RESOURCES:

WHAT SIZE AIRSPRING SHOULD I USE?

The diameter of an Airspring, is directly related to the pressure required to attain ride height. If the diameter is small, it will take more pressure to lift the weight of your engine. Use only the largest bag you can fit into the available space.  If you do not have enough room, you should do whatever it takes to “make” room, even if it means redesigning your control arms, or trimming the frame.  A heavy front end will require more psi which equals harder ride, if it even lifts at all.  A big block Chevy could take 160-psi to get to ride height, and this is NOT good.  A light Hotrod might only require 45psi.  specifications, go to: learn more..

HOW DO I FIND THE SWEETSPOT?

The “Sweet Spot” is the perfect ride.  If you have installed the largest bag, and positioned the brackets to optimum height and it still rides like a washboard, you need to expand the air chamber externally.  You do this with an Accumulator.  An airspring has a natural frequency of 120psi, while a coil spring has a frequency of 80psi.  To lower the frequency, you would install a ½-gallon Accumulator by teeing off of the airbag.  A 3/8” line would work, but a 1/2” line would breathe easier.  You can buy 1/2” dual ported bags to make this more effective.  Go see at:  accumulators learn more..

WHAT IS THE CORRECT AIRTANK SIZE?
This is a situation where bigger is NOT better!  Unless you have the compressors to handle it. No matter what other compressor manufacturers tell you, 4CFM is the largest DC 12 volt Compressor you can buy.  link to DC7000 The rule is 1 DC5000, or DC7000 Compressor for each 3 gallons of tank.  A 6 or 9 gallon tank is OK, as long as you have the HP to fill it, but it takes a long time for one compressor to fill a larger tank.  If you are going to air up only one axle, (a towing package for example) a 1 gallon tank is just fine.  Be sure to install a watertrap,  and  drainvalve

WHAT IS THE CORRECT COMPRESSOR?

When choosing a Compressor, do not cut corners.  Start out with the largest compressor in the beginning, rather than be sorry later.  link to compressor data here.. Compressors are the most abused component of any airride system.  Sure, the compressor will pump up as high as 200-psi, but you will shorten the life drastically.  Imagine blowing a balloon up....  120-psi, no problem, but after 120, backpressure will puff out your cheeks.  As backpressure increases, the pump works harder to make small gains.  The magic number for a compressor is to shut off at 135-psi.  If you require more psi to lift your vehicle, your bag diameter is too small.  This is where you would consider installing a 2nd, or even 3rd compressor to share the workload.  You never will have a problem with a compressor if you use 8 Gauge wire, and install a 100% duty cycle solenoid, and a sensible 110on / 135off pressure switch.  go to compressor options..

MY COMPRESSOR TRIPS THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND WILL NOT RESTART

This happens when you restart the compressor at a psi over 135psi. What happens is the head pressure has not bled off and there is too much backpressure on the piston. To solve this, you need to have a pressure relief valve to bleed off head pressure, or simply crack the fitting to create a small air leak. Don’t worry about your tank bleeding down, that is what a check valve is for.

WHY DO YOU NEED A CHECK VALVE?

Check valves are installed between the tank and the output line on the compressor. This keeps air from escaping from your airtank and bleeding back through the compressor piston. It is directional, be sure to install with the arrow pointed towards the airtank..

HOW DO I CONTROL THE SPEED OF RISE AND DROP?

Speed Control Valves mount on the outlet port of your valves before the air flows to bags. They adjust with a twist of your thumb. Only one is needed if using four 3-position ARP valves mounted on the white manifold shown further below. You will need 4 if you are using loose 2-position valves.

Slowdown Valves mount on the Exhaust port of your valves. They adjust with a small screwdriver. Only one is needed if using 4 3-position ARP valves mounted on the white manifold shown further below. You will need 4 if you are using loose 2-position valves.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2-POSITION & 3-POSITION VALVES”

It takes one (1) of these 3-Position Manifold Valves to have complete F.B.S.S. (front / back / side / side) Save a bunch on plumbing, wiring, and headaches. For all applications up to 160-psi. Best value, best performance It takes four (4) of these 2-Position Manifold Valves to have complete F.B.S.S. (front/back/side/side) For all applications up to 160-psi. A good value, but 3-position valves are the way to go.

It takes eight 2-Position Brass Valves to have complete F.B.S.S. (front / back / side / side) If you are into a lot of work, plumbing, and wiring, then these are the valves for you!

Any of the above valves give you complete dependability and full FBSS. The 3-position valves are the best valves for basic F.B.S.S. They are available in 3/8” NPT. The 2-Position valves are available in 1/2” and 3/4’ NPT ports. If you are not jumping / hopping and being abusive, these are not the valves for you. They are used primarily for competition and Compressed Gases.

AIR MANAGEMENT

If you are on a tight budget, you can go with the most basic Air Management System, and then Upgrade when you find the $$$$. Simply install a Schrader Valve (bicycle valve) at each corner and you are done. Total Air Management cost is about $35.

PLUG N’ PLAY

Everything is done for you. Large compressor / 3-position valves / Speed Control for up-down / solenoids / relays / Steel leader hose / 2 dual gauges with 4 readouts. All you have to do is mount the airbags and plug in the airlines. Ground and Battery cables are provided complete with all wire ends. SAVE 16hrs of FUN AND AGGRAVATION! Go to: Plug Nﾒ Play..

HOTRODS/STREETRODS    TRI-FIVE CHEVYS

Here we use a 55-56-57 Chevy kit for an example. Remember you can go lower with bags/brackets, but we offer whatever you want. Both work great, bags / brackets can be configured to go lower. Link up with us at: hotrods/streetrods for all of our options.

LAYING FRAME / 4 link

LAYING FRAME ON 22’s

You need upper and Lower Cams, Spindles and shock re-locaters to tuck 22’s. You need a Street scraper on the rear. Go to: laying frame link..

AIRSTRUTS

AIRSTRUTS are used on most vehicles starting in 1983. Struts are connected to your steering linkages and are not interchangeable with Air Shocks. For maximum drop go to: how to measure for maximum drop

DIGITAL GAUGES

Digital Gauges are read-only devices. They read each corner independently, and also read the pressure in your airtank. Learn more at: digital