| Air Ride Front Suspension [message #245857] |
Mon, 31 March 2014 08:33  |
quadracerx1
Messages: 207
Registered: April 2013
Location: Puyallup, Washington
Karma: 1
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Hey Guys...
I was searching to see if anyone had done an Air Ride Front Suspension?
I found this:
http://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&rid=0&th=24325&goto=191841&SQ=&
But no further info. Could you use something like the Ride Tech Shockwave along with the existing Torsion Bars to be able to raise and lower the front like we can the rear?
If not, could you use some other air bag and do away with the torsion bar altogether?
The thread I listed was active until Feb. 2013...
Thanks,
Steve
75 26' GMC Glenbrook
Puyallup, Washington
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| Re: Air Ride Front Suspension [message #245858 is a reply to message #245857] |
Mon, 31 March 2014 08:44  |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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Jim Bounds at Coop Motors in Orlando was investigating this option a couple of years ago and I believe he decided against going too far with the concept. I think it wasn't providing any real improvement and cost would become an issue.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Air Ride Front Suspension [message #245975 is a reply to message #245858] |
Mon, 31 March 2014 23:08 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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| GeorgeRud wrote on Mon, 31 March 2014 06:44 |
Jim Bounds at Coop Motors in Orlando was investigating this option a couple of years ago and I believe he decided against going too far with the concept. I think it wasn't providing any real improvement and cost would become an issue.
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I think I read somewhere (maybe I dreamed it) that JimB or someone said part of the trouble was front end alignment. You cannot fiddle with the height much without causing major changes in castor, camber and I believe toe-in.
It would be great to be able to level the front for camping but I think the folks who put hydraulic jacks in front fare better. Of course it won't go lower, but our coach tends to squat in front on one side if the back opposite side has to go up very far. Of course the opposite is true too.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: Air Ride Front Suspension [message #246004 is a reply to message #245975] |
Tue, 01 April 2014 09:47 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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With any suspension there is one true ride height. Any other height is wrong. The true ride height gives you the proper behavior of the system, things like bump steer, ackerman etc.
It's also where you should be setting the camber, caster, toe.
This is true on the GMC rear suspension, the front suspension and even on a solid axle car.
If you put Air ride on the front you will need to implement some sort of leveling system to keep the ride height correct.
So once that is done it can be argued that the air ride will be more consistent that the spring suspension since the spring suspension cannot compensate for load variances.
It also does make it possible to raise or lower the coach when you need to to clear speed bumps or what not as long as you can then return it to the correct height.
There is no inherent reason Air ride on the front cant be made to work. you just need a way to manage ride height.
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: Air Ride Front Suspension [message #246021 is a reply to message #245857] |
Tue, 01 April 2014 11:36 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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had a brief conversation with Jim bounds this past december on it, and got to see the air shock he used as a component to the system
Basically what I remember and understood the travel you got out of that system was not worth the cost and trouble of installing it. and you had to be really careful on your ride height, and hope the system does not fail you on that.
I am sure there are other ways to do a front adjustable suspension, but I am guessing you need to find someone that has the money and time to do it.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Air Ride Front Suspension [message #246110 is a reply to message #245857] |
Tue, 01 April 2014 20:26 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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JimB said he wouldn't recommend doing it. It was on Mark H's coach that was later caught in a flood (Canada).
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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