get a drop just above my tires with bump stops to set that as the threshold, similar to this orange Expy in the below link.

http://www.fordtruckworld.com/mygallery.asp?id=4424&album=17373

Thanks again,
Patrick

[darren@ridetech.com]

Patrick,
The parallel 4 link setup gives the best ride quality of any rear suspension.
That why it is used on most street rods. Your guy at the shop is probably thinking of ladder bars or something. I guarantee ride quality will be better. Also, just to let you know Dean is one of the premier truck builders in the nation.

[Patrick]

Darren,

So much for the " 1 more question."
:)

Does the Air4Link (ARS14500) have an option to upgrade to stainless steel, like the triangulated 4-link?

Part #-SS ($140)

Is it the same price?

Thanks,
Patrick

[darren@ridetech.com]

The parallel bar is about 23" long and I don' t have a SS bar that length. But thelower tri link bar is about 28" . It should work but you' ll have to measure it up to be sure.

[Patrick]

Darren,

One of the documented " cons" of the parallel 4 link is that the Panhard bar will induce a certain amount of side-to-side movement during suspension travel and therefore requires more tire-to-fender clearance.

In my case, I' m trying to get a drop as low as possible and run a tighter tire-to-fender clearance, due to the fact that I cannot tuck. The triangulated 4 link obviously won' t work due to my gas tank.

Can I use the AirBar to mitigate this problem and use bump stops to limit the travel to that point above my wheels, or am I just out of luck in that regard and stuck with the parallel 4 link and that issue?

[darren@ridetech.com]

The AirBar is a parallel 4 link, its just bolt-on.