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Cheap Air Lift Bags, like $60 for two

1K views 2 replies 1 participant last post by  dcsleeper 
#1 ·
I like to think up unneccessary work for myself. Comes from being so damned cheap.

These: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...005711-P?searchTerm=World American Air Spring



Are under 29 bux a piece. They are, I think, cab bags to soften the ride in the cab of a semi truck. But I bet they could easily add 1000 lbs of weight carrying to the suspension.

With some metal cutting and welding skills I bet you could put these in place of the useless Bump Stops in the rear suspension at nearly the same price! This is right where Timbrens install, so we know it can support the load, as for the connection points.

Even better, they could be made to work with a lifted van! There is a longer one available that could be used on higher lift vans if needed, for ... a dollar more!
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/world-american-wa-air-spring-wa02-7207c/11046210-p



All that would need be done is:
1 - to hold the frame end of it, which is just a 1/2 nub, either
-- a - drill a 1/2 hole in the frame pointing up, where the Bump Stop would normally land
or
-- b - make a U shaped bracket with a receiving hole in it, that wrapped the frame in that spot with a horizontal thru bolt

option b would only be necessary if a 1/2 hole in the frame would make it too weak there. This is a double plated section of the frame.

2 - As for the bottom I see a round base plate with a slot in it, about 3/4" wide. This plate could mount to the standard Bump Stop mounting hole. The design of this would be very similar to the baseplate from Timbrens.



See this universal bottom mount for the bag. This is made by the people who make the bag so it shows you what differences would be necessary.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/world-american-mounting-bracke-wa107695/11053046-p


The bottom of the bag has the air line fill point. So a circle would need to be in the bottom plate for it to pass through. Thankfully it is not large so like a 1" hole/slot would do it.

Since I see that the bag will be connected top and bottom all the time, it can increase the spring rate. I'm betting that 30-40 psi would make even the most fully loaded van level again.

Add in a manual air big line kit ~$30 and you're done.

So who's gonna make the bottom and top plates for us? :)
 
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#2 ·
Here's the dimensions:


so height is 2.4 to 8.6" tall
diameter 3"

stock Bump Stop is about 3.5" tall.

looks like there is enough horizontal room for the base of the bag...



More dimensions, and in conflict but close enough...



and look!
Here's a pair for under $50 shipped!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Air-S...or-Freightliner-Goodyear-1S5-040/332884322185

here's their native application Freightliner FLD series trucks.

I hope there's room for that inflated diameter!
 
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