Here are the parts in TCI's...
Here are the parts in TCI's Air Ride IFS kit. Everything you need to complete the project is included, as well as a comprehensive set of instructions.
We started by removing the...
We started by removing the sheetmetal and drivetrain. After cleaning the area, we were ready to tack-weld a couple of bars across the front of the frame. This is done to keep the frame alignment when the original crossmember is removed.
We measured back 17-3/8 inches...
We measured back 17-3/8 inches from the front-bumper mounting hole and marked it. This becomes the centerline for the new crossmember. It should be centered in the same location as the rubber stop for the original axle.
To remove the crossmember,...
To remove the crossmember, you can drill-out the rivets, or they can be cut out with a cutting torch as ours were.
We welded all the unwanted...
We welded all the unwanted holes before installing the new crossmember. This section of the frame needs to be trimmed back to the face of the new crossmember.
We made and installed large...
We made and installed large plug washers to fill the holes in the frame where the edge of the crossmember will be welded. This was done more for looks than strength. The driver side must be pulled out slightly as it was indented for the old steering box.
If you look closely, you can...
If you look closely, you can see where the frame lip was trimmed for crossmember clearance. All extra holes were welded and ground smooth. Now we're ready to install the crossmember.
We placed the crossmember...
We placed the crossmember in between the framerails with the steering rack in the front. We made sure that the crossmember is straight and level front-to-back using the centerline we marked earlier.
We checked the squareness...
We checked the squareness diagonally before any welding was done. If there is a problem, this is the time to do something about it.
When we were happy with the...
When we were happy with the measurements, we went ahead and welded the crossmember starting with the lower one and then the two hats. We made sure the hats were parallel to each other.
Here's how the crossmember...
Here's how the crossmember looked after it was welded in. We drilled an access hole for the air line to pass through the corner of the hats.
Now that the crossmember was...
Now that the crossmember was installed, we could assemble the front-suspension pieces, starting with the lower-control arms.
We installed the 90-degree...
We installed the 90-degree hose end in the air spring with it pointing through the window opening in the air spring adapter. As you can see, we also installed the spring adapter with the Allen bolts provided.
Next, we bolted the other...
Next, we bolted the other end of the air spring to the lower-control arm.
We installed the upper-control...
We installed the upper-control arms and ran the air lines from the 90-degree fittings on the air springs through the holes in the upper-control arm hats.
We moved the lower-control...
We moved the lower-control arm upward and installed the upper-air spring mounting bolts through the spring tower. We made sure that we didn't pinch the air lines and that the air spring was centered so it wasn't in a bind. There are slots in the lower-control arms for alignment purposes.
The lower-shock stud was the...
The lower-shock stud was the next thing we mounted.
We placed a floor jack under...
We placed a floor jack under the lower-control arm in order to hold the weight of the spindle and brake assembly. We installed the spindle assembly by starting with the lower-ball joint, followed by the upper.
We welded the upper-shock...
We welded the upper-shock bracket on next. This kit provides a total travel of almost 5 inches. Adjust the suspension stops so the air spring is about 1/2 inch from being fully collapsed in the down position.
We installed the steering...
We installed the steering rack next. The rack was mounted first, followed by the tie rod ends.
We added a sway bar to the...
We added a sway bar to the front end because TCI didnt offer one at the time of delivery. We modified a ´55-´57 Chevy car unit. It fit with only a few modifications. The links had to be custom made and a bracket needed to be installed to the lower-control arm.
Here is how it looked when...
Here is how it looked when it was finished and back on the ground.
Do you want to update your vehicle's ride, braking, and steering abilities with TCI's Air Ride IFS, but there are a few questions holding you back? Basically, you need to know what the benefits are about this fairly new thing called "Air Ride." Well, it has been a common way of suspending commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, but has only been recently used in automotive applications.
It's popular with street rodders and customizers because enthusiasts like the idea that they can control their rods' ride height and maintain a constant spring rate at the same time. It's been available long enough that people are becoming more comfortable with the idea of replacing a metal-wound coil spring with that of a rubber bellows type cylinder (air spring).
An air spring has absolutely nothing in common with an air shock, other than they both use air as a way to fill the open area of mass in the rubber cylinders. An air shock works in conjunction with a spring and can't hold up a vehicle on its own. It needs a form of spring-style suspension to hold up the mass. An air spring replaces any other form of spring. With TCI's Air Ride suspension, you have the capability of raising and lowering your vehicle in a matter of seconds. A switch controls an on-board air compressor and holding tank which empty the spring and blow it back up on demand.
Total Cost Involved Engineering (TCI) offers complete systems with everything an enthusiast needs to complete the project. Give the company a call to find out if it has a kit that meets your needs. It also offers a retro-fit kit for those of you who heard about this style of suspension too late and have already installed one of the company's traditional IFS kits.
Let's see how the guys at Precision Street Rods & Machines installed TCI's Air Ride suspension kit in a '48 Ford woodie. In the last installment, we showed you how to install TCI's rear kit in this same car.