I've been busy [Archive] - Expedition Portal

oly884

08-19-2006, 09:03 PM

getting my truck ready for some REAL camping with the FWC!

I got an Engel 45, and 3 more 50 cal. ammo cases (5 total now. and my back is solid, and full of all the gear I need:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/oly884/Truck/NEW-back.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/oly884/Truck/NEW-back-2.jpg

I also have airbags now:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/oly884/Truck/DSC_9876.jpg

And KC, you might be interested in this because my airbag setup is identical to yours:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/oly884/Truck/DSC_9875.jpg

It crosslinks the airbags, so, when wheeling, the air transfers from one to the other and makes you have A LOT more articulation.

not the best shot, but it articulates just as much as it did without the air bags. Before I got this nifty little thing, it would stop articulating about 3" from the bumpstops, now it goes all the way to them.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/oly884/Truck/DSC_9877.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/oly884/Truck/DSC_9880.jpg

grouch

08-19-2006, 09:09 PM

That cross link is a great idea. Nice work!

flyingwil

08-19-2006, 10:32 PM

And KC, you might be interested in this because my airbag setup is identical to yours:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/oly884/Truck/DSC_9875.jpg

It crosslinks the airbags, so, when wheeling, the air transfers from one to the other and makes you have A LOT more articulation.

:victory: Nice set up! So on the air bags you only need the "cross link" when offroad?

Willman

08-19-2006, 11:47 PM

Nice setup!!

Like the plates!!!!

:costumed-smiley-007

oly884

08-20-2006, 12:25 AM

:victory: Nice set up! So on the air bags you only need the "cross link" when offroad?

Yup, when that thing is off, the air bags keep the air in them and act somewhat like a sway bar.

Scott Brady

08-20-2006, 04:19 PM

Very nice.

I am really interested in the airbag set-up. What are your impressions of the quality and fitment. How do they handle the flex?

oly884

08-20-2006, 04:50 PM

Very nice.

I am really interested in the airbag set-up. What are your impressions of the quality and fitment. How do they handle the flex?

The quality is top notch, as is the installation. It took me 2 hours, and that was taking my sweet time.

With the crosslink, they flex as much as stock, without the crosslink, it's hindered quite a bit. I've only had them on for about 2 weeks now and have yet to hit the trails with them, so, I can't say how they handle continued flex, but I'd imagine that they will stand up just fine.

Scott Brady

08-20-2006, 06:01 PM

One more question :)

Who is the manufacture of the bags and the model number you used?

Thanks so much :friday:

asteffes

08-20-2006, 06:28 PM

Does the rubber bag act as a damper? Does the ride get bouncy with the airbags inflated?

kevin

08-20-2006, 06:58 PM

I guess that the air bags are designed for stock ride height? Do they have a provision for installing on lifted vehicles? Or is there enough play in the bags to allow for small lifts?

grouch

08-20-2006, 07:10 PM

oly884

08-20-2006, 07:10 PM

One more question :)

Who is the manufacture of the bags and the model number you used?

Thanks so much :friday:

Airlift is who makes it, and here is the link:

Does the rubber bag act as a damper? Does the ride get bouncy with the airbags inflated?

Not that I noticed, the shocks I have seem to tame any bouncy feeling.

I guess that the air bags are designed for stock ride height? Do they have a provision for installing on lifted vehicles? Or is there enough play in the bags to allow for small lifts?

Yes, it is designed for stock height, so I'm not sure what would need to be done to work for lifted vehicles.

When the time comes for me to lift my truck, I'm just going to contact Deaver and give them the specs that I need and ditch the airbags, but that's looking like it will be far away as of right now.

oly884

08-20-2006, 07:11 PM

More airbag questions, when they are not inflated do you get the stock ride? I am really interested in this set up. I am wondering if I can put the extra soft Deaver 7 leafs on my truck for general unweighted offroading and daily driving with out air in the bags then add air to keep the springs from sagging when I am loaded?

