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View Full Version : Anyway to Airbag a 4X4?

PUREVIL
08-07-2002, 03:40 PM
I have a 98 Suburban 4X4 and I have the Belltech 4X4 drop kit and its a nice sport truck drop but I'd like another 2 or 3 inches. Now i heard bagging a 4X4 can be done but it will be a big custom job with lots of hacking. That doesnt sit well with me. So I was curious if I used those air cylinders to replace my shocks would that work???? Do they make air cylinders for trucks even? Or are those just for cars??? It could give me the extra inches while minimizing the headaches and cutting. I know I'll have to notch my frame in back at some point to drop the rear more.

Does anyone have/know someone with a bagged 4X4 where they didn't have to ditch the 4X4 system cuz I still need it in the winter, but I love the sport truck look. I should just go buy a 2WD! :cussing:
97Silverado
08-07-2002, 03:43 PM
Originally posted by PUREVIL
I have a 98 Suburban 4X4 and I have the Belltech 4X4 drop kit and its a nice sport truck drop but I'd like another 2 or 3 inches. Now i heard bagging a 4X4 can be done but it will be a big custom job with lots of hacking. That doesnt sit well with me. So I was curious if I used those air cylinders to replace my shocks would that work???? Do they make air cylinders for trucks even? Or are those just for cars??? It could give me the extra inches while minimizing the headaches and cutting. I know I'll have to notch my frame in back at some point to drop the rear more.

Does anyone have/know someone with a bagged 4X4 where they didn't have to ditch the 4X4 system cuz I still need it in the winter, but I love the sport truck look. I should just go buy a 2WD! :cussing: Either Air Ride or AirLift one is working on a 4x4 lowering kit.......check with AirDaddy or Tony
GnatGoSplat
08-07-2002, 03:55 PM
It was Airride. I think it's a kit for 99+ that they are developing.

I'm in the same boat you are, I can't live without the 4x4 traction but I also love the sport truck look.
PUREVIL
08-07-2002, 03:55 PM
DAMN I LOVE THIS SITE!!!!! Very quick and helpful responses, thanks guys!
1badgmc
08-07-2002, 03:59 PM
Originally posted by GnatGoSplat
It was Airride. I think it's a kit for 99+ that they are developing.


Yep, dat be dem.

I'm not sure if it's a '99+ system or not, but even if it is, it will pretty much translate over to the '88-'98 trucks since it's the same basic torsion bar setup.

I'm sure Tony will be answering before too long. :D
TribalVision
08-07-2002, 07:41 PM
there's a possibilty I may look into it also.... hey Ted... PSSST PSSST...

Purevil..... you can buy the 6400 shackle from Belltech and get another inch or so in the back....


steve
BaggedTB
08-07-2002, 08:52 PM
Ya dude your in the same boat as me, except i have a 2000 silverado 4x4. Tony is working on a kit but i dont know the specifics of when its coming out or the price. It will be for the 99+ 4x4's and i have heard it will be out by end of fall this year. I may be having a custom job done heres oon if i can get the ppl to lower their price a little bit.I have been told that it can be done yet retain the 4x4 but only requires the lose of the torsion bar to potentially do it.
LowHoe
08-08-2002, 01:34 PM
my friend up here has a 97 tahoe 4x4 with bags. he doesnt lay frame, but he is deffinitely lower than me, and hes got 20's. I forget his set up, but it did cost him a pretty penny.
PUREVIL
08-08-2002, 03:20 PM
Originally posted by naturai9
my friend up here has a 97 tahoe 4x4 with bags. he doesnt lay frame, but he is deffinitely lower than me, and hes got 20's. I forget his set up, but it did cost him a pretty penny.

You wouldhn't happen to have pics of his Hoe would you??? Also your locale says Saint Paul, is that St. Paul MN?
GnatGoSplat
08-08-2002, 03:53 PM
Originally posted by 5-8CHEVY

If you wanna keep the 4x it's gonna be tough but I have some pics of a bagged 4x 'Burban with shockwaves. :read: :D


Yeah, but that one is no longer a 4x. It's been converted to a 2x.
What a waste of a good front drivetrain!
BaggedTB
08-08-2002, 04:15 PM
i have been looking at my front suspension the past couple of days and am thinking about a few things before i have them bag it. Removing all 4x4 components is not really possible i believe? From the pics it looks like he just removed the CV joints up front and the torsion bar? I am thinking that a special bracket could be made to attach to both sides of the lower control arm and go up and over the the front driveshafts going to each wheel and attach the bottom of the shockwave or what ever bag to that bracket keeping the 4x4. Would i be on to something? When you air bag a truck you dont have to have shocks right? B/c if I remove the shock and get that bracket it it would work then i can just drop the bag right in in the place of the shock. As for realignment i have no idea what it would do.
1badgmc
08-08-2002, 04:18 PM
Originally posted by mychev2000
When you air bag a truck you dont have to have shocks right? B/c if I remove the shock and get that bracket it it would work then i can just drop the bag right in in the place of the shock. As for realignment i have no idea what it would do.

That would be a BIG :nono::nono:!! Have you ever ridden in a car with bad shocks and felt like you were riding the waves wondering when it would stop?? Well, with airbags it would be worse!! Relocate the shocks.
BaggedTB
08-08-2002, 04:28 PM
ya thanks i just took another quick look and noticed that the shocks may be able to stay where their at and somehow do like 5-8 mentioned attach bag to upper control arm and have a bracket made to somehow attach to frame and then hold bag. Have to cut the inner fender well and do a few little mods to the control arms ma have to relocated the shock but no biggy. I am willing to pay for it. I just think it would be kinda cool to have 4x4 but yet air bagged to drop me about 3/5 and yet retain 4x4 driveability. Not many around that have did this that i have found.
GnatGoSplat
08-08-2002, 04:47 PM
I'm picturing in my head a setup that places the bag between the upper control arm and an upper mount that's installed similar to the shock hoops that offroaders use.
BaggedTB
08-08-2002, 05:01 PM
Originally posted by 5-8CHEVY

This may give you a few ideas:
http://www.lesserdegree.com/shaved15.jpg
http://www.lesserdegree.com/shaved13.jpg

It would need to be more rigid and I'm not sure what components would have to relocated. :read: :D


Ya thanks 5-8 that does give me a few ideas to work with. I think that would work perfectly. Just need to some how fab that to fit the stuffed engine compartments of the 99+'s