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Budget Bags

Ricky21

Ricky21

New member
Im gonna take a stab at making my own set of airbag struts for my car. If the first one comes out good il go ahead and make 3 more and get to more serious thinking for an air management system, air tank, compressor, fittings, valves ect..(although i already have it somewhat firgured out, but by that time who knows what will change)

So my plan is pretty much hack up some old struts to look a little something like this..

strutcut_zps4070727c.jpg



strutcut2_zpsd5718cb7.jpg


I know this can be dangerous to do so im most likely going to take them to a shop to have them depressurized.

Then figure out the right size bag like one of these to mount on top..

Air lift bags | Air lift | air lift air bags | Air springs | Air spring

When I get to it I want to do just a front and back system so when I hit one switch, it will raise/drop the front, and a seperate switch for the back. i think it will make it a lot easier dialing a good ride height, and easier to enter steep driveways and get over speed bumps and such.

Questions I have for you guys (especially ones who have worked with air ride suspension)
1. Does this even sound like it would work? hah
2. This is more directed at someone whos had/have bags on their gp. What are the size dimensions on the bags? such as height/width when fully aired and fully depressed. and how much lift and and drop they have? I know I have some messuring to do inside the wheel well, but with the freezing temps here and no heated garage, it would make my life a lot easier so I could start fabbing one up before spring lol :th_winking:
3. Im still trying to think of how the top mount would be mounted. Maybe weld some studs to the bag and bolt it on?
4. Any other concerns or things I might run into.

Any and all input is always appreciated!! :D
 
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Re: Custom air ride!

2300 bucks and my bank account is done hahaha I have seen a bunch of kits, they actually make them specifically for grand prixs. But I want to try making my own struts. It'll be a lot cheaper and I like the feeling of building something myself, it gives me a lot more pride of ownership that way. I also dont want the FBSS ( front back side to side) just a simple front and back so I can maneuver over obstacles lol For my first set up im kinda leaning towards manual power valve switches to cut out a lot of wiring and stuff. Cheaper, simpler, less things to go wrong, and Ive heard a lot of good about them. Except for being really slow, but thats fine I dont need to be bouncing around all fast anyway haha

I think something like this will work for the top mount

topmount_zps931bb064.gif


Still need to get the right measurements, but im leaning towards these bags

Firestone 2600lb. Double Convoluted Air Bag 1/4" Port

And something like this for air management, Until I decide if I want to get more serious of a set up

1/4" Air Lift Dual Gauge Switch Panel
 
Re: Custom air ride!

Finally some progress. Now I can start doing something haha

C360_2013-01-21-16-27-17.jpg


They are front struts for a 95 buick Lasabre. The lower knuckle looks about the same and I believe they areD can anyone confirm if at least the width is the same size? I can always re-drill different holes to make something work.
 
Little bit of an update. Got the first strut cut open and gutted

Drilled a small hole in the bottom to relieve the pressure and drain the oil (not gonna lie, it was a little sketchy not knowing what was gonna happen for sure haha)

C360_2013-01-24-15-13-56_org.jpg


Cut about a half inch down from the top all the way around to get the innards out.

C360_2013-01-24-15-14-15.jpg


C360_2013-01-24-15-15-04.jpg


Now I have one gutted just need to cut off the lower spring seat and make the top nice and level. The lower mount should be here and day, and the bags soon after!!
 


glad to see you actuall making progress.

typically with questions that go like this people are just dreaming.
 
Thanks me too! It started as just a dream lol Then once I started doing some research it actually seemed pretty do-able. Bags should be here Wednesday.

But I think Im gonna have to get some different donor struts. The ones I have the lower bolt holes are about 1.5 inches apart from center to center. While gps are around 2.5 from what I could tell measuring through my torque star, but its bigger none the less.
 
I feel like a lot of people are in the same boat with us haha

Heres the first little mock up

C360_2013-01-31-00-18-24_org_zpsafbdea11.jpg


Nothings welded yet so its a little crooked lol

I aslo need to wait to get another strut that will actually fit the lower knuckle on my car.. Cant complain with the ones I got for free tho, it was good practice cutting it open hah
 




Thanks for the interest! Im trying to get a super basic air ride system set up for under a grand. And then slowly upgrade to better parts as I see fit for what I need/want. Right now its looking pretty good. just need to wait for pay day to order a couple fittings, and get another strut, then after some welding ill be ready for a test fit on the first one!
 
I have mounts that bolt to the bag then il weld the mount to the strut. And there is a centered mounting hole on the top of the bag so I have the top mount bolted to the bag. But im going to get some spacers, washers, and maybe some type of bearings (although it seems to turn pretty decently right now alone) to put under the top mount between it and the bag so it doesnt get squished over time.
 
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