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Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:49 pm

azmousejockey wrote: The least expensive air controler I could find (so far) was $127. That's the pump, one switch and one PSI gauge. So with the shocks you're still talking around $200 for an adjustable set up. Not expensive, but not really "cheap" either unless you compare it to a full out air bagged system.. then it's freakin pennies on the dollar.

I'd guess that air bags are better if you need to go up and down really fast... but nothing about my bug is fast so I don't see the need for 'em.

where did you find the air controller??
thanks,

Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:38 pm

Hope you don't mind me stealing this photo from your gallery but Man, this car is SWEET!

Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:58 pm

timmeh1 wrote: azmousejockey wrote: The least expensive air controler I could find (so far) was $127. That's the pump, one switch and one PSI gauge. So with the shocks you're still talking around $200 for an adjustable set up. Not expensive, but not really "cheap" either unless you compare it to a full out air bagged system.. then it's freakin pennies on the dollar.

I'd guess that air bags are better if you need to go up and down really fast... but nothing about my bug is fast so I don't see the need for 'em.

where did you find the air controller??
thanks,

My "air controller" consists of a Wallmart 12v bicycle pump that I had laying around the garage and I took apart for this application. Free and Ghetto Fabulous!

If you want something a little more made for the job this is the Summit Racing one.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autof...toview=sku

Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:38 pm

I just love the price of those airshoxs Expecialy compared to these :x
http://www.airkewld.com/parts/proddetail.php?prod=ARK-4005

Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:18 am

Will running these without air damage them? I'd love to have the adjusters set so that when deflated the car was as low as possible without dragging, but is that not an option? I had a pair 15 years ago and I think I remember something about keeping 20 psi in them.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:38 am

rotorbugg wrote: Will running these without air damage them? I'd love to have the adjusters set so that when deflated the car was as low as possible without dragging, but is that not an option? I had a pair 15 years ago and I think I remember something about keeping 20 psi in them.
Oh yeah, you could totally set your adjusters low and deflate the shocks with out problems. When I let the air out of mine I watch the PSI drop and as soon as the shocks bottom out I close the valve. There's still 60lbs of pressure in the line, so probably 30lbs of air in each shock. If you kept your front beam like 1.5" off the ground I bet you would still have like 75-80psi in the shocks.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:13 am

I wouldn't run them completely aired out. I'm saving up so I can out do someone on this thread ( :wink: ). :lol: So, I'm looking for some used air ride "controls" and a tank. My pump will be mounted on the passenger side framehead and the tank (if I find one small enough) will be in the spare tire well. I'm even contemplating using a NOS tank as my air tank.?. We'll see what happens.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:34 am

Shutupanddrive wrote: i In the end though, I think I'm going to ditch this whole set-up in favor of a bag at each corner.

same here... I basically did my air ride like the airkewled setup.... i will be reworking it soon... airbeam(bags) and different in the rear.... the way the plates(bottom bag mounts) are notched into the rear IRS arms causes me to bend the diagonal arms... all the pressure of supporting the car's weight is right in the middle of the arm.. i reinforced them when i did it, but with the turbo engine i have bent the left rear arm at the outboard end of the bag mount twice now when speedshifting at full boost.... i'll keep my 8 valve air setup i put together and tank, but everything else is changing...

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:04 am

Quote: I'm saving up so I can out do someone on this thread (:wink:)

C- your car is so clean and bad ass, you out did me a long time ago!
It's me who's still got catching up to do! :)

I like the idea of a small tank up there where the spare goes. It takes about 15-20 seconds for me to get the front end back up to ride height, and that's an eternity if you drop the front end at a red light and you need to get it back up to drive off! Plus my little bicycle pump is so loud, as if I don't have enough embarrassment in my life.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:13 am

azmousejockey wrote:

Hope you don't mind me stealing this photo from your gallery but Man, this car is SWEET!

That is a bad ass car.

