63 air ride

[Guest 383Roller]

I'm considering an air ride system for my 63, what are good brands and systems to consider? Is there one that's best bang for buck? I've heard wireless control is available but would rather have hard wired control.

Also do tires have to be in a certain size range? Thanks for input.

 

[Scott Mckenzie]

I put Air Ride Shockwave bag over shock on the front and double convoluted on the rear. 4 switches Left front Right front both rear and all down.

[steelman]

Ride Tech (Air Ride Technologies) makes the complete kit. Several levels and options to choose from. You can add limit switches and remote controlers, or keep it pretty basic. Basic is expensive and it goes up from there. Others offer things you can make work, but you need above average fabrication skills to adapt them. You can get into these at a lower initial cost, but end up cutting, welding, and making their parts fit. Only cutting required on the Ride Tech kit is for bag clearance around the stock spring pocket. You will have to do that with any bag system you install. Chances are you will also have to reconfigure the tail pipes. The rear bags are wider than the stock coils, so they now want to take up the room where the stock configured tail pipes live. Enough room for both, but will have to remake the tail pipes around the wheel well to get them to live together.

 

[smithbrother]

So HOW happy are you with the RIDE QUALITY of air bags?

 

I am considering doing that to my late 80's Vette suspensions I installed under my 41 Buick Limited.  It now rides HARD, would love to soften it up a bunch.

 

Comments welcome,

 

Dale in Indy

[steelman]

Late 80s Vette would be batwing. I looked into this about 10 years ago when I was thinking about using this under a pickup I was building. I was told then, by Chris at Ride Tech, they don't recommend it. Would have to use the Shockwaves, and there isn't enough room for these. Do you have coilovers on there now? Have you looked into the one piece fiberglass transverse leaf springs for these? I understand they make a world of difference on the batwing suspensions.

 

As for ride quality, I love the air suspension on my car. Gives a different feel in the seat of the pants, but once you get used to it, I think it is great.