air suspension question

67type3 · Post by **67type3** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 6:28 pm

has anyone installed or worked with air sspension kits? i rather not spent all the $$$, but would like to know if air-shocks could give me a lift of 1-3". i lowered my car too much(for looks), but got really shitty ride and bouncy.

please advise

rumblbug · Post by **rumblbug** » Thu Mar 21, 2002 5:25 pm

There is usually some good info in the VolksRodders Forum

dbnbde · Post by **dbnbde** » Sun Apr 14, 2002 12:14 am

air shocks aren't made for the actual lifting and raising of a vehicle. It puts the weight of the car on the wrong points of the suspension, how ever, with the lightness of a bug, you probably would be fine.

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ANT · Post by **ANT** » Sun Apr 14, 2002 9:20 pm

Most bagged cars I've driven are beyond marshmellow soft, and feel like a beat Cadillac with no shocks.

Don't expect to be able to go around corners or even drag race. AFAIK these systems are all about cruising low and slow.
-ANT

Cpt Zoomy · Post by **Cpt Zoomy** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 12:17 am

There is a shop locally that i deal with that does air suspensions, if you want i can give you the number

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http://www.sgvwa.20m.com

BWE · Post by **BWE** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 1:57 pm

Check out the Mar. '02 Hot VW's. There is an article on the "Double Deluxe" a '58 Deluxe T2 that the owner slammed with 'bags. It might give you an idea of what's required for the install.
Good luck!

Capgun_Slim · Post by **Capgun_Slim** » Thu May 16, 2002 1:32 am

This link should tell you all you want to know about baggin' a type 1. Even has install instructions on the page for front and rear as well, works great in acrobat reader. www.airliftcompany.com/easystreet/EasyStreetVW.htm

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Mon Jun 03, 2002 3:25 pm

he said he didn't want to spend all the $$$ on airbags. I've got air shocks in the back of my '66 and they are fine. I don't notice a ride difference from when they are full or empty. They do the job though. When they are full my exaust tips don't scrape on my girlfriends driveway. The only down side is having to fill them every few days cuz all the air leaks out of them. If its a lowered car its going to ride shitty anyways. Stock vws don't ride good so whats the problem?

IAS · Post by **IAS** » Mon Jun 03, 2002 6:38 pm

I am in the air suspension biz. You can visit my site at www.innovativeairsuspension.com I don't have the airlift kits listed on my site, but I do sell them. I haven't done a vw yet. From my experience on trucks, I would never recommend using airshocks. They work really poorly as an airbag substitute. When they are aired up enough to carry the weight, they are waaaaay to stiff, and ride like hell.
Larry

IAS · Post by **IAS** » Mon Jun 03, 2002 6:53 pm

"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most bagged cars I've driven are beyond marshmellow soft, and feel like a beat Cadillac with no shocks.
Don't expect to be able to go around corners or even drag race. AFAIK these systems are all about cruising low and slow. "

I forgot to address this. Not Even Close. An airbag is just a spring. They have a spring rate just like a steel spring. Sure it can be adjusted by varying air pressure, but not infinately. There are operating perameters, and the proper spring ( bag ) has to be selected. I drive a bagged minitruck that rides excellent with 60 psi in the bags, and firms up and handles beautifully at 80 psi. My dad's street rod has bags on the rear. It rides great, and launches hard enough to pull the front wheels off the ground. Air bags are being used at bonneville for land speed record runs. The guys have found that they can run low on the track, and raise their cars in the pits. Last year one of the sport truck mags ran a shootout with several trucks lowered with various manufactures parts. Only one was on air... And it out handled them all. A properly set up air suspension can, and will, do anything a steel spring suspension can.

Larry www.innovativeairsuspenson.com