Fri. I installed another 4 air bag system and again made another GMC
owner pleased.
Other than a few testy bolts, the install went smoothly. I had the 2
pin bolts on the driver side put up a valiant struggle. I had a 3/4"
breaker bar lifting the coach via a 2 1/2ton floor jack before it
surrendered. I did not want to heat the nut unless I had no other
choise not wanting to risk the temper of the pin.
The kit fits purfectly, install time was 4 hours. I added seperate shut
off valves for each bag to give the system flexability. Paul Gibson,
head of Firestones Ride Rite division test drove the system and was
completely impressed. Paul was involved initially in the GMC rear
suspension design using the single 2 sided air bag. He was so impressed
that Firestone acknowledged the systems viability by designating it with
its own Firestone part #. This is not a gimick or fad, it is truly a
next step improvement in the evolution of a better ride for our
motorhome.
The customers drive test was impressive as the installation fit. All
the way home to Venice Fla., the customer said the coach tracked like it
was mounted to rails. He was concerned that the unusual handling
characteristics of the rear suspension would prevent his wife from
driving the coach. He stated that he can now travel at speeds that
would have concerned him before. He now has the confidence to take it
out on any 2 lane, grooved, multilevel road we wants.
Although the air compressor went into thermal when we were resetting the
tank pressure, it is adequite for operating the system under normal
conditions. I would like to experiment adapting some of the technology
I found when outfitting the air dump systems on ambulances I worked with
last year. They use a higher CFM compressor and "ping" tanks tied to
the air bags for more volume of air. A properly installed air drop
system on an ambulance can drop the suspension to the ground in 4 sec.
and reinflate the system to ride height in no more than 10 sec., a
pretty impressive control. I feel this would be a worthwhile
modification to the GMC air ride system and would like to set one up,
any takers out there?
The bottom line is, you really should investige the 4 air bag system if
you are going to be in the market for new air bags any time soon. It
costs a bit more than replacing the OEM bags, but with 2 bags costing
around $500.00, the cost of this tremendous performance modifcation is
not as far out of reach as it seems.
If you want to look further into this system, give me a call
(1-877-275-4462) or find someone who has installed the system and they
will surly support all I tell you.
Input on this subject is most certainly welcome.
Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
owner pleased.
Other than a few testy bolts, the install went smoothly. I had the 2
pin bolts on the driver side put up a valiant struggle. I had a 3/4"
breaker bar lifting the coach via a 2 1/2ton floor jack before it
surrendered. I did not want to heat the nut unless I had no other
choise not wanting to risk the temper of the pin.
The kit fits purfectly, install time was 4 hours. I added seperate shut
off valves for each bag to give the system flexability. Paul Gibson,
head of Firestones Ride Rite division test drove the system and was
completely impressed. Paul was involved initially in the GMC rear
suspension design using the single 2 sided air bag. He was so impressed
that Firestone acknowledged the systems viability by designating it with
its own Firestone part #. This is not a gimick or fad, it is truly a
next step improvement in the evolution of a better ride for our
motorhome.
The customers drive test was impressive as the installation fit. All
the way home to Venice Fla., the customer said the coach tracked like it
was mounted to rails. He was concerned that the unusual handling
characteristics of the rear suspension would prevent his wife from
driving the coach. He stated that he can now travel at speeds that
would have concerned him before. He now has the confidence to take it
out on any 2 lane, grooved, multilevel road we wants.
Although the air compressor went into thermal when we were resetting the
tank pressure, it is adequite for operating the system under normal
conditions. I would like to experiment adapting some of the technology
I found when outfitting the air dump systems on ambulances I worked with
last year. They use a higher CFM compressor and "ping" tanks tied to
the air bags for more volume of air. A properly installed air drop
system on an ambulance can drop the suspension to the ground in 4 sec.
and reinflate the system to ride height in no more than 10 sec., a
pretty impressive control. I feel this would be a worthwhile
modification to the GMC air ride system and would like to set one up,
any takers out there?
The bottom line is, you really should investige the 4 air bag system if
you are going to be in the market for new air bags any time soon. It
costs a bit more than replacing the OEM bags, but with 2 bags costing
around $500.00, the cost of this tremendous performance modifcation is
not as far out of reach as it seems.
If you want to look further into this system, give me a call
(1-877-275-4462) or find someone who has installed the system and they
will surly support all I tell you.
Input on this subject is most certainly welcome.
Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
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