airbags

From: Patrick and Kelly Engram (shetland@erols.com)
Date: Fri Oct 22 1999 - 23:33:06 EDT


  Kelly and Flip asked about airbags. Airbags are mounted on the rear
of Dakotas between the frame and the top side of the axle or leaf
spring. The bags can be inflated by using an airhose to fill them
through a valve normally mounted in the rear bumper, or can be inflated
by using an additional compressor kit that has a gauge and you can raise
and lower the air pressure at the touch of a button.
  Airbags are installed to keep the rear of the vehicle level when
loading heavy cargo, or pulling heavy items. Keeping the rear end
fairly level adds safety because the handling and control of the vehicle
is maintained, where as without them and the rear sagged down, the nose
of the truck is up, causing wander, difficulty in steering, sway, etc.
They do not replace the springs or the shocks, but work in addition to
them.
  The R/T owners have been installing them to compensate for the lowered
suspension and Chrysler's reduction in towing capacity due to severe
pinion angles and other reasons.
  There was a group buy that ended in July on the dml. I have a few
kits left over if anyone is interested. The price was $200 plus
shipping for manual inflation, $400 with compressor kit included.
  More info can be found on my company's airbag webpage:
http://www.firestoneindustrial.com/rvlt.htm
  Ride-rite for pre '97, sport-rite for '97+ and lowered applications.
Patrick
Firestone in Baltimore



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