Air-Ride air bar install pics and mods

[conv340]

There have been a couple of posts and questions about the rear air bar but it seems like it would be nice to have a spot for pics and tips! I'm installing the kit in my 70 Cuda now and thought I would post some pics and modifications that I'm doing.
First of if you want to see more on the car check out the post Channeling a 'Cuda http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=28388.0 It seems like air bags have come of age and are a viable suspension option, if you want modern suspension that rides nice, handles great, and um if you like it, you know, LOW.  I bought my kit though RMS with Bills AlterKation front suspension with the air bag upgrade.
 Some things I don't like about the kit. I know they say bolt in and It may work but I just hate the idea of self-tapping screws holding things as important as suspension together.  I will be welding everything in. Also I have a 3 deg bind on my shock between the upper and lower mounts They don't mention even checking this but it would definitely shorten their life! Now I'm sure that on a 35 year old car thats been hit and fixed then cut up and put back together thats to be expected. I will be fixing that and thought it would be worth mentioning. The kit seems to have a least 3 upgrades all ready the first version (prototype pics) had a three bolt upper mount and two small plates that go in the car. Not very strong. So they made a one piece plate to go in the car to make it stronger and tie it together. ( Also three bolts ) This is the piece I got. But the upper mounts that I got now have four bolts holding them on. oops so I got parts from two versions. I can't use the inner plate any way because I modified the inner bracing. Don't worry I'll post lots of Pics so this makes sense! 
Another question that has been asked is about tire size and relocating the lower bar for bigger tires. I have done a mini tub and want maximum tire size so I will push them in.
Anybody that has pics or is doing an install please chime in! 

[conv340]

OK this is where I'm at now and what has been modified.
The lower bar is narrower then the Factory leaf so you have more tire room then stock. You could get a 10 rim with a 275 with no problem. I want to use a 335/30/18 in the back so I did the mini tub and that gives you 14.75 inches in the back of the wheel well ( where it is narrowest) I was going to put the lower bar in the frame like a relocation kit for leafs but after measuring the width if you push the bar up to the frame you get 14.5 inches close to max anyway and I think you could do this with a b-body relocation kit ( bolt on front Hanger that is moved in 1 inch.) I used the mount in the kit and cut into the frame to make it flush and then welded it in netting 15" between the bar and the wheel well. And 1/2" between the bar and the frame. A 335 tire has a 13.60 cross section so it should fit no problem.
The upper mount I mentioned was not aligned with the lower so I cut it apart and reassembled everything into alignment and then welded it back together. Then I got silly and boxed the mount and installed a 1.5" cross bar to help carry the load. Remember the car wasn't originally designed to carry the load on the shock. 
the upper mounts were warped right from air-ride so if you just use the frame as a locating device the mounts come out uneven. I thought it was my frame but after using a strait edge I found it was the new part.  Not a big deal just need to be careful. I clamped a bar to both mounts and put them in together to keep them strait. Then I built a new inner brace that welds to my inner structure. Once everything was strait I welded it all together. The pics should make it easier to understand what the heck I'm talking about.   

[MoparCar]

Awesome,
I know it's too early to give us your overall impression, but do you think this is a solid rear suspension kit? PM me if you have any thoughts on this.

Wes

[cudabuyer]

i bought & installed my air ride kit from ride tech, we welded everything also, my hemi makes 710hp at the flywheel; great pics 

[A110235]

Damn man that is some great work!  Keep posting those pics as you go along.

Kyle

[conv340]

I know it's too early to give us your overall impression, but do you think this is a solid rear suspension kit?

I looked at several options before I picked this kit. Originally I figured I would build my own 4 link with a "universal" kit. Now several kits have have been made for these cars it makes it a lot easer. Magnum Force has a kit out as well that doesn't require cutting the frame but it is a weld in. It uses a watts link and spherical bearings. So no room for exhaust, sway bar, and it has transmits more road noise into the car. On the good side there kit looks very strong I would think it would handle more power. If Cudabuyer has 710hp with no problems I'm sold! 
The air ride kit has bushings and is a triangulated 4 bar, so it does not need a pan-hard bar or watts-link. More space and smoother ride. It will also work with coil-overs if you don't want air bags.
To answer your question I think it is the best all around kit if you want to dump the leaf springs ( just weld them in.  )
Heres a pic of Magnum Forces kit for comparison

[HP2]

Those upper links look awefully short. Those look like they could potentially bind up as the suspension cycles up and down.

FWIW, longitudinally mount 4 links aren't the best handling systems out there.

[MoparCar]

conv340,
Thanks for the info. I'll keep watching your awesome progress!

Wes

[TrakHor]

Those upper links look awefully short. Those look like they could potentially bind up as the suspension cycles up and down.

FWIW, longitudinally mount 4 links aren't the best handling systems out there.

I agree, my personal experience is that a 3 link works better on a solid axle. Something like XV has or even a torque arm. This is not to say a 4 link done right is bad. It depends on how hard you drive the car. I also believe there a difference between a good handling street car and a good handling track car. That being said a 4 link would probably do just fine on the street.

conv340,
Thanks for the info. I'll keep watching your awesome progress!

Yeah keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to seeing the final product.

[conv340]

I though I would give an update.
I have been held up by the differential. The guy that I had build the housing, (who will remain nameless  ) has been holding me up. Very nice guy but I can't recommend him. It took many months and three rears to get it right. One got lost in shipping?  Just let it go! So anyway I now have a good housing and can move forward.
 The air ride kit uses U-bolts to hold on the lower bar. ( makes it easy to bolt on) We can't have anything easy so... I ordered a weld on lower bracket from Air-Ride for a tri-bar. As luck would have it the dimensions are different so it won't work. I should have called and asked if it would fit this kit.  Now I've got it in my head that I don't want to see u-bolts under the car and I have brackets that I don't want to send back. Several hours later. I have custom lower brackets. I made them out of the two brackets. ( More cutting and welding.)  Anyway its all welded up and everything fits real nice. it articulates smooth with no binding and the pinion angle looks good. Soon it may sit on its own wheels. 

[MoparCar]

Conv340,
Do you have any pics of your mini tub installation? Did you just section and butt weld in the spacer or?? How about the trunk lid supports? Thanks in advance!
Wes

[conv340]

Do you have any pics of your mini tub installation? Did you just section and butt weld in the spacer or?? How about the trunk lid supports? Thanks in advance!

I'll post some pics so far. I haven't actually finished the spacer because I'm waiting for the "full" quarter to come out and then put it all back together.  One thing to remember when looking at the pics I also moved the whole body down 2" over the frame "channeling" so the tub sits not only in farther but up higher also. 
You do have to remake the trunk hinge support to fit and of course the package tray. but the spacer is easy just a strip down the middle. I have also been considering removing the outer wheel well as large tire hit the curve if it is low. and just extend the spacer strait out to the quarter. I saw someone do that on a Challenger once.

[MoparCar]

Thanks!
Did you need to weld or clamp a brace on the trunk hinge supports or do you basically cut them loose, let them hang, modify and weld back in place?

By the way, your car is going to be Awesome!!! I love the whole photo series in your restoration thread!

Wes

[conv340]

Did you need to weld or clamp a brace on the trunk hinge supports or do you basically cut them loose, let them hang, modify and weld back in place?

I replaced the filler panel at the same time. So they were completely out of the car I took measurements before removing them so I could get them back in the right spot. I still was worried that the trunk wouldn't fit right so I clamped it together and mounted the trunk lid just to make sure before welding.

[MoparCar]

Thanks!
Wes