Need advise before purchase!

[Woodys03]

Hello guys, I have been debating putting an air ride suspension on my classic truck for a good bit. I can remember the poor cornering issues I had with my mini-truck I bagged years ago. I ended up selling it because it was just horrible to drive after I bagged it. Granted that was near 15 years ago and tech. has gotten much better so I am now asking your advise on what I should do with my 1955 F-100. Here is what I have going to the shop that is doing the work while I am deployed. I have a set of 20X15 wheels for the rear, so we are thinking about back halfing the truck. My biggest sticking point here is I want a suspension I can adjust the height on but if I hit an off ramp I won't feel as though I am going to roll over. I am sure you guys get this a good bit, I sent an e-mail as well but got no response so I am hoping some one here can point me in the right direction. I have no doubt I will buy the right parts, I am just trying to buy the right ones the first time by asking you all. Here is some pics. Thanks in advance guys.

This is what my truck looks like as of now.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa175/Woodys2000/100_2825.jpg

The Wheels I have on the way 20x15
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa175/Woodys2000/12502retro20x15.jpg

This is my objective
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa175/Woodys2000/1-1.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa175/Woodys2000/2-1.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa175/Woodys2000/8-1.jpg

[darren@ridetech.com]

Sounds like you may have had a 2-way system on your mini truck. We always control each air spring individually to eliminate air transfer, which allows much more body roll.

What type of suspension does it currently have under it?

[Woodys03]

Sounds like you may have had a 2-way system on your mini truck. We always control each air spring individually to eliminate air transfer, which allows much more body roll.

What type of suspension does it currently have under it?

I have a Mustang II front end and the rear is just axle and leaf springs right now. I am sure you get this kind of questions a lot Darren, but thank you for taking your time to answer my questions. My wheels are being built right now so I have a couple weeks for us to sort things out. I am going to purchase the air suspension as soon as I hear back as to what you think I need. I have asked around and everyone seems to have great sucess with your products. This suspension will be (at least for the rear) totally custom made as we are going to back half the rear of the truck and redesign the frame so as that it can fit the monster 20X15" wheels I ordered. I think the front end should be straight forward. Traditional Mustang II front end. Thank you again, oh and this is no trailer queen, I will drive my car from places like Fayetteville NC to Dayton OH. Just an example of a trip I make about 3 to 4 times a year in my truck. Thanks again for all your assistance.

[darren@ridetech.com]

For the rear I would use our parallel 4 link kit with either the 8000 series Shockwaves or the CoolRide setup on it.
http://www.ridetech.com/catalog/Parallel_4Link-78-1.html

On the Mustang II....
Do you have factory lower control arms or tubular?

[Woodys03]

Well I have read about both products and to be honest, I still need your expert knowledge on this; with all I am telling you I would like my truck to do, ride great distances, raise/lower and to have as little maintenance as possible to a good riding and handling system for the truck as possible.

As for the Mustang II front end control arms I do believe they are stock, but I would have to get back with you on that to be 100% honest. Do you have setups for Mustang II front ends that are mearly boltons like for example your setup for GM Truck 99-04 -ShockWave- w/StrongArms (Upper and Lower)?

Sorry for my ignorance of this subject, the truth is I am some what a fake hot rodder. I have found the less I do to a car the easier it is on my wallet as I tend to mess up things quite a bit. So I employ some really smart people who build me cars while I am out of the country to fit my need of riding around in some cool cars. Again thank you for your patients with me.

[darren@ridetech.com]

Being that you are narrowing the rear end for the fat tires, I'd say that the Shockwave would be your best option. The won't be much room for a air spring and separate shock arrangement. Plus the Shockwaves look nicer and use a really nice billet aluminum adjustable shock inside them.
So in that case I'd go for the SKW8000-PAR.
http://www.ridetech.com/products/Parallel_4_link_w_SKW8000-1296-0.html

To use the Shockwaves on the front you will need to upgrade to tubular arms. This will require a little welding on the cross member. Part # SKW1001-LCA or SKW1001-LUCA.
http://www.ridetech.com/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search&search_str=SKW1001-L

[darren@ridetech.com]

Then we would have to pick out a compressor system. Start here....
http://www.ridetech.com/catalog/Control_Compressor_Systems-32-1.html

[Woodys03]

Darren what does the internal sensor do in the Mustang II -ShockWave- w/StongArms (Upper and Lower) package? I just want to make sure I buy what I need and not something additional that I will never actually use or is way over kill. Thanks for all your assistance.

[Woodys03]

Oh and I have been reading about the "AirPod". For the set up we are looking at what would be the ideal gallon capacity for the tank?

