Rear Suspension

Page 1 - Thunderbird Airbag Suspension
Page 2 - Air Supply
Page 3 - Front Suspension
Page 4 - Rear Suspension
Page 5 - More Bagged Birds



Click on thumbnails for larger images


First to do was take the springs out from between the control arm and body. The shock bolt, sway bar endlink nut, and two bolts from the lower control arm knuckle are removed to pull the spring out. It helps to stand on the control arm.


Firestone 2500 Bags are used in my setup. A lower cup is bolted on in this picture, and the plate for the top is shown. A cup will be made for the top after the height needed has been determined.


1 inch tall steel circles were welded to the plates to make the upper mounting cups. They are slightly offset when mounted on the bag, to allow the airline room to bend inside the circle when installed on the vehicle. The elbow fitting inside the airbag faces the front of the vehicle, and the air line runs out to the rear of the vehicle.


After installing the airbag assembly inside the vehicle, the wheels are put back on, and all of the air is let out of the system so we can find out much needs to be removed from the upper cups. The bumpstop that would normally be in the way was cut out completely.


Since the airbags collapse, the assembly can be removed with only unbolting the anti-sway bar endlink. In these pictures, a shorter upper cup is mounted after necessary adjustments were made. The airline can also be seen coming from the pinch molding from the original suspension, it has been wrapped with loom for added protection.


To keep the upper cup from shifting while the suspension is raised and lowered, it has been tack welded to the body.


Here is a shot of the mounts and airbags after the welding has been completed. The bags are inflated with a low pressure. Anytime the airbags are hanging, most or all of the air pressure should be relieved to prevent stress on the bag itself.


Finally, the body mount, rear subframe, and exhaust may rest comfortably on the ground.



When fully inflated, over 8 inches of heigth are gained in the rear. The Firestone airbags have a maximum capacity of 150 PSI ( altho, it is possible to put much more with nitrogen and possibly hop off the ground ) =) .. my airbags top out at 120 PSI as shown in this picture. I normally cruise between 45-55 PSI on the freeway, as an example of how much pressure is normal.



Check out the next page for more Bagged Thunderbirds ...

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