Air Bag Newbie needs help

[383stroker]

Here' s the deal.... I have a 97 S-10 sportside with the 2.2 4-banger in it. I would like to be able to lay frame, but I have to drive this truck daily over 150 miles. I have 17 inch rims on it, and the suspension is stock. I would just lower it with blocks and spindles, but I' d like to be able to raise it back up for interstate driving. I don' t care about how fast it can change ride height, and I dont want or need a FBSS system. My question is : how low can I go without cutting out fenders or the bed, what system do I need to accomplish this? How low can I go before c-notches are necessary? I would like to be able to have the truck near stock ride height on the interstate, and drop it 5-6 inches (maybe more?) around town. Also, everyone in this forum keeps saying it will cost $3000+ to bag this kind of truck... is it still that much for a slow FB system? I have seen complete kits for $900 from other places, what' s the difference in these kits? I would like to bag my truck for $1500 or so if that is possible. thanks, ken

[darren@ridetech.com]

Well for the best ride quality and performance we always reccommend that you get rid of the leafs and use one of our link systems. The prices you saw were probably bag over leaf systems. With our AirBar system you will get about an 8" drop in the rear and a 6" drop up front. All that with a 2 way RidePro compressor kit will run around $2169.

[darren@ridetech.com]

If you must stay around 1500 then you can use our Air Over Leaf system in the rear, $1399 for a complete kit. With all these prices you will still need drop spindles if you do not have them yet.

[383stroker]

How much ride quality is sacrificed with the air over leaf system? Does this system have the potential to drop as low as the four link systems?

[darren@ridetech.com]

To lower it that low with leaf you will have to go to a monoleaf and use some blocks. It works but the problem is the leafs are also keeping the axle centered from left to right as well, and you will lose some of this stability. You will also get more spring wrap which can cause wheel hop. The ride quality is 100% better with the link system.

[383stroker]

Does anyone have a picture of an S-10 with the airbar system or just a plain 6/8 drop? I' d like to get an Idea of how this will look before I shell out $2200.

[383stroker]

If I decide not to go with airbags, is a 5/6 drop too much of a drop to drive daily? Will I have trouble getting into and out of driveways? I definitely want to go with airbags, but I' m trying to weigh out all my options. I don' t really want to spend that much money on a commuter truck that will get flogged and abused daily when I could put it into my 70 el camino, but the truck has to look good :). Does anyone have any advice or warnings for me?

[XpRidah]

here' s a site. i had my car done here. maybe it' ll help u... good luck. http://sicmotorsports.com/gallery/gallery.htm

[darren@ridetech.com]

You actually let Clint touch your car???

Here is a pic of a truck with that system on it.
http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/airbars10.asp

[383stroker]

So let me get this straight... In the back I need the AirOverLeaf system ARK2004 for $225, plus two F7076 air bags for $65 each. In the front, I can use the ARF5000 Shockwave system for $475. I also need a compressor system, I can use the ARC 1001 since I' m not interested in speed baggin for $499... Do I need anything else?

[383stroker]

Also... how much of this is bolt on, and what will require welding? I will do the job myself, I just want to know how involved it will be... Also, Is there a 100% bolt on kit available?

[darren@ridetech.com]

The ARK2004 comes with the the F7076 bags. Instead of the ARC1001 compressor kit I would use the ARC2000. It uses electric valves instead of the manuals. They are much nicer and easier to install since you don' t have to run all those air lines into the dash. Plus the manuals exhaust at the switch which is kind of annoying. The only welding you will have to do is the upper shock mount. If you get the lower control arms you can use the bolt on upper mount.

[383stroker]

Thanks man, I appreciate all the help.

[XpRidah]

hahaha...so darren u heard some bad things bout clint?

[darren@ridetech.com]

No, not really. But I could make up some pretty good stuff.