[Woodys03]

To use the Shockwaves on the front you will need to upgrade to tubular arms. This will require a little welding on the cross member. Part # SKW1001-LCA or SKW1001-LUCA.
http://www.ridetech.com/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search&search_str=SKW1001-L

For this package what would need to be welded? I am confused as it appears to be a bolt on app. Thanks again for answering all my questions. :D

[darren@ridetech.com]

There are two ways for the RidePro E2 or E3 system to level the vehicle, either by air pressure along or by looking at air pressure and vehicle height (LevelPro). We offer two types of height sensors, external rotary sensors or the new Infrared sensor inside the Shockwaves. The external rotary sensors can be a pain to mount, especially on indepent suspensions, so if you plan on using height sensors....get the internals.

The 3 gallon AirPod would be sufficient for that truck, but if you have the room go for the 5.

The factory lower control arm is a narrow arm that uses a strut rod to set caster. Our tubular control arm is much wider and elimintates the need for the strut rod. To accept the wider arm a spacer and gusset must be welded to the cross member.

[Woodys03]

There are two ways for the RidePro E2 or E3 system to level the vehicle, either by air pressure along or by looking at air pressure and vehicle height (LevelPro). We offer two types of height sensors, external rotary sensors or the new Infrared sensor inside the Shockwaves. The external rotary sensors can be a pain to mount, especially on indepent suspensions, so if you plan on using height sensors....get the internals.

The 3 gallon AirPod would be sufficient for that truck, but if you have the room go for the 5.

The factory lower control arm is a narrow arm that uses a strut rod to set caster. Our tubular control arm is much wider and elimintates the need for the strut rod. To accept the wider arm a spacer and gusset must be welded to the cross member.

I have noticed the setup you recommended for the rear of the truck has no sensor option for the SKW8000. So is the internal sensors just for the frontend? I am sorry for a million questions. I am just trying to understand all of this and make the best educated purchase. Also with the 3 gallon Airpod how long does it take once you let all the air out to air back up so you can roll out?

[britt@ridetech.com]

If you choose to upgrade to a LevelPro system you MUST have level sensors at all 4 corners. The internal sensors are available on 1000, 7000, and 8000 Series Shockwaves. For all other applications you will need to use our rotary level sensor (which is mounted to the frame).

I strongly suggest the LevelPro upgrade on almost everything, here's why:
Air pressure is not directly related to suspension travel; it's close, but it's not exact. So the first time you raise the vehicle it may reach ride height at 80psi, the next time you raise the vehicle may be on an uneven surface and it may take 100psi in one bag. It's VERY difficult for a computer to level a vehicle to a precise height if it doesn't know exactly where the suspension is.
Typically the air pressure only system will reach ride height within 1/2-inch of the preset height. The LevelPro will attain ride height within 1/8-inch of the preset height.

[Woodys03]

If you choose to upgrade to a LevelPro system you MUST have level sensors at all 4 corners. The internal sensors are available on 1000, 7000, and 8000 Series Shockwaves. For all other applications you will need to use our rotary level sensor (which is mounted to the frame).

I strongly suggest the LevelPro upgrade on almost everything, here's why:
Air pressure is not directly related to suspension travel; it's close, but it's not exact. So the first time you raise the vehicle it may reach ride height at 80psi, the next time you raise the vehicle may be on an uneven surface and it may take 100psi in one bag. It's VERY difficult for a computer to level a vehicle to a precise height if it doesn't know exactly where the suspension is.
Typically the air pressure only system will reach ride height within 1/2-inch of the preset height. The LevelPro will attain ride height within 1/8-inch of the preset height.

Ok I will try to call the shop today in order to get them this information, I need one last thing from you guys and we can get this project wrapped up! The leg work needed is part numbers I can e-mail them with for all needed parts. I know I can look at the products page to get the parts I need but for example the rear 4 link setup you recommended to me doesn't show a internal sensor option. So I would like the 4 link setup with the proper internal sensor. So in short, I would like if you can put together a package for me to give them so they can order it for me. I do want the 3/8" lines with my kit and the 5 gallon Airpod and the Levelpro setup. I would also like the upper and lower control arms package with the sensor as well. Thank you again for all your help.

[darren@ridetech.com]

OK, here are the part #'s that they will need to give us when they call in.

SKW1001SA-LUCA- Front Shockwaves w/ upper and lower StrongArms $1800

SKW8000SA-PAR - Parallel 4 link w/ Shockwaves $1450

APOD4700LE3- 5 Gallon AirPod w/ Big Red valves & LevelPro $2800

INS1000 - Upgrade 2 pair of Shockwaves to Internal Infrared Height Sensor - $300