The minimum air you can have in them is 10 PSI and it gives it a stock ride. I would really suggest them if you need the support only part of the time.

Mlachica

08-20-2006, 08:06 PM

That is freakin cool! You'll have to update us after a trail run.

I've been pondering air bags since my load fluctuates so much...

I was always skeptical because I thought it hindered suspension flex. I look forward to more reviews :p

oly884

08-21-2006, 01:33 AM

Brian McVickers

08-21-2006, 07:24 PM

Yes, it is designed for stock height, so I'm not sure what would need to be done to work for lifted vehicles.

I believe you would use spacers under the airbags if you had a lift. This would allow for the lift but also bring the airbags into stock, unlifted, position.
Not sure how it would handle articulation fir this application.

oly884

08-21-2006, 07:56 PM

I believe you would use spacers under the airbags if you had a lift. This would allow for the lift but also bring the airbags into stock, unlifted, position.
Not sure how it would handle articulation fir this application.

Spacers would work, but articulation would be limited because of the size of the airbags. The best bet would to be to get the dimentions and search for the right bags to use. Maybe off a full size. What you'd really need to do is look for spring width, and the spring to frame height just to the front of the bumpstop.

Ursidae69

08-21-2006, 10:18 PM

Do you have any details you can share on the fridge install? I've seen Bajataco's work where he extended out the flooring. Did you go that route too? Great work. :beer:

oly884

08-21-2006, 10:22 PM

Do you have any details you can share on the fridge install? I've seen Bajataco's work where he extended out the flooring. Did you go that route too? Great work. :beer:

I simply removed the rear seats, and the plastic back as you can see in the picture. It fits snug so I haven't bolted it down yet, but that might be in the plan for the future. I believe that Baja's fridge is wider than mine, so that would explain why he extended his floor out.

Ursidae69

08-22-2006, 03:38 AM

I simply removed the rear seats, and the plastic back as you can see in the picture. It fits snug so I haven't bolted it down yet, but that might be in the plan for the future. I believe that Baja's fridge is wider than mine, so that would explain why he extended his floor out.

Excellent, thanks. I'm looking at the same size fridge right you got, just wondered how well it fit in the Tacoma. I was not wanting to modify the flooring if I could avoid it.

oly884

08-22-2006, 03:46 AM

Excellent, thanks. I'm looking at the same size fridge right you got, just wondered how well it fit in the Tacoma. I was not wanting to modify the flooring if I could avoid it.

I started to modify it, I had gutted EVERYTHING back there, ugh, no fun. But then I'm sitting in my truck while it's a nice balmy 90F outside and I came to the conclusion, why change something that doesn't need to be changed. So, everything went back together (easier than I thought, haha) But you should be fine, I can get some pics of just the fridge. Part of the fridge is on my sub, but it's nothing too bad. I'll make it a priority to snap a pic for ya tomorrow.

Whoknows

09-10-2006, 05:43 AM

Can you give more info on the crosslink -- how it is made, where to get the parts (NAPA?)....

Thanks!:bowdown:

oly884

09-10-2006, 06:00 AM

Can you give more info on the crosslink -- how it is made, where to get the parts (NAPA?)....

Thanks!:bowdown:

The tube and the threaded fittings can be made at napa (they have a machine to do it)

and I'm sorry that I don't have a part # for you on the schrader adaptors, but it is a "normally closed clamp on schrader valve adaptor" or something to that extent.

My suggestion would be to possibly print out the pic that I have up and take it to napa to show the guy what you're talking about.

I can try to swing by napa and get a part # but I've been super busy with school and all so it might be a bit before I can do that.

Whoknows

09-11-2006, 01:38 AM

No worries. I'll swing by there myself and check into it. Thanks for the info and for posting your setup. I have recently installed OME setup with airbags on my 4R and I really like the idea of not having to deflate and re-inflate when going offroad with my trailer. I'll let you all know what I find.

--David