TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jan 02, 2005 6:42 pm

Hello everyone, I'm a new member.

I'm interested in using an air ride suspension setup on my 71 Super that I'm restoring/customizing. I've been looking at Airkewld's Air Ride Kit since I recieved their catalog. I was confused/misinformed/uneducated about a few things, and I was hoping to find some help. Here are the questions-

1. What is the purpose of narrowing the front beam?
2. What are the advantages of a four valve vs two valve air management system? (Besides being able to control each corner.)
3. Will the disk brake spindles work with any disk brake conversion? Example- Top Line.
4. The shock extenders allow the beam to sit on the ground (according to Airkewld). Do they serve any other purpose?
5. How low can one drop the car without shock extenders?

I would also like to know where I can find general information about Air Ride Suspension. Books, on-line literature, etc. I want to find out how it specificaly works and the advantages/disadvantages. I would also like to know, from someone with expierence, how the ride quality/handling of a super is when equiped with an air ride suspension setup.

That's all I have for now. Thanks to those who leave helpful information. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday stretch. Take care.

Sun Jan 02, 2005 7:09 pm

give me a call and i can talk to you about it! 866-786-7369

Sun Jan 02, 2005 7:47 pm

What would be a good time to call?

Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:34 pm

anytime is kewl!

Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:43 pm

Haha, clever.

I'll give you a call tomarrow afternoon.

For anyone searching- I will get answers to these questions and post them after talking with Airkewld.

Mon Jan 03, 2005 5:18 am

Supers don't have a front beam. You need an air bag/strut assembly.

Mon Jan 03, 2005 7:10 pm

I spoke with airkewld, and he was a great help. For those looking for answers to the same questions I had, here are the facts.

1. A narrowed front beam is used to place the wheels into the fender. This helps because it gives you a turning radius when your car is extremely low. Super owners, no need to worry.

2. The advantage of using a four valve system vs a two valve system is that a four valved setup will make each wheel independent. This means a smoother ride, as well as better handling. I was advised to stick with a two valve system for my super. The use of sway bars will help with handling if you are worried about that.

3. This was a no brainer on my part. Super owners don't need drop spindles...

4 & 5. Don't worry about those either.

I was confused on which kit was for my car. Here is the correct super kit, even if you have a 71- http://www.airkewld.com/parts/proddetail.php?prod=ARK-4700

I've got a few more questions about proper wheels and offsets, as well as some questions about the kit itself. I'll post agian later this evening.

Thanks agian to Airkewld for the help, and being a nice guy.

Mon Jan 03, 2005 9:42 pm

no problem, any time, sorry that my strep throat kept me from talking alot! I look forward to talking to you again!

Wed Jan 05, 2005 6:48 pm

I had a question reguarding wheel offset and width so I could start looking for new wheels, but I've decided to keep the wheels that are on the car for now. I'm not quite sure what they are. They look stock-ish but they are much wider. Can anyone help me identify them? Here's a picture-

Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:16 pm

Airkewld- I've been giving alot of thought to using air ride suspension on my Super. I've been reading alot on lowlife (I know they are bias) and they all suggest an IRS standard beetle. What are your thoughts on this?

I'm leaning toward making my Super a daily driver, then going with a standard for my custom project.

Mon Jan 10, 2005 7:48 am

wel you gotta think what is the reason you want airride on your car.
Ride height?
ride quality?
adjustability?
cost? :P

Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:48 am

Airride suspension is great. I've been considering it for my super as well. All of my friends have them on various other cars. Most of the cars have air cylinders insted of bags, because of the struts. They also have strut bags on the market. If you're looking to make it a daily driver, a simple front/back setup would be enough. I've had a few hydraulic thunderbirds, and airride is a lot cleaner and smoother looking. I say go for it, the best part is, they make the kits specifically for the beetles.

Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:46 pm

I want to use air ride suspension for the height adjustment, ride quality, and that ever so wonderful "slammed" stance when the car is parked.

I also wanted to ask about the reliability of air ride suspension kits. Would it be wise to use it on a daily driver what will see all sorts of weather, including snow?

Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:21 am

libila wrote: I also wanted to ask about the reliability of air ride suspension kits. Would it be wise to use it on a daily driver what will see all sorts of weather, including snow?

Anyone?

Thu Jan 13, 2005 12:01 pm

I havent heard any stories where an airride system was faulted in an accident. I would think that it would do just as good as any stock set up in the snow. In rain or high winds I definitly would take a slammed car over a stocker anyday and you have that option with air ride. I would say it all depends on what height you car is designed to ride optimaly at.

Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:54 pm

Airride is reliable. It's just like your motor, you need to maintain it every so often.

You'll need to mount the air tank in a place where you can drain the moisture that builds up. Also you want to check your air lines and connections, to make sure everything is tight, and nothing is punctured ect.

Quality is usually a big factor in these kits also. You get what you pay for 99% of the time. CCE, AirRide Technoligies are a few companys I can name off my head who are big players in airride. Make sure you get good quality stuff. It might be more expensive, but it pays off in the long run.