Author Topic: Air lift  (Read 9321 times)

Offline Farm boy

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Air lift
« on: August 21, 2012, 01:31:35 pm »
 well i have a 1986 K10 that i'm planning on putting a 6" lit on. but i know that the ride isn't exactly great right now n only gets wores as you go up. so my though is to custom fab a suspension using airbags. do it very similar to a coil convertion but with air bags and wind up with 6-7 in of lift. so my question is A) how crazy is this and B) what are some things i may be overlooking that could make it a bit complicated?

Now i know it will still be a truck ride wise, i just like the air idea so i can very the stiffness and get a little better ride, but it's still a truck (just the way i want it 8))
K10-350 w/Holley 4bl, 350th, 33-12.5-15s, blue)-parting out
K10-350 w/Holly 4bl, bad th350 swapping to sm465, 33-12.5-15s, CAMO!

Offline Captkaos

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2012, 05:05:15 pm »
Changing the lift/height in the front is going to screw up your steering box actuation due to the angle changes as it goes up and down.

Offline Farm boy

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2012, 10:29:56 pm »
sorry it took so long but my pc has been throwing my fits! anyway, yah i knew that i will need to make all the normal steering mods for lifting a truck i was more just wondering about the overall concept.
K10-350 w/Holley 4bl, 350th, 33-12.5-15s, blue)-parting out
K10-350 w/Holly 4bl, bad th350 swapping to sm465, 33-12.5-15s, CAMO!

Offline Captkaos

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2012, 03:13:56 pm »
Anything can be done with some engineering and time.  But being a solid axle it going to be a HUGE hurdle.

Offline Farm boy

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2012, 03:21:44 pm »
yah it will. i am planning on trying for a slight veneration off the off road design coil-over kit.
K10-350 w/Holley 4bl, 350th, 33-12.5-15s, blue)-parting out
K10-350 w/Holly 4bl, bad th350 swapping to sm465, 33-12.5-15s, CAMO!

Offline gildardo01

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2012, 04:21:26 pm »
you cant do it, change the steering to hydraulic and you have your steering solved... then you have drive shafts to worry about it... you can solve that by having telescopic drive shafts i think thats what they are called... not sure... and suspension wise you can some how manage to put an airbag where the lifting blocks would be... or design your own custom suspension... its all possible... if you do get to it... it´s going to be an awesome truck.... think about a 2in lift to a 6 in lift in a flick of a switch... awesome... 

Offline Farm boy

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2012, 09:04:42 pm »
haha yup, if i do ever do it (it will be at least a year or 2) i will be sure to make a build thread:)
K10-350 w/Holley 4bl, 350th, 33-12.5-15s, blue)-parting out
K10-350 w/Holly 4bl, bad th350 swapping to sm465, 33-12.5-15s, CAMO!

Offline mtjd25

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2012, 12:48:14 pm »
Not mine, but found this one day awhile ago, no idea how he dealt with steering or driveshafts, but it CAN be done obviously, with time and money, and some thought. Obviously leaf springs are gone, so its a four link type of setup. I know the kits are out there for newer trucks so anything is possible.

Offline gildardo01

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2012, 01:37:35 pm »
man thats awesome, think about it, your at a red light with your chevy on 6in lift then this guy pulls up with an 8in lift or something thinking he´s all big and bad, and all of a sudden with a flick of a switch you add another 6in.... can you imagine the look on the guy´s face....

Offline Da67goatman

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Re: Air lift
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2012, 02:13:36 pm »
He has crossover steering its the silver links, you can see them in the beginning.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior