Anyone Convert to Airbag Suspension ?

[Blind Driver2]

I'm thinking about removing most of my spring pack and then installing airbags on my '93 Superduty, As I look at the frame, the bags are going to be mounted where the frame is the weakest. They would mount just past the double frame. I'm not seeing any easy way to strengthen the frame unless I ran the same size C channel all the way to the rear.

Any other ideas? Any good kits on the market?

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[IDIoit]

bags on my 01...
same concept.

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[sjwelds]

Yes but the frame is doubled ahead of the axle because that's where you need the strength. Right behind the cab, say, is the weakest point. directly above the axle you don't need as much steel because the load is transfering straight down as opposed to trying to bend the frame. Not sure if that's a good explanation, but long story short, I'd mount the airbags and run it.

 

[Blind Driver2]

The truck will have a fifth wheel above the axle. So I guess the weight being on the weakest section of frame may be moot.
I'll remove most of the spring pack except for maybe 3 or 4 leafs, but I need working bags, not show bags.

 

[sjwelds]

I know I've seen this before but cant find it on Google. Some fairly mainstream company makes (or did make) a kit that completely got rid of the factory leaves and had airbags and a leveler valve and everything. I think Diesel Power had an article on it a while back. Can't find it tho...

One thing you might consider, if you have the room, is a crossmember of some sort across the frame right where the airbags mount. That way the C-channel frames can't twist as load is applied to the outside of them.

Sounds like a cool project!

 

[IDIoit]

thats what the 5th wheel mount is for
dont get one of those chincy bolt on applications.
make a stout one thats got a welded in cross member.
problem solved!

I know I've seen this before but cant find it on Google. Some fairly mainstream company makes (or did make) a kit that completely got rid of the factory leaves and had airbags and a leveler valve and everything. I think Diesel Power had an article on it a while back. Can't find it tho...

One thing you might consider, if you have the room, is a crossmember of some sort across the frame right where the airbags mount. That way the C-channel frames can't twist as load is applied to the outside of them.

Sounds like a cool project!

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?72300-ODD-Rear-Suspension&highlight=rear+suspension

 

[LCAM-01XA]

I know I've seen this before but cant find it on Google. Some fairly mainstream company makes (or did make) a kit that completely got rid of the factory leaves and had airbags and a leveler valve and everything. I think Diesel Power had an article on it a while back. Can't find it tho...

Keldermann is the company, it's an ambulance setup.

We have semi-air on our front axle, basically big block leaf springs mostly to locate the axle and a pair of 7" double-convoluted air bellows to carry most of the weight. IIRC the bellows are rated at 3500lbs each, the weight they carry consists of the IDI engine, massive cow-catcher bumper, a 200lbs winch, and often a generator. Weight is enough to turn the leaf springs alone to negative arch like F250s have. But they are 1-ton leaves as the axle was still under the truck when we got it and had to be removed in field conditions. Bellows are mounted on top of the spring plates and right under the C-channels. Truck rides very well.

The rear is getting a pair of triple-convoluted bellows soon enough, again of the 7" size for its higher load capacity. 4-corner independent height control from the cab too. The none thing to watch out with the rear axle is if you make the pack too thin and you have low gears she will have a tendency to wrap under heavy throttle and load. Not a big deal, and there are easy fixes, just something to keep in mind.

 

[Blind Driver2]

Here's the link to the ambulance kit http://riderite.com/vehicle-search?year=1993&model=F-350 Commercial&make=Ford

 

[gandalf]

Is that Superduty a dually? I seem to recall that RideRite does not make an airbag application for the dually. Is my memory getting worse? Is there an airbag for the F-350 Dually? Does anyone make an airbag for the dually rear end?

 

[Blind Driver2]

Is that Superduty a dually? I seem to recall that RideRite does not make an airbag application for the dually. Is my memory getting worse? Is there an airbag for the F-350 Dually? Does anyone make an airbag for the dually rear end?

I just posted the link 5 minutes ago

 

[direwulf23]

It shows one result for a 93 F350. But it won't show a result is you select the in-bed hitch option

 

[Blind Driver2]

That link I posted is only intended to replace the overload springs. A bit disappointing.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Is that Superduty a dually? I seem to recall that RideRite does not make an airbag application for the dually. Is my memory getting worse? Is there an airbag for the F-350 Dually? Does anyone make an airbag for the dually rear end?

Yes the picture he posted is of a F-Superduty DRW D80 axle. As far as you are concerned your DRW truck is identical to a SRW truck - most air bellows install on top of the leaf spring between the tire and the frame, and so the main constraint when doing rear air suspension is the space available there, on Fords with factory pickup bed that distance is the same for a DRW truck and a SRW, as long as both have factory wheels and tires. Your truck should have about 3" between the sidewall and the leaves, then the leaves are another 3" wide, and from the leaves to the frame you have another 1" or so. Barely enough space for 6" air bellows, IIRC the standard diameter for "helper" air springs on most fullsize trucks is actually 5". If one wants large-diameter air bellows they will have to go between the frame and the leaf springs - a factory 2wd truck, or a 4x4 with factory blocks, does not have enough space for that usually, about the only way it can be pulled off is with high-arch leaves that get rid of the lift blocks, or Sky's shackle flip kit, or both together. If you have no intentions on lifting your truck (seeing how it's a 2wd and thus should have no blocks at all between the axle and the leaves) then you're stuck with products like the Ride-Rite from the link posted by BlindDriver2. Which is actually a pretty decent kit for what it does, and IIRC it's reasonably priced as well. Firestone also used to make/sell a kit like that, maybe they still do...

 

[towcat]

Seth(93cc7.3) did this setup on his truck.
it's a little extreme but very well thought out irregardless.
http://www.duallyscene.com/forums/post107174.html#p107174

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Seth(93cc7.3) did this setup on his truck.
it's a little extreme but very well thought out irregardless.
http://www.duallyscene.com/forums/post107174.html#p107174

Ah, the 7500lbs 14" bellows... Always wondered how those would work out in a pickup truck, guess there's my answer now Does anyone know what pressure he's running them at?