Front airbags

[Telimhesdreamin]

Anyone done airbags in the front?

Had a good search can't find it done yet. I did see someone put those rubber bumpstops things on.

I spoke to airbag man they said never done it. Possible to adapt the rear kit to fit.

Not sure why but it might be handy to have for a bit of a smoother ride, level out at camp and just lift it to show off in the car park. Obviously do the rear too so no low rider style

On a 4 way control would also be cool.

Looks like the steering stuff isn't in the way.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Airbags in the front will mess with the steering geometry along with the alignment. Get a lowrider some hydros do front back side to side then 3 wheel if you want to show of in a parking lot.

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Airbags in the front will mess with the steering geometry along with the alignment. Get a lowrider some hydros do front back side to side then 3 wheel if you want to show of in a parking lot.

How will it mess with steering geometry? No need to be a dick either.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Ok dick do your research then if you don't know anything about what your talking about.

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Ok dick do your research then if you don't know anything about what your talking about.

Nice one thanks for the input, not.
So airbags on the front won't work you say? They are on other solid axle vehicles and work well. 80 series, defender to name two. Not sure what your problem is? Just searched here and found no threads on it.
Hopefully some normal people will enter the chat.

 

[Mark W]

Are you wanting to go full airbag and replace the leaf springs? I am gonna guess not. Are you talking about helper airbags in addition to the leaf springs?

Mark...

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Let me get this straight I give you technical advice and you call me names describe normal people. If you can't find where it has been done there is a reason why. If a vehicle manufacturer did all the research and development of a factory air ride system witch isn't new you know what man nevermind hopefully someone else will explain this to you .

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Hi Mark, yeah mate. I've spoke to airbagman in Australia and the agent in Ireland as that's where I am. The idea would be to have both axles bagged with a tank and compressor, would be a good setup for airing up tyres and on board air etc. I had a look under mine and cane see why it wouldn't work. I was wondering if anyone had done it as if so it'll be on here but searched and found nothing. As I said, it'd be handy to level out at camp and maybe smooth the ride a bit. The car park thing is a joke but anyway that's life but, if you can why not

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Let me get this straight I give you technical advice and you call me names describe normal people. If you can't find where it has been done there is a reason why. If a vehicle manufacturer did all the research and development of a factory air ride system witch isn't new you know what man nevermind hopefully someone else will explain this to you .

Whatever mate. Thanks for ypur tech advice.

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Not too much toyota airide in the 80s bro

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

80 series and Defender are solid axle but coiled, the air bags in them are coil replacements, I still can't see how a leaf solid axle with air bags is any different.
BTW it's no big deal I'm just wondering if anyone has done it hence the post.

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Nice trolling

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Nice trolling

There you go with the name calling again.

 

[Mark W]

Hi Mark, yeah mate. I've spoke to airbagman in Australia and the agent in Ireland as that's where I am. The idea would be to have both axles bagged with a tank and compressor, would be a good setup for airing up tyres and on board air etc. I had a look under mine and cane see why it wouldn't work. I was wondering if anyone had done it as if so it'll be on here but searched and found nothing. As I said, it'd be handy to level out at camp and maybe smooth the ride a bit. The car park thing is a joke but anyway that's life but, if you can why not

If you are just talking about air bags in addition to the existing springs, then it *can* be done. With enough money, time and skill *anything* can be done. But it is not going to be an over the counter bolt in existing kit type of thing.

Clearance between the spring and the fame is small. Outboarding the air bag such as is done in some of the kits for full size American trucks is not really an option either, even in the rear (clearance issues again). Clearance to fit any sort of bag up front is worse than in back.

I am assuming that you are not running a spring over conversion or any other major suspension mods that would change all of this.

Helper air bags will not smooth your ride. Unless your springs are so worn out that you are hitting the bump stops routinely. While airbags themselves can provide a smooth (soft) ride, adding them to existing springs will only increase the effective spring rate. Stiffer not softer.

Now... if you were talking about deep sixing the leaf spring suspension and installing a four link front and rear with air bags instead of coils... that would be a different discussion. One better suited for the "hard core" forum.

Nothing wrong with thinking outside the box. I have followed a few rabbits done some twisted and intriguing holes. In the end, most turn out to be dead ends. Unless you are looking to get a bit radical with the rig, your best bet is probably the tried and true, boring but proven approach of simply installing appropriate springs under the rig.


Mark...

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Appreciate the reply Mark. Nothing crazy or expensive. Just the same kit that goes in the rear. I'd measure travel and get appropriate size bags. Definitely nothing groundbreaking or new. I'd be surprised if it hasn't already been done or discussed here but I didn't find any threads on it here.

 

[Thechief86]

Do it, it'll be fine. If it's not, take them back off. Air shocks would be easier if you're keeping the leaf springs

 

[Telimhesdreamin]

Do it, it'll be fine. If it's not, take them back off. Air shocks would be easier if you're keeping the leaf springs

Hi chief. Thanks for comment. I've had air shocks on other cars before. Not really what I was thinking for a 60.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I thought about it. Airbags bounce, and no way to control that with leaf springs. I’ve got
BOSS triple bulb airbags on the back of my 60. I carry roof tent, 210 litres of diesel, tools,
34” E-Rated spare, winches front and rear, etc. Get the idea, it’s heavy. Up front with the diesel,
Heavy bumper and compressor winch I wanted a bit better than hard rubber bumper stops.
You could do hydraulic Offroad race bump stops. They also absorb impact but expensive.
My solution is SUMOSPRINGS in place of my bump stops. They are marketed as a airbag
replacement for rear to haul trailers or bug loads. The cool part is they are load absorbing and
Seriously durable and long lasting. I’ve had mine on for a few years a more than a few heavy
Offroad trips. They are taller than bumpstop but they don’t quite reach the frame in position.
But they absorb heavy braking and are amazing when I bottom out the front end in a ditch or
just find the front diving. They work for me. Wrong device for pics. If I remember tomorrow
I’ll load up a pic of install.

 

[Thechief86]

I thought about it. Airbags bounce, and no way to control that with leaf springs. I’ve got
BOSS triple bulb airbags on the back of my 60. I carry roof tent, 210 litres of diesel, tools,
34” E-Rated spare, winches front and rear, etc. Get the idea, it’s heavy. Up front with the diesel,
Heavy bumper and compressor winch I wanted a bit better than hard rubber bumper stops.
You could do hydraulic Offroad race bump stops. They also absorb impact but expensive.
My solution is SUMOSPRINGS in place of my bump stops. They are marketed as a airbag
replacement for rear to haul trailers or bug loads. The cool part is they are load absorbing and
Seriously durable and long lasting. I’ve had mine on for a few years a more than a few heavy
Offroad trips. They are taller than bumpstop but they don’t quite reach the frame in position.
But they absorb heavy braking and are amazing when I bottom out the front end in a ditch or
just find the front diving. They work for me. Wrong device for pics. If I remember tomorrow
I’ll load up a pic of install.

I've got SumoSprings all around on my Tacoma, and they're great.

 

[Mark W]

I thought about it. Airbags bounce, and no way to control that with leaf springs. I’ve got
BOSS triple bulb airbags on the back of my 60. I carry roof tent, 210 litres of diesel, tools,
34” E-Rated spare, winches front and rear, etc. Get the idea, it’s heavy. Up front with the diesel,
Heavy bumper and compressor winch I wanted a bit better than hard rubber bumper stops.
You could do hydraulic Offroad race bump stops. They also absorb impact but expensive.
My solution is SUMOSPRINGS in place of my bump stops. They are marketed as a airbag
replacement for rear to haul trailers or bug loads. The cool part is they are load absorbing and
Seriously durable and long lasting. I’ve had mine on for a few years a more than a few heavy
Offroad trips. They are taller than bumpstop but they don’t quite reach the frame in position.
But they absorb heavy braking and are amazing when I bottom out the front end in a ditch or
just find the front diving. They work for me. Wrong device for pics. If I remember tomorrow
I’ll load up a pic of install.

I'd be interested in seeing.

Mark...