I like this air shocks idea, something I would definitely do if I was running shock towers.

Out of curiosity, how long does it take for the car to go from all the way down to all the way up, and vice versa?

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:22 am

With my little pump it take about 60 seconds to raise the front from the ground to all the way up to maximum height like an old Gasser Hotrod. I can't drive like that because my ball joints rotate too far and touch the inside of my rims, but like i said above, about 15-20 seconds to get to my regular drive aound height, which is a pretty level stance. Not raked forward really at all.

To drop the car from maximum height takes about 3-4 seconds. You've got weight and gravity working for you. I flip the valve under my dash and "pssssssssssssssssssssssssss" she's all the way down.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:39 am

azmousejockey wrote: Quote: I'm saving up so I can out do someone on this thread (:wink:)

C- your car is so clean and bad ass, you out did me a long time ago!
It's me who's still got catching up to do! :)

I like the idea of a small tank up there where the spare goes. It takes about 15-20 seconds for me to get the front end back up to ride height, and that's an eternity if you drop the front end at a red light and you need to get it back up to drive off! Plus my little bicycle pump is so loud, as if I don't have enough embarrassment in my life.

Thanx, but it's not as clean as the pics show. Plus, it's not allways about looks, it's whats inside that counts( at least thats what mom says). :wink: :lol:

I don't like "clutter" in my rides, so I go for the clean look. I'm still trying to figure out how I can hide all of the wiring, so when I pop the hood there's nothing but a gas tank and paint. Thats why I'm leaning towards a smaller air tank that can be easier to hide.

Don't be embarrassed by what you have, man. I like your bug, it's got a ton of caracter. Dare to be different. 8)

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:41 am

azmousejockey wrote: With my little pump it take about 60 seconds to raise the front from the ground to all the way up to maximum height like an old Gasser Hotrod. I can't drive like that because my ball joints rotate too far and touch the inside of my rims, but like i said above, about 15-20 seconds to get to my regular drive aound height, which is a pretty level stance. Not raked forward really at all.

To drop the car from maximum height takes about 3-4 seconds. You've got weight and gravity working for you. I flip the valve under my dash and "pssssssssssssssssssssssssss" she's all the way down.

I'm not looking for "fast" air ups, but thats a bit slow. This is why I'll dish out some $$ for the management system.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:41 am

That's not too bad. It would probably be faster with a bigger pump, right?
I'll definitely think about using this on my next car. I got my eye on an OG paint '68 vert right now. 8)

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:43 am

zombie wrote: azmousejockey wrote:

Hope you don't mind me stealing this photo from your gallery but Man, this car is SWEET!

That is a bad ass car.

I like this air shocks idea, something I would definitely do if I was running shock towers.

Out of curiosity, how long does it take for the car to go from all the way down to all the way up, and vice versa?

This car is Hardcore for sure. Badass wheels too.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:55 am

Quote: Don't be embarrassed by what you have, man. I like your bug, it's got a ton of caracter. Dare to be different.

You dare to be different with your spelling of "character". :lol:

I love my car! He and I understand each other. :wink:

Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:12 pm

How about carector? :lol:

Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:23 pm

no air shocks for me even though I had the idea long ago......but I gots a 5" beam... no shock towers :cry: ... but I'll be tuckin' the shit out of my 6" wide rims with 2" outter lip rollin' on 195/50r15 tires :twisted:
... oh ... and yellow headlights :P

Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:09 am

RattieFattie wrote: no air shocks for me even though I had the idea long ago......but I gots a 5" beam... no shock towers :cry: ... but I'll be tuckin' the shit out of my 6" wide rims with 2" outter lip rollin' on 195/50r15 tires :twisted:
... oh ... and yellow headlights :P

2" lip, NICE! Lets see said wheels.... :wink:

Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:03 pm

dubtype1 wrote: 2" lip, NICE! Lets see said wheels.... :wink:
When they were on the super....
15x6 interceptors