by RodStRace Thu Jan 16, 2014 5:07 pm
When you are talking about changing from leaf springs to air springs, you have to look at 3 things.
1. what is going to locate the axle? You can use only the main leaf, but this limits you to movement as original, no super low. Most people that ask about air bags want the vehicle to lay real low at rest. If this is what you are really asking for, you gotta replace the leafs and design, fabricate and install a complete suspension. Take a look at a couple projects here and check the web for more info.
2. Where will the bags mount? Almost every bag is at least 4 inches tall in the fully collapsed position. This means it won't just fit between the axle/spring location and the frame. You need to mount it to the inside of the frame rail, and build a mount off the axle. Welding forged axles is NOT simple and is a safety concern.
3. Do you have the experience and skills to do it yourself (NO, if you are asking about it) or the money to pay someone to do it properly? Kits for a Chevy truck of the same vintage (C-10 series) which has IFS is 2200-9500 bucks. That is JUST the parts, and no compressor at the low end. Then it's gotta be modified, made to fit the van and installed.
http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspension-packages/?subcats=Y&features_hash=V259#pagination_contents Too many vehicles have been hacked up and scrapped after first attempts and lack of money. If you want it AND have the money/skills/time to do it right, go for it. But don't start hacking without a plan of attack and the drive to finish it.
EDIT: BTW, this section is titled "This is How it's Done".
Better to ask in all the other sections and keep this one for real world finished tasks!
Last edited by RodStRace on Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:12 pm; edited 1 time in total