Mighty boy Airbags.... want to install

[motorheadmatt]

Hi Everyone

My mighty boy is coming of the road for some custom work, still paying the rego but ... not gonna try going through a blueslip.

I have seen a couple Mb's with airbag suspension. I plan on doing a full setup in my MB. I know the general idea of what is to be done in a sedan car, but i got no idea with an MB....leaf suspension, tubbing, fuel cell????

There is a decent amount to consider, i planned on doing the setup myself. I have the money for a Kit...many shops dont seem to be too helpful if they arent the ones doing the labour.....If any one has any knowledge of what to buy and how to install your help would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS

[Brayden]

Front requires an airbag strut unit, rear you need to notch the frame and convert the leaf spring to trailing arms, installing a subframe or C section and fabricate tubs to house the bags. You'll also need a fuel cell unless you can make it all fit around the standard tank.

So after you've spent about $3500 buying the parts and hacking up the body, you'll be left with a ute that can't be engineered or legally registered.

[motorheadmatt]

Fanx for the quick response mate!

Dont really care much for engineering, or if the car is legal or not.
I got a mate who is a welder by trade who knows alot more about suspension then me.

I am familiar with the Airbag strut Unit to replace the front suspension:
http://www.probag.com.au/air%20page%204.html

That same shop also provides the Rear Tub wheel arches. See right at the bottom of the Link page.
http://www.probag.com.au/4%20bag.html

Would this setup be suitable for the rear leaf suspension?
http://www.probag.com.au/air%20page%205.html

[Brayden]

The AirOverLeaf setup won't work on an MB because it only has one leaf to start with, so there is no way of removing leaves to lower the standard height. Besides, you only get a few inches of travel with that system - it is really aimed at people who want their ute lowered a it, but can raise it back up to carry a load in the back.

The three airbagged MB's I have seen were converted to trailing arm and 4 link setup.

[sammy]

you can do a mono leaf set up. just need to flip the leaf spring there is a orang one getting around with it. bit bodgy in my opinion. mine has a triangulated 4 link and a true cantilever set up. also a custom made fuel cell and relocated fuel filler. tubbed and new rear firewall. alot of work can be engineered if you know a good engineer lol

[stevan_istheman]

The AirOverLeaf setup won't work on an MB because it only has one leaf to start with, so there is no way of removing leaves to lower the standard height. Besides, you only get a few inches of travel with that system - it is really aimed at people who want their ute lowered a it, but can raise it back up to carry a load in the back.

Close but not 100% accurate..
Bellows type airbags are used to support weight only, not really designed to give extra height. That being said it will depend on the condition of the leaf springs they are being fitted to... If the leaf springs are really sagged to start with you will most likely get a little height.
All these airbags require a minimum pressure of 5-10psi to avoid pinching the side and getting leaks, this minimum pressure also allows the airbag to work as a bumpstop.
This is very handy on most utes but as the mightyboy is so light in the rear and there is bugger all travel in the rear end anyway you may aswell forget about trying to use one of these setups. Even at 5-10psi the ride will be terrible, (would jar like a bitch unless you throw a bag of cememt in the back) and because there will be no bag on the market short enough to fit a mightyboy you're gonna have to go with a custom 4 link...

Just the thoughts of some 4x4 accessories salesman that sets up suspension systems in utes everyday.

Cheers,
Steve

[motorheadmatt]

Thanks for all the responses guys they have been really helpful

I have spoken to a number of suspension shops Australia wide.

The cost for the full kit to do a Mightboy will be about 2900-3500. This is parts only, it does not include the installation. The kit includes tubs, notch kit, bags, compressors, lines, tanks, gauges, controller etc... Including installation would bump up the price to 10,000

There is alot of Cutting and Welding Involved. You would basically have to cut out the whole rear suspension setup, and start from scratch. The rear of the car is what seems to be the biggest problem.

What i plan to do is to have an air suspension set up in the front of the car and to be lowered in the rear.

Tubular suspensions Mt Kuringai NSW fabricate custom Airstruts to suit your car. I have to bring the MB down for a measure and quote. As for the rear i plan to get a custom set of u-bolts fabricated to get a 4 inch drop on the rear.

......what do u guys think????

[Brayden]

I think a 4" drop will have it sitting on the axle, with zero suspension movement.

[motorheadmatt]

I think a 4" drop will have it sitting on the axle, with zero suspension movement.

this was the sort of drop i was looking 4.....
http://www.tamon.org/gallery/v/members/ ... 2.JPG.html

the u bolts seem to be close to the ground, i suppose the can be grinded down....
http://www.tamon.org/gallery/v/members/ ... 3.JPG.html

what u rekon about a similar set up but with the proper blocks?

[Brayden]

You would have to remove the bump stops entirely and have the axle resting on the subframe. I would suspect that the first decent bump you hit would put the ute into the nearest light post.

If you want the back end 4" lower and maintain at least a bit of suspension travel then you need to remove the part of the subframe that the bump stops rest on, and maybe strengthen the remaining metal. Rather than use rediculously large blocks I would get custom leaf springs made to the height you want, and fit short body shocks.

[shavenyak]

or you could always get 10" wheels..

[stevan_istheman]

4" is pretty crazy...
I got 2" blocks in the back of mine and i've got no travel at all, i think the shocks are fully compressed but i don't drive it that much so it doesn't bother me.
Also, i'm pretty sure mine has bottomed out before too.I've removed the bumpstops and it's still really close.

"Bumpstops?, What are they officer?"

[Brayden]

Actually lowering blocks keep the shocks in factory position, not compressed.

[stevan_istheman]

Actually lowering blocks keep the shocks in factory position, not compressed.

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!
True..
Wonder why i've got no travel then...
I'll have to investigate on the weekend.

[Psi_Wagon]

my boy is lower 3", with the rear bumpstops cut in half so theres still something there, and that only bottoms out on the harshest of bumps on the road.