What do YOU think of an offroad vehicle with AIRBAG suspension?

I heard about that such a technology is growing within the souped up street racers of today.

But how would such airbag suspension go when it comes to offroad? (in comparison to standard offroad shocks)
:duh

I,m looking at some slimline airbags for my dual cab to supplement the torsionbars not replace them. I can get 4inch diameter bags but I have to make the brackets to fit. The idea is to run with the torsion bars/leaves set low untill you need that clearance like when there is a bogged manx in your road !

There are a couple of sandrail/offroad kits in the states using airbags instead of springs. One of them was designed as army quick-escape buggy like the Chenowths used in the gulf wars.

you can buy full airbag suspension for 4wds allready works great so i believe as can level out your car on sideways slopes etc

I was told by someone in the auto industry that air bags put excess shock loads and stresses through the chassis that conventional springs don't??

Hmm. Seems hard to get a straight answer. Anyone know for exact sure what they are like?

Where can I get them

I found an actual offroad site that talks about them.

Well, i found it in google, but I can't open it because this broadband cable internet is running slower than a modem, (For some wierd and confusing reason).

http://www.fourwheeler.com/howto/80258/ 

There it is.

does anyone kno the cost of airbaggin a 65 beach buggy, hehehe it sounds like it'd b pretty cool i jus want info on who can do it if its possible

I don't know any places in Australia, but I saw a US site (that was willing to ship) air suspension kits over that are specially built for beetles (early and late models).

If you want a good one with a fast compressor (so your not waiting ages for them to pump up or down), it will take you back $1995 or so. And I think thats US dollars. So they don't come cheap.

for 4wd around 6k fitted and that was about 18 months ago as demonstrated to our 4wd club

dont forget the $$$ getting it engineered and roadworth.

I reckon its not worth it. [personally]. Shockies are more easier and cheaper, by the sound of it.

Atleast if you have simple shocks rather than complicated air bags, hoses, high pressure compressors etc etc. you would have less chances of things going wrong and stuffin up.

yes. and parts are much more available.

I fit and design airbag suspensions all day, every day. Can't beat it. You are literally floating on air.

Depends on the fittment and work needed, but would be looking at between $6k and 10k for a install on most vehicles.

I am currently air-bagging my 67 beetle. Too go low though, no high.

Cayenne... Touareg... Range Rover... Land Rover Discovery....

True.

They would be mad to have on a street beetle to go low. Just image driving in and parking infront of ur girlfiends house, and drop the suspension till ur 1cm off the ground to let her in. That would be mad. (Well, in my imagination.)

How short is your girlfriend?

:thumb:thumb:thumb

Nice example. But are there tall enough airbags for high up offroaders?

i doubt they would be able to go up and down that far. Probably only like 6'' or somethin, i dunno.

Cant you achieve all the same characteristics of AIR BAGGING your offroader with the right choice of coils and shocks???

A lot less to bugger up with coil springs and the trusty shocks than with airbags, compressors and all the bits in between.

Cheers.

good point, + its cheaper:thumb

I would probably go the cheaper alternative and have shocks. It would be a more rough ride compared to air suspension, but neah. Cave man had survived without airbags, so i should be fine.

ive only seen airbags on high class low capability 4wds, and showcars.

id think theyd be allright as a sand runner, but for anything else the money involved would be pointless...

if you want to spend dosh and get great capability, go for the peter antunac special... hydraulic ram suspension... he can put one wheel of his monster landcruiser well above my head whilst the other three are still on the ground!

Low capability?

The details: