Hi All,

Right, so I am slowly plodding through the bodywork on my '98, and thoughts turn to wheels and suspension...

Now, I rather like a low car, but a lot of the roads around here are not low car friendly, so, air bags look like the way forward.

Has anyone bagged one of these cars? Looking at the front suspension it looks like I am going to struggle to fit anything more than a 6" dia bag in the stock a-arms assuming I relocate the shocks. I'm concerned about ending up having to run a lot of pressure to get a decent lift for cruising.

Also, does anyone know what the front / rear weight distribution is on a 4-door hardtop with a 455?

Thanks,

 

My 67 is bagged.. I had a shop do it so I can't really tell you what all was involved but I can say it actually rides better without shocks on the front. they were originally relocated when it was bagged but they were reducing my turning radius. after taking them off I was pleased that I could turn again and it rode better. the only cutting on the frame was up front to make room for the air-lift D2600 dominator bags. The original inner wheel wells were left in it and no notch was needing for the rear axle to lay it out on stock wheel/tires

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Thats a nice looking ninety eight!

Unfortunately I have to run shocks. It won't pass the road worthiness test without them, and without that I can't use it on the roads. Add to that small european roads, and any increase in turning circle needs to be avoided.

I've picked up a pair of 6" slam specialties 400psi bags, just not yet had chance to get the front end apart to see how much cutting of the frame will be needed to fit them. They are non-ballooning ones, so hopefully not too much, stock springs are 5 1/2" OD I think.

 

have you looked in to ride tech shockwaves?

 

I looked at them, but I was unsure how they would ride with so much weight up front and so little air in the bags. The internal volume of them ends up being quite small with the shock through the middle. That and I know one person who had them up front on his '63 Galaxy and they punched a hole through the control arm and broke the trunion. I wouldn't want all that weight on the stock shock mount.

http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/gala...pension-2.html

 

Just thought I would update this as I finally got everything trial fitted.

In the end I fitted 6" slam specialties bags at the front, and 7" at the rear. Front shocks are relocated, and even with 20x8" rims I can still get full lock on the steering. Compromise is that I can only drop as far as the stock bump stops. Low enough for me though, for now at least

100psi in the front just lifts it off the stops, 120psi is stock ride height, and 140psi is all the way up to the bump stops again. Probably going to be a bit of a firmer ride than stock, but may not be a bad thing. Can't tell at the moment as its not street legal currently.

quick video at...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...86417219934221

No cutting, and only welding is some additional brackets for the relocated front shocks. It can all be taken back to stock pretty easily. Have kept the springs so if I / next owner wants to they can just remove the bags / tank / compressor, and go back to stock in less than a days work.

 

Pretty cool! It's going to be really nice when your done

 

